Page 122 of Family: Posy 4

"Oh!" That made her perk up and she swiveled her head to look at me with wide eyes. "All right. Here's Lark. Goodbye and good night."

We all murmured our good nights as her blue eyes closed. When they blinked open again, they shone like moonlight.

"Hello, Lark. I'm so sorry you've experienced something traumatic this evening," I told her.

"No let him get me. Sid promised he no let him get me." Her body shook so hard, Cole had to tighten his arms around her so she didn't fall on the floor.

"No one will get you. I give you my word as alpha and king. He will never touch you, never evenseeyou again if that is your wish." I laid my hand over my heart as I made my vow. "I need to know a couple of things tonight. First, were there any others who brought Kendall Briggs banned items?"

"Not that I know of. Not to alpha house. Father never let anyone into alpha house. Only that man I showed Sid."

"Other than Briggs, did anyone else ever hurt you? Can you remember if anyone from another pack came to hurt you? Or maybe someone who wasn't even a shifter?"

"Sometimes he made James and Aiden and Beta Roy."

I already knew all about that, so I waved it off.

"No one else?" When she shook her head, I went on. "You're sure? He kept you in the alpha house for six years and you never met, saw, or smelledanystranger there other than Ikhlassi?"

"Who?"

"The man you showed Sid."

"Burnt Oil Man." She twisted her fingers in her lap until Wyatt reached over and grabbed her hands to hold them.

Onyx snickered at the pseudonym, and I shushed him before she heard.

"Yes. His name is Ezra Ikhlassi."

"Only him. Father not like anyone in alpha house. No one allowed in."

Probably so they never caught on to what he was doing to her,I thought grimly.

"And in that memory you shared, you heard Briggs say the name Calvin, correct? You're sure it was Calvin? No doubts?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very well. Thank you." I gave her a gentle smile. "Why don't you rest? You are safe now. Your mates are here, and Quartz's legend alone is enough to scare away anyone with half a brain. I'll also send a troop of soldiers to guard the guest house."

"And Burnt Oil Man?"

"He's in my dungeon. The captain of the guards locked him in our most secure cell, and a squad of my best men will stand guard over him until I can interrogate him later."

She nodded, but bit her bottom lip hard enough to turn the skin white. She was surrounded by her mates, and still the poor girl trembled.

Glancing at the boys, I saw their eyes were glassy as they linked with each other, and Wyatt's smirk and Cole's angry scowl made me wonder if the missing brothers were up to something stupid. Mase closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose confirmed they were.

Quickly, I linked the captain of the guards and let him know that Quartz and Sid were forbidden to enter the dungeon under any circumstances.

With respect,he responded slowly,how do you expect us to stop them? Especially Quartz? If they won't listen to reason, am I authorized to use force?

I don't want that many dead wolves for no reason,I grumbled.If they won't be swayed, link me and do what you can until I can get there.

Yes, sire.

"Wyatt, take her back to the guest house," Mase said quietly. "I don't think Ash and Jay are going to regain control on their own. Cole and I are going to have to go after them."

I knew neither of them wanted to leave their mate while she was vulnerable. I wouldn't, either.

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