Page 103 of A Court of Bones & Sorrow

“Would it kill you to ask for help?” Cade grunted and grabbed the bands, shoving away Rynn’s hand as he tied them and stepped away. Rynn stared at him with an unreadable expression as she dropped the shirt and looked down to inspect how it looked.

I glanced at Bastian and Ryker and was surprised to find that, like Vail, they had averted their eyes for this whole thing.

Wow. Rynn and the Alpha Pack were even messier than I’d thought. I couldn’t wait to tell Cali all about it.

“Good enough,” Rynn said as she finished fussing with the shirt. She was right, it was baggy enough that the satchel beneath it was barely noticeable. “When I get back home, I’ll find a better solution—something that will work in both my forms—but I’ll keep it on me at all times.”

“You can do that while you pack up your things to move to your new home,” Bastian said smoothly, his gaze once again on Rynn.

“Fuck you, Bastian,” Rynn snarled.

“You would be so lucky.”

“I’m not joining your stupid pack!” she screamed. “I’ll figure out a way out of this.”

“The fact that you’re wearing his shirt”—Bastian pointed at Ryker—“says otherwise.”

She took a step towards him, a snarl bubbling from her throat, when Ryker slid between them, causing Rynn to bump into his chest and stumble back. The lycan’s hands darted out, gripping her around the waist, and his head leaned down closer to her shirt—his shirt, technically.

Ryker’s nostrils flared, and his gaze dropped to Rynn’s chest before he practically growled in her face. “Why were you crying earlier?”

“Seriously?” she snarled and shoved him away.

I bit my lip, not really knowing what to say to make this situation better. Rynn snatched a few books from the table and stalked towards the door, only to be thwarted when an invisible force seemed to wrap around the books and prevent them from passing the threshold. Rynn’s body jerked as she was yanked back, and my brows rose as she tried to pass through again, but it was pretty clear the books were not leaving this space.

The Fae had clearly been determined to not only keep this place hidden but to protect the books inside as well. I was dying to know why, but it would have to wait.

After one more pissed-off snarl, Rynn slammed the booksdown onto the nearest table, causing me to wince at the harsh treatment of books that were likely centuries old, before storming out.

Apparently the crown could leave but the books couldn’t. Interesting. Maybe the books were part of the original spell that kept this place safe, and the crown had come here afterwards?

“I’ll go check on her,” Vail said.

I watched him go, a little surprised that he cared, but I knew he respected Rynn and had dealt with the Alphas a lot in the past, so maybe he could offer her some words of wisdom.

“Explain the clothing,” I said quietly.

Bastian looked like he’d bitten into something sour, and Ryker clamped his mouth shut, suddenly looking very young and unsure.

“When a Velesian joins a new pack, it’s customary for them to wear the clothing of the other members . . . once they’ve accepted it,” Cade explained in a somewhat strained tone. “It shows to others that they’re happy with their new life . . . and family.”

“You’re not keeping her if she doesn’t want to stay.” I met Cade’s stare and held it even as his dominance slammed into me and the other two Velesians let out warning growls. “We’re in agreement for the crown, and that takes priority, but if Rynn wants to leave your pack, know that I will do everything in my power to help her, and if you hurt her”—I pushed my bloodlust until I was sure my eyes were jet-black—“I will cut out your heart and eat it in front of you.”

The dominance exuding from him pushed against me one more time before vanishing like it’d never been there.

“Understood. I have no interest in harming Rynn.” Cade nodded calmly before striding towards the door and tossing over his shoulder, “But I have no interest in giving her back either.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Samara

“Where’d they go?”I frowned when we reached the surface again. There was no sign of Vail or Rynn anywhere. Rynn had been really pissed, so she probably just needed some distance between her and the Alphas to calm down. Vail would keep her safe.

Apparently not everyone shared my opinion, because Cade let out a frustrated growl and Ryker looked like he was on the verge of shifting again just as Vail appeared from the trees.

“She’s fine,” he said. “Just pissed off. I tried to calm her down, but I think she just needs time to cool off. She’s on her way home now.”

Not her home anymore. I closed my eyes. It was always expected that Rynn would go and live with the Alphas up north, but being exiled from her own fucking Order was an entirely different situation. I still couldn’t believe Cade had gone along with that plan.

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