Page 49 of Wolf's Redemption

Ulrik stared after Aimon and Kathryn as they rode off into the forest. “There is a story there.”

“There is,” agreed Gaharet.

Erin and Rebekah disappeared into the cottage and the door closed behind them, leaving Ulrik alone with his alpha. “We need to talk.”

Gaharet perched himself on a downed tree and folded his arms across his chest. “We do. Tell me, Ulrik, how did you get out of Langeais Keep?”

Ulrik stiffened. Constance was wrong. Gaharet had not forgiven him and did not trust him still. When last they had spoken, Gaharet had thought it was he who had betrayed the pack. Given their history, he could well understand Gaharet’s suspicions. Despite Constance’s assurances, one act did not atone for the many years between their broken friendship.

“I followed my nose. I tracked your path, yours and Erin’s, to the storeroom and that passageway beneath the walls. Lothair had guards at the postern gate, but I knew the boys and I talked our way past them.” He let the truth in his words ring clear. Gaharet could not fail to sense it. “I am glad for it. Had you not known of its existence, had you not used it to escape with Erin, I would have had a devil of a time getting out.”

Gaharet’s dark gaze bored into him, but Ulrik would not cower. He had nothing to hide.

“Very well.” Gaharet unfolded his arms and leaned his elbows on his knees. “So, talk. I am listening.”

Ulrik squared his shoulders. The information he had was too important to let their past conflict hold his tongue. “Lothair knows.”

“That I am not dead?” Gaharet nodded. “I know.”

Ulrik frowned at Gaharet’s lack of concern. “I thought our plan was good. How did Lothair find out?”

Gaharet shrugged. “Our planwasgood. I told him.”

“What?” Gaharet’s words hit him like a punch to his chest and he took a step back. “Why?” Had he spent all that time in that wretched hole, believing he was as good as dead, only to haveGaharetbetrayhim? He snarled, his hand itching to reach for his sword. “Why would you do that?Whendid you do that?”

Gaharet remained seated, barely raising an eyebrow at his agitation. “I revealed myself to Lothair after they dragged you from the clearing. You and I both know Lothair is no fool. He already suspected it was a ruse. It is best we work with him, not against him.”

“Merde.”Ulrik spun away.

“Do not let this dishearten you. Your time at Langeais Keep was not for naught. Lothair may know, but the others do not, save for Aimon.”

Ulrik shook his head, restlessly pacing. Allying with Lothair?No!Not after all that had come before.

“You do not have to like it, Ulrik. Nor like the man himself. I am not asking that of you, but we cannot hope to combat both Renaud and the traitor, as well as Lothair himself. We need to level the field.” Gaharet rose and placed a hand on his shoulder, halting him.

Ulrik’s emotions roiled inside him, the firm pressure of Gaharet’s hand the only thing keeping his wolf in check and curtailing his rage. He longed to shake it off, but his alpha held firm.

Mon Dieu,Ineed a drink.Or to fuck.

The murmur of Rebekah’s voice from inside the cottage called to him, tempted him. He could have neither. Not right now. He clenched and unclenched his fists, not willing to look at Gaharet. Not yet. Not until he had himself under control. To do so would invite a challenge, one his alpha could not let stand. One Ulrik did not want.

Gaharet squeezed his shoulder. “Think, Ulrik. Use your head and not your heart. WeneedLothair.”

Ulrik raked a hand through his hair and stared into the forest, seeing only the vague memories of his family. His mother’s bright smile. The adoration on his father’s face when he had looked at his mate. The defiance in his sisters’ eyes. His memories of them had faded over time, but his anger and his thirst for revenge had burned brighter, stronger.

“You cannot win against Lothair, Ulrik.” Gaharet moved to stand in front of him. “We cannot win. Your parents knew that. It is why they made the choice they did, and they would not want you to try. Do not let their sacrifice be for nothing.”

A heavy weariness settled over him as all his rage drained away. Gaharet was right. He had known it when he faced Lothair in that godforsaken chamber. He knew it now. Ulrik let the tension slide from his shoulders. There was no point in fighting it.

“How can we survive this, Gaharet? Even allying with Lothair, the chances are slim. Renaud has an informant. One of our own. Lothair confirmed it when he came to taunt me.”

Tension rolled over his alpha, and the low thrum of anger tainted the air.

“Yes. He does.” There was an edge to Gaharet’s voice. “And this traitor has wreaked havoc far longer than we had thought.” Gaharet motioned in the direction Aimon and Kathryn had gone. “He attacked Kathryn the day he killed my mother.”

Ulrik stilled. One of their own had… No, surely not?

“I thought… Aimon did not turn her? And your mother? Was that not bandits?”

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