Page 73 of Pack Rage
Fuck.I’d waited too long to start the fight.
We needed our own unhinged brother, and fast. I reached in my mind for Grigor again, pushing at the bubble that cut us off from him. I could almost feel him, racing toward us, reaching for me. Listening to my thoughts—no, my heart. He couldn’t read my thoughts right now, but maybe my magic, our shared blood, would cross the divide.
I sent a call out in my blood—run, run, run—each beat urging him to go faster, filling the command with urgency so he would know.
“What is that?” Mother sucked in a breath and peered up at the sky above us, then back at me in suspicion. She stepped toward me, greed twisting her features. Hunger.
I blinked once, then dropped my eyes, even stooping over as I used to when she was doing what I now knew was feeding off my power. I let my hands tremble and tilted my head to one side submissively.
I needed her to think I was as weak as ever, though I could feel the strength in my blood now. Her gaze flicked back to Father as the crowd began to grumble, even our own pack’s Enforcers uneasy with the introduction of our sworn enemies in the middle of what was meant to be our most sacred place.
“I brought some unexpected allies with us,” she announced, dropping a cool kiss on Father’s cheek and taking up her place at his side. “Ones who have sworn themselves to the North American pack, under your leadership. They want nothing more than to move past the ugly history we shared, and forge a strong alliance for the future. I would like to introduce General Ivan, our newest ally.”
The general, dressed in fatigues I’d seen before when he’d struck me with magic outside the Northern packlands, marched across the clearing to kneel at my father’s feet. No, he kneeled between both my parents, his gaze moving between them. “I come willingly, Alpha, with no purpose but one: to join with you and your Council and lend you my pack’s power in your time of need.”
I’d known he was working in collusion with my parents, but seeing him march into the very heart of our packlands, boldly passing through the crowd to appear before the Council Head? My own shock was echoed in the deep, fearful silencethat came from all those around us. Not even the whisper of a breath could be heard as the general bowed his head.From one side of the shallow bowl of the Council ring to the other, the entire gathering stared at the two of them, wondering what was happening.
When my father reached out a hand and helped Ivan to his feet, a stern, benevolent expression on his face, no one but me could see the glint of victory in his eyes. “I welcome your assistance, General Ivan.AlphaIvan.” He clasped the man’s arms and pulled him close, both Alphas staring into each other’s faces. It was an even match, and when Ivan dropped his gaze to the ground, the gesture was obviously perfunctory.“Who did you bring with you to our alliance, Alpha Ivan? Who can we count on for assistance as we root out the true danger to the North American pack? The power-hungry, lawbreaking shifters in our midst?”
“I bring the East, Alpha McDonnell. I bring a final end to the old war, and a true alliance with the pack who have been reaching out to you for over ten years, hoping for a partnership.” His voice rang with truth, but he had to shout over the crowd to be heard as he finished. “I come on behalf of the Alpha of Novosibirsk, to offer any aid you request, in exchange for a permanent alliance.”
A piece of the puzzle clicked into place. Of course he was working with the same Alpha my parents had sold Tana to. The Long Hunt meant they had made promises and forged connections at least a decade ago that were only now coming into play.
“That alliance is a gift. In return, and as a sign of our new relationship, our daughter Tana will join your pack as Alpha Mate.” For a split second, I feared she had been found, but the sour pursing of Father’s lips betrayed the truth. She wasstill safe, though perhaps not for long. If Ivan knew Tana had vanished, he was careful not to react.
Niall made some sort of complaint, but fell silent. The crowd exploded into noise for a long moment, but it was no louder than the sound of my own heart beating. I understood what this was. The Hunt was over. My father had gained control over the North American packs, made certain there was no one to challenge him, and then delivered us into the hands of our enemies. His secret allies.
The gathered pack members, even our own Enforcers, were clearly horrified, but there was nothing that could be done. The Alpha’s rule was law, and they listened helplessly as Father went into detail about how this was possible,legal, quoting obscure changes to pack law that had made it so. Changes he had quietly, consistently introduced over the past two decades as minor amendments, ostensibly to protect the North American packs. But put together, they subverted the intent of the law to keep us from allying with the Russians. I’d known the changes were part of his Long Hunt, but had never once imagined the depth of his treachery. Or his stupidity.
The Russians could never be trusted, not even if there were a thousand mate bonds connecting our packs. As Ivan slid his eyes to me, his teeth carefully hidden beneath his lips, I suspected there was another, even more repugnant deal that had been struck, one that would not be announced. Mother was a magical ally, and with so few witches left alive, her spells must have been delicious bait for the insane, revenge-hungry general.
The only thing that kept despair at bay was knowing that Tana was safe, somewhere in Europe. Well, that and the voice of my brother mate, Grigor, who was whispering—not into my mind, but into my blood itself—as the Russians bowed, giving their vows of allegiance to my father one at a time.I come. Delay. Prepare.
I whispered the words into Flor’s mind, and to my great relief, her head dipped slightly, though the Enforcers tightened their fingers on the triggers of their guns at even that small movement. Shecouldhear me. Brand was holding still, his wolf enraged, but perfectly in control as he protected Glen. He wouldn’t do anything to risk him, or our mate.
But it wasn’t only her in danger. Grigor had whispered to delay, but I could feel my father’s power increasing as each Russian vowed to follow and protect him and join our pack.
When they were done, Father turned to Luke.“Now, you can join us as well, and bring the impoverished, beleaguered shifters of Southern into this powerful alliance. Luke Callaway, you have earned the name of Alpha of the Southern pack. Come and make your pledge, then receive the power of Alpha as well.” His words were carefully chosen; this was a transaction, the power conditional on Luke’s vow.
Luke’s hands trembled at his sides as he stepped closer to Ivan, though not with fear. He was so filled with righteous rage, he couldn’t contain it. But when he bared his teeth and drew in a breath to reply, Mother cut him off.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea, Aidan. He’s bonded to a witch. One who’s ensnared more than one hapless Alpha Heir, claiming them all as her ‘true’ mates. As if one could hold that sacred bond with more than one. She’s here now, possibly controlling them all for some wicked reason.” She called out over the crowd, “Isn’t that right, FloridaWitchWills?” Father’s outward expression was one of deep sadness, but I could almost smell the satisfaction as one more trap was sprung.
“You callin’mea witch, bitch?” Flor replied every bit as forcefully. The shifters around her were backing away more frantically than they had when Ivan had entered the ring, which I found ridiculous, though my wolf approved. She was far more dangerous than any Russian army.
“Aren’t you?” Mother replied, shrinking back in mock fear, even stepping slightly behind Father.
I should have known what would come next.
“This may be painful to hear, Elina, but look at our son. He challenged me, and made terrible accusations. I’m afraid her corruption has struck at the heart of our family, our pack. Perhaps if she is taken care of, we can still save him.”
Somehow, Mother managed a tear. I watched it roll down her face, as false as the moonlight that shone without any power on us all.
Chapter 35
Righteous Fire
FINNICK
