“Are you sure about that?” Jen challenged.
Torion nodded, then gave a very abbreviated version of the story Skender had told him. When he finished speaking, everyone was completely still.
Jen sat back, but she didn’t get off Skender. Neither did she remove her hand from his throat. Myanin’s blade shifted with the she-wolf, staying connected to her skin. Jen didn’t seem the least bit troubled by it. “You still haven’t given me a reason not to kill him,” Jen challenged.
“The Great Luna took me to meet Titus,” Torion said. This finally drew a visible reaction from the female beta.
“You havegotto be kidding me.” Jen gritted her teeth, then sighed as she continued to stare at the boy. “Titus hasn’t mentioned you. Which is odd, because the boy never shuts his trap.”
“It wasn’t time for you to know,” Torion said. “Now it is.”
“Know what?”
“I’m not just Skender’s son. I will be yours.” He paused and tilted his head to the side and shrugged. “Well, not your son like I am my mother’s son. The Great Luna told Titus I will be your son-in-law. But I don’t think that will happen for a long time.”
Jen eased to her feet. Myanin stepped back but kept her dagger up, and Zara shifted as well, her own blade still pointed at the djinn. At least they’re no longer touching one another, Peri thought. That’s progress. Jen lifted her leg as she turned. When she took a step, she used Skender’s stomach as a makeshift step as she walked over him and closer to Torion. Myanin followed behind Jen, her eyes narrowed as if ready to pounce in a split second.
Zara started to follow, but Wadim snatched her wrist and pulled her back. She quickly turned, holding the blade at the ready, but her mate had obviously expected the movement and caught her wrist in his hand. He grinned down at her and darted in for a quick kiss. “I think you can stand down, killer,” he teased. “No one is going to die.”
He pried the blade from her hand, and she growled. “I expect to get that back,” Zara warned him.
“You know how sexy I think it is when you threaten to cut people. Do you think I’d deprive myself of such a sight?”
“This is the weirdest pack I’ve ever seen,” Tyler, the Springfield alpha, who Peri hadn’t even noticed, muttered.
Jen took another step toward Torion, and Peri focused on the unpredictable she-wolf.
“Touch him and I will turn you into a puppet to do my bidding for all of eternity,” Tenia said with such vehemence Peri didn’t doubt for a second that she meant it.
Jen glanced at Tenia. “I don’t hurt children,” she growled.
“Hurting Skenderwouldhurt me,” Torion pointed out.
The Romania female beta sighed. “Just what I need, another rational male stomping on my killing parade.”
Torion’s head tilted in the other direction as he seemed to study Jen. “Titus mentioned you’re a little crazy.” His voice no longer shook. Apparently he’d decided the threat to his father had passed. Peri hoped he was right.
Jen looked back at Skender.
“Jen,” Jacque said again. This time, Peri felt her power. “Fane is the one who decides his fate. Not you. Accept your place and stand down. Now.”
“Regardless of what my alpha decides,” Jen continued to glare daggers at Skender, “I will never forgive you. You will never be welcomed back into our pack. You’re a disgrace.”
Skender climbed to his feet. He didn’t cower or hang his head. Instead, he walked over to Torion and picked him up. Then he walked over to Tenia. “I have not asked for your forgiveness, nor would I ever expect it. I live every day with the shame of my actions.”
“Good.” Jen spat and gave him a wicked smile.
“Jen,” Torion said, his small arm wrapped around Skender’s neck. “Can I ask you a question?”
Jen sighed. “Why do kids always say that when they’re going to ask the bloody question, even if you say no?”
“Have you ever made a mistake?”
“Oh, snap.” Zara’s voice was soft.
“I have made many mistakes, Tommy. How about you?”
Torion nodded.
