“I don’t think it smart, but know I’m not doing anything that would disappoint you.”
Something soft instantly filled her eyes. “I never doubt that, Creed. I’ll do as you asked.”
I thanked her and glanced at her two guards, giving them a look that made it clear I would eat them if they messed up. Or probably just annoyed them even more but whatever.
I headed off and felt him moving in, hoping Ellie had everything set up and ready when I spun on him. “I know you think you’re moving up that Daddy trusted you enough to send you on an errand, but just so we’re clear, the message is for me that I don’t matter enough to get anyone else.”
Rage—pure and blinding rage—blossomed all over Connor Edwards’s face.
This fool is too easy.It was hard not to chuckle, especially since the third son of the NYC Alpha was so desperate for love from his family it was ridiculous. It honestly should have made us close given I’d wanted the same, but he’d always kicked me like that would help him.
It hadn’t. It just made him seem weaker.
“You made a mistake sticking your head back out instead of living like the dead,” he bit out as he adjusted his neck. “Father’s willing to overlook it since you could…” His eyes went wide as he moved closer but then took a step back. “What did you do, Creed? What the fuck is wrong with you? You let them test on you or—”
“So you didn’t know,” I muttered, studying him closely. The confusion coming off of him mixed with being freaked out was unreal. “Really not in the loop, are you, Connor?”
“Don’t look down on me, asshole,” he growled. “You were the fool in the end, not me.”
Shit. He’d gotten better at pushing the right buttons which could be a problem with my lion. “Yeah, but the fact I was taken down for making you fuckers look bad because you’re all fucking incompetent idiots is a stupid move, and I never thought your dad was stupid. My. Mistake.”
“You’ll regret saying that about Dad,” he snapped.
“No, no, I won’t,” I chuckled darkly. “But get out your message. Handle your errand like a good, obedient, little boy and then race home for your pathetic pat on the head.”
“Be careful you don’t bite off more than you can chew no matter who you’re mated to and allies you think will back you up,” he warned but then smirked. “You don’t have a great track record picking the right people to trust, Creed. So at least salvage the life you could have back if you play your cards right.”
I snarled and took three steps towards him, chuckling when he jumped away and cowered. “You’re terrified of me and you should be so don’t play tough. And I would rather die a thousand times than ever align myself with anyone in that fucking family again. I felt that way before I learned your dadbound my lion magically.”
Connor had no idea. He looked at me like I’d grown another head for another minute but then shook it. “You’re so full of shit and—”
“I’m not,” I told him firmly. “I’m not, Connor. The powerful magics here sensed it. Your dad or uncle—someonewas worried about how strong my lion could become because they bound my lion as a child. They didn’t care if it would kill me in the end. They did that to a child to control and use me. So fuck off. Tell me your message and then fuck off. Seriously.”
He swallowed loudly, understanding he was going to have to bring back bad news to his dad.
I was crying inside for him.
He seemed to reach deep for any and all gumption. “Don’t make us have to threaten your mate, Creed. She’s a pretty vampire who’s had it rough already.”
I barely reminded my lion not to kill him before the punch landed. He was out instantly and I swallowed a sigh. That wasn’t going to help the situation.
And neither was the kick to his ribs that shattered several.
Fuck.
I let out a heavy breath and looked up. I couldn’t even yell at my lion for that one.
And Ellie said the same when she joined me. “Look, Aurora would rightfully smack me for what I’m about to suggest, but we both know this could be a problem if not handled well.”
“I know,” I sighed. “But clearly my temper will be shorter than normal for a while. Awesome.” I let my upset—at Connor and myself—clear and then sighed. “I know what to do. I know what—I know how to escalate this to make it blow fast so they’re stupid and we can catch them.”
Squatting down, I felt Connor’s pockets and snagged his phone. I snorted when his passcode was still his birthday.
Idiot.
I took a picture of him, making sure to get a second zooming in on his busted, bleeding face. Then I attached the photos to a text to his dad, uncles, and siblings.
“‘If you ever threaten my mate again, I won’t stop at teaching Connor he’s a fool. You cut me loose and now I’m out. Fuck off unless you want me to start talking. Oh, and I unbound my lion from the magic you put on a child, you sick fucks. People would love to hear about that. Donottest me,’” Ellie read over my shoulder.
