The alphas follow me, but they are keeping their distance, which is both a relief and the most annoying thing they could possibly do. I am hyper aware of them.
“How was I able to turn into a wolf? How are you the Anarchy Wolf?” I snap at Cadel at last, turning to face them once more.
“I’ve always been the Anarchy Wolf.”
I let out a shrill sound of rage because he’s so evasive, and his voice is just screaming, ‘I’m lying about something.’
“Okay, okay. Calm—”
Jarek slaps a hand across the other alpha’s mouth, pursing his lips as he studies me carefully before he turns his head to Cadel and whispers to him. “That’s a banned word. You never, ever say that word to a female of any designation. It’s an act of treason and declares war.”
Cadel watches Jarek with curiosity, but I notice he checks with Mordecai, who confirms it with a slight nod.
Oh, I see how it is. Team Alpha has decided to back each other. I’m outnumbered three to one.
“I turned into a freaking wolf!” I huff.
Jarek crouches and stares at me. “Do you need a drink or a—”
I growl at him.
He tilts his head back and laughs. “This angry side of you is very fucking attractive, Kaida.”
I bare my teeth and look away from him before his damn smile coaxes me into forgetting everything.
“I am the Anarchy Wolf, and I think when I saved Jarek, my powers, which I struggle to control, just kind of leached into the world.”
I stare at him. “Are you saying that you turned us all into wolves?”
Cadel winces, but a feral smile slips over his lips. It’s cold and wild and full of arrogance. “It was all or nothing. I save Jarek or I didn’t. I don’t choose how my power manifests; it just does.”
It suddenly occurs to me that this alpha is a god. One of the gods. The missing ones.
I slept with an alpha god.
“You're freaking out,” Jarek points out unhelpfully, chuckling. “Someone stop her; she’s spiraling.”
I throw a rock at him, which he easily dodges.
“He’s a missing god, walking around like he’s human, randomly changing the world into part-time wolves and…” I had the most amazing night of my life with him.
I can’t keep him, though, can I? Because he’s a god, he has to go back to where he came from. I don’t remember the stories properly.
I shove the despair aside and watch him. “You were in chains!” I shout at him.
He frowns. “I don’t remember a lot of what happened. I know more now and know who I am, but I don’t know how I got here or what happened after.”
I turn away, then turn back really quickly. “Are you here to save us? Or is this a game? What are you even doing here?”
Mordecai slips in beside me and takes my hand. I squeeze his fingers, holding on like he’s the only thing keeping me together.
Cadel’s breath explodes out of him. His voice takes on a tinge of sadness and pity. “I honestly don’t think I can. I’m not that powerful.”
How can a god not be powerful enough to save the world when it’s dying?
No, don’t be selfish; it’s not his fault. This is ours.
“You’re here now to help, though, right?” I say urgently, getting up to my feet, following him when he moves away from us.
