He frowns. “But that’s not what they agreed to.”
“Reward them,” the beta says gently. “Maybe if we had listened? We put so many people through so much pain. They did save us.”
He purses his lips. “I will concede that I can justify Jarek, Mordecai, and Keres be rewarded.”
My gaze grows flinty. “And Legion and Walker.”
“No—”
The omega leans forward. “They never spent more than minutes together? They were cursed to be parted their whole lives? In every life?”
“Yes.”
She turns to the alpha, her eyes wide and sad. “Please.”
He stares at her for a long time, and we stare at him. I think he can feel the weight of us until he finally bends. “Fine.”
I exhale. That’s them sorted.
“Now, about the Anarchy Wolf.”
I step into the dark hallway and hold the torch high. It is a grim place, this dark prison beneath the Hall of Petitions. I walk down the row of empty cells, irritated by the lack of light and clean smells. I think they must have put him here and thrown away the key.
I guess they are afraid of what he can do. Like his love might destroy worlds again. How ridiculous. They should just send him back to his pack.
The cells are all empty, but one. When I see him, my heart stutters, and I want so badly to demand they open the cell and get him out of here. I have never seen anyone look so broken.
“Did he fight back?” I ask in a murmur.
“No, he let us drag him here, and he hasn’t spoken a word.”
Cadel, the Anarchy Wolf, is lying on his back, staring at the roof. He doesn’t blink, but every now and then, a tear runs down his cheek.He’s like a still ocean that is roiling with chaotic currents underneath, and all those currents point back to Keres.
I need to get him home.
Shaking off the arm holding me back, I shuffle up to the bars and hold them tight, staring at the god my human daughter loved so dearly.
“Strip him of his powers. Give him to the goddesses’ pack, tie him to her and make him human,” I say nonchalantly.
“What?” The High Beta is the first to speak, her robe swishing on the stone as she moves.
“It’s the worst kind of punishment,” I say quietly. “To fall.”
“We can’t do that to a god.”
“He went to Earth, breaking the rules, causing the beta to seize power and go on her murderous crusade. This God of Winter leaked the Ravage Virus. He is a threat. Strip him of his powers and give him to someone who can keep him in line,” I spit ruthlessly, willing with every fiber of my being that this plan works.
“Are you sure she can do it?” the omega asks. I think she knows my plan, but for whatever reason, she’s playing along.
“At the core of who she is, she’s the oldest. The wisest. If anyone can leash the Winter Wolf, it’s the moon herself.”
The Alpha god considers this for a long time, staring at the listless god, lying on his bed in the dark.
“Has he spoken?” I ask again. “Does he eat? Does he do anything?”
“Not a word.”
“Send him to where he can be useful; make him a weapon for good.”
