“I’ll be with you in a moment,” Spruce says casually, his dark eyes on Nikiski as she begins to scream in agony.
Several growls follow the sound, this time from other Alphas as they enter the room.
Except their growls are not ones of fury, but ofhunger.
They’re looking at Nikiski like they want to fucking rip her apart.
“Not yet,” Spruce tells them. “Afterthe task is done.”
My stomach twists with what he means by that. I can only imagine what they’re allowed to doafterwhatever the fuck this is.
“Hmm, that’s frustrating,” Spruce murmurs to himself. “I wonder where she learned to do that?”
Nikiski gasps as he seems to release his mental hold on her, his eyes going to me.
“You taught my seer how to protect herself with a rune of some kind. What is it?”
I arch a brow. “Yourseer?”
“Don’t be a fool, brother. You’re outnumbered and very much outmatched. Tell me what I need to know and I’ll consider letting you live a useful life somewhere in the cave.”
A few of the Alphas grunt.
But Spruce just holds my gaze, his expression utterly unreadable.
I’ve never been close to my twin, his preference to appease our father growing up varying from my desire to challenge him.
However, it seems the twin I once knew is nothing like the Alpha standing before me.
He’s powerful. I can sense it in his aura, feel it radiating all around this cavern.
There is no true hierarchy in Kodiak Sector, just packs that choose to follow a single leader. Very different from Lunar Sector where Cael is the reigning prince of the entire island.
Although, it appears that my brother is the Alpha of this particular pack. And based on the scents I’m picking up, there are numerous members of this unit.
“Grey,” Spruce stresses. “This would be easier if you told me what you did to my little toy.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “What happens if I don’t?”
He smiles. “Then I’ll let them play with you before they play with Nikiski.” He gestures to the Alphas approaching. “They adore violent foreplay.”
My jaw clenches. “Are you going to keep me handicapped or let meplaymy way?”
He grunts. “You’ll be free to use your wolf, if you so choose. Nothing else.”
“What a fantastic family reunion,” I deadpan.
He scoffs at that. “We haven’t been afamilysince the night you betrayed our father, Grey.” He faces me fully, his dark eyes showcasing a sane, yet very angry Alpha male. “What were you going to let them do to me that night,brother?”
I don’t answer.
Because I was absolutely going to let them do whatever it took to ensure our mother’s and sister’s safety.
And that included killing Spruce if he got in the way.
Which he did. Only, he fucking shadowed before anyone could stop him.
He smiles again, but it’s cold. “I’ll be sure to repay you the same favor, then.”
