Ignoring them, I put my hands on Abi’s shoulders. “What are you talking about?”
Abi took a deep, steadying breath and spoke as Nico stepped up beside me. “When they had me, I remember hearing some of the guards talking. They were eating and playing cards at atable. They were… I think, they were talking about some kind of poison that could stop shifters from being able to shift. I’d almost forgotten about it until right now.”
The room went deathly quiet. The implications of what she’d said reverberated across the minds of everyone in attendance. The thought that the royals could poison us and prevent us from shifting into our animals or prevent us from changing back to humans was a huge revelation. Everyone looked fairly terrified of the prospect. I understood how they felt—I’d only been able to shift for a couple of weeks, and I couldn’t imagine not being able to access that part of myself or being unable to turn back.
Abi put a hand to her forehead, looking pained as she tried to remember. “I’m sorry. I can’t remember much. They had me so drugged most of the time. I know they discussed that part though.”
Nico put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and leaned in to make eye contact. “Thank you, Abi. That tells us exactly what we need to know. I know how difficult it is for you to think back on the time you were locked up.”
Nico’s soothing voice and the power he exuded as alpha had a visibly calming effect on Abi. Her shoulders relaxed, and she gave him a small smile. “Damned alphas and their magic,” she murmured.
My lips twitched in a smile for a half second before Nico turned back to the crowd to speak. “The royals have a poison they’re using against shifters to further their claims that we’re going feral. None of these ‘feral’ shifters are feral; they are stuck in their animal forms. This game just got even dirtier. We need to act.”
The attendees all stared at Nico for a moment before roaring their agreement. The walls of the house shook with roars, howls, and screams. It was deafening and filled me with pride. Though I had to wonder, how many of these people actually thought wehad a chance? How many were blustering and forcing it? Did any of them other than Nico think we had a shot?
83
NICO
Not long after the report on the news, the alphas began to file out, heading to their cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Though it looked like everyone was simply leaving after a party, there was an ominous undertone in the air. They had to get back to their packs to protect their families, land, and all those who counted on them for leadership. Yet, it seemed strangely final. Like men heading off to a war zone or walking down death row. I still had faith in our cause, but the odds were stacked against us.
I stood at the edge of the field, shaking hands and talking to each alpha as they left, mentioning to each of them that we should stay in contact daily.
Harvill stopped and squeezed my hand tight. “Good luck,” he said. There was a haunted look in his eyes.
I returned the squeeze. “Stay safe. Email, text, call, whatever. I want to hear from you guys often. We’re in this together.”
“You got it,” he said before heading to his truck.
Once they were gone and the gates closed, I made the trek back up to the house. The pack lands had been full and vibrant with all the visitors. I didn’t know that I’d want that many peoplehere all the time, but it was nice for a little while—almost like a family reunion. Most of the men who’d come were complete strangers. Others were the barest of acquaintances, but we’d all had a common goal and a single thing we wanted to work toward. That had pulled us together like nothing before. As I walked, I told myself it might be a good idea to do this more often. Maybe once a year or something. If we survived or were free a year from now, that was.
I walked into the house and was surprised to find Tiago sitting at the kitchen island with Maddy, drinking coffee. My surprise had me off-kilter when I spoke. “Uh… Tiago? I… uh… aren’t you leaving?”
Tiago grinned and took a sip of coffee before answering. “Well, I only came as a gesture anyway. My son takes over as pack leader at the next full moon. I relayed everything we spoke about over the last few days. I was hoping you’d allow me to stay on a bit. My boy’s watching the territory now; he didn’t feel safe coming to the meeting.”
I was a little taken aback. I glanced at Maddy, and she was grinning at me. It seemed like she’d made a new friend.
“Don’t you want to help protect your pack?” I asked.
Tiago leaned forward on the table. “My boy’s got things handled. I’ll be honest, he’s always been very independent, and he seemed hesitant about taking over as alpha. I think letting him have the reins for a while without me breathing down his neck will help him develop into the leader I know he can be. I’d love to help out here since it looks like you all are right on the front lines of this little situation. Besides,” he said, glancing over at Maddy, “your little lady over here and I seem to be kindred spirits.”
I smiled, unsure, and sat at one of the vacant stools. “What do you mean by that?”
Tiago shrugged. “She reminds me of the daughter I never had. I was misunderstood in my youth, and I sort of understand what she’s going through with being the descendant of Edemas.”
He didn’t go into any more detail than that. Maddy reached out and put a hand on my forearm. “I think he’ll be a great help. You said we need all the backup and assistance we can get. Right?”
I reached over to the coffee pot and poured myself a cup, even though it was a little late for coffee. The sun had gone down a few hours ago, but I was sure I’d have a hard time sleeping regardless of my caffeine intake. “I think we can find a spot for you. How would you like to be part of a wolf shifter clan?”
Tiago raised his mug in a toast. “I love a change of pace.”
All three of us chuckled, but then I turned the conversation to more pressing matters. I looked at them both and frowned grimly. “So… this poison?”
Tiago and Maddy’s faces darkened, and in that instant, all their worries became obvious. They’d been anxious about it as well.
“What do you think they could put in it to prevent a shifter from changing back to human?” Tiago asked.
Maddy put her cup down and clasped her hands together. “Are we thinking it can keep a shifter from changing into their animal, too? Abi wasn’t totally clear on what her guards had said.”
