"But not having blood pouring from the eyes, nose, and mouth?"
Ezra shook his head.
"Why would they choose her as leader?"Rourke frowned."For decades, they've fought us with everything they have.Why pick someone more inclined to stop bleeding than cause it?"
Ezra wasn't sure.Nataz had a high standing, she was important to have on the battlefield, but not because of the damage she inflicted.No, her main purpose was to keep people alive."Maybe they're tired of war too."
Rourke and Ulric exchanged a look, then Rourke focused on him again."Do you think so?"
He didn't want to get their hopes up, but he did."Nataz isn't blood-thirsty.She's a witch, but she prefers to win with as little bloodshed as possible."
"Win?"
Ezra shrugged."She won't back down.She won't give up land--"
"I don't want land.We have what's ours, and it's enough.I want peace, I want us to be able to build our lives here, expand our business, and have money to invest in the pack."He gestured at the pack house.
It was what he wanted.He'd mated Ezra to get it, had sacrificed himself to get it."Nataz is more likely to leave us be than Shixyll ever was."
Rourke pulled him into his arms and kissed him hard."We can have peace?"
Ezra nodded.He believed so.
The way Rourke's eyes sparkled had Ezra smiling."You should talk to her first, though."
"Or you can talk to her."
"Me?"Ezra stared at him.Had he lost his mind?
"Yes, you.You're the alpha's mate.You rule this pack, you can negotiate with the witches."
"I don't rule this pack."
Rourke grinned and nuzzled his neck."You're above them all, love.You can order Ulric around as much as you want."
Ezra huffed."He wouldn't remove the mouse when I told him to."
"When it's something that matters, he'll do what you tell him to."
Rourke had explained his status many times, but Ezra wasn't comfortable with being in a position of power."I think it's best you talk to the witches.They don't respect me."
Rourke interlaced their fingers and tugged him toward the pack house."We'll go to the meeting together if there is one.I could use your input, and I want to know everything you can tell me about the people there."
Ezra nodded.He was curious about what Nataz would do.
"I need to get back to my--" Before he could say cookies, Rourke had thrown him over his shoulder and was headed toward their room.
"Nope, we have something more important to do."
"Rourke!"
"Yes, honey?"
"Put me down!"
"When we reach the bed."
Ulric rolled his eyes and went into the dining hall instead of following them back to their room.
