“You never know with some people,” Neil muttered, not looking up at either of them.
“Colton is not an idiot,” Eric said suddenly, his voice sharp.
It surprised all of us, but mostly Colton. He blinked at Eric with his big blue eyes. I don’t think he expected Eric to stand up for his sake, and honestly, neither did I. Even Ramsay looked pleasantly surprised.
Neil frowned, not bothering to apologize to Colton. “Well, in any case, I’ll read the prophecy again.”
“When the fertile lands grow barren,
Seek the chosen one to awaken;
Only when opposites love together,
like bidding farewell to spring,
Can we end the suffering;
Seeds grown as one are the key,
To set the shifters free.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. Hearing it never made it any easier to figure out.
“Why do prophecies have to be so stupid and vague?” I muttered.
Ramsay grinned. “I think that’s part of their job description.”
“Can we focus?” Neil asked. “I know you three have been busy getting intimate with Matheson based on what the gryphon said, but that doesn’t mean any of you are the figure mentioned in the verse.”
“Then enlighten us,” Eric said dryly. “Who is?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Neil said. “The point is that Matheson hasn’t found love among you three, or at least not what was obviously required by the prophecy, so this is all just wasting time!”
I shot up from my seat. “Listen, Neil. You can think I’m not doing a good job, or think I’m not taking this seriously, but I won’t sit here and listen to you talk badly about my alphas.”
Neil’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”
“I said,myalphas,” I repeated with a fierce glare, gesturing to all three of them sitting around the table. “Because that’s exactly what they are.”
Neil blinked at me until a nasty expression crossed his face. “So then it’s settled. You’re not taking this seriously, are you, Matheson?” He stood and slammed his hands on the table. “The whole pride of gryphons could show up at any moment and all you care about is getting laid!”
“Watch your fuckin’ mouth,” Ramsay snapped.
Neil ignored him. “Do all of you not realize what’s at stake here? It’s not just about Matheson, it’s about all four packs! We could all die for his sake if he doesn’t try to figure this out!”
“I am trying my best,” I said, although it sounded meek and pathetic to my own ears.
“Well, try harder,” Neil growled. “Because it’s my duty to protect you, Matheson, and that includes not letting you make stupid decisions.”
“And what exactly are the stupid decisions he’s made?” Eric asked snidely.
Neil firmly met his gaze. “With all due respect, Lord Eric, you know exactly what I’m talking about. All of this relationship drama has not solved anything. I’d even hazard a guess to say it’s made things worse.” He turned to me. “That gryphon put it in your head that you needed to try for love among the other three packs, but that was just a guess. And now look. You’re in a messy situation, aren’t you, Matheson?”
Neil’s words were like arrows to my heart. I sank back in my seat, suddenly feeling miserable.
“That’s enough,” Eric growled, standing up. “This discussion is going nowhere. Neil, I suggest you take a walk to cool off.” Without waiting for his reply, Eric turned to Colton. “May I see the text? I’d like to study it in my office for a while, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” Colton said. He handed Eric the book.
