How could I be so stupid? How could I let this happen to him?
Angry flames ignited in my throat, but I was forced to swallow them. My throat was hoarse from shouting, and the ashes stung bitterly as they went down.
Why didn’t the alphas listen to anything I said? They weren’t like my brothers. This was no family. This clan was evil, rotten from the inside out.
And I was too fucking naive to see the truth. I’d stood idly by and let those bastards put Poppy in danger.
I choked back a sob as my final image of Poppy flashed in my mind. His sweet face trapped in a cage of polar bear fangs, an inch away from death.
How could I be so useless?
“Fuck!”
I slashed the ground with my talons, sending a spray of snow into the air. I breathed in frantic bursts. I was crying too hard to catch my breath.
“I’m so stupid!”
I threw myself against the ground like a sack of trash, writhing and beating my paws against my head.If only my wings worked, I could’ve snatched Poppy and flown away from this wretched place.
But even if my wings weren’t injured, I was too much of a damned coward. I’d balked at the idea of hurting his clan mates, and Poppy paid the price for my indecision.
Grimacing, I stared down at my scaly palms. Hunting animals to eat was one thing... but inflicting harm on another person? Could I be capable of that? Was Isupposedto be? Was that my fate as an alpha?
My body slumped against the slope. I was drained to my core. But there was no time to brood. Poppy was in danger, and if I didn’t act fast...
A shudder rippled across my scales. I wouldn’t allow my thoughts to go there, because it wasn’t going to happen.
Pull yourself together, asshole! Poppy needs you!
I shook myself and stood with fresh determination. There was no time to feel sorry for myself when Poppy was in danger. His safety came first. I had to get him out of the clan alpha’s private quarters, but how? Rushing in raring for a fight wouldn’t work. Even if I fought off every bear and wolf, Konrad would just threaten to hurt Poppy again.
I needed to be stealthy. Preferably with the help of somebody on the inside. But none of those bastards stepped in to help Poppy when he was suffering.
Then again, neither did I...
I swore at myself under my breath. The only person I knew was Sorrel—and he was enamored with Konrad. Where was his deepest loyalty? To his loving brother, or the fucking tyrant?
Dusk settled over the tundra. The sun was swallowed up, drenching the clan grounds in total darkness. It gave me enough cover to move. I shifted back to human form, thankful for my black clothes, and carefully shuffled towards the territory’s edge. My chest felt tight with unease. I’d never been so nervous. But I wasn’t worried about myself. Poppy was my only priority.
Just thinking about him hurt my heart. Sweet, gentle Poppy. He didn’t fucking deserve this. And I’d stood there and let it happen.
Gritting my teeth, I scanned the perimeter only to find it strangely empty. No wolf or bear patrolled the area. The clan was uncomfortably silent.
Is it always like this?I thought.
I took a tentative step closer to the nearest building, pressing against its shadow. The walls seemed thin and cheap, the opposite of soundproof, but I heard nothing. It was quiet inside. Almost like nobody was allowed to speak.
My stomach fell. Every second I spent in this place disturbed me. I had to grab Poppy and get the hell out of here.
When I still had the high ground, I’d spotted what I assumed was Konrad’s private quarters. It was the only building with a splash of red paint on its door, and it stood on an elevated ridge.
My pulse quickened as I crept closer. For a control freak, Konrad’s security was oddly lax. But why? On one hand, it was difficult to imagine frequent outsiders in this barren place. But on the other,Iwas an intruder today. Didn’t Konrad think I’d be back?
I stopped as a horrible thought struck me. I hadn’t stayed to fight. I’d turned tail and run. If Konrad assumed I wouldn’t return, what if Poppy thought that, too?
My hand slapped over my chest, my fingers twisting into my leather jacket right over my heart. I couldn’t fucking handle the idea of Poppy thinking he was abandoned and alone. That I’d left him behind.
Poppy, I swear I’m coming...!
