“These children handed our enemies information that lost us shifters who fought on this landforthem,” I spoke to them all. “Don’t be fooled by their age. They knew what they were doing. They’re not as innocent as they look.”
“I’m sorry, Alpha.”
I almost turned back when I heard Lake. But I forcedmyself to keep moving. The fact that they were children no longer mattered when it came to betrayal.
Or that’s what I tried to tell myself.
I met Killian on the way back. He looked surprised to see us, until he saw whatever was in my eyes, because he let out a huge sigh. “What now?”
“The children were helping our enemy. Fitz is fine; he simply decided to go home.”
Killian’s eyes grew wider as I spoke. “They’re using kids?”
“It seems they are.” We walked in silence. I opened myself to the pack, not letting them know I was there, just feeling them. It was a steady hum in my head, easy to block if I needed to, but sometimes, like today, when I was still recoiling from the shock of the betrayal, I just needed the reminder that a minority spoiled it for the majority.
“Am I wrong?”I asked Killian as we walked. “I left them with Cody to question,”I added. “I don’t think Brand would manage to ask the little girl.”
“I don’t know, Alpha. They’re just…kids.”He glanced at me. “I’ve never heard of our children being used. It’s…unfathomable.”
“Yet someone fathomed it.”I sighed loudly. “Grandfather?”I asked, changing the subject.
“Cursing up a storm.”Killian grinned. “Grandmother is demanding heads.”
We exchanged a look. “She’ll probably get them.”
Killian grunted. “She said she should have been more alert. Said Solana smelled wrong.”He watched me, and I waited. I knew there had to be something else. I wasn’t wrong. “She said the same thing to Rowen when she met her.”
I stopped on the path and turned to face my beta. “Killian? What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that when you use the full force of your Will, Alpha. Use it on usall.”
I hesitated. “She’s my mate.”
Killian didn’t blink. “They are children.” He started walking again. “No matter the face they wear, the rot runs deep in these shifters.”
Well, that was just fucking depressing.
By the time I’d walked the perimeter of Blueridge Hollow, Killian had left me, and Axel was waiting for me on the southern ridge. “It’s hard not to think of a child as innocent,” I told him as I approached. “Any one of us would have done the same.”
He didn’t look appeased. “I was lax. I was careless and I was stupid.”
“Firstly, lax and careless, I’m sure, are the same thing. Secondly, you’re not stupid, you’re a shifter. Our young are ours to protect, no matter if they came from our seed or another’s. We are pack. Pack protects. Your instinct is to protect the weak. Oscar let you think he was weak.”
“I sensed no malice in him.”
“I know.” I looked behind me to the trail I’d just followed. “Their entry points were well hidden, easy to overlook.” My rage battered against my walls, desperate to come out. “I didn’t see it either, not until today when I realized what they were doing. We’ve been looking for tracks of adults. Patrols. Not a group of children carrying a heavy box.”
Axel’s fists clenched. “Everything is compromised?”
I nodded. “Assume they know everything we thought weknew, and more.” I looked toward the highest ridge. “You know, maybe the crazy bastard was right.”
“Alpha?”
The sun was setting, the golden hues bathing Blueridge in light. “I need to test my pack for their loyalty.” I felt the pull. “Gather everyone. Split them into three groups. Put the groups in separate places. Rowen stays with Killian; you’re with me. Diesel with Brand.”
“Okay?”
“Bring the druid, and make sure they’re in my group.” I saw him try to fight his distaste when I mentioned the druid. “Tell them all that no one moves until I say so.” I started to walk away but turned back. “The druid comes out of that fucking tent, or I’ll burn it to the ground. Understood?”
