Deryn leaned forward. “Or you took advantage of a weakened territory, with a grieving daughter and an unstable hierarchy.”
My vision went hot at the edges. Killian took a half step forward. Rowen went absolutely still. “Careful,” I told them quietly.
Deryn gestured toward Rowen, his voice dripping false sympathy. “Perhaps she believed her only option was to submit to the alpha who rescued her. Perhaps the bond was…encouraged.”
Rowen’s wolf rose so violently that the entire room felt it. I didn’t let her speak first.
“Perhaps you should watch your fucking mouth,” I growled, voice carrying across the chamber like a crack of thunder. “You do not speak of my mate like she’s helpless, or desperate, or anything less than what she is.”
“And what is she?” an elder challenged.
“The rightful daughter of the Hollow. The one thelandanswers to. The one you’re terrified of.”
Silence. Thick and heavy, and very uncomfortable. For them.
Deryn shifted in his seat. “You speak as if the Hollow is a living thing.”
“It is,” Rowen said, voice calm, even though I knew she was anything but calm. “Why do you think there is a druid on it?” Her voice was strong, not meek or deferential. Just solid truth. “And like me, it has teeth.”
Several elders recoiled. Some alphas straightened. A few looked impressed. Interesting. Deryn exhaled slowly, reassessing her with something sharper than disdain this time, more like calculation.
“This Pack Council,” he said carefully, “requires proof the bond between you is legitimate, not fabricated for political gain.”
I felt Rowen stiffen beside me. They actually said it out loud. I felt my wolf growl and snarl in warning.
“No one touches her,” I told them all.
“You misunderstand,” Deryn said. “No one is testing her. They’re testingyou.”
He raised a hand. Two guards stepped forward with a carved wooden bowl, steam rising from its center, scent thickwith earth and herbs, only needing one more ingredient. Blood.
A bond-verification ritual.
This was old magic. Dangerous magic. Used only when an alpha pair was accused of lying.
Killian cursed under his breath. Rowen’s hand brushed mine. My alpha power pulsed under my ribs. The entire Council leaned in, waiting for me to react.
Deryn smiled. “Shall we begin?”
“Are you all so fucking blind with greed for power you don’t sense it?” Diesel drawled. Bored. Insolent. He looked around, top lip curled into a sneer. “She’s pregnant, you fucking assholes. With analpha.”
The alphas and betas in the chairs moved restlessly. I saw a few of them sniff the air. The tent was so thick with incense and whatever else the fuck they were burning, it had disguised her scent. Her matedpregnantscent.
“Sheispregnant,” one of the Council said from the top table. He cast a look towards Deryn. “The mate bond is confirmed?”
Because only a mate, a true mate, would carry an alpha. Meanwhile, I was one heartbeat away from tearing Diesel’s throat out, but I kept my gaze locked on Deryn, and when he met my look, I smiled. I could play poker with the best of them.
Whispers exploded into louder conversation. Elders leaned forward as if expecting Rowen’s stomach to suddenly broadcast the truth in glowing letters.
Deryn slammed his hand onto the desk. “Silence!” It took several long seconds, but the room obeyed.
Rowen didn’t move. Not a flinch. Not a step. Her wolf sat coiled under her skin, steady and unashamed.
“Diesel,” I said, without turning, “if you value your life?—”
“No need to thank me, Alpha,” he interrupted smoothly. “Happy to clear up any confusion.”
Killian groaned beside me, and my wife, mywifechuckled. The elders stared at Rowen like she’d grown a second head.
