Behind him, the whisper of movement resumed, the scrape of boots, the soft murmur of voices, the sound of wolves uncertain of their master.
He closed his fist and started up the stairs.
His office windows were open to the sea, letting the cold seep in. He moved around the room methodically, turning on lamps, straightening maps, trying to drown out the whispers from the bar below.
The door creaked open just as he sat down behind the desk, footsteps falling deliberately loudly.
“Shut the door,” Dominic said.
Julian did, the latch catching with a soft click. “You left blood on the pillar,” he said mildly.
“Rhett will live.”
“I wasn’t worried about Rhett.”
Dominic didn’t look up. “Speak plainly.”
“This isn’t how you do things, Alpha,” Julian said, leaning against the desk. His words were mild, more observance that accusation.
“It needed to be done.”
Julian’s head tilted. “Perhaps. Any alpha knows not to insult another’s mate. But you’re not just any alpha. They expect an explanation. And they won’t tolerate you beating them into submission for long.”
Dominic’s jaw worked. “I gave them an explanation. If they don’t believe it, they can deal with you.”
Julian stood, his dark eyes sparking. “If you expect me to be your muscle, then at least tell me why you won’t be honest about why you truly mated her.”
Dominic snarled, the chair clattering as he got to his feet. “I require obedience, Rook, not questioning. I don’t answer to anybody.”
“You answer to the pack,” Julian replied, voice soft, “and until today, you lived by that principle. It’s why I swore loyalty to you.”
“Is that what this is?” Dominic growled. “Your loyalty is dependent on how much you agree with the choices I make? Will you betray me now, Julian?”
For a single, terrifying moment, Julian met his gaze in quiet challenge, as if he was truly considering it.
Dominic’s throat went dry.
But then Julian scowled, a rare show of emotion. “That wouldn’t make me loyal, Alpha. I meant the words when I swore them. It would take more than this to sway my faith in you.”
Slowly, Dominic nodded. “But?”
Julian crossed his arms. “Tell me. Why did you choose her?”
Dominic considered him. Then sighed, long and hard. “I told you already. It was the will of Lunarion. I felt the calling.”
“But…” Julian’s voice was calculating, and then comprehension dawned. “Ah. I see. I thought you were just saying that for the sake of the pack. But you weren’t.”
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “Look, I can’t explain it more than anybody else—”
He held up a hand. “There’s no need to, Alpha. These things work in mysterious ways. But the problem is, I’m not confident that the more…aggressive members of the pack will accept such an explanation. You’ve never shown particular devotion to Lunarion before.”
“They’re going to have to.”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “Leonid will receive word about this by morning. You need to consider the fact that—”
“Don’t bring him into this,” Dominic hissed. “If he comes anywhere near her, tries anything at all—”
“Your mate will be protected,” Julian said, “that I promise. I’m more concerned about deserters.”
