Trust his father to prove him wrong, by stooping ever lower. It had been a long time since Milo had beenthisnaïve, but he’d thought the movement of the pack nothing but an empty threat. The stupid chest-thumping of an egoist who thought brute strength the only answer.
He was wrong, and someone would pay for his misjudgement.
“He’s lost his mind.” Milo stared at Usher in astonishment. “You can’t go through with this. There’s no guarantee you’ll win a challenge.”
Usher’s gaze remained glued to the ground. “I know. That’s why you need to do as you’re told.” He looked up with a steely determination that sent shivers down Milo’s spine. “If you fail, I’ll die.”
Milo wanted to punch him for the reminder. He was being used again. His father threatened to harm his sibling to force Milo to do something irrational, dangerous or stupid. First, he used Haley to force him into the fight that caused his injury, without a care for the consequences to Milo. Now, Usher could die or become seriously injured if he didn’t play the role of his father’s puppet.
“What if there’s nothing to find?” he demanded, not sure how Thatcher expected him to investigate Alpha Keon. He probably thought Milo could conjure whatever he wanted to know through his gift, but that wasn’t how it worked. The heecha hadn’t passed on their ability to communicate with the Mother and the spirits, for Thatcher to use it as some Dnaran crystal ball to spy on people.
Though right now he wished otherwise.
“Then I guess I’m already dead.”
Milo tutted in disgust at the flippant reply. Reaching to his left, he grabbed a notebook from his reading table. He’d find something in the mess Thatcher had made of an official meeting between Alphas. Something to help or save this ridiculous situation from becoming a bloodbath.
As much as Usher was an ass?two steps from becoming Thatcher?he was still Milo’s brother, and one of the only ones he could tolerate. He was the only one still redeemable. The rest had succumbed to Thatcher’s warped ways long ago, but Usher remained decent, and Milo couldn’t let him die just because he despised and feared their father.
*
THATCHER RETURNED BEFOREthey were finished, but the sight of Milo’s notes seemed to appease his initial impatience.
As he’d told his father countless times, politics was about more than shouting and issuing threats. A true Alpha should consider all angles, see his opponent’s point of view, and have a contingency plan. Not that Thatcher ever listened.
After examining his notes, Thatcher tossed them at Milo and turned to Usher. “Let’s start training. I’ll run you through the rules and loopholes in preparation for the challenge.”
It wasn’t a question, and Usher didn’t treat it as one, leaving without a backwards glance. As aware as Milo that Thatcher’s training would include illegal moves, bending of the rules, and something to anger the Meskli.
To Milo’s surprise, Thatcher lingered in the doorway. “Do your job well and you’ll become Beta. Fail me, and I’ll hand your sister to the next Alpha who is of use to me. Understand?”
Milo nodded, fighting the rising anger and fear to speak clearly. “I’ll need to be without guards,” he said, seeing a rare opportunity. Before Thatcher could get angry, he rushed to explain. “The best and quickest way to learn about Alpha Keon’s weaknesses will be asking his pack. I’ll need to be alone to gain their trust. They may believe I’m seeking information to leave your pack and join his.”
Though it was too close to the truth, he needed Thatcher to believe a lone, disabled young man was more likely to get information about Keon than if anyone knew he was Thatcher’s son.
“I can make them underestimate me because of my disability.”The way you do.
Thatcher smirked. “Fine. But you’ll report to me before you leave and the moment you return.”
“Of course.” Milo would expect nothing less. But as Thatcher left, a sliver of hope rose. He’d be free of his guards during the day. While he couldn’t watch Alpha Keon kill Usher, or allow Haley to pay for the crime of Milo’s conscience, perhaps he didn’t have to choose?
If Alpha Keon had the guts to stand toe-to-toe with Thatcher, maybe there was hope. Milo could beg for sanctuary to get himself, Haley, and maybe even Usher to safety. Or at least away from Thatcher, where Usher could form his own pack. Milo might even speak to Keon’s pack doctor about his injury, or if they would allow him to travel to Dnara to visit a professional.
If Milo could find his courage to blatantly disobey his father in the one fundamental way that would save his life while also putting it at risk if he failed, it could change his future. All he needed was a single opportunity.
No one would have to die…be threatened…get punished. If only this one time the Mother could be onhisside, and watch overhisfate, so many lives would change. Possibly even be saved.
*
Keon
EXPECTING ONE DAYto go without a hitch was wishful thinking. Keon made it to his home without delay. Weston gathered papers and rushed out, insisting he should check their inventory and discuss travel plans with Eliseo. He should have been free of responsibility, allowed to relax and think.
The door never closed behind Weston. Every sense alerted Keon to a presence inside his home. When slow footsteps brought them to the living room door, the scent of pine warned who he would find. “What do you want?” He glanced over his shoulder as Vega hovered in the doorway, wringing his hands.
“To speak with you.”
Keon’s gut clenched. Hating the way the mate bond elicited reactions and emotions he didn’t want, because the bond hadn’t been broken, Keon reluctantly gestured for Vega to take a seat. The sooner he found a chosen mate the better, as this sense of being emotionally indebted to Vega would disappear and he could focus.
