Passing down judgment on someone he’d considered a friend, a brother, for years wasn’t to be taken lightly. But he’d spent too much time determining an appropriate course of action. He’d wrestled with his decision for months and had grappled with the verdict even more so after capturing Dante.
It had caused a fissure within his bear clan; had become a festering wound that refused to heal without proper treatment. And now, to make this situation infinitely worse, it had caused a major rift between himself and Nessa.
He’d made her cry, and instead of going to her and attempting to ease her sorrow, he’d left her alone and in anguish.
Because you couldn’t tell her what she wanted to hear. She asked you to leave her alone.
Yes. She had.And yet …
He should have held her through her tears, should have comforted her through her sadness. He was her mate, damnit. Her shelter, her lover, her home. She’d needed him.
And instead of being there, he’d waited like a coward until she’d fallen asleep before he’d gone to her. Then he’d crept into her room like a thief in the night, sliding into bed beside her, nervous that she’d wake up and ask him to leave.
But when she had woken, however briefly, she’d turned in his arms to face him, burrowing against his chest despite the emotional turmoil he could sense radiating from her. He’d held onto her like a lifeline, terrified that he’d ruined their mating before it had even truly started.
Deep down, he knew that was nonsense; their relationship could weather this impending storm.
But should it have to?
Should he commit an act that would test their strength as a mated couple? Not only that, but no matter his decision today, his clan would also be impacted by the outcome.
“There he is,” Zeke muttered, nodding his chin toward the woods.
Murphy followed the movement, spotting Marcus as he pushed through the trees and into the clearing.
The male gave a slight wave, his face haggard with exhaustion. His steps were heavy, as if each one took a monumental effort to make. He didn’t want to be here. None of them did.
Marcus stopped in front of them, his shoulders slumped. “I appreciate you allowing me to attend the judgment, Alpha.”
“This isn’t just Dante’s judgment,” Murphy began solemnly. “It’s yours, too.”
“I understand, and I respect whichever punishment I receive,” Marcus answered without hesitation, bowing his head in deference.
“Before we begin, I have to know. When you contacted me initially, and you told me you’d picked up Dante’s scent in Nessa’s town … Why were you even searching in that area? Did something tip you off? Did he reach out to you then as well? Be honest,” Murphy warned.
“No, the first time I heard from Dante in months was the other day when you found him. The night I contacted you about his scent, I was following a suspicion I had.” Marcus hesitated. “It turned out I was right.”
Murphy furrowed his brows. “What suspicion?”
Marcus ran a hand down his face before he looked up. He locked eyes with Murphy for a brief moment, and then dropped his gaze respectfully. “I don’t think you’ll appreciate my answer.”
“Give it anyway,” Murphy demanded quietly.
“I can’t read Dante’s mind, but I know him better than anyone. That night, after so many weeks of searching and coming up empty-handed, a thought occurred to me as I was climbing into bed.” He paused and then sighed in defeat. “He loves you like a brother—we both do.”
“Just tell me, Marcus,” Murphy bit out, at the end of his patience. He wanted this day to be over; desperately needed to go home to his mate and assure her everything would be well.
You know what you have to do in order for that to happen. His bear chuffed in agreement.
Mercy isn’t a weakness. Nessa’s words rose to the forefront of his mind and he gritted his teeth.
“He didn’t know who Nessa was to you, not until you killed Jason. Dante had to have been close by then,” Marcus guessed. “He must have heard you declare her as yours before he ran off.”
“You’re saying he was in my mate’s townbecauseof her?” Murphy snarled, pivoting toward the shack door. A tremor of rage ran through him, a fresh wave of betrayal rising to the surface.
What did Dante want with Nessa?
Instinctively, he reached out telepathically to Jasper, needing to assure himself she was fine.
