Wulfric sets down his mug of coffee and takes in a slow breath. Every muscle in my body tenses, bracing for impact.
“The Council have asked me to make a decision concerning the future of our pack,” Wulfric says. “Lyall, you and Gunnar violated traveler laws. You, when you went back in time without approval, and when Gunnar wentto the present. Not only that, but Gunnar exposed the paranormal world to the mundane, and Lyall, you told Sor—himabout his past when you were forbidden from doing so.” Anger thickens his voice, and it takes everything I have not to hang my head in shame. I disappointed my brother and lied to my family, but I had very good reasons for doing so.
Kieran frowns. “But hang on. I was allowed to go to the present, and Helga sent me back to the past. Why didn’t we get in trouble with them? I mean, Helga gave me the wooden wolf and that caused a whole freaking shipwreck.”
“Which was not my intention!” Helga clarifies hastily. “The Council arrived shortly after to ensure the safety of the passengers.”
Wulfric clears his throat. “Helga, behind my back, had obtained permission from the Council. They only approved her request to send you to us because you’re my fated mate. I had also gotten permission from the Council before sending you to the present. They had placed wards around the lake you appeared in so no witnesses would question your sudden arrival. What Lyall and Gunnar have done is very different. Explain yourself, Lyall. You have been keeping secrets and lying.”
I have to take a gulp of water to ease the dryness in my throat. “I have been, but I assure you it was for good reasons.” My lungs shudder on a short gulp of air. “It’s exactly as Anders says. Sorenneverbetrayed our pack. Heknew nothing about his father’s plans to attack our village. He lied to preserve my image so you would not be forced to exile me. He did it to keep our pack together, no matter the cost he had to pay.” My voice shakes so badly I can hardly get the words out as they spill free, almost faster than my mind can produce them.
Year after year of keeping these secrets close to my heart and at long last they’re free. Even though my knees shake and my breaths are woefully short, it’s worth the fear to finally tell the truth.
Wulfric is quiet, frowning down at his plate.
Helga breaks the quiet. “His reasoning never did sit right with me. We raised him. He became one of us. That boy loved you so much, Lyall. How could he have betrayed us?” She dries the corner of her eye, sniffling. “I was so lost in grief. I let it blind me to the truth.” She takes my hand, eyes shining with tears. “I will never be sorry enough, dear. I should have fought for you, for Soren.”
I squeeze her hand. “It’s all right, Auntie.”
Anders shakes his head, squeezing his eyes shut. “I could never have let myself be separated from my mate. I can’t even imagine being that selfless…”
“Lyall is,” Wulfric says, surprising me. “Nothing was stopping Lyall from following Soren into exile. He made the choice to stay.” He pauses, throat bobbing. “And I have never thanked you for it. Never made it clear how much your sacrifice meant to me.” When his eyes begin toglisten, it’s an effort to hold back my own tears. “I never once thought about how painful it must have been, how losing Soren must have torn at you. I didn’t know. I do now because if I ever lost Kieran, it would break me.”
Kieran rubs his shoulder. Wulfric leans into his touch, taking in a steadying breath. He never takes his eyes off me as he says, “You have always been honest with us, Lyall. You’re loyal to the core. The very fact that you felt you had to go behind our backs, that you believed you couldn’t trust us with this… it tells me all I need to know.”
I swallow hard. “And that is?”
Wulfric takes Kieran’s hand, kisses his palm, then rises. Heart racing, I stand to meet him as my little brother comes to me. He puts his big hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eye, man to man, brother to brother. “I was wrong. In my grief and guilt, I wanted someone to blame, anyone but myself.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” I say, gripping his arm.
Wulfric nods. “I know that now. But I pushed all of my guilt onto Soren. I allowed you to be separated. It wasn’t right, and I’m sorry, Lyall, for all the pain I caused you.”
I can’t believe I’m hearing my brother not only own up to his mistakes but apologize for them.
Wulfric cups my cheek, wiping away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. Then he grips the back of my neck and pulls me close, bumping his forehead against mine. “I wasn’t there for you, but I am now. I’ll speak to the Council and tell them to reopen Soren’s case.”
I suck in a gulp of air, gripping his arm hard so I don’t collapse. “Y-you will? Truly?”
Wulfric claps my shoulder. “You’ve fought for us. It’s about time I fight for you.”
Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such support, such warmth. My knees hit the floor, and Wulfric goes down with me, holding me close as I fall apart in his arms. My broken heart is fuller than it’s been in years. No more secrets. No more lies. With my family’s support, I’ll be reunited with Soren.
I’m no longer fighting alone. I never had to. We’ve changed in so many ways since meeting our mates. Anders has let go of his rage, Wulfric of his guilt. Mayhap I can finally relinquish my own pain.
I take a few breaths to compose myself, laughing against Wulfric’s shoulder. “Thank you, brother.”
Chapter 24
Soren
The Travelers Council hasa headquarters only a few blocks up from their Bryant Park location. My stomach spins like a washing machine as our cab pulls up to the curb. Fergus steps out behind me, resting his hand on my shoulder. I’m grateful for his company. I need his support today.
After getting my account of what happened and Cartwright’s confession, the Council has agreed to reopen my case. I hate that my future with Lyall rests in their hands, especially after how it was handled last time.
“Breathe, boy,” Fergus says as the elevator carries us to the thirtieth floor.
“I’m trying.” My heart’s racing like a damn racehorse. I skipped breakfast this morning, too worried I’d get sick with nerves.
