Leave it to his brother to make people say the quiet part out loud. Seth set his feet.
Yassi had apparently figured that diplomacy at his age was a waste of time. “Seth’s a rebel with ties to two packs. That’s untenable to the rest of us. Plus, you’re much more reasonable, Erik. Our pack can work with you.”
Reasonable meant weak in their world.
Erik growled, and the rumble cascaded across the clearing. Even the skin along Seth’s nape prickled. Yeah, his brother was turning into one badass Alpha.
Seth cocked his head and studied Philip. “What about your grand plan of handing over your daughter to me? In that case, I would’ve had ties to three packs.”
“Two,” Tryne said, his voice a low rumble. “The second your mother left, she cut all ties with my pack. Period.”
“Agreed,” Seth said. His loyalty was to the Silver Pack, Ben, and his brother. And now Mia. That was enough. “Philip? You didn’t answer my question.”
Philip shuffled his feet in the rapidly muddying grass, his gaze hard, and his lips pressed together.
Amusement took Seth, and he chuckled.
Erik planted his hands on his hips. “What’s funny?”
Seth shook his head. “Philip was appeasing Dad. There was never any chance of amergerbetween our packs.”
Philip nodded. “That’s true. Not about the appeasing part, though. Your father is an old friend, and I just wanted him to figure out for himself that you couldn’t lead our pack. You’re too unpredictable, Seth. I’d never give you my daughter.”
Seth let his teeth show. “Your daughter could easily lead your pack herself and isn’t yours to give. You might want to remember that fact before she rips out your jugular and proves it to you.” He’d always liked Emily, and the idea that Philip thought he could pass her on to anybody just pissed him off.
Philip’s chin lowered. “As nice as it is that you’ve gotten all modern, Alphas are male. Plus,”—he held up a hand before Seth could respond—“Em doesn’t want it. At all. My replacement has been chosen already, and he’ll do a fine job.”
Seth snorted. “Please, tell me you’re not talking about your nephew. Victor couldn’t lead a search party in desperate need of a beer…while standing in the middle of a tavern.” Vic was the only blood relative of the right age to take over.
“Watch yourself, Enforcer,” Philip snapped as his own Enforcer took a step forward. “Or we’ll help your pack make the right decision.”
Energy cascaded down Seth’s back. “Anytime. I’m free now.”
Tryne straightened to his full and impressive height, his face as solid as any rock. “No. Out of respect to Ben, you have one week. Either he’s back on his feet and strong, or one of you has taken control, and the other is gone. Unlike Yassi, I don’t care which one. Good luck.” With that, he turned and disappeared into the trees.
The rest of the pack leaders followed suit, leaving Seth and Erik alone in the stormy clearing.
Erik looked at him, his gaze intense. “We have to get Dad strong. Now.”
Mia crouchedand felt for a pulse in the Volk bodyguard’s neck. Nothing, and his blood coated the floor, with the back of his head showing trauma. Somebody had shot him several times, and she’d bet anything they’d used silver bullets.
She stood and called it in, requesting backup. Then she edged her way through the house, silently clearing each room. Her heart thundered in her chest, but she kept going, falling back on training. Her treads were silent on the stairs as she headed up, and she cleared the landing before proceeding. A bedroom door creaked when she nudged it open, and she winced but followed through. “Alice,” she hissed, rushing for the woman who lay curled up on the red-stained carpet.
Blood covered the front of Alice’s flowered dress when Mia turned her over. “Help me,” she wheezed.
“It’ll be okay.” Mia searched her for injuries, not seeing any bullet holes. Instead, raw and deep scratches marred the woman’s neck, the side of her face, and down her torso. “Is there any silver in you?”
“I don’t think so,” Alice said, her breathing shallow, and her eyes filled with pain. “They just attacked with claws and fangs.”
Sirens sounded in the distance. “Who?” Mia asked, drawing a throw blanket from the bed to drape over the woman before she went into shock.
A tear leaked out of Alice’s swollen eye. “The Barnby brothers.” She jerked. “Benjamin. Where’s Benjamin?”
Mia patted her shoulder. “Hold on. Help is coming. I’ll find him.” She stood and moved back into the hallway, her gun secure in her hand again. Using her boot, she shoved open bedroom doors, one by one, until she reached a wide door at the end of the hallway that stood partly open.
Using her hip, she opened it the rest of the way, swinging her gun inside.
Benjamin lay on his back on the blood-soaked carpet…his throat ripped open to the floor. More bullet holes dotted his upper torso, and part of his upper lip had been clawed off. One silver bullet lay next to his right ear. His eyes were wide and glassy, his skin pale, and his life gone.
