Did I miss something bigger than the wholeCouncil-wants-me-deadthing? Because, honestly, I kind of assumed that was already a given. Why is everyone acting like it’s suddenly a fresh horror?
Stephanie drums her crimson nails against the table, her gaze sharp enough to draw blood. “Such a shame,” she says in a singsong tone that makes my skin crawl. She rises, smoothing her black dress, and tilts her chin at Cade. “I have places to be, but I’ll be seeing you, Alpha Westin.”
Cade doesn’t so much as twitch in her direction. His golden eyes stay locked on me instead, burning with enough intensity to make my cheeks heat.
Fantastic. Today’s going to be a long-ass day.
“Shifter shits, Cade!” Iris explodes once Stephanie is gone, throwing her hands on her hips. Her face flushes red as she glares at him like he just kicked her begonias. “I know it’s been a while since you’ve played Alpha, but maybe try treating your people with some respect. You know, in case, oh, I don’t know, we need their help keeping my granddaughter alive.”
Oh. This isnew. I’ve seen kooky Iris and snarky Iris, butpissed-off Iris? That’s an interesting one. And it leaves me with the same question as always—does she actually care about me, or am I just a pawn in whatever game she’s playing?
We’ll find out eventually, Wolf chimes in, not seeming to think one way or the other yet.
“Rowan will be safe regardless,” Cade replies flatly.He pushes back his chair, standing tall, his untouched plate forgotten. When his gaze finds me again, it’s steady and sure. “Are you ready?”
I glance down at my barely touched food, but honestly, I’m more than happy to escape this circus. Scooping Archie up onto my shoulder, I grab the entire pile of bacon from my plate and stuff it into a napkin. “Yep.”
“I’ll be along shortly,” Liz calls as I head for the door.
Oh, perfect. There will be plenty of people waiting for their turn to beat on me. My dream morning.
Nibbling on the bacon, I trail behind Cade. His broad shoulders twitch with barely leashed tension, and he stomps down the hall like we’re marching straight into war.
“So,” I drawl, stretching the word with a smile I’m certain will irritate him, “how’d you sleep?”
He answers with a grunt.
Ah. Back to that. Super exciting times.
“Well, I slept likeshit,” I continue cheerfully, “but the good news is it gave me extra time to read more of that book. You have to be pretty powerful to be an Alpha Supreme. Is that why they haven’t replaced you? Because they can’t find anyone stronger than you?”
He stays silent, jaw tight, but Archie pipes up from my shoulder and clears his throat, like he’s about to deliver the wisdom of the ages. “Obviously, no one’s stronger than Cade. That’s why he stomps around like a bear instead of answering your questions.”
Well, at least he’s back to acting normally.
I bite down on a laugh as Cade pauses only longenough to look back and snarl at Archie. I expect the ferret to be at least afraid, but his whiskers twitch as if he’s smiling, confident about his insult.
I keep quiet after that while we move through the house. No sense in getting my best friend skewered.
Cade leads us out the back doors, into the wide sprawl of meadow that stretches beyond the manor. Mist curls low over the grass, silver in the morning light, and the air is cool enough that it nips at my cheeks. It should be beautiful, but the pressure of silence between us makes the open space feel like a cage.
Cade finally stops in the center of the clearing. “This is where we’ll train,” he says, voice clipped. “No distractions, no excuses. Just you, me, and whatever strength you can dig up from inside yourself.”
My jaw tightens. His tone makes it sound less like training and more like preparing me for an execution. “You could try being at least a little inspirational like you were last night, you know. Maybe throw in a ‘good morning’ before you act like a drill sergeant.”
“Good mornings don’t keep you alive, Rowan,” he grumbles, folding his arms.
“And neither does your sulking like a puppy after his favorite bone was stolen,” I snap back. The words tumble out hot and faster than I expect.
He stares at me, unreadable, and something inside me snaps until I can’t stop my next moves. I shove him—hard. Harder than I mean to. My palms slam into his chest, and he stumbles back a step, eyes widening at the unexpected force.
I blink at my hands like they’ve betrayed me. “Okay. I didn’t know I could do that.”
“You’re stronger than you realize. That’s good to know,” Cade says, but his voice is still distant, distracted, like his mind is chewing on something heavier.
I plant my hands on my hips, heat flaring in my chest. “Enough. You’ve been stomping around, glaring holes into everyone this morning, and acting like I’m already halfway to my grave. Tell me what the hell is going on. What aren’t you saying?”
His jaw works harder, golden eyes narrowing until the silence between us feels like it could split the earth. Then, finally, his words land like a blade to the gut.
