She sighed. “He was ranting. About the pack… about a revolution. Ethan said this is just the beginning. That there are others like him. Others who want to expose us to the humans.”
Her words hit like a blow, silencing the chaos in my head. “Others? Who?”
She slumped her shoulders. “He wouldn’t say. But, Alpha, if he’s telling the truth…”
An icy dread crept over me.
If Ethan was telling the truth, my problems were far bigger than just one rogue wolf.
This could be the start of a war.
I ran a hand through my hair, hoping to stop the prickling of my scalp. “We’ll deal with that tomorrow. For now, let’s focus on getting some rest.”
Maya bowed her head. She took a step to leave, then paused.“And the hunter?”
I met her gaze, a small smile playing at the corners of my mouth. “She’s in the guest room.”
Maya raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
I entered my room, stripping off the robe as I shut the door behind me. Trudging through the darkness, I dropped onto the bed, my body aching with exhaustion. But as I closed my eyes, all I saw was Joanna. Her cocky grin, her defiant stance… her body pressed against mine.
I growled, turning onto my side.
This was going to be a long night.
***
Having barely slept, I was already dressed by the time the first light of dawn filtered through the window.
Joanna opened the guest room door after the first knock, her brown eyes wary but alert. She waswearing the clothes I had sent for her: a simple pair of sweatpants and a tank top. Her beautiful brown skin was damp, and she smelled of my pack’s soap, a scent that sent a shiver of possessiveness through me.
“Ready?” I croaked.
She nodded, stepping out into the hallway. “I’ve been ready since last night, Alpha.”
“Alpha?” Hearing that word leave those full lips sent a spark through me, igniting every fucking nerve ending.
She yawned, oblivious to the way my mouth began to water. “If you must know, the first name that came to mind wasasshole, but I’m trying to be nice.”
We made our way down to the cells, the air growing colder as we descended. I opened Ethan’s cell door to find him awake.
His wild eyes darted between me and Joanna. He was tethered to the wall with heavy chains: silver-infused manacles tight around his wrists and ankles, his wounds bandaged and his body tense.
With each step, I hid my hurt beneath a mask of disappointment. I shook my head, pressing my lips into a firm line.“Ethan, it’s time for you to talk.”
Joanna strode forward, her eyes devoid of any warmth. “Tell me about Latoya.”
A sneer curled Ethan’s lips. “Why should I tell you anything, Joey?”
Joanna didn’t react. “Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure you never see the light of day again.”
Ethan laughed. “Do you think you can scare me with your threats?” His eyes beamed, a fanatical light burning in their depths. “You’re the one who should be scared, Joey. Because you can’t control what’s coming. You can’t handle the truth. And the truth is that all humans are manipulative little shits… no matter how good they are at riding your cock.”
I growled, the warning echoing through the cell. “Enough, Ethan.”
Ethan’s eyes brimmed with malice as he continued. “Thehunterloved it, you know, brother. Every minute. Every time. She’d beg for more. Isn’t that right, Joey?”
Joanna held her impassive stare, but I could see the slight tightening of her jaw, the almost imperceptible flinch of her eyes. I growled again, another warning that vibrated through the cold air. “I said, enough.”
