Alpha.I’m an Alpha. They’remypack. Even if what she’s saying makes sense, I don’t want to let go. It’s a role I was just starting to embrace. Even though I haven’t been Alpha for long, it’sfamiliar—something I was starting to feel confident in, unlike my position as queen.
I don’t want this to be another thing I have to lose.
“You will never lose your pack,” Anassa says gently.“You will always be Strategos, even if you now are more.”
“Do you support this?”I want her so badly to say no, to fight.
She’s silent for a moment, and it says everything. How many times can a heart break before there’s nothing left to put back together?
Finally, she goes on, “If we continue to serve as the Strategos Alpha pair, our loyalty will be to them. That would do a disservice to our kingdom. We serve everyone now. All the wolves, all the people, no matter their pack or their rank.”
She’s right, Iknowshe’s right. Strategos deserves an Alpha that belongs to them, who has no priority higher than their well-being and strength.
And my people—allmy people—deserve a leader with no divided interests.
“You know why she’s suggesting this, though,” I say. It’s so transparent. Siegrid would like a new Strategos Alpha who will be completely compliant.
“I do, but I was going to suggest this to you myself.”
“I understand,” I tell Siegrid, and she looks pleased. Outright pleased, confirming my suspicion. “I’ll step down and let the wolves choose.”
“It will be Sofos, the direwolf bonded to Egith,” Anassa says.“I have influence over the decision. Sofos and Egith will be loyal to us above anyone else.”
If Anassa believes that’s true, I trust her.
“Take a break and meet up with Hannelore in the Kryptos training area after lunch to continue your work,” Siegrid says. “I’ll let her know she’s needed.”
It sounds dangerously like an order, but I let it go. I just want to get out of here.
I return to my rooms to check on Saela. What I find doesn’t surprise me. She’s clearly gotten out of bed, cleaned up and dressed herself, and then climbed back under the blankets again.
“Hey, Sae,” I say, sighing. I bend to pick up her discarded shoes and set them straight next to her bed. “Doing okay?”
She doesn’t answer.
“Please talk to me,” I beg. If I could getonesmile out of her…
Nothing.
“I know this has been hard for you, but it breaks my heart to see you like this. Do you need to go outside and get some fresh air?”
Saela scoffs. She doesn’t look at me, but I don’t need to see her face to know she’s angry. “Wouldn’t I be a danger to myself and others? Leave mealone, Meryn.”
I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, there’s a piercing pull in my brain. A gasp flies from my lips. Saela turns quickly, the sound startling her.
My knees give out, and I sit down quickly on her bed.
This feeling…
It’shimagain.
“Bonded,” Killian—or Alistair, if he’s to be believed—says over the rivers.“You have had several days to consider your loyalties. The fiefdom of Rabenfrost has welcomed me with open arms, and they welcome you, too.”
Those traitorousfucks. My hands tighten on Saela’s bedcovers, and my eyes alight on the engagement bracelet clamped on my wrist. It’s tighter than ever, and the ruby once again swirls with dark shadows.
“Meryn?” Saela asks uneasily.
My shoulders start to tremble in anger. I need to stop this. I have to cut him off somehow—he’s not allowed to addressmy peoplelike they’re his own.
