Jane started to crawl away, leaving a trail of fresh blood, but Honor blocked her, his lips pulling back into a vicious snarl. She whimpered and collapsed back into the grass, moaning in pain.
I knew then, in that moment, that my shields would defend meto the death.
“Let them go,” I said to my shields.
Noble raised his eyebrows, and Justice frowned.
“Nai,” Rage growled, “they were going to kill you. We’re merely meting out justice.”
“Literally,” Justice said, deadpanning.
“We weren’t going to kill her. We just wanted her to sign—” Jane’s words were cut off when Honor lunged for her; she buried her face in the ground.
I ignored Jane. Killing me or making me think I was about to die really didn’t make a difference to me. “I know,” I told Rage, crossing the gap between me and my mate and putting my hand on his arm. “And they deserve it.”
Rage narrowed his gaze. “But?”
“But I want to be better than them. I want to find a way to bring peace to all our people—to all my people—both my mother’s side of high mages and my father’s side of alpha heirs and the wolves. I believe we can—”
“That’s a dream,” Justice said, shaking his head. “The high mages have lied to you at every turn.”
I nodded but held Justice’s gaze. “I’m not saying we should roll over for them. But we have to start somewhere.”
“You want to show them mercy?” Rage asked.
I nodded. “Starting with not killing off their heirs.”
Although, Reyna had said each high mage had half a dozen other heirs in their castles, training away.
“Fine,” Rage replied. “Then I want you to stay with me, in the alpha castle, between your lessons here every single night. I want to know you’re safe—and clearly, your grandfather isn’t able to guarantee your safety here.”
The urge to defend Grandpa swelled within my chest, but I tamped it down. Rage was right—even more than he knew.
“King Rage is strong,” Donovan said, darting a wary glance at my mate.
With that, Rage dropped a barely conscious Julian to the ground and then leaned low by his head. “If youevereven look at my mate again in a way that makes her uncomfortable, I’ll remove your manhood and force it down your throat.” Rage sucked in a breath: “And that will be the warmup. The only reason you’re alive is because of Nai’s mercy. Don’t make either of us regret this.”
Julian nodded, a whimper dying in his throat, and then Rage turned to Donovan and offered an apologetic smile. “Thank you, young man, for helping me and my mate. The alpha king owes you a debt of gratitude.”
“Family,” Donovan said, dropping his chin to his chest.
“Donovan is my cousin,” I explained, approaching him. “His mom is my aunt Sariah.”
“Cool,” Noble said, and Justice nodded.
“Then I’m doubly indebted to your family,” Rage said, sliding his arm around my waist. He pressed his lips to the crown of my head, taking a deep breath while he held me. ‘I nearly lost my mind,’ he admitted through our bond.‘I’m sorry it took so long to get here, and I’m sorry about our fight.’
I nodded, nuzzling into him. “Me too.”
“Which is why I want you where I can get to you—on Shifter Island.” He doubled down.
After giving Rage a kiss, I pulled away and held my hand out to Donovan. “Let’s go talk with Grandpa.”
Donovan shuffled out from behind the bushes and took my hand. “Grandpa keeps us safe.”
I think that was Donovan’s adorable way of challenging what Rage said, but sadly, I didn’t have the same faith in my grandfather’s ability to do that anymore.
We all returned to the spirit castle and found Grandpa and Reyna in the kitchen, having a late breakfast.
