Her voice was mostly teasing. But a hint of hope hid in there. The fragile kind, utmost vulnerable to rejection.
Maya pulled Harper close, kissing her as deeply as she dared, and being rewarded with a breathless chuckle. One that quieted into soft sighs.
That noise was music. Sweet, soothing, perfect music. Maya already had countless ideas for how to recreate it. But those could wait. They had all night, after all.
Right then, it felt like they had all the time in the world.
Chapter 19
The warehouse was alive with howls and laughter. Music rang against the walls, underlined by cheers, moans, and occasional screams. Lit barrels spilled light onto the concrete floor, enveloping the celebrating pack in a warm, fiery glow.
Kieran watched the revelry from his throne, made from stacked pallets covered in fur and leather. Not an impressive sight, but still the seat of a King. The seat of an Alpha.
St. Louis had never seen one. Had never housed a Regent, of any kind. The triumph he had claimed less than a week before would go down in history, with his pack being the first to control a city of such strategic importance.
He had yet to establish an actual seat in the city. Its neutral status meant there wasn’t any infrastructure from which to govern, which was why they were here. In an old forest mill, just south of St. Louis. Until they could find a better alternative, this was the house of his rule.
Therian packs usually stuck to townships and wilderness. A consequence of their need for hunts and small size, but he had solutions for both. He shared a station with his most trusted soldiers, and when they started cleaning the streets, they would have an ample supply of prey.
As for numbers, Jackie’s pack was still bigger, but the gap was closing. People were realizing that her hatred of the Chains was performative at best, while Kieran’s was both active and bloody. People wanted to fight. He’d given them a way to doso.
He’d won. But even though the warehouse was vibrant with celebration, it still felt empty.
Since she wasn’t present.
“The Chains are being quiet,” Booker said, pacing next to Kieran’s seat. “They haven’t responded yet, but that could change. If they decide to come after us, we’re fucked.”
“If they do, we’ll deal with it.”
“How? We can’t handle their demons or that bloody daywalker of theirs. What if they’re planning something? Or start an alliance with another Court?”
Kieran scoffed. Enemy alliances weren’t a concern. The Courts followed traditions too opposing for them to agree on anything. Their laws were too self-focused; their members too homogeneous. The Chains were the only Court that stood out there, and no one gave a fuck about their inclusivity-based bullshit.
He closed his hand into a fist. They had Harper, too. Had taken her beyond his grasp, and if the bastard pacing next to his throne had done what he was told, then she would be right where she belonged. A witness to his victory.
Why did she have to be so difficult? Why couldn’t she understand that he only wanted to protect her? If he could just talk to her and explain, she would see that. See that she was made for him. Take the role she was meant to have.
She would need a bit of breaking in, sure. But she would get there. Once he had her again, he would make sure of it.
Sudden hooting sounded from the door, and a small group rushed inside. A young, fair-skinned man with a dark buzz cut was at their center, holding a bloody bag.
“I got one!” he yelled as he ran up to Kieran’s throne.
He had a wild look in his eyes, shaking with adrenaline, which might explain why he forgot protocol. One sharp look and the man immediately dropped to one knee, head lowered.
“I’ve slain one of your enemies, Alpha,” he said. “I wish to show you. That way you may judge it yourself. May find me—ita worthy price for the Wolf.”
The celebrations quieted as people turned their attention towards Kieran and the prospect kneeling before him.
He recognized the man. Had worked with him for a few weeks now. Owen Kline, fresh out of the police academy and brimming with ambition.
A tough kid. He was still at the lowest rung of the pack hierarchy, on account of him being human. But that might change now.
Usually, more precautions were taken when adding a wolf to your pack. More safe measures. But neither precaution nor safety were concepts a predator should be shackled by.
“Show me,” Kieran said.
Owen opened the bloody bag, hands shaking as he rummaged for the contents.
