“Kneel,” I commanded.
Gilen followed.
Gilen and every shifter surrounding us in the field.
I cautiously approached my childhood friend, waiting to see what would happen next. I swallowed heavily, not from fear but from the pang of sorrow that barreled through my heart. I took no pleasure in doing this to Gilen. I never wanted to hurt him like this.
“Gilen,” I whispered.
He refused to look me in the eye, keeping his gaze cast down, drowning in a sea of shame.
“Gilen?” I said again.
“What does ouralphacommand of me?” he asked, throwing the dagger at my feet, his voice soundingbroken. “Kill me and be done with it. Don’t drag this out longer than it needs to.”
My stomach dropped at the thought… I could kill Gilen. Any victor in a challenge would. Gods above, he would have killed me if the roles were reversed.
But I knew what was coming.
We were on the brink of another war with the humans. Battles and the promise of bloodshed were at our doorstep. I couldn’t justify eradicating one of our strongest warriors simply out of spite or because of some bullshit politics.
Blame it on my human nature running interference, but I saw value in keeping Gilen alive. And as alpha, I could make my own rules.
Ignoring the dagger, I crossed the distance between us and called my healing magic as I gently placed my palm to his eye before seeking the wound in his shoulder. My power sought what was broken, mending what it could. I released my hand from his face and stepped back to give him space.
Gilen’s fingers reached up to trace his injury. His brows shot upward in surprise as his chest heaved, a sea of questions swirling around him as he remained kneeling in the frozen grass, staring at me in awe.
My healing magic held limitations, but I was able to restore his vision. His eye, however, would forever hold a discoloration compared to the other. A lighter milky hue now clung to his iris.
“Why?” Gilen asked.
“I won’t end the life of one of our strongest warriors when we’re on the brink of war,” I said, praying he would listen. “We need you, Gilen.”
“I would’ve killed you, Skylar.”
“Oh, trust me, I know. You sure as hell tried to.” I winked, giving him a half-smile. “I’m looking toward the future of our pack, Gilen. We need strong warriors to defend our people and lands.”
I was trying my best to appeal to his logic, hoping his pride would not force my hand yet again.
“Gilen!” Alistar’s voice boomed as the crowds parted to allow the former alpha through.
“Father…” he rasped, biting his lip and looking down at the earth with a cloud of shame.
Alistar raced to Gilen’s side, knelt beside him in the grass, threw a cloak around his shoulders, and wrapped his arms securely around his son.
Gilen gripped his father tightly. “I’m so sorry I failed you.”
Alistar pulled back and sighed. “You didn’t!” he exclaimed.
The two of them dropped their heads together, brows touching as their shoulders slackened, giving in to the weight of their reservations and accepting their pain.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to guide you when you needed me, son. But… I’m here now.”
“I-I lost. Skylar is—” Gilen began.
“Skylar is finally accepting the mantle of her father,” Alistar said in an even tone, holding his son. “Emery was alpha before I stepped into the role. And I knew,” Alistar said, looking at me. “I knew his heir would eventually rise to take his place.”
I stepped backward, genuinely surprised by what I was hearing. “You knew.” I didn’t form it as a question.
