What a noble bloody idiot my mate is.
“It wasn’t his fault!” I say, positioning myself in front of Gunnar. “The witch he bit attacked him first. He’s an ex of mine, and he was jealous. Please, I’ll accept any responsibility on his behalf.”
“Arlo,” Gunnar growls, gripping my shoulder. “Don’t. Let me handle this.”
“I’m sorry, Agent Tenanbaum, who attacked whom is beside the point. Derek has been fired and will no longer represent the TTA. But you and Mr. Erikson were supposed to find a way to cure Gunnar’s berserkism. Your failure to do so resulted in an exposure breach. You had your chance, but I’m afraid we’ve run out of time.”
My heart sinks into my stomach.
Kendrick looks at Gunnar. “Mr. Erikson, you have a choice. You can allow our witches to carve your wolf from your soul. You would lose the ability to shift forever, but many find that preferable to the alternative.”
“Which is death,” Gunnar says blankly, hanging his head.
“Unfortunately, yes. You must understand, Mr. Erikson—”
“Lay a hand on my brother, and I’ll take it off!” Lyall snarls.
Anders unsheathes his claws. “He’s our pack. We will decide what to do with him, not you!”
The witches behind Kendrick tense, and the air thickens with the scent of ozone as magic gathers around us.
I feel sick. My hands are shaking and I’m sweating despite the cold. “No,” I say. “No, just give me more time! I’m working on a potion. It could be done today!”
“We’re out of time, Mr. Tenanbaum.”
“The hell you are!” I shout, ready to charge at her. If she even tries to touch Gunnar—
“Lo, don’t. Don’t make the Council your enemy,” Gunnar urges, gripping my arm.
“Who are you to go around punishing ulfhednar for biology they have no control over?” I point an accusatory finger at her. “There’s another way! I’ll prove it to you. I just need more time.”
Kendrick sighs. “How much do you need? And can Gunnar be safely contained until then?”
“Of course he can,” Wulfric snaps.
How much time? Goddess, I don’t know. “I—”
“No time at all, dear.” Behind the witches, Nan and my parents hurry up the road toward us. In her weathered hands, Nan carries a small jar. My potion. I wish I could feel relieved, but now I’m worried the damn thing won’t work. It is a first attempt, after all.
“Hullo!” Nan says with a smile. “I’m Patty. This is my son Bill and my daughter-in-law, Natalie. I’ve brought Arlo’s potion.”
Dad glares at me. “We’d have gotten here faster if you hadn’t run ahead.”
“Sorry…” They look like they had a time of it, covered in brambles and mud.
“What is this potion exactly?” Kendrick asks as Nan passes her to hand the potion to Gunnar.
“It can help soothe a berserker’s rage. Ulfhednar used to make it,” I say. “Unmated wolves were able to go their whole lives without taking a mate.”
And so will Gunnar. He’ll have no need for me once he drinks it, if it works. A lump clogs my throat.
“Let’s try it then,” Kendrick suggests, stepping back to watch.
“You may want to pinch your nose, dear,” Nan says apologetically.
Gunnar unscrews the cap and sniffs the lavender-colored contents. He pulls a face.
Anders claps his back. “Go on. Chug, chug, chug!”
