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“Maybe the new pack scent isn’t strong enough for us to tell.”

I shake my head, “No—that at least smells Western. This is like…nothing.”

We all look at one another, nobody having the answer. I don’t know who these shifters are. I don’t understand what or why they were attacking.

And we are only just lucky there were no casualties today.

“It feels like we are losing control.” Brack says it simply, and I feel the statement rip through my chest. I survey the area, the store house with the doors ripped open, the material inside only protected by the fact that we got here in time to help.

I watch two injured shifters limping to a set of snow mobiles, the only vehicles that can traverse the rocky, cold landscape.

Brack is right. We’re losing control.

I am losing control.

How stupid was it, to think I could have something pure. Good. For my own enjoyment. How stupid was it to allow myself to start falling in love with Mylah.

In the midst of everything, I was going to break off the engagement to Noemi. Sever important political ties. What if the threat is bigger than just Gavyn? What if we need to ally with a neighboring pack?

How stupid it was, to think I would publicly claim my mate. Tell everyone about Mylah. My sister, my betrothed even. Be honest with her about the reason I was going to break things off. I thought I could tell the other kings that I was planning to do something as selfish as declare my love for a fated mate.

Make her a target. Weaken our position, when Denvil just lost all those men only a few weeks ago.

I’d thought I could put myself first. My relationships, my life.

But the pack must come first.

It’s the only way I can keep control, and keep my people safe.

***

I find Aurora reading in her room. I’d planned on seeing her anyway, but before finding the traitor and going to battle, it was going to look much different.

“Aug,” Aurora says, sitting up, her face instantly turning to worry. I realize there must still be blood on my face from the fight. “What happened? Did you—”

“You are not to leave this castle under any circumstances,” I interrupt in a growl, pointing at her, my jaw ticking. “Do you understand? It’s been the rule for a long time. It’s time you started following it.”

Her eyebrows shoot up, surprised more than angry. A version of me—the version that is her brother, and not her king—winces at the virulence in my voice. But I have to do this. It’s what’s best for her. This is what is best for everyone. How I can keep them all safe.

“Where is this coming from?”

“And no more visits to Mylah,” I add, pain lacing through my chest at just the mention of her name. I cannot claim her as my mate, but I have to do something to protect her. “She is off limits until I find somewhere else to keep her.”

“Somewhere else to keep her?” Aurora repeats, standing and setting her book down. Her eyes sweep over me. “Augustus, what the hell happened. I thought—”

“It’s high time you stopped thinking,” I snap. “Now, can you abide by my rules?”

Her face twists in anger, and she crosses her arms. Defiant as always.

I’ve done this. I’ve shown people, through the way I allow her to walk all over me, that they can, too. That they can betray this pack and get away with it.

“Can you just talk to me like a fucking person?” Her voice is rising. “And not just throw out a bunch of bullshit because you’re feeling insecure, or whatever—”

“If you can’t obey the rules of this castle, if you can’t be obedient to your king,” I interrupt her again. This has already gone on too long. Far longer than a competent king would allow. “Then you are a danger to this pack.”

First, confusion, then panic flashes over her face as I turn and head to the door.

“What are you saying?” she asks, following behind me. “Augustus! You can’t just walk away—”