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“I hope you’re ready for this,” Dahlia strolls into the room, looking breathtaking. Her dark hair is pinned up into a messy bun, and her curvy frame is encased in a dark green dress. She looks like a princess without a crown. And yet, I know she has one. Ares chose well; they look good together, I note, as she nears the chair and stops beside him.

She hands him the phone she’d been carrying. He places the device to his ear and speaks, “Yeah?”

Silence greets us, and Dahlia glances toward me with a small smile that reminds me of why my best friend fell for her. There’s also a sadness in her pretty eyes, and I realize she must be worried about Rukaiya. I know I am. My little wolf needs to be here with us. We’re her family, and nobody else will be good enough to care for her.

“We’ll find her,” I promise Dahlia who nods in agreement.

“I know, I’m just worried,” she whispers as she leans in to help me shift higher on the bed. She fluffs my pillow, and I wish I was able to do this shit on my own. I hate people doting on me. I’m a grown man, and I should be able to care for myself.

“Okay. I agree to the terms,” Ares talks to whoever is on the other end of the line. He’s tense. His shoulders stiff with anxiety. I wonder briefly if it’s his father. If not, then I’m unsure of who would be giving him an ultimatum. Another few seconds go by before he hangs up and looks at Tarian then me. “We need to talk.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask immediately, my stomach twisting with anxiety. “Is it Rukaiya?”

He nods. “Thane has her.” Upon his words, his eyes lock on Tarian. There’s no admission, but we know what that means. Tarian’s uncle isn’t a good man, and if he has Rukaiya, she can’t be safe.

“What does he want?”

“It’s not what he wants,” Ares starts. “He’s told me why he’s keeping her at the house.” He glances among the three of us, his expression solid, not giving away what he’s feeling or thinking, and it’s frustrating the fuck out of me.

“If you can just fucking tell us, we can fix it.”

“There’s no fixing this,” he shakes his head. “Apparently, Thane is convinced that Rukaiya is his daughter.” The words fall from his lips, but they don’t make sense. I’ve known Thane since I was a kid, and he was never the paternal type. He had many women in his bed; he loved to boast about it, but he didn’t have just one woman long enough who could be the mother of his child.

“That’s a fucking lie,” I bite out, pushing my legs over the edge of the bed, forcing myself to stand. “I’ve had enough of this bullshit. I’m going there to get her, and she’s coming home with me.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Tarian speaks to me, his blue gaze locked on mine in challenge, and I still all movement. “He’s my uncle. I can go there and bring her back.”

“And you think he’s just going to hand over someone who he believes is his daughter?” My words are filled with confusion and amusement. I know Thane, so do Tarian and Ares, and they both know that he will never give up something that he wants or that he believes is his.

“Listen,” Ares finally steps between us, “this might not be ideal, but at least we know that Thane won’t hurt her. She’s his blood, so we can buy time.”

“What did he want in exchange for her?” I finally ask the question that’s on everyone’s mind.

Ares glances at all of us again. “He wants to lead. He wants Abner’s spot at the table. He’s been waiting for years, and now that my father is no longer the Elder Crown, he thinks he deserves it since Dahlia’s father is dead, and he’s the next in line.”

“That’s bullshit. I’m not giving him anything,” Tarian’s outburst causes us all to turn to him. He looks like he’s about to lose his shit. I don’t blame him. His uncle is here, trying to take over the Sovereign. His mother is alive, and he’s just found out one of his best friends had been sleeping with her for the better part of his teenage years.

Not good.

Not good at all.

“Can we have a minute?” I ask Ares and Dahlia. They both look at me, their faces a picture of worry, but when Tarian nods, they leave us in the bedroom, and I settle back on the mattress, watching my best friend.

“I don’t need—”

“I’m not doing this or saying this for you or for me; I’m going to tell you everything for the friendship I held close to me. You’re like family to me, and I need you to hear this from me. Before you hear any rumors or lies.”