Page 199 of Blood Day

That was how long it had taken me to find a window of opportunity to leave Silvano Region. Apparently, Silvano gifting me apetwas supposed to convince me to forgo my two years of freedom.

I knew there had to be a catch. Silvano didn’t do anything without purpose.

Outright refusing him hadn’t been an option. So I’d played along and watched as he’d helped “break in” my new pet on the flight back to Silvano City. Then I’d taken what was left of the girl to my room in Silvano Tower.

And promptly put the poor girl out of her misery.

There’d been no coming back from what he’d done to her.

I’d given it a day before informing him that I’d lost my pet. He’d offered me one from his harem, but I’d told him he’d already given me enough and I had a better idea.

“I’ll just go take a human from the wolves,” I’d said. “Gives me a reason to check on how things are going in Clemente Clan and allows me to reassert my dominancedown there before I take over as sovereign near the Texas border.”

Silvano had grinned. “I knew you’d be good for the job. You’re pretty much already doing it, but without the perks. We’ll fix that when you return.”

“I look forward to it,” I’d lied.

Not that he’d noticed. And why would he? The position was an honor to most. Obviously, I should be ecstatic about it.

He’d misinterpreted my delaying of the position as a need to prove myself worthy of it.

I’d used that to my advantage when providing my excuse for this visit to Clemente Clan. I knew how to think like a sovereign—that’d never been my problem. I just didn’t want to be one, something Silvano couldn’t even fathom as a possibility.

Another oversight on his part to use to my advantage.

He had no reason to assume that I wouldn’t return to him. Where else would I go?

As far as he was concerned, Silvano Region was my home. And it was… for now.

I leaned against the wall of an abandoned building near the border between Silvano Region and Clemente Clan. It was a location I knew well from my previous visits.

Only this time, I was here for myself, not for Silvano.

And that made me even more dangerous than usual—a trait most shifters would pick up based on scent.

However, the older wolf walking toward me didn’t react to it at all. He moved with a lazy confidence, his steps sure and his expression bored.

“Cedric,” he greeted.

“Jolene,” I returned.

“Did my son not heed Silvano’s warning?”

I smiled. “I’m sure he didn’t. Both of those assholes are too arrogant to see reason.”

Jolene matched my grin. “True. I suppose it’s a good thing I’ve been part of Edon’s upbringing.”

Edon. The future Clemente Clan Alpha. Assuming the current alpha, Walter, allowed his son to take over.

“So if Silvano didn’t send you here, then why are we meeting?” Jolene continued, his perception as sharp as always. His age wasn’t a deterrent but a strength. Something his son really shouldn’t take for granted.

But I wasn’t here to discuss wolf hierarchy or society politics.

I was here to ask an old acquaintance for a favor, one he might or might not accept.

“I need information on the breeding camp up the road.” It was where moon chase candidates were kept as well, which meant Lily was there. Assuming the details Khalid had shared with me were accurate, anyway.

Jolene arched a silver brow. “Any particular reason why?”