Page 17

Briggs

I stalked through the night-shrouded forest, unease undulating beneath my skin.

Colten's text message had set my nerves on edge.

Turner Phelps, the Blood Fang Alpha, was at our border, asking to speak with me and my mate.

Suspicion had immediately gripped the back of my neck in an icy glove.

I got out of my truck and waited. Colten appeared from the treeline just ahead, cast in shadows. Like a good Beta, he’d come to escort me the rest of the way on foot.

"What did he say, exactly?" I demanded.

Colten shook his head. "He refused to tell me anything more. Said he'll only speak with the Darkwood Alpha and Luna. Together."

“I don’t like this.”

“Me, either. That’s why I added protection at your cabin and sent for Baylor.”

As we approached the border, we grew more alert. Wolves had excellent hearing and, though I hadn’t been around him much, I’d never liked other Alpha.

Soon, Turner's scent wrinkled my nose—all aggression and arrogance. He stood there, flanked by his enforcers, a sneer twisting his face.

A dark gray patch covered what was left of his right eye, an accident from childhood.

"Ah, the great Darkwood Alpha finally graces us with his presence.”

He made a show of looking around and behind me. “You didn’t bring your Luna.”

“What do you want, Phelps?”

His remaining eye glittered with malice. "What, no small talk?"

“Spit it out or leave.”

Turner tsked, shaking his head. "Temper, temper. Is that any way to speak to a concerned neighbor? Especially when I've heard such disturbing rumors about you and your mate."

Colten tensed beside me.

"And what rumors would those be?" I inquired.

Turner's grin widened. "Oh, you know. Whispers that the Darkwood Luna hasn't been seen in weeks.

That maybe you finally snapped and ripped out Ruby’s pretty little throat.

"

I continued to stare blankly.

“Or maybe she’s convalescing with that pup of yours?”

My wolf prowled beneath my skin, itching for release. I held tight to the cold rage icing my veins.

"I find it odd,” I told him, “that you come here with such concern for my mate and my son when you have absolutely no ties to either. All you’re doing is wasting my time and pissing me off."

Turner's smirk faltered. His wolf stared back at me from behind his eyes.

“Where is she?” his wolf vocalized through his human.

“Right where she belongs.”

Turner took a step towards me and Colten let out a warned growl.

“I suggest you heed my Beta’s warning or the next step will be your last.”

I nearly dared the Alpha to test us. He spared me a sharp glance before retreating back into his territory with his enforcers.

Colten let out a slow breath. "I’m worried that was a test or a distraction so—"

I didn't hear the rest. In a sudden panic, I shifted. I had to get to Ivy.

Branches whipped at my face, drawing blood. I barely felt the sting. The only thing that mattered was my mate. Making sure she was safe.

Like a cannonball, I shot out of the surrounding evergreens and across the driveway. I leapt onto the porch, shifting on the fly.

The startled shouts from my enforcers were ignored.

Her door loomed ahead. With shaking hands, I reached for the knob.

Shit. I didn’t have the key on me.

My ear pressed to the cool panel. For a terrifying moment, I heard nothing. Then, the soft sound of her breathing reached my ears. Slow. Steady.

The tension drained from my body, leaving me slumped against the wall. She was peacefully asleep and totally unaware. Safe.

But for how long? Onyx pressed.

After grabbing clothes from my room, I went into the study. Colten was there waiting.

He tossed my keys onto the desk and I knew if I looked outside my truck would be parked in its usual spot.

“Turner is Ruby’s mate,” I bit out, reaching for the decanter of whiskey on the small table near the couch.

“Most likely, yes.”

I poured myself a generous measure, downing it in one burning gulp. The liquor did little to calm the storm.

“I want eyes on our borders at all times.”

He nodded. "I'll see to it personally. I’ll also assign extra enforcers here, at your cabin."

“I’m close to having you tranq me so neither Onyx nor I can go after the fucker.”

Colten poured himself a hefty dose of the amber liquid. “He didn’t seem to know anything about Ivy being here. Regardless, I’m not sure I’d lift a finger to stop you.”

He took a long swallow. “I can always send Baylor.”

I wasn’t interested in starting a war or having the High Council up my ass. Turner was the problem, not his pack. He’d make a move against me soon enough and I would be well within my rights to do something about it.

“No,” I stated firmly. "No wolf is to engage Turner or anyone in his pack without my explicit command. Anyone who disobeys will answer to me personally."

"Understood. I’ll take care of it now."

When he departed, I went straight upstairs and settled onto the floor, leaning back against the wall outside Ivy’s room.

I didn’t know if Turner knew Ivy was here, but it wasn’t exactly a secret. Neither was Ruby’s death, not to the Darkwood wolves.

I hadn’t declared anything formal for the disgraced Luna. I hadn’t even sent out an announcement of her passing to the High Council or any of our allies.

During those weeks when I was waiting for Baylor to return with Ivy, the only thing I’d done regarding the former Luna was to decree no one was to speak of her.

The pack had been confused but they obeyed, knowing something was amiss. I’d had Colten smooth it over and explain what their disloyal Luna had done.

Ruby had plotted against us, to rule through my son. After killing me, of course.

Then she’d died and so had my son, the latter of which I had no desire to talk about. I would have to eventually, but I’d only be sharing that part of me with Ivy.

If Turner didn’t know about Ruby or Ivy, he’d be aware of both soon.

If he tried anything with Ivy, he'd have to go through me first.