Page 56 of Wolf's Vow

She dropped her head once more, and I watched tears fall rapidly onto the back of her hands. “You’re safe, speak to me.”

“There’s someone, I don’t know who.” She swallowed hard. “He…he…” She sobbed. “He gives me to him.”

Brand growled low in his throat, his boot pressing harder on the chest of the fucker on the floor.

“And you’re unwilling?” I asked, my rage coursing through me.

“Yes! I’m not a whore, Alpha.” She was crying heavily now. “I took my vows beneath the Heartwood; marriage is sacred.”

Damn traditions had a lot to answer for. I knew their benefits, but they could also be as much a noose around an unhappy couple’s neck as they were a blessing.

Keep the boy from the office,I sent to Axel.Keep him close, but don’t let him come in here.

I felt Axel’s fury.He already knows, Wolfe. He told me everything. He’s not acting;he practically pissed himself with fear.

Tell him he’s safe. His mother and sister are too. I have their father, and he’s going nowhere.

I turned my gaze to Hollis. “You thought you could control a pack through fear, like you control your family. Through blood and threats. But you’re done here.”

His eyes were wider now. Not with anger. With fear of being caught. With fear of lying on the floor and not being able to move as an alpha stood over him.

I turned back to Solana. “Do you feel safe to take your children and go home?”

She watched me cautiously. “No, I don’t.” Tears spilled over. “I don’t know who the male is who comes into my room. He,” sheglanced at her husband on the floor, “rubs an ointment under my nose, it’s…it’s nauseating, I can’t smell anything other than it, before the male comes. I don’t know who it is. I’m not…we’re not…”

“Youwillbe safe,” I assured her. “But I understand that it will take time.” I shared a look with Brand, and he nodded. “Stonefang may be best for you right now.”

She looked at me, hope in her eyes. “Alpha? My pack is here.” Her protest was weak; she wanted to be anywhere but here right now.

“I know, but I think it’s time you and your children had a change of scenery. How does that sound?”

Solana swallowed hard. “Please.”

“Okay.” I tried my best to smile at her, even as my wolf snarled under my skin, eager to sink its teeth into the fucker on the floor. “Wait in the kitchens. Axel and Aren are waiting for you there with Annabel.”

I nodded to Brand. “Go with her. Come back with Axel, and leave two guards with them.OnlyStonefang. They stay with them until I say otherwise.”

Brand moved instantly, boots silent on stone.

“Aren is not in trouble?” Solana blinked fast, rising to her feet, like she didn’t trust what she’d heard. “You’ll protect him?”

“Yes,” I said. “Brand has some questions for him, but I will protect your children and you.” I sent a calmness I wasn’t feeling through the alpha bond, feeling her receive it, seeing her nerves settle as she let out a low breath. “You are my pack,” I told her. “I protect my pack.”

Solana followed Brand out, and I turned to Hollis again, letting the Will lift just slightly—enough for him to choke in a breath.

“Your time in the Hollow is over,” I said, low and final. “You’ll be tried for betrayal. And if I get so much as a whisper that youmoved your hand toward that family again?” I crouched next to him, letting him see it in my eyes—what I meant.

What I promised.

“I will end you myself.”

Chapter 14

Wolfe

She answeredon the second ring.

No braid tonight. No soft glow behind her. She was seated on the couch in my shelter, sleeves rolled up, a bruise beginning to show at her temple. The urge to demand who had left their mark on her was strong, but I needed to focus.