by Dana Archer
“What Elizabeth should’ve asked was why Xander had married her and not mated her. Since she didn’t, I will. Tell me the truth.”
Vlad turned Gwen to face him. “Twice before, I revealed Xander’s sin. Each time I did, you died. I won’t betray Xander again.”
“Betray Xander!” Gwen pushed against his chest until Vlad took a step back. She moved several feet away and glared at him. “How is telling me the truth a betrayal to Xander?”
“Because it’s his sin to tell. I’ve committed enough of my own against you.”
The anger drained from her face. Wide-eyed, she studied him. “I’ve forgiven you for sleeping with Lena and all those other women. If you think you need to bring the topic up again, don’t. I want to put it behind us. You didn’t understand our connection when you first met me and Lena. I believe that with every ounce of my soul.”
Vlad squeezed the bridge of his nose. He hadn’t planned to bring this up, but he had to get it out there. Silence on this matter would make things worse. He dropped his hand and met her eyes. “Not that. I underestimated you. In doing so, I withheld important information about Molly. Had you known, you would’ve been more prepared to protect her. I failed you, and I failed Molly.”
Gwen shook her head. “We can’t change the past. You didn’t know what sheltering me would do.”
“Maybe not, but I know what it has accomplished.”
“What?”
“I’ve implicated you in Molly’s death, according to the Shifter Council, and unless we can prove Molly is alive and well, the Council will be within its right to punish not only me for my involvement in Molly’s death, but also you.”
Gwen mapped his face with her gaze before focusing on his eyes. “There’s more to this, isn’t there? What are you hiding from me about Molly? Is she okay?”
Vlad exhaled slowly. He wanted to protect Gwen from this but he couldn’t do so and call her his equal. “No, Molly isn’t okay. She’s either feral or on her way to becoming feral since she refuses to shift back into her human form, and if the Council gets the confirmation of her troubled mind, they’ll lock her up until she matures, then kill her.”
Gwen’s knees gave out. Vlad caught her before she crumpled to the deck’s surface. “I’m sorry, my mate. I hate being the bearer of bad news.”
She turned her chiding gaze to him. “Molly is stronger than you give her credit for. Just like I am stronger than everyone, including my mates, gives me credit for. She is not lost. I refuse to accept that. As long as she lives, she’s salvageable.”
“I agree. So does Xander and every member of our pack, along with Devin and Lena’s pride. We will protect her and make sure nobody hurts her, emotionally or physically.”
Gwen nodded. “I don’t doubt that, but who’s going to tell her the truth?”
“We have. Very clearly. She won’t listen to us.”
“Then take me to her.” Gwen stood and retied the sash on her robe, then headed toward the open patio door. “She’ll listen to me.”
Vlad wanted to argue with her. Molly ignored everyone who tried to convince her to shift. Given that fact, there was no reason to believe Gwen talking to her would be any different. He’d underestimated his mate on too many occasions to voice his doubt, however.
“I’ll make the calls, and the three of us will go see her together.”
Gwen glanced over her shoulder. “Always together. We won’t face the tough things alone anymore.”
Vlad linked his arms around her waist and rested his cheek on her shoulder. “Not even if they’re inside our minds.”
“Or in our memories.”
“Agreed.” Vlad only hoped she’d remember her words when she learned everything about Xander’s sin against Elizabeth.
Chapter 34
After exchanging words with Owen, the alpha of the Kagan pack emerged from the simple, well-kept cabin with a clipboard under his arm and joined Xander and Ethan at the SUV.
“You need to sign this before I can allow you within five hundred feet of the cabin.” Nic handed Xander the clipboard. “It’s a release of liability against myself, my pack, Shifter Affairs, and the human government.”
Never before had he been asked to sign anything when meeting with a feral shifter or even a shifter labeled as potentially feral, such as Devin had been classified for most of his life. Actually, he still carried the label. The stigma would follow Xander’s friend forever, despite the fact that with Lena bonded to his soul he was sane and calm.
There were no words to describe how the discrimination against Devin made Xander feel. There was only the simmering rage and the hatred for those who’d tortured Devin with the sole purpose of breaking his mind.
No amount of frustration changed anything, though. Neither would arguing with Nic Kagan about a worthless piece of paper. Never in his long life had Xander sued anyone. He wouldn’t start now over anything that happened here today.
“Fine.” Xander held out his hand. Neither Nic nor Ethan responded to his silent request. “Do I get a pen? Or am I to sign this in blood?” He’d slice a vein if he had to. His wolves’ eagerness to meet with Owen stirred a humming excitement within him. Nothing would stop him from meeting this male. Now.
“Blood won’t be necessary.” Nic smirked. “But before you can sign the release, you are required to read it in front of a witness.” He motioned to Ethan. “My sister’s mate is it.”
“And before you argue over the ridiculousness of my brother-in-law’s request, this has to happen, and you must take the time to read it. We’re being recorded, and if Shifter Affairs doesn’t see the proof that we’re following the safety precautions they put in place, they’ll incarcerate Owen in a government-run facility. That can’t happen.” Ethan’s voice roughened as his primal side surfaced, hinting at how Ethan’s wolf felt about losing Owen. “It’s bad enough my brother must remain here and not on my pack’s lands, but I’m still in the midst of undoing the negative influence of our previous alpha on my pack mates.”
The atrocities of the alpha who’d led Ethan’s pack before him had angered Xander. Had Ethan not taken over, Xander would’ve shown the old alpha the error of his ways with a beating that would’ve left the single shifter shamed in front of his pack and his mate.
“You have cameras here?” Xander turned to the ponytail-wearing alpha of the Kagan pack. “On your pack’s lands?”
Why any alpha would allow such an invasion baffled Xander. If evidence of their shifter nature was filmed, there was no guarantee the footage wouldn’t be leaked to humans. Such an occurrence would be devastating to their kind. The drive to protect their species’ secrets was instinctual, even among the corrupt and depraved.
“Yes. There are cameras on the roof. Shifter Affairs has a live stream of the property from the cabin to about five feet in front of the tree line.” Nic’s annoyed expression spoke of his feelings on the matter. “It’s put much strain on my pack mates. All but my mate are forbidden to come here without myself or my top dominant present.”
“To make sure only acceptable material is transmitted to those watching?” Xander asked. Any other motive would tarnish his view of the Kagan alpha. Feral and potentially feral shifters needed positive contact with those they trusted.
“Yes. It was either that or keep the cameras and microphones inside the cabin.” Nic’s expression darkened, matching the hard glint to his eyes. “Knowing he was being spied on agitated Owen too much, though. This was the concession that had to be made to give Owen a semblance of peace.”
“I’ve worked with troubled shifters for centuries. Never have I encountered a setup such as this.” Xander glanced between the two alphas. “Why Owen?”
“We can discuss any concerns you have after you meet with Owen.” Ethan held out a pen. “Read and sign, please. Owen’s waiting.”
“I’m not sure what type of males you’re used to dealing with, but I have not lived for seven centuries by blindly trusting in those around me. This setup could’ve be
en explained to me on the drive over here. You didn’t say a word about it or Owen.” But the troubled expression Ethan had worn on the ride over had hinted at the debate going on inside the other alpha’s mind. Only respect for his new neighbor stopped Xander from pushing for details then. Maybe he should have. Too late for regrets. He’d get his answers now.
Ethan narrowed his eyes, a warning in his expression. “Being a single shifter who’s only lived a fraction of the years you’ve been alive doesn’t make me any less cautious or protective of my pack.”
“Point taken.” Xander inclined his head in apology. “But if you’d considered me a threat to your brother, you never would’ve mentioned him.”
“I asked Ethan not to say anything. Owen isn’t always clear in the things he says. I wanted to make sure you were the kilt-wearing alpha he’s been dreaming about.” Nic motioned to the cabin. “That is why I brought you here and put you on display. So Owen could see you.”
“Dreaming about me?” Xander slid his focus from Nic to Ethan. “What exactly does that mean?”
Ethan stepped into Xander’s personal space and lowered his voice. “Owen has been altered. His disconnected mind is a result of what was done to him.”
Nic moved closer also. “And now he’s feared.”
“By who? Not by either of you.” The Kagan alpha would never allow his pregnant mate to come here alone if he did.
“By the Shifter Council and Shifter Affairs. Not my pack,” Nic answered.
“The elders know what was done to Owen?” Disbelief stirred Xander’s unease.
The Council wasn’t known for its leniency where feral shifters were concerned. They believed it was best to eliminate them, whenever possible, for the good of their species.
“A select few do.” Nic caught Xander’s gaze. “And they don’t want the others to learn about him. In my opinion, that’s the only reason Owen’s here.”
“Why?” Xander growled the word. The hedging and evasion set him on edge. They were hiding something important. “Tell me why. Now.”
Ethan gripped Xander’s shoulder and bent his head to Xander’s. “My brother, who was born to the single shifter parents who raised me as their own, is now either immortal or nearly immortal. He’s been tortured in numerous ways that should’ve killed him, yet he lives and is growing stronger and faster every day.”
Every muscle in Xander’s body tensed. His heart stopped, then beat harder. Ever since the first Royal was born, jealousy and resentment had pitted some of the single shifters against the Royals. Those select few wanted the same benefits the Royals enjoyed—immense strength and immortality. At any cost.
Xander closed his eyes and fought the memories of his loved ones who’d suffered and died as a result of the experiments concocted by those who coveted the Royals’ tie to the heavens. Their women, their children…abused…slaughtered…
“Did he want this?” Xander turned his head and glared at Ethan. “To be altered.”
“Owen doesn’t know.” Ethan grabbed the clipboard and shoved it into Xander’s chest. “And by signing this, you are promising not to tell him.”
“Not tell him?” Ignorance never helped matters. Surely, the males before him had learned that fact. If not, they needed a life lesson. “This is not something that should be kept from him.”
Nic leaned as close as Ethan had done moments ago and pressed his mouth to Xander’s ear. “Owen’s soul has been bonded to a Royal alpha who we believe is still alive and in captivity somewhere.”
Xander tensed a second time, but Nic’s firm grip on his shoulder reminded him of the cameras trained on them. Xander rubbed at his nose, hiding his mouth. “Bonded how?”
Ethan matched Nic’s pose and whispered, “As an animal. My brother is bonded to this Royal alpha as if he were one of his wolves, and he can be controlled as such.”
“We’ve made the decision to keep the details from him. We think if Owen knew, he’d fight this alpha’s control, and as a male who’s fought with his wolf for years, I know how devastating that can be for both halves,” Nic added.
“We’re asking that you honor our decision.” Ethan gripped Xander’s arm. “I know my brother. He’d rather die than be a slave, but it’s not just his life that’s at risk. We must also consider this Royal male. We believe he might suffer or die if Owen loses his head.”
Xander’s chest expanded with his deeper breaths, and his skin itched. The pressure of his wolves moving just below the surface left him agitated at the revelation of the bond Owen shared with this unnamed Royal alpha, but Xander’s wolves didn’t care to hear the details or the whys. They wanted to see the male. Had to see him.
With a firm metaphysical shove, Xander pushed his wolves back into the mystical realm where they lived. For the moment, he needed to process what Nic and Ethan were telling him, not react on his instincts.
“How do you know this?” Xander demanded.
“He told us.” Ethan cracked his jaw. “Not Owen. This Royal male who’s bonded to him told us. He can take over my brother’s body and his mind, leaving him with images of events that haven’t taken place yet.”
Xander jerked back. Out of all the gifts Royals had been born with, precognition wasn’t one of them. “That’s impossible.”
Nic jerked his chin toward the clipboard. “Read and sign the release, then go see for yourself.”
Xander snatched the pen from Ethan and turned his attention to the clipboard. The legalese didn’t mention anything about altercations done to Owen or his newfound immortal state. The paper was exactly what Nic had described it as, a combined release of liability and nondisclosure agreement preventing Xander from sharing what he had or would learn with Owen or anyone not bound to Xander’s soul, with the exception of Nic and Ethan.
“There.” Xander scribbled his name on the paper and shoved the clipboard at Nic. “Signed and dated.”
“Then go.” Nic waved Xander forward.
“You’re not coming with me?”
Nic snorted. “Not unless you’re afraid to be alone with Owen.”
Xander pivoted without responding to the other male’s sarcastic retort. Eager for a glimpse of Owen, he scanned the windows. The shadow of a large man passed in front of the main one. Then, the blinds closed. The light inside went out.
If Xander’s wolves hadn’t been so adamant about getting inside the cabin, he might wonder if he was walking into a trap. Of course, there was every possibility he was opening himself to danger. Owen was labeled as feral. The knowledge wouldn’t stop Xander.
He turned the knob and opened the front door. Darkness met him, but the sound of Owen’s breathing and his heartbeat betrayed his location near the far end of the room.
Xander shut the door behind him and allowed his wolves closer. Drawing on their enhanced eyesight, the details of the room came into focus. He noted the simplicity and neatness of the place, along with the scent of Chinese food and a synthetic air freshener, but the useless specifics mattered little. Only one thing did.
Owen.
Or, more specifically, the aura surrounding him. The mix of colors clearly identified the pack alpha who’d been bonded to Owen.
The Kane pack—Brock’s pack. Their alpha, Gabriel, had been missing for close to three hundred years. Brock had spent just as long searching for him.
The waiver Xander had signed stopped him from telling Owen or even reacting to the knowledge. He took another step into the room and studied the shifter who, according to Nic, had left the elders on the Council afraid. Fear didn’t choke Xander, though. Rage did. Whoever had done this to Owen deserved death.
“Your anger is spiking mine.” Owen struck a match and lit a candle on the table in front of him. “And unless you want to fight me, tone it down. I’m feral, you know. Can’t trust what I’ll do. It’s why they keep me locked up here like an animal.”
The flickering light illuminated Owen’s face. Unkempt brown hair framed a harsh and scarred face, and a rough growth o
f beard covered his jaw and neck. The details gave him a wild appearance. The glint in his hazel eyes, though, told the true state of his mind. He was unhinged. Maybe feral. Or maybe just crazed from being locked inside this cabin.
“Better here among friends than in a cell somewhere.” Though probably not by much. A shifter needed freedom to run. They were not meant to be stuck inside any enclosure, even a gilded one.
Owen blew out the match and dropped it on the table. “Did my alpha tell you why I wanted to see you?”
Apparently, Owen had no interest in small talk.
Xander crossed the room and took the seat opposite Owen. “Partially. Ethan told me you’ve been dreaming about me.”
“Not you, exactly.”
“Who, then?”
“Your…” Owen shrugged. “I don’t know what to call her. Lover? Mate? Tough to tell from what I’ve seen, but I know the human’s yours.”
Xander’s breath caught. “Care to elaborate on that?”
“I dream about stuff. Other people’s lives.” Owen raised his gaze to Xander’s. “Your life, recently.”
“What about my life?”
Owen leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “You and another male sleeping with this girl, fighting with her…walking away from her.”
The idea that this male had seen intimate details of his relationship with Gwen angered him. It also left him uneasy. Not fearful but concerned. No male should have that kind of power. Insight of the future belonged to the goddesses only, for a reason. It was dangerous.
“What else?”
Owen raised a brow. “Not going to question me or call me crazy?”
“Not unless you want me to. I’m here for the warning you want to share with me. That is why you insisted on seeing me, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Owen dropped his arms and leaned over the table, propping his elbows on the wooden surface. “She’s going to die. Figured you might want the chance to save her.”
Xander’s blood went cold. Unblinking, he stared at Owen for a long moment, then demanded, “Tell me everything you know. Now.”