Broken Promise (The Broken Ones Book 3)

by Jen Wylie

  Though the Were had seen her worse. Their alpha Rhee-En had brought her mauled body to them for healing. Despite their best efforts, she'd almost died. Only Prince's knowledge and Fey magic eventually saved her.

  Movement caught her eye and she paused, fingers caught in a tangle. The late afternoon sun lit the area she'd stopped in, however the huge trees left much of the forest in various degrees of shadow. Working on her hair, she tilted her head one way and then another, watching carefully. A chill ran down her spine.

  Garen, there are Were circling.

  While waiting for his response she attempted to count them. Four. Maybe five.

  Garen? Is this normal? She remembered the first time she'd met Rhee-En and some of his pack. She'd been in their forest, even though humans were forbidden. They'd circled her then, as well.

  They should know who you are, and that you are welcome. Announce yourself, and that you are a welcome guest of the pack. He paused. Remember these are Were. Do not show fear. You must not be submissive.

  She wasn't quite sure what he meant and frowned in frustration. It had to be a misunderstanding or perhaps some young Were just causing mischief.

  Pulling her hair back, she retied the leather around it and then placed her hands on her hips. Being obvious about looking at the circling Were, she gathered her courage. "I am Arowyn Mason." She waited, wondering if that would be enough. Not too long ago Rhee-En sent out a telepathic message to his whole pack stating she and Bo were both welcome in his lands.

  The Were moved from the trees to circle her. A quick glance around showed five of them. Her eyes darted to the trees, wondering if there were more. She didn't see any, but that didn't mean much.

  Don't be afraid. She sucked in a slow breath. Three of the Were stopped before her, one flanking her on each side behind. When the center Were stalked forward a few steps and snarled, it took everything she had not to draw her daggers.

  They are growling at me!

  I'm coming. Be strong. Treat them as children. Be firm but polite.

  No! Stay with Bo in case…just in case. I can do this.

  She could almost hear him gnashing his teeth.

  Very well. I have your scent. We are coming as quickly as we can.

  Setting her lips in an angry line, she stared down the Were. Should she call for Kei? Was he still angry with her? If he came, all claws and fury, it might only make matters worse.

  Rot.

  "I am welcome here," she said firmly. "You," she turned slightly and gestured to the Were behind her, "come where I can see you." Raising her chin, she blinked in startlement when they moved to join their pack mates. Perhaps this would work. "Stand aside."

  The Were growled again. All of them.

  "I said stand aside!"

  With barely audible whines and tails flicking, four of them moved back, leaving only the center Were before her.

  Straightening her back, she narrowed her eyes, wondering what to say next. How was she supposed to act? Perhaps like a noble? "I am not pleased. You will let me pass. Now."

  The Were didn't move but sat back onto his haunches. A moment later, he shifted into a man. Ignoring her completely, he turned his head to the side. "You were correct."

  Following his gaze, her mouth parted in surprise to find Rhee-En walking through the trees toward them.

  Everything is fine. I think. Rhee-En is here.

  Good, that is good.

  Rhee-En nodded to the other Were, and then all five disappeared into the trees. He stopped before her, a wry smile twisting the scars running from cheek to jaw across his face.

  "What was that all about?"

  He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. "It appears you have the power to command my Were."

  "I…" How should she reply to that? She'd only done what Garen told her to do. His distracting voice didn't help. Apparently, she hadn't gotten used to the sultry beauty of it. Like the first time they'd met, the beautiful sound of it left her flustered.

  He gestured her forward to walk beside him and she obliged, scrambling to gather her wits. "Only alpha's have that power," he said softly.

  Her head snapped around to stare at him as a lump formed in her throat. Rot. Rot. Rot. How did he know?

  Maybe things aren't fine. Rhee-En knows.

  Knows what?

  That we are a pack.

  We will be there soon. I've called Kei. He comes as well.

  She wasn't sure that would help.

  "Were you aware of this?"

  She froze, unsure what to say, and didn't answer. Her eyes met his blue and gold ones.

  He marked her hesitation. "You are."

  Letting out an internal string of curses, she tried to keep calm. She should have acted surprised. Such a simple mistake would cost her.

  "Some time ago, we felt Were magic. It was not in our land, so I took little heed of it. At the time I set the matter aside as a strange oddity." When she remained silent, he continued. "When you were with us last, many noticed a strange bond between you and your men. Particularly interactions with Garen. It seemed at times you would speak to each other telepathically. Though not odd for Prince Shael to do this, and even you, since it is clear you can speak to any of us, Kei and Bo should not have this ability. I myself noted how close Garen and Bo are, yet they should not be able to communicate. It was not until after you left the extent of this became apparent, and it made me wonder."

  She thought she might be sick but kept her mouth closed and continued to walk beside him. A trickle of fear threatened, but she squashed it down, burying it under layers of other emotion. The last thing she needed was for him to sense her fear.

  "It appears you have somehow created a new pack," he continued, seeming oblivious to her internal emotional struggles. "I have no idea how you have done this. It should be impossible, yet I can find no other explanation."

  She stiffened as a hand settled on her lower back. Snapping her head to the side, she saw Kei. His eyes glowed faintly yellow, a good sign he was no longer angry with her.

  I'm sorry, Kei. Please forgive me.

  His eyes met hers. Always.

  "Kei." Rhee-En acknowledged his arrival.

  What have you told him?

  Nothing, she protested, allowing anger to simmer within her. She wasn't angry with Kei, but anger at this time seemed the best option.

  Unaware of their conversation, Rhee-En continued, "You have an affinity toward magic, this much is clear. The idea itself is unbelievable. However, the thought continued to nag at me. I decided a simple test would prove it or not. Your personality and the relationship with your boys, along with your magical ability, led me to believe you would be one of, if not the alpha of this new pack."

  She looked up at him in annoyance and let some of the anger out in her voice. "That was a test?"

  He nodded once. "My Were tell me your voice does hold command. Though not strong, it is there. Only alphas can command any Were. These men are not your pack, and yours is small, so the lack of strength you hold is not surprising. That you are an alpha is. You are not Were, nor are the majority of your pack."

  "My pack," she whispered faintly.

  "What concerns me is I have no idea how this came to be. If you have one, please do share it now."

  She couldn't miss the growing hardness in his voice. "I…I didn't think it would work. I just wanted to help Prince Shael." Her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't meant to say those words. Had he just commanded her?

  He stopped, grasping her arm and forcing her to stop as well. The incredulous look on his face surprised her. "Are you saying you did this? You intended to make a pack?"

  Kei growled beside her, shifting uneasily.

  Don't. It's fine.

  She shrugged at Rhee-En, trying to pull her arm from his hand. Mostly, she concentrated on keeping her mind locked and safe and her tongue still.

  "Have you any idea what you have done?"

  "I did what I had to do," she snapped. She met his
gaze defiantly. "They are my family."

  A weary sigh escaped him as he shook his head, dropping her arm. "I do not think it can be undone. Not easily. I suppose that matters not for now. Such a thing is a matter for the king, not I."

  "The king?" Her words came out sounding strangled.

  "He knows of you already."

  "Why? Why would he know of me?" As panic rose within her, Kei's hand found hers, lending her strength.

  "The king knows of everything in his lands, Arowyn. We are to report to him anything out of the ordinary or of interest. Since the first time we met, he has known of you."

  Of course, since a human traveling with Fey and Were and an Elven prince was certainly not normal. "I suppose he knows of me fighting the Vor."

  "Yes. And the prophecy, and you healing the Fey. Also of your healing. He knows everything."

  "Rot," she muttered, rubbing her face. Though she felt Rhee-En meant her no harm, that didn't mean she trusted him. Not when it came to the lives of her boys. "What will he do?"

  "That I do not know. He has shown interest but has not come. He has been north most of the summer. However, I would not be surprised if he will come now."

  "Does he know already?" Rhee-En shook his head. "Do you have to tell him?"

  "He is my king."

  That of course, meant more to the Were than it did to her. "Wither me."

  "Her ability to heal the Fey should act in her favor," Kei said quietly. "The Were will not fight alone."

  "That is only an issue if she does as the prophecy says soon. The Vor rise quickly. There may not be time. The king will not take kindly to outsiders using Were magic."

  I wish we could read Rhee-En's mind and know what he thought.

  Ask him.

  It took effort not to roll her eyes at Kei's simple response. Still, it probably wouldn't hurt, and perhaps he'd answer honestly. Brows drawing together, she finally sighed and looked up at him earnestly. "Tell me your thoughts on this. Yours, as alpha of your pack. As Rhee-En."

  He smiled gently, and the gold in his eyes sparkled more brightly. "I find it extraordinary. If you had been one of us, I would take you under my wing. You have the potential to be a great alpha one day. Yet you are not one of us." He paused a moment. "This, too, I have thought on. There is something special about you, Arowyn. I believe there is a reason you can do all of the things you do. I do not believe you are a threat to us. For these reasons, I will support you as I can."

  His words, after Damon's conversation, now sent a shiver down her spine. She bent forward in a slight bow. "Thank you, Rhee-En."

  "Do not thank me yet. For now, I will wait to inform the king until this evening. Everything will depend on what he shares with me." He turned slightly. "Garen and Bo approach and we are almost to the settlement. Let us get you cleaned up, fed, and rested. Tomorrow we will speak again."

  She wasn't sure if she wanted to wake up in the morning. Kei's hand squeezed around hers.

  Everything will be fine.

  She hoped so, but she'd heard that before.

  Chapter 5

  Making Plans

  Aro swayed absently by the door, gnawing on a fingernail. The sun hadn't yet risen, but its light began to pierce the darkness slightly. The dark didn't bother her. When she woke, it'd taken only a thought to adjust to her new Fey eyesight.

  Weariness pulled at her. She should have tried to go back to sleep, but her mind started spinning immediately. Again.

  When they reached the Were settlement they hadn't been met with the same friendly faces who waved them off only days ago. It came as a shock, and for some reason she'd felt guilty as she quickly ate food set out for them and cleaned up in the bathhouse. The others felt uneasy as well, and they'd all retired to the guest cabin early. She'd told everyone what happened with the Were and what Rhee-En said. Their worry didn't escape her, but they'd decided to wait and see what the king said before speaking on it more.

  That didn't stop her mind from frantically running through the worst possible scenarios. At least it kept her from obsessing about Prince. When she'd finally fallen asleep, even her dreams had been of the Were King. Nightmares really. She should be used to them by now.

  Waking up to find Kei squished onto her small bed with his arms around her shouldn't have been a surprise. He'd started out in his own bed; she was sure of that much. The nightmares must have woken him at some point. She hated them. She hated how weak they made her feel.

  There wasn't a lot of space for pacing in the one room log building. Four beds lined the long back wall, heads to the wall and one each against the sidewalls. The room was neat and orderly, the furniture simple but well made.

  Her eyes dropped to Garen, curled up at the base of the bed Bo claimed against the wall. She'd taken the one on the other side of the room, and Kei the one next to hers. Eyes moved to the unused bed and her thoughts turned to Prince. Last time…

  Shaking her head, she muttered a curse.

  The strange, high pitched sound of Garen yawning made her jump.

  Good morning.

  And to you.

  He rubbed at an eye slowly with one paw. You didn't sleep well last night.

  No, not really.

  Kei didn't either.

  She winced. Did I keep you all up?

  No, I meant he too had nightmares.

  She stared open mouthed at the Were.

  You humans forget so quickly. Only days ago you were dying. The entire incident is a frightening and painful memory, and one neither Kei nor I will ever forget. Or Prince, for that matter, he added.

  She turned, finding Kei sprawled out on her bed. Waking up in his arms meant something different now. He hadn't only done it to comfort her, but to comfort himself. Her being in his arms proved she lived.

  "Oh, my Kei," she whispered, her heart breaking for him.

  We are family, Arowyn. Yet even family misunderstands sometimes.

  She turned back to Garen, confused.

  Though Prince and I, and even Bo, are much older than you, Kei is close to your age. Sometimes he doesn't think. He doesn't have the experience to understand.

  Understand what?

  That sometimes a person doesn't want to talk, not right away, if at all. Garen sighed. He took your silence as you pushing him away.

  Oh. A blush crept across her cheeks. Kei's actions made much more sense now. Thank you, Garen. She took a step forward and then paused. Please feel free to point these things out to me sooner in the future. Sometimes I don't think either.

  His chuckle echoed in her mind as she made her way quietly to the side of her bed.

  Stopping, she stared down at Kei's sleeping face. He looked so sweet and innocent, even more so asleep than awake. His light hair stuck out in all directions but she didn't bother to try to smooth it out. That was Kei.

  Crouching down, she brushed her fingers across his cheek. His eyes snapped open, glowing with a faint yellow light. "Move over," she whispered, not wanting to wake Bo.

  Kei blinked a few times as the glow faded from his eyes. She smiled, and a moment later, he answered with one of his own. Reaching out, he pulled her into bed as he shifted himself back toward the wall. Fitting easily into his arms, her head on his shoulder, she wondered at how different it felt compared to when Prince held her. Kei brought her calmness and comfort, no racing heart or flashes of heat, yet she loved him. Just as much as she loved Prince.

  "Are you thinking about him?"

  "No, I'm thinking about you." Partial truth. She tilted her head to look at him. "I'm sorry, for everything I've put you through lately."

  He shrugged and ducked his head, not meeting her eyes. "It's been hard, on all of us."

  "Yes, it has," she agreed. "Too much, all at once." She shifted, freeing a hand to touch his face, forcing him to look at her. "I don't want you to think I don't need you. I do. Very much. I just didn't feel ready to talk about everything. I just needed you by my side while I tried to sort everything out."

>   His golden eyes searched hers and he sighed. "And I wasn't there."

  "Of course you were. You're always with me."

  He smiled at that. "You're not angry with me?"

  "No, of course not. But I still don't know if I'm ready to talk about him. He left me so confused… I just… I don't even know what to think or do."

  "You're thinking too much."

  "Probably," she admitted ruefully, curling back against him.

  "No, you need to think less, feel more." He brushed hair from her face. "Just feel your love for him. Remember the moments. The future will bring whatever it does. Thinking won't change it."

  He spoke so solemnly, she frowned, taking in his words, the seriousness and truth to them. Finally, she said, "I hate it when you're right."

  She fought not to swat him as he laughed quietly against her hair. "The sun is rising. Should we wake Bo?"

  "Probably," she agreed. "We all need to talk about what to do."

  She sat on the edge of the bed and started putting on her boots while Kei poked and shook Bo awake. He awoke mid-snort and groaned before sitting up and starting his morning ritual of stretching and cursing about being old. Aro had to admit his body made an impressive amount of popping and cracking sounds.

  "How's your leg doing?"

  Reaching down, he rubbed the spot where one of the small, crab-like Vor had stabbed right through his leg with its spikey tail. "It aches some."

  "No infection?"

  His eyes shot over to hers, and he shook his head quickly. "No, and yes, I do check."

  She smiled weakly. It was a touchy subject. Gut rot had almost killed her.

  "Anyone have any thoughts on what to do now?"

  I think we should still wait to hear from Rhee-En on what the king says to him.

  "We must go to the city, whatever is decided," Kei said quietly.

  She raised her eyebrows in surprise as he thumped down on his bed to put on his boots. "I thought…"