Page 50 of Moon Destiny
“The real traitors are the fossils who run the Council,” Rourke said. “They’ve allowed half-breeds and humans to pollute our ranks. Weakening our race and preventing us from taking our place as the rightful rulers of the world.”
Ah, there was the “purity” bullshit. Somehow, it was still shocking to hear him say it out loud. Like all zealots, he obviously didn’t realize how weird and melodramatic he sounded.
He ran a leisurely gaze down my body, lingering in the usual places. “I hear Dalton enjoyed having you in his bed. And his study.”
My skin crawled, and my heart sped up despite my best efforts to stay calm. His hip was so close to mine I could feel the heat from his body. I could endure just about anything, but I couldn’t let him touch me—and I hated the rush of fear that swept through me at the idea of it.
I turned my head and yawned into my arm. When I looked back, he was frowning. “Sorry,” I rasped, my voice rusty from disuse. “I zoned out there for a minute. Please continue with your xenophobic rant.”
For a moment, his face went utterly cold. Anything resembling human emotion bled from his eyes, and certain death stared me down. Then he blinked, and his expression smoothed into an easy smile. “As I was saying, I’m sure you offered plenty of amusement. It’s high time Dalton removed the stick that’s been firmly lodged up his ass for decades. But there’s a difference between fucking a pretty creature and taking a human mate.”
“I’m not human,” I countered, trying to keep my voice steady after my glimpse of Rourke’s true nature. It would have been easier if he were simply crazy. But the thing I’d seen in his eyes was sane and calculating. No wonder he’d been able to sway others to his cause. He was like a cult leader—powerful enough to convince people to do terrible things and magnetic enough to make them believe they were right to do them.
Julia lurched forward, her eyes blazing. “You’ll never be one of us,” she snarled.
Tanner caught her arm and hauled her back.
“Julia.” Rourke spoke without turning around, his tone almost bored. “Go outside and make sure everyone is in place.”
I tensed. What did he mean, in place? Puzzle pieces clicked in my head. He hadn’t killed me yet, and he certainly didn’t need any help to do it. If he was placing rogues outside, he was using me as bait.
Because he was going to kill Hugh.
Julia shook free of Tanner’s grip and went to the door.
“Julia,” I called out. She stopped, and I spoke quickly before Rourke could silence me. “You care about Hugh,” I said, praying Dylan was right about her. “It’s not too late to stop whatever you’re planning.”
She stayed facing the door, her shoulders stiff.
“Don’t do this,” I said. I cast about wildly for the right words to persuade her to chance course. “Don’t betray your alpha.”
She turned, and I knew from the look in her eyes that Dylan was indeed right. Then her face hardened. “Hugh betrayed all of us when he bit you.” She tossed me a final look of contempt and left.
Rourke watched her go, then looked at me. He shook his head, his handsome face full of mock sympathy. “Ouch.”
“Fuck you.”
He smiled. “You’re spirited. I understand why Dalton was taken with you. But he should have gotten you out of his system and moved on. Chosen someone worthy of being an alpha’s consort.”
“It’s not a choice. We’re fated to be together.” I believed it now. The ache in my chest had only grown while Rourke spoke.
“And that’s precisely the problem with bending to the dictates of fate. We have rejection for a reason. The mageborn have practiced selective breeding for the past fifty years. Did you know?”
“No, and I really don’t give a shit.”
His hand flew. My head snapped to the side, stealing my breath. He’d done it so casually. I opened my mouth, working my jaw to make sure he hadn’t broken it. My eyes watered and I tasted blood as I caught Tanner’s eye. He stood in the corner with his arms folded over his chest. I’d get no help there.
“Look at me,” Rourke said.
The command struck—quick and merciless—jerking my gaze back to his. I ran my tongue over my blunt, human teeth, wondering where the hell my wolf was. But maybe she knew it was best to stay hidden. Rourke would only entertain challenges to a point, and I’d clearly reached his limits. I had no doubt he’d cow my wolf the second she made an appearance.
He examined his hand, where the broken skin of his knuckles was already healing. “Dalton and I agree on one thing, Ms. Ratner. The Council is a weak and ineffectual group of cowards. Every day, humans grow stronger and werewolves grow weaker.” He lowered his hand. “The mageborn have learned from the sorcerers, and they’ve grown stronger for it. Half-breeds and humans have no place among werewolves. Strength matched to strength begets more strength. This is a truth the Council refuses to accept.” He motioned to Tanner, who headed toward the door.
My mouth went dry as my heart threatened to pound from my chest.
Rourke stood and began untying my wrists.
“Wh-What are you doing?” I shrank away from him, making the cheap bedding bunch up on the mattress.
