The Callon Head greeted the Alpha with, “Yes, my liege?”
“Let’s spare the formality,” Ronan said, speaking with a blaze in his voice that hinted at the energy he’d unleash if necessary. “Why is the Silver scarred?”
Owen looked around, and Ronan already disliked how the wolf seemed to search for a way to word this properly.Then whatever he says is a fraction of the truth.
Owen suggested, “Scars are common for us, my liege.”
Ronan tutted, his fingers moving like a release of power that brewed hot in his blood. “Yes, when we arewolves. She is a human. What kind of response is that?”
“She disobeyed us,” Owen defended, although the strength in his eyes dampened when he crossed gazes with Ronan. Owen dropped his head in apology, his chin-length blonde hair dangling in his face. Even the Betas bowed to the Alpha. “I admit, it was my brother Jackson that marred her. He has been reprimanded for his actions, my liege. We have been healing Rem’s wounds with Fiona’s magic and offering heranythingelse that she needs.”
Ronan looked up at the home, eyeing the attic window where she had ben housed, squinting with the sun in his eyes, a hawk flying overhead. Ronan looked back down at Owen. “No, your brother has not paid for his actions.”
“Yes, he has,” Owen implored, raising his head, furrowing his brows. “I saw to it myself, my liege.”
“He has not been punished byme,” Ronan retorted, eyeing the home in search of Jackson’s scent. Many were inside, and while he smelled Jackson, he couldn’t tell if it was just a lingering scent or if the wolf was actually inside.
“My liege,” Owen pleaded.
Ronan’s pulse quickened, his muscles tensing. He spoke slowly and with calculation. “That wound is not fresh, Callon, which means she has had it fordays, and none of my men knew. Your family hid it. Mistake or not, they hid it. That is as damning as harming her on purpose."
“I—" he began, lost for words.
Ronan narrowed his eyes, and he was sure they glowed amber. It didn't help that he didn’t trust this wolf—not anymore, which was disappointing and unfortunate beyond words. “You will bring me your brother.”
Owen opened his thin mouth to speak, but when he locked eyes with Ronan, he dropped his head and agreed to fetch Jackson. Once inside, Jackson yelled out in defiance somewhere in the home.
The clean-cut wolf eventually came out, his eyes burning as he glared at the Alpha. Ronan hated to see members of the pack fall to the wayside, but he would not tolerate this.
Something was going on in their world, a shift in power dynamics. Ronan couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he sensed something tumultuous on the horizon.
But for now, he'd address this shifter and remind the others that Rem was underhisprotection.
Which meant his punishment.
R E M
Rem staredat the pile of clothes she collected to pack, staying in a guest home of another Clan. She learned that Ronan had not only mauled Jackson but also removed her from the Callons.
Even though Rem had just arrived at this new dwelling, she was already preparing to journey to Scarlet Howl Pack, where she would honor her transformation. It was located somewhere near the old city of Portland—at least that’s what it was called before the Great Purge.
The other Silvers would gather there. Rem hated to think what the other women had suffered, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t looking forward to meeting them. They would look like her, women that had woken up one day and realized they had silver hair.
The door creaked open, and Rem’s body stiffened.
“Come now, Rem,” Gally said with urgency.
Rem’s heart raced, beating all the way in her neck.
“We can go to see him?" Rem asked, referring to a prior agreement they had made.
Gally nodded. "Yes, it has been arranged. We need to leave now, before others notice I am here.”
When Gally had come to assist Rem with packing to leave the Callon Clan home—giving her the clothes they arranged while she stayed with them—Rem asked if she could see her brother before leaving.
She’d get to see Oliver.
Fiona was the one to allow Rem the opportunity, much to Owen’s disagreement. The compliance concerned Rem, but she also couldn’tnotsee the boy.
