Cold fury washes through me at his casual dismissal of a bond that has become the center of my existence. “The claiming cannot be broken except by death,” I remind him. “Wolf law is clear on this matter.”
“Exceptions exist for claims made under duress or improper circumstances,” he counters smoothly. “The Grand Alpha will deal with it.”
The clinical way he discusses severing my bond with Ryker—as if it were as simple as filing paperwork rather than the tearing apart of two souls—makes my hands clench into fists.
“My claiming was willing and proper,” I state, each word precise and firm. “No ceremony can undo what has been done. I am Kitara, Alpha Female of the Shadowmist Pack, mate to Ryker, alpha of the Shadowmist. You cannot change that.”
“Your loyalty is honorable, if misplaced. The shadow wolf claimed you for your gift, nothing more. Once you understand that?—”
“You know nothing of our bond,” I interrupt. “Nothing of what exists between us.”
“I know more than you might think.” His expression hardens. “I know the shadow wolf’s history. He’s a bastard pup plucked from obscurity to lead a rogue pack. His vendetta against the Grand Alpha is well known, as is his willingness to use any weapon to advance his pursuit—including you.”
The words are clearly meant to hurt, to plant seeds of doubt about Ryker’s motives. Weeks ago, they might have succeeded. Now, having experienced the depth of our connection, having felt Ryker’s mind joined with mine, his respect and regard flowing unfiltered through our bond, they merely reveal Xavier’s ignorance.
But it’s his words that reveal a crucial piece of information—they don’t know Ryker is Thaddeus’s son.
“Is that all you see when you look at me?” I ask softly. “A weapon to be wielded? A tool to be used? A broken wolf whose only value lies in forced visions?”
He doesn’t answer immediately, his hesitation more revealing than any words could be. “What I see,” he finally says, “is a gift too valuable to waste.”
I lean forward slightly, chains rattling with the movement. “Tell me, Alpha Drake, do you truly believe Thaddeus acts for the good of wolf-kind? Or merely for his own good?”
“Your questions are irrelevant. What matters is stability, continuity, the preservation of our ways against forces that would tear apart centuries of tradition.”
“Even when those traditions cause unnecessary suffering?” I challenge. “Even when they waste potential and crush spirits under the guise of necessary order?”
Before he can respond, a commotion erupts outside the chamber—raised voices, hurried footsteps.
One of the guards leans in, speaking to Xavier in a tone too quiet for me to hear. Whatever message he delivers causes Xavier’s expression to shift.
“Secure the prisoner,” he orders sharply. “Double the silver, no exceptions. And send for a team immediately. We need to move her. Now.”
As the guards hurry to comply with his commands, I feel a surge of hope. Only one thing would cause such alarm, such urgent reinforcement of my captivity.
Ryker is coming.
Xavier turns back to me, all pretense of civility abandoned. “It seems your mate has arrived. It’s inconvenient timing, we had hoped for more time to complete preparations.”
“How unfortunate for you,” I reply, unable to suppress a smile despite the guards approaching with additional silver chains. “The Shadowmist alpha doesn’t surrender what belongs to him. Especially not his mate.”
“We’ll see.” Xavier steps back as the guards begin securing the additional restraints around my existing chains. “The Grand Alpha has prepared for this contingency.”
As they layer more silver against my skin, I reach desperately for our bond, fighting the increased suppression with everything I have. For a moment, nothing. Then, like a thunderclap in my mind, Ryker’s presence breaks through—distant still, but unmistakable in its fierce determination.
I’m coming, Kitara.
A pin prick to my shoulder has darkness rushing in.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
RYKER
Fury.
It builds with each passing hour, each false trail, each moment my mate remains beyond my reach.
