91 - ra


    The witches are looking for something. Something on mynd. What the hell could we have on our pack territory that is worth so much death and clearly years of effort? I squeeze Ben''s hand and he returns the gesture looking at me, confused why I don''t mindlink him and tell him what is wrong. The problem is I am what''s wrong.


    This whole sacrifice doesn''t make any sense based on what Walter felt the need to inform me on the drive over here. I was going to shift and get to Ben as quickly as possible with Jax after their all-call, letting the witches take one vehicle with Dev. But, Walt insisted this was relevant and he needed to apany us...in a separate car than the witches.


    The Elders and my father apparently made a pact that was magically bound. This supposed pact tied me to another male, regardless of my mate, but secured our safety. What I don''t understand is why my father never said anything to me about it. He was ruthless in my training as an Alpha and never shielded me from some of the harsh realities of my position. I am also confused by the ''male'' part of his story. He didn''t say an Alpha or wolf, just that I was contracted to another male for our safety. That is also where his story ended. He promised to continue it at ater time, when I was done ying host and ready to get back to being a pack leader. Copyright ?


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    Now I have to wonder if this is the reason for all of the trouble we have been having. Did my father enter into some agreement that had magical repercussions if he went against it? I only ever believe half of what Walter is saying most of the time, but that means half of this story is true. Now, I have to figure out which half before I tell Ben anything. I need to know what Walter knows, because when Ben finds out that someone tried to sell me to a high bidder, he will kill anyone involved...and I won''t stop him.


    With all his bravado, Walter didn''t get in our way, per Ben''s instructions. He didn''t stray far either, clearly wanting information to take back to the other Elders.


    "Are you going to tell me what that is all about?” Ben side eyes Walt as we take in what might be another Shadow marker, but the charred remains make it difficult to tell.


    "Yes, but not now."


    "Why not now? Will I kill him for it?"


    "I believe you will kill him either way, but for this, I''m not sure. He''s being cryptic can''t tell if he is trying to rile me up of telling me the truth Can


    you give me some time to process?"


    "I want to know before we go to sleep."


    I sigh and nod, but that''s actually generous. We''ll see what the ride back brings.


    "Why is the scorching only on the one side of all of these trees?" I ask Marietta. Brianna still isn''t talking to us.


    "It''s a barrier. What we don''t know is if the burn happened because someone tried to breach it or if it was caused when the caster set it.” She ces her hand out in front of her, between two of the burnt tree trunks and jeans forward. expect her to step through and walk past the trees, but she stops. The air is holding her fully leaning bodyweight. "The barrier is a strong one."


    "Did he die because they hung him in the barrier''s path?" Jason asks.


    who


    "That is a possibility." Marietta says solemnly, looking back up at the kid. His face is so disfigured and without. Hese a scent couldn''t tell who he is. could be one of my pack members, one of Ma''s, or any one of the surrounding pack''s teens.


    "Can we take him down? You can''t seem to get through the barrier, but will hee


    out of it?" Ben asks next to me, his voice is thick