LOGINJenn’s POV The Northern King studied me for a moment longer, and I saw something shift in his eyes. Respect, perhaps. Or recognition. “Fine. I’ll give up trying to take control of what is yours, Alpha Vale,” he said finally. “But I want your word – your mate’s word– that my people will be treated equally. That when this war is over, I will have a voice equal to any southern Alpha.” Liam jumped forward. “You have my word. On my honor as Alpha King.” The Northern King held his gaze for a long moment. Then he extended his hand. “Then we have an alliance.” Both men gripped their hands firmly. There was a challenge in their eyes that felt like a storm and if my feet went planted firmly on the ground, I was sure it would have uprooted me. By the time the northern King’s gaze returned to me again, there was a look in his eyes that had me rethinking everything. Why did I feel as though I just played right into his hands? That I gave him something he wanted? I made a deal with that devil
Jenn’s POV The Northern King was asking for something impossible. Liam’s hand tightened on mine. Through the bond, I felt his wolf rise angrily. “You’re asking for the only route through the mountains that is controlled by southern packs. The Vale packs have been the sole properties of that route for at least a century!” “And maybe it’s time they passed on the mantle to someone else, don’t you think?” the northern King sighed. “Look, I’m not asking for something impossible. I’m asking what should have been opened generations ago.” He looked us both on the eyes and tilted his head. “The northerners have been bottled up behind that ridge for centuries. The aconite that grows on those slopes is the most potent in the realm, and we’re forced to buy it at southern prices because we can’t harvest it ourselves.” He met my eyes. “I’m asking for it because it’s the only guarantee that when this war is over, my territory won’t be pushed back into irrelevance.” I understood the calculatio
Jenn’s POV I took a step back, my pulse quickening. “I’m mated. Marked.” I said. “By the Alpha King, no less.” I felt the need to add. “I know.” His smile didn’t waver. “I’m not asking for anything, Alpha Vale. I’m simply telling you the truth.” He moved closer, and I felt the air shift between us. “Your mate is a fortunate man. He has something most of us can only envy and admire.” His eyes held mine. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate what he has.” I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. Because through the bond, I felt a spike of something hot and sharp and unmistakable. Liam. He was livid. He was feeling what I was feeling. Not my thoughts, not my words, but the flush of heat, the quickening of my pulse, the way the Northern King’s gaze made fear, and something else fluttered in my chest. And Liam felt it. “I should get back,” I said, my voice tighter than I intended. The Northern King inclined his head, his eyes knowing. “Of course. I’ll wa
Jenn’s POV “Men like him always have a point to prove.” Liam said, his voice was tight. “I don’t like this, Jenn.” “I know.” I touched the mark on my neck, felt it pulse under my fingers. “But I need to know what he wants. If he’s going to help us –” “If he’s going to help us, he’ll name his price. And it won’t be small.” I thought about the Northern King’s smile, the way he’d looked at me like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve. “I know.” There was a long silence, and I could feel him on the other end – wanting to tell me to come home, wanting to come get me himself, wanting to burn this whole place down just to be sure I was safe. “How is Wade? I talked to him earlier and told him everything we knew about Morgan. Is he alright?” “Surprisingly, he is. He wants to talk to Morgan after he returns from his territory but other than that, he’s okay. He didn’t even mention that you both talked. I’m sure he’ll be here when you return.” I nodded, then closed my eyes and took a dee
Jenn’s POV The Northern King found us before we did. My heart slammed against my ribs, but I forced my face to stay still. Beside me, Alva’s hand was already on the door handle, ready to move. In the front seat, Alice had gone very quiet, her eyes fixed on the figures ahead. “Don’t,” I advised quickly, my voice low. “Not yet.” The driver’s hands were frozen on the wheel. “Alpha Jenn, we should turn around. Go back. Get the Alpha King – ” “He’s blocking the road.” I kept my eyes on the man in the center. Tall, silver-haired, shoulders broad beneath a dark coat that caught the morning light. Even from inside the car, I could feel his aura. It dominated everything around him, announcing his power. “And he knew we’d be here.” Alva’s grip tightened. “How?” I didn’t have an answer. But I had a feeling I was about to find out. The Northern King stepped forward, and the two figures flanking him moved with him. I realized, though they carried no visible weapons. They didn’t need to. Th
Jenn’s POV I looked through the small window. Morgan was sitting on the cot with her back against the wall and her hands resting on her stomach. She looked smaller than I remembered, diminished somehow. The fire that had burned in her eyes was gone, replaced by something hollow. “Open it.” The guard hesitated, exchanging looks with each other. “Alpha King said –” “I know what he said.” I met his eyes. “Open it.” He unlocked the door, and I stepped inside. Morgan looked up when I entered, and I saw that her face was pale, her hair unwashed, her dress wrinkled from days of wearing the same clothes. But her eyes – those eyes that had once glittered with malice – were flat, empty. “Come to gloat?” she asked, and her voice was hoarse. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. “I’m leaving today. I wanted to see you before I go.” Something flickered in her expression. “Leaving? Where? What, what does that even have to do with me?” “I guess you don’t want to know that you







