“…The first priority has to be solidifying the hierarchy,” Harn, the oldest of the males, growled. “Without clarity on that, even loyal wolves might be swayed—and could be weakened if they’re uncertain of their positions. We can’t face a confrontation with another pack, or even the humans, while the rankings are so in flux. We were already shaky because of the Selection debacle. Now this?”
I ground my teeth.
“While the safety and security of the pack and the Queen must be our first priority, I agree that we have to give time to bringing the new leaders forward. And quickly. It’s a show of strength to those off the mountain if we are seen to still be
~ JESSE ~“…what we do know is that we need to focus on the future, not the past.”Cazz’s words were simple, firm, assertive. And they were right. I knew that. I knew it in my bones. It was advice I’d given and reminded myself of countless times in my life.There was nothing to be gained by letting the past drag me back.But when that thought came out of Cazz’s mouth, my heart stuttered, just for a second. It made my breath catch and Cazz caught it, and tensed.As the men around the table continued discussing the best way forward, his worried eyes cut to meet mine.‘Jesse,
~ JESSE ~Once they’d all settled back into their seats, Cazz raised his hand for their silence again, and the last of that rumbling chatter went quiet.“Thank you for celebrating with us, brothers,” Cazz said with a smile. “But I’m sure, like me, you see how this creates an even greater sense of vulnerability for us, especially in light of the human network that threatens to undermine us. The Queen, being human, will need to be protected, not thrown into the fray.”“But, her power is such an effective weapon—we all saw what you could achieve together, Cazz!” Cayn growled. “Females have been giving birth since the dawn of time. Yours will manage it, just as they all do.”“I pray so,” he said omi
~ CASIMIR ~Rake slipped back into the Council chamber just as the guards went to retrieve Jesse’s brother, Ryan.Our eyes met and he nodded. ‘It’s done.’‘Locked? Barred?’‘Entirely. Except for the contractor. I’ve given him a key and been clear that he and his team are only to work when it's empty.’‘Thank you.’‘It’s the right choice, Cazz. I’ll always support you in those.’I’d sent Rake to handle a few practical details while everyone was distracted by this, so there wouldn’t be awkward discussion that would put Jesse in a difficult spot.My den in the alcoves was being torn out. Eventually the space could become a lounge, or… whatever the pack wanted. I was not going to keep a personal den anymore. Not after… what had happened. I grieved the loss of my playground, but I couldn’t do it to Jesse. We would have to find other ways to entertain ourselves when things returned to normal. Neither of us would be returning to that space. Ever.But the pack would be unsettled by this when
~ CASIMIR ~I took a deep breath. ‘Submit your power to mine—slowly this time. Ease control to me if you can. Don’t throw it in my lap, see if you can feed it to me… like turning on a faucet. It might be easier if you touch me.’There was a moment where she just stood there, facing her brother, then she lifted her hand and put it over mine on her shoulder. She bit her lip and her chest expanded once, then I felt the shift.A tiny trickle of her power that became a sudden wave so that I grunted, gathering it quickly before it rushed out of both our control.‘Sorry,’ she sent weakly. ‘I still don’t really know how to do that.’‘It’s fine. You’re doing well,’ I said, glad she couldn’t see the sweat trickling down my brow. But now that I had her power in my grasp and could braid our strength together, I couldn’t help but smile.This fucker didn’t have a chance. And I couldn’t resist a little dig.“Ryan, thank your sister for the fact that you haven’t already been neutered. Because trust m
~ CASIMIR ~Jesse was intent, staring at her brother, swallowing, bracing.I squeezed her shoulder to keep her attention.‘You want him submitted—to both of us. He may do or say things that appear to others that he’s ready to harm us. But his true actions and intentions will be for our good.’Jesse nodded, so I continued.‘He is to fully believe that you are on his side—that you’ve been working against me, and will continue to do so. That he admires you and sees you as a part of his network—the jewel in his crown.’Jesse frowned then
~ CASIMIR ~‘Maya!’‘I’ve got it,’ she answered, already gathering power and lifting his head with the weaves, hobbling forward as she cradled his head and set the weaves on him so that he stopped shaking and his wheezes turned to pants, then sighs.Jesse was standing with her hands on her mouth, staring in horror. But within moments her brother was rolling onto his knees and staggering back to his feet, looking sheepish, though with a gleaming light in his eyes that belied his apparent admiration of his sister.“You do not touch her. Ever,”
~ JESSE ~I sat at the table, Cazz right alongside me, holding my hand under the tabletop, glaring at my father who was slumped on the other side.He’d been beaten. And I couldn’t find an ounce of compassion for him.The two guards that brought him out stood, one on either side, their faces twisted into contempt. But my father didn’t even look at them.He just stared at me—drank me in. At first I thought his desperation had to be faked. But then I remembered, he was being painfully honest.I’d tested it.“Did you kill Mom?”
~ JESSE ~My father’s words were so obviously not true, I shuddered, shaking my head and grimacing. ‘Stop, Cazz! I told you, I don’t want him saying anything that he doesn’t mean!’‘Oh he means it,’ Cazz sent back, still snarling at my father. ‘He just needed a reminder of what royalty actually meant. I didn’t compel him to value you, Jesse. He’s doing that on his own. And rightly so. It disgusts me that God gave this man you as a daughter.’&l