The wolf they erased

The bangle

CHAPTER 2

ZAREK

“Do you know who attacked?” Dad questions in a thunderous voice and I shake my head.

We are all gathered in the grand hall. Dad keeps his back turned to us, staring out the window. The Alphas of the three houses bow their heads while stealing tense glances at me.

“We need to end this war,” Dad complains, his voice heavy with agitation. “The Apex Sisterhood is furious that Dorian got hurt in yesterday’s skirmish. If the Apex witches join the fight, the Sanguine Hex will undoubtedly aid them. The last thing we need is wizards getting involved.”

“We have witches of our own,” one of the Alphas mutters.

“After High Priestess Sira betrayed us, I can’t fully trust any magic wielders again.” Dad tilts his head toward House Nox and House Scythe. “Excuse my son and me.”

The Alphas stand and exit the room immediately. Dad lets out a long sigh, rubbing his forehead. “Where is Ryker?”

He already knows the answer. Why does he want me to say it out loud? Ryker is obviously out partying or being a nuisance somewhere. He acts like we are not in the middle of a brutal war with the Shadow Stalker pack.

“Same old,” I reply bluntly.

“I have reached out to Mr. Kith to arrange a peace talk,” Dad says.

“We can take them down,” I insist, my jaw clenching.

“And risk diluting the Primordial bloodline? No. There are too few of us left, Zarek. That is why I want you and Ryker married. We need to expand our lineage. Plus, we must find out if Sable’s child still lives. We do not know if she gave birth to a boy or a girl. That prophecy must never stand.” Dad gives me a gloomy, piercing stare.

“We need to find out where in the Shadow Stalker pack that abomination is hiding and I want it killed,” he adds coldly before walking out, leaving me to my thoughts.

● ~ ●

“Why didn’t you tell the General you have a piece of her?” Torren, my Omega asks as we sit in my quarters.

In my hands, I turn her broken bangle over and over. It bears the distinct emblem of the Shadow Stalker pack. Did Dorian really send a girl to assassinate me just because I was protecting my sister? He is a bigger coward than I thought. Reasons like this are exactly why I will never approve of his union with Storme.

“I can’t believe a girl did that to you,” Ryker speaks up, his voice dripping with mockery.

I snap my gaze to him. He leans against the doorway, his back resting carelessly against the frame.

“I am not a woman beater like you,” I fire back. “Why weren’t you at the meeting?”

“Why would I be? They have the next in line there, they do not need the second in command. Besides, if Dad really wants this war over, he should just send the Primordial warriors. We are not the original werewolves for nothing.” Ryker saunters into the room and flings himself onto the seat beside me.

I understand we are werewolves, but his habit of walking around shirtless is getting entirely annoying. Yes, we all know Ryker has a gorgeous build, but I do not need the pack girls fawning over him right now. We need all hands-on deck.

“Can I?” Ryker tilts his head, stretching a hand out toward the jewelry.

Instead of handing it over, I open my desk drawer and toss the bangle inside, slamming it shut. Ryker runs a hand through his dark hair and scoffs.

“Cold as ever. You are exactly what Veyrath needs.” Ryker falls back onto my bed, staring up at the chandelier.

“If you ever become competent enough, maybe we can rule Veyrath together.” I whisper in anger.

I stand up without a word and storm out of my room, banging the door behind me.

● ~ ●

“That was fast, don’t you think?” Ryker leans over and whispers in my ear.

I ignore him.

Dad left to meet with Mr. Kith three days ago. Before departing, he ordered the Alphas of each house to await his return in the war room. He specifically requested Ryker’s presence, and surprisingly, my twin actually listened.

The heavy doors groan open. We rise to our feet. Everyone in the room bows, except for Ryker and me. Dad walks past the crowd, his heavy steps echoing until he reaches his throne. Once he takes his seat, Ryker and I sit, followed finally by the rest of the Alphas. I am stationed at Dad's right hand while Ryker sits at his left.

“The meeting went well,” Dad announces, looking over the gathered leaders. “We will be hosting the Kith family tomorrow. They will remain here until the early mid feast, and then,” he pauses, looking at me briefly before addressing the room, “then they will depart after the wedding.”

My brow furrows. “Whose wedding?”

“Who else? It is times like this that I am deeply grateful I am not the golden child,” Ryker coos next to me. I flash him a lethal death stare, and his laughter cuts off instantly.

“Tomorrow, you will find out,” Dad says, standing up. The rest of the room rises with him.

I am marrying who? Oh, it is probably Dorian marrying Storme. That isn’t a good idea either.

● ~ ●

“What?” Storme demands, folding her arms tightly across her chest as she stands at my bedroom door.

“Come in,” I command.

She rolls her eyes and sluggishly enters the room, dragging her feet across the floor. She knows exactly how much that sound irritates me.

I slide my drawer open and pull out the broken bangle, holding it up so it catches the light. I do not say a word, I just study her face. Storme’s eyebrows shoot up. She reaches out to grab it, but I snap my fist closed. Her eyes widen as she glares at me.

My suspicion is officially confirmed. This definitely belongs to the Shadow Stalker pack. More specifically, it belongs to the Kith family line.

“Who owns this, Storme?”

“How would I know?” she hisses, jerking her head away. But even as she turns, her eyes trace back to my clenched fist, stealing another frantic look.

If I find out Dorian sent a spy into my camp to strike me down, what I did to him at the mansion will be nothing more than a mild preview of what I have in store for him.