"You attacked us," Fao growled, his good arm tightening around me. "Dislocated my shoulder. Put teeth at my mate's throat."
"We needed to be sure." Corvin's voice was unapologetic. "The usurpers have sent assassins before, wearing friendly faces. We couldn't take the risk that you weren't who we thought you were."
"And now?"
"Now I'm certain." Corvin dropped to one knee, his head bowing. The other wolves — now shifting back to human form, two women and a man — followed suit. "Crown Prince Alaric. Heir to the High Throne. We've been waiting for you."
I looked at Fao. He looked like he'd been struck by lightning — frozen, disbelieving, holding me against him like I was the only thing keeping him tethered to reality. Blood was still running from the gash on his flank, dripping onto the gr
