Page 11 of Cursed Wolf

Dangers lay everywhere.

Instead, we’re playing games with Mihai. I told Ragnar, one word from him, and I’d execute the Alpha, then we lay claim over his pack. I’m still waiting for him to give the command, my wolf eager, ready to eliminate this prick who treats us as boot-lickers.

The wind whistles past my ears, and in front of us is an enormous blaze in the middle of the town. It warms me, even from where we’re standing at the back of the crowds. The pack has shown up, paying respects to Lyssa’s death. Mihai finishes his eulogy, then begins to sing. Everyone around us joins in the sad, slow ballad, which speaks of mourning.

My chest squeezes, hearing the pain in their voices of losing one of their own. It also brings forward worries about what I’d do if we lost Narah because we were with the Bane Wolf pack instead of with her. I quiet the thoughts before I become a fucking mess, determined not to let that come to pass if I have anything to do with it.

Through the masses, I watch as several men push Lyssa’s wrapped-up body into the fire, and it isn’t long before the flames engulf her. I thank the moon goddess that the wind isn’t blowing in our direction from the fire.

The longer we stand there, the harder my pulse pounds through my veins to run to Narah. The whole situation is fucking annoying. What has to be an hour later, everyone moves toward the mess hall for drinks, and Mihai is nowhere to be seen.

I clench my teeth. “Where the fuck is he now?”

“We track him down and get this done,” he growls, shadows gathering in his eyes.

Speaking of assholes, two guards march up to us, animosity crawling across their expressions. The dark-haired one stops in front of Ragnar.

“I’ll take you to Mihai. His guests have arrived.”

“About time,” I grumble and take a step to accompany my Alpha when the other asshole, a tall, lanky prick, jabs a hand out, practically slapping it to my chest.

“Not you,” he barks. “Only Ragnar.”

Anger flares and I react before I can think. I grab his hand and twist until I hear the satisfying snap of bone. He wails, and I smash my fist into his face so he shuts the fuck up. Blood explodes from his nose, and he stumbles backward, tripping over a hole in the ground.

I whip around to face his friend. “No one fucking touches me, and I don’t leave Ragnar alone.” The dark-haired man studies me for a long pause, then nods. Smart man.

We’re moving again, leaving his friend behind to cry.

Ragnar doesn’t say a word, and I know he’s just as edgy as me tonight.

We enter a large hut and find ourselves in a hallway that spears out in two directions. Flaming torches in metal brackets on the walls throw shadows across the stone structure.

“This way,” the guard states.

We march after him into a room with one round table and chairs. Crossed swords and tapestry adorn the walls, and an enormous medieval chandelier flickers with lit candles.

Mihai’s on his feet, as are the three beefy men dressed in fur coats. Ragnar moves forward for his introduction, and I retreat, my heels hitting the wall near the doorway. I’ve been to enough of these to know the drill. Sit back and try not to fall asleep.

Their conversation replicates previous meetings with other packs, with them peppering Ragnar with questions about Denmark and how they can build allegiances with his family pack as well. I’ll give Ragnar credit. The man knows the fine artwork of steering people into believing what he wants while hinting at the possibility of giving them what they want.

After an hour, beers are brought out while they tell tales of great battles their pack had won. I decide to slip out mostly to pee and stretch.

I head into the bushes behind the hut and unleash my huge snake to pee. Fuck, that feels good. Been holding onto it for too long. Draining myself, I tuck it away. Hearing whispers, I freeze and turn to see who’s talking. I’m concealed in the shadows and don’t move to avoid giving away my position. Two figures stand behind the large home, and my ears perk up to listen in on their conversation.

“Why the fuck haven’t you told Mihai?”

“Keep your voice the hell down,” the second guy growls. “Have you seen the shitty mood he’s in? I’ll do it after his meeting.”

Silence.

I roll my eyes at the two dumbheads.

“It’s a mistake. He’s going to go ballistic that you didn’t tell him earlier. He’d want to know you saw the bitch who killed Lyssa.”

The fuck! A shiver races up my spine. Someone saw Narah’s sister kill Lyssa? They’ll never believe that the girl had been possessed when she attacked the Alpha’s daughter. Dread pounds in my head. This could destroy everything we’ve been working for. They could turn on Narah and her sisters and have the whole pack after them.

Fuck. Fuck. Sonsofbitches.

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