Page 73 of Broken Wolf

“Yes, especially because some Masters know it’s happening and try to bond with a female of the pack. You know why and the signal it sends. You’ve met enough of the council members to know they’re sexist and look down on shifters.”

I snorted. That was an understatement. “Yet they immediately gave Eva what she wanted with the agreement for the ancient coven.”

“Because they also like living, and after living as long as they have, know what it takes to stay alive,” he said, his tone amused. He was quiet a few minutes as I sped along. “I am very sorry that I didn’t discuss this with you or the others. I absolutely assumed you knew, but Nikos told me that he didn’t know of anyone of Apollo’s bloodline to have gained this power.”

That actually chilled out my anger. A lot. I hadn’t realized it but yeah, I was furious no one realized what was going on and we had this mess on our hands now. “When do you think it started for it to have gotten to this point?”

“Months. There would have been other signs given you are lovers as well. I’m not an expert on it, but one I was close to had it—I saw it up close. Igwe kicked him out when it happened, jealous of the power it gave the vampire. He thought it would be the way he was betrayed instead of being smarter.”

“It sucks to be under someone you hate and can’t find an ounce of respect for,” I muttered, feeling the rage coming off of him. “Should we talk about your trip since we’re alone?”

He gave a swift nod but clearly didn’t want to. “Igwe’s backed down on voicing his opinions of you, but it’s clear that’s because of Eva’s threats and the head of the council making it clear they weren’t having problems with the Dorcuses because of Igwe. It’s tense, but he realizes it’s not a fleeting sentiment. He’ll figure out some other spin where he’s the hero.”

“He’s so powerful that he didn’t need his top teams and blah, blah, blah,” I grumbled.

“Yes, exactly that. The others from the council heard me loud and clear that you weren’t luring us all in with your bed and hadn’t touched any of us. It was absolutely that we could have sanctuary here and our ability to protect the gobs of prey shifters you wanted to save. I know you don’t like to broadcast that is your mission, but it’s one they actually respect.”

I snorted. “I’m a stupid weak woman caring too much about—”

“Not with vampires,” he corrected. “We coddle our fledglings, and it’s our duty to provide for them after turning them. The weak do not survive without our strength. It’s one of the damn mottos of the council. One of the reasons the council looks down on shifters so much is how often they act too much like their animals and that only the strong survive bullshit.

“Making it clear that you grow and grow and allow us to live here to help protect so many prey refugees that you fight for has changed the minds of several council members. They see you as wanting to be the big sister and shield of the weak your council has failed, not the godmother who is trying to gather power like others are framing you. I promise it has helped.”

I nodded that I heard him, but I would have to ask Apollo about that.

No, actually Enzo. I didn’t think I’d be talking to Apollo for a while about too much. We had issues because of Goran, and now I wanted to murder the first vampire he turned, and… Yeah, I needed a break from Apollo before we had a problem.

We talked some more about logistics and that the council was impressed that I wouldn’t approve four teams, but I did say if Igwe was taken out, the ancients could have temporary sanctuary here where they would be safe. Basically, the trip went as well as possible… Assuming he was telling me the truth.

And my wolf wasn’t really telling me either way.

“I need you to have this conversation with Eva. I’m sorry, but my wolf just started to get back on—this was another big hit,” I admitted as we got closer to the building.

“I understand.” He cleared his throat. “For the record, Carter could have had no clue what he was doing. I mean, he seemed—”

“Don’t fucking defend him to me right now unless you want me to break you as well,” I warned him. “I have a feeling all of this has been the drama with him for a while—the getting jealous and starting shit with other men in my life. The pushing and pushing—dominating my wolf too much in front of other ancients.”

“Yes, those all sound like the signs,” he admitted. “Everything gets confusing when you’re lovers too, not just with vampire power.”

Truer words might never have been spoken.

I pulled into my spot and shut off the SUV, so ready for the day and year even to be over I so was tired of all the bullshit. We talked a few more minutes about his team’s move and what came next before getting out and heading towards the elevator.

Carter’s vehicle came whipping into the spot a few down from mine, and he was in front of me before I could even blink. “Darling, I’m—”

I reached up and grabbed him by the throat as I took out his knee, so he fell to the ground. I pressed my mouth to his and fed heavily, gulping his energy down until I took a few levels of power from him. Then I shoved him to the concrete.

“I gave you the power to make you strong enough to form this bond and you fucking betrayed me with it. Now I’ll take it back as I kick you to the curb, darling. I said no wolves. You agreed to no wolves. So get the fuck out of my packhouse and give the key to my apartment to my husband before I rip your throat out.”

I walked to the elevator with my head held high even as I was crumbling inside. I heard him groaning in pain from what I’d done, taking so much. My siren swallowed it down even if it was more than we probably should so fast.

It was the principle of it all.

I ignored everyone waiting for me in the hallway—even Eva holding Topher—and went into my apartment. They were less than thrilled that I didn’t let them in as well, but fuck it. I added the extra bolt that no one had the key to that I’d asked Vinn to have installed.

I just needed to… I wasn’t sure, but not deal with anything else or whatever they wanted to discuss. That was what I needed.

At least until I had to get back to work or the next emergency since that was my life.

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