Page 85 of Oath of Revenge

She stood and whispered into Wulfric’s ear. Then he turned to address the crowd, telling them what she’d said.

“The dragons in the northern half of the forest have a better network because they have the Hunters on their side. Scarlet brought them with her when they left Busparia. They can blend in better with the locals, find information on our families, and see if it’s safe for us to come out into the open.”

“How can they blend in with the locals? Just look at her.” She flinched at the words and sank back into her seat, her shoulders hunching.

Wulfric’s eyes flashed golden bright as his hand settled on her shoulder again. She wouldn’t have seen it had she not been looking at him. His jaw elongated and his hands shifted into claws as he barked out, “Don’t you dare speak of her like that.”

Scarlet laid her hand on his where it rested on her shoulder. He looked down, and his claws receded.

He cleared his throat and frowned, taking a deep breath before he said, “The former king of Busparia cursed her twice, which is part of the reason she’s here. She seeks to break the curses, which I’m hopeful our Elders can assist with.”

“And if they can’t be broken?” The jerks in the crowd were really starting to annoy her. Her fingers hovered over her daggers, itching to spin them.

Wulfric looked down into her eyes and smiled softly. “It doesn’t matter to me whether they can be broken or not. She’s perfect the way she is, and she is my mate regardless. The gods don’t make mistakes.”

The reminder of the gods’ role in fated mates caused the crowd’s murmurs to die down. Wulfric squeezed her shoulder gently, pride filling his gaze and making her chest ache. This wouldn’t last, but she soaked up his support.

“My mate is one of the best Hunters in the land,” he said proudly. His posture dared any of them to argue, but the crowd was silent for once.

“You saw her fight last night, but that’s not even the half of it. She will be a great asset to our tribe, trust me.” His words were a balm to her soul, making her yearn for acceptance and a home. She wasn’t sure she wanted that to be here in the Growlers camp though.

The crowd grumbled once more. “Only if you finish the mate bond.”

“Aye, if you don’t, you’re both dead.”

“Then we’ll go into Busparia and surely die from these other Growlers.”

“Or the Hunters.”

“Or the army.”

“Or the winter.”

Scarlet stiffened, and Wulfric arched a brow, reminding her of their plan from earlier. He’d somehow known it would come to this. She pursed her lips, sniffed, and nodded slightly. His grin widened as his eyes darkened with desire, locking with hers in a promise that made her toes curl.

His chest puffed out as he turned to the crowd. “We had planned to complete the mate bond tonight with the full moon. What could be more romantic?”

The crowd chuckled and seemed to relax at the news.

Elva cleared her throat. “Now that that question’s settled, there are two betas from other tribes here today, and the other two will arrive tomorrow, after the full moon tonight. Our alpha will discuss what’s to be done with them.”

Wulfric nodded, turning to the crowd. “I’ll meet with the other tribal emissaries and discuss a possible treaty with the dragons. Once negotiations are over and we’re all in agreement, I will go to the dragons with Scarlet and propose the treaty. Scarlet will help organize the Hunters to check on the turned families and see how we can safely find them.”

Someone in the crowd interrupted. “What if they kill you? What if they won’t work with us?”

Wulfric grinned, and Scarlet’s heart pounded at the wolfish, predatory gleam on his face. “Oh, they will work with us, if they know what’s good for them. We’re Growlers, after all.”

Uneasy chuckles rang through the crowd, but she saw several smiles as the tension dissipated. They were a proud people, she was coming to realize. The murmurs around the tables about a treaty made them nervous. They were afraid they’d lose their identity and culture. They were already struggling to reconcile their memories and previous identities.

Barley and Nomani sat down while Elva explained how the Elders would start collecting a list of people to check on in Busparia. They would be in the longhouse tomorrow morning for brunch after the full moon run tonight.

The crowd’s temper seemed to lighten at the mention of the full moon, and soon dancing broke out in the center of the sunken floor. A stringed instrument and hide drums added to the noise, and soon there were smiles and ale flowing wherever she looked. Wulfric sat beside her as a berry dessert was laid on the table. She ate and a line formed to the side of the table.

One by one, Growlers approached them. Some simply came to chat and opened up more than when they first entered about what Brody had promised them.

Some shared their experiences as humans, how they were turned, and told Wulfric how much they approved of this plan to restore them to their families.

Then the two Growlers who’d helped Brody—the ones she’d fought—both came forward, flanked by a guard. Each of them swore allegiance to Wulfric, one of them explaining that he’d left a pregnant wife when he’d gone to war and been injured less than a year after leaving.

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