Page 65 of In Plain Sight

He smiled. “Patrick runs a tight ship on security over there. He also oversees Westin Force, an elite group of operatives that work for them. His reach and resources would blow your mind. He’s also a firm believer in the ‘need to know’ rule, and will be the first to admit that there’s a lot of things that Kyle doesn’t need to know, including this. He’s Alpha, but he’s also a mate. Knowing about you would have only distracted him at a time when he’s been actively working hard to strengthen a peace agreement, with Bulgaria of all packs.”

“My brother is a good Alpha, Thomas. He is not my Alpha,” I said.

Thomas scrunched up his forehead and realized I was finally telling him something he didn’t already know.

“Nicholai was not behind these attacks?”

“No,” I said honestly. “Nicholai is serious about the alliance. Meeting Kyle and Kelsey in person changed him. He came back resolved not to press for revenge of our parents’ deaths. You can trust him in the treaty. He has a good heart. I didn’t understand it at the time. I was filled with anger and only wanted the revenge I felt we deserved. I gave my allegiance to another.”

I pulled out the dagger and handed it to him. Even in daylight there was a faint glow to it. Thomas examined the knife closely and sucked in a deep breath at the realization of what he was looking at.

“I sealed my fate before I ever met her, before I ever stepped foot onto Collier territory, and before I even took time to know the Westins. That’s my death certificate. It’s a blood oath, forged by a powerful witch. There’s nothing I can do to break it, aside from Kelsey Westin’s death. The pain when I am near her is excruciating. Its power is strong, and I cannot escape it. All I can do is pray you will keep our deal and protect the woman I love when I am gone.”

“Dammit, Bran. This is going to kill her when she finds out.”

I knew we were talking about my mate and not the witch I was bound to kill.

“It won’t. She’s stronger than that, and she’ll have our child to protect. She’s going to be a fierce and loving mother. I’m so proud of her. It gives me peace.”

“The poisoned cake. Was that you?”

I nodded. I crossed my leg over my knee and showed him the hidden compartment in my boot. I pulled out one of the vials and passed it to him. “There is an antidote, but unfortunately I did not bring it with me. These are undetectable by smell or taste. They are designed to pour into a cup of tea, and it’s death within the hour. I knew the cake was for Kelsey. When opportunities arrive, the blood oath calls with a persistence you cannot turn away from. I didn’t want to do it, but I couldn’t bear the pain of ignoring the call. I poured three of those into the batter when Peyton and Ruby left me alone in the room for only a moment. I had no idea how many I needed or what baking would do to the composition of the poison, but it was something, and enough to tamper down the pain. It never even crossed my mind that the other girls would eat it with her.”

“Damn. Can’t even imagine the guilt of that when you came home to find Ruby so sick.”

“It wasn’t the first time I regretted the decisions that led me here, but it was the first time I despised myself for them.”

“I knew it wasn’t on purpose. I don’t think for one second you would ever purposefully hurt my sister.”

“And yet I am,” I said, letting that reality sink in between us. It wasn’t a direct attack, but my actions would continue to hurt her, even after my death.

Ruby

Chapter 24

I was pissed when I got back to the apartment. Kelsey was hurt, I should have been there to help out, but Thomas had pulled rank and called us home. Worse, he didn't even bother to explain why.

Bran had been acting strangely, too. He was quiet on the flight back, like he was lost in his own thoughts that I wasn't privy to. I hated when he got that way and after I'd stomped upstairs in frustration and a desperate urge to use the bathroom, I'd walked out to find him gone. The window was open, and our bags were there, but no sign of my mate. Just great.

I'd been stewing over it all afternoon, quite literally as I sat in the kitchen cooking everything I possibly could with the ingredients on hand, and I didn’t even know why I was doing that. Stupid pregnancy hormones.

I heard the door open and I felt his presence. It made me madder with the comfort that it brought me. Bran was home. I knew we needed to talk, but mostly I just needed him.

"Hey," he said as he walked into the kitchen. "Wow, something smells incredible."

I sniffed and wiped at my eyes. I didn't want him to know his words of praise affected me even in my darkest funk. Stupid, stupid hormones.

"Where have you been?" I asked without even turning to look at him.

I felt his arms wrap around my waist and his hand rubbed my belly. That small motion made me feel more loved and cherished than I ever imagined possible. He kissed the bond mark on my neck.

"I'm sorry. Thomas and I had some things to discuss," he said.

"And you couldn't even tell me you were leaving?"

"It was urgent, and you seemed kind of pissed off. I thought it was best to just leave."

I turned in his arms and glared at him. "It's never best to just leave."

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