Page 19 of Reign

Ok, that was enough! “Sophie. Look at me.” I didn’t force her; I couldn’t, not now. I was too thrown, completely blown away by the fact that I had a sister, as well as a half-brother. I may not have been able to save Zander, but I could make damned sure nothing happened to my sister. I rubbed my forehead and sighed. “Sophie, you cannot take any blame for what that man did to you.”

“Yes, I can. I did it. I hurt people; I destroyed families. I ruined them…” Tears shimmered in her eyes.

I wasn't one for soft gestures, but fuck me; I couldn't let this go. As a child, Rex had almost destroyed me, but I'd gotten out. He'd definitely destroyed my mother's life, and he'd manipulated, abused and used my sister, or rather half-sister, too. I reached over the table and took her hand in mine. Her eyes widened, and she stared at my hand holding hers. I felt a pulse of concern from Owen. Under the table, I raised my hand to let him know we were okay. "I know it isn't your fault, Sophie, because he tried to do the same to me. I got out, and yet I'm still a killer. While I was in prison, I killed because I had to and because of who I am. Part of that is Prime; part of it is me. You have suffered years of his manipulation, and you were still strong enough to get away…."

“But I wasn’t. I’m back here now.”

“I won’t let him hurt you. Ever again.”

Her attention bounced from where I held her hand up to my eyes. "Why? Why are you so bothered about the life of a stranger? And how do you know so much about him?"

“Because I know what it’s like to be hurt by him. I know because I’m also his son. I’m your brother, Sophie, or at least your half-brother.”

“What?” Her question was no more than a whisper.

“I ran away when I was a young boy. He might have searched for me, or maybe not. He always thought I was too weak to be his son. He beat me regularly, trying to make me stronger….”

“You, you’re...my brother? That son-of-a-bitch! He never told me I had a brother!”

I huffed. “Why would he? I stopped existing for him the moment I ran.”

“Oh, my gods, Connor. Does he know that Ember is your mate? Is that why he’s got her and hasn’t sold her yet?”

I glanced out of the window, watching as a large male on a motorbike pulled up across the square. “I hope not. I don’t think he knows it was me in Canada when he funded our fight against Berith. I think he knew about Ember from someone who escaped that prison, and he wanted her. It was an easy in for him when Drake wanted his company back. Rex did what he always does; he manipulated Drake to get what he wanted—a chance to kidnap the key to the gates of Hell.”

Sophie tensed at the mention of Drake, but she didn’t ask any questions about him. She knew we had a deal. Shit! Life really was full of strange surprises.

My phone beeped, letting me know I had a text.Damn, speak of the Devil.Drake had just landed and was meeting us at the hotel in an hour. Mother Wolf, could this day get any more crazy?

“So Rex isn’t hunting you? Or setting a trap for you, then?” Sophie’s gaze searched my face.

“I doubt it. I think he quickly gave up on me once I escaped. I was too much trouble, too defiant, and according to him, too weak.”

She sighed. “Connor, I’m …”

"No," I growled. "Don't you dare apologise; for himoryourself. He's a bastard. And if I have anything to do with it, he's gonna die for his sins."

The door tinkled, and a familiar scent drifted up my nose, one that had me half-shifting and out of my seat and across the room in a second. My claws dug into Jed's throat. I had to fight to keep control, not just snap Jed's neck then and there. Only Jed didn't fight, didn't even try to defend himself. Instead, he lowered his eyes, and even though I was cutting his air supply off, he went utterly limp and compliant in my grip.

What the ever-loving fuck?

He was the one who’d betrayed me, taken my girl and hurt one of my pack. This bastard worked for my father, yet he was the one who was betraying him now? It made no sense.

“Speak!” I demanded, releasing my grip enough for him to suck air into his lungs.

Stone snarled from behind me. I didn’t reprimand him. Jed and his men had hurt Shannon, and although they weren’t mated, it was obvious to everyone but them they belonged together. I would let Stone take this kill if I decided Jed needed to die. He’d taken Ember, and that was enough to sign his death warrant.

“I know where she is.”

His words made my heart stutter. I pushed Prime back and snarled in the fucker’s face. “I know you do. Now tell me.”

His gaze rested on the table. “Sit?”

“Fuck off! Speak, and speak quickly, or I’ll rip you to shreds and let Stone finish you off.”

His attention didn’t waver from the table. “She’s at Rex’s house right now.”

“Tell me something I don’t know, and you’d better hope it’s good enough to warrant me keeping you alive.”

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