Page 38 of Betrayed Mate

My stomach dropped as realization sank in. Now that everyone thought my entire family line had died, they weren’t wasting any time trying to name a new ruler and royal pack bloodline. We were the only ones with even the slightest hint of royal blood who hadn’t been part of the royal pack, and I was sure several of the alphas would now believe they should be the ones to lead the shifters.

My heart clenched, thinking about all that implied. “This is horrible timing.”

“What’s going on?” Kendric crossed his arms, placing his hands under his armpits.

“The Blackwood pack just called a meeting of all available alphas.” Ryker bit his bottom lip like he was trying not to say more.

Xander straightened. “That’s fucked up. Calling that meeting is supposed to beyourrole.”

Technically, that was true. The hierarchy for our species was based first on royal blood and then on the strongest pack who’d served as their protectors, which meant I was the most directly in line to rule because of my blood, and Ryker was the next because he was the strongest wolf since he was the protector, even though something like this had never occurred before.

“Are you really surprised?” Gage pushed off the side of the vehicle and wrinkled his nose. “Every pack out therehatesus. They think we either failed to protect everyone and shouldn’t lead or were behind the massacre, but there’s no way to prove it. Of course, several of the alphas want to be the newking.”

And, of course, myfated mate’s pack was the one to send out the message. Reid had made it clear he’d hoped that, once we were mated, he and I would step up to rule since my dad wouldn’t. Killing my pack put him in a position to accomplish that without me.

My stomach roiled, and I wanted to vomit. I’d already shown enough weakness around them, so I swallowed it and let the acid burn my throat.

“That must be why he went after your pack,” Ryker growled, echoing the thoughts I’d just had. “I suspected his pack might be behind all this. They’re one of the closest to where we lived, and between what they did to your pack and now this, the signs point to them.”

Even though Reid had rejected me and I’d witnessed the start of my pack’s slaughter with my own eyes, something about the situation still felt wrong. After decades of our packs having a strong relationship, it was hard for me to reconcile that they’d do that to us.

The idea of having to walk into the bar and see Reid again had my knees weakening. Everything he’d done to me had made me feel weaker than ever before, which infuriated me. And nowhe’d called a meeting that would influence who would lead our species. It made me want to strangle him with my bare hands.

The violence of the urge strangledme, making me feel like another person…a dark version of myself who turned my blood to ice.

Dad wouldn’t have wanted that. If he knew my thoughts right now, I’d be so ashamed. Taking a deep breath, I placed a hand on my stomach. “That doesn’t make sense. Assume you’re right, and Briar is with them; her pack link would be a lot warmer than it is now. She has to be farther away than that.” Her link was still faint—just enough for me to know she was alive.

“If they suspect you survived, then they’ll probably take her far enough away that you two can’t communicate and confirm anything.” Kendric rolled his shoulders like he was trying to work out stress.

“Yeah, because seeing the Blackwood pack attack her own wouldn’t raise any red flags.” Gage snorted bitterly and shook his head.

True, but that didn’t seem like it was the plan. “I’m pretty sure Briar and I were supposed to die alongside them. Reid knows how close my sister and I are. He’s keeping her alive because he knows I’m still out here and I’ll come for her.” A lump formed in my throat. I hated that I couldn’t get a sense of Briar’s health or what was going on with her. She could be near death, and I’d have no clue.

“This would be an ideal time to examine his land—the Blackwood alpha family is focused on the meeting.” Xander rubbed his hands together. “Maybe we can finally get a lead without having to torture anyone.”

Ryker scowled. "No. Not happening. That could be part of their plan, knowing Ember could be tempted to check out their territory while they conduct the meeting. They could eliminateher as a threat to the throne and be seen as the pack stepping up to lead. We can’t risk walking into a trap.”

My heart dropped hard into my stomach. I hadn’t even considered that which proved that coming back with Ryker, though not ideal, was the better choice. He’d grown up strategizing, whereas my pack had stayed away from politics, wanting to live in peace without the negativity so many packs had.

Maybe if Dad had also allowed us to study warfare, I would’ve seen the signs that Reid wasn’t a nice guy.

“So what do we do?” Gage spat, disgust apparent on his face. “Just hide and let him conduct the meeting?”

I didn’t want to hide, but I wasn’t sure what else to do. I needed to keep my head down so I could find Briar before time ran out.

“Nope. We do what no one expects.” Ryker steepled his hands in front of him. “Rebel will embrace her nickname and show up with me at the meeting.”

My jaw dropped. “I don’t think that’s a smart idea.”

“But it is.” Ryker’s gaze landed on me and warmed once more as he grinned. “Because that is the last thing any of them would expect. It will throw the Blackwoods off-kilter if you show up when they’re trying to claim there’s no one of royal lineage alive any longer and see that you aren’t afraid of making a stand.”

Bile churned in my stomach. Unfortunately, he was right. They wouldn’t expect that, but that didn’t mean I wanted to go and confront the people who’d killed my pack. My eyes burned with the threat of tears. I bit the inside of my cheek, focusing on the sharp pain of my teeth sinking through the skin.

“He’s right.” Xander pursed his lips. “You’ll ruin the Blackwoods’ plans, which could make them act rashly and reveal where your sister is being kept.”

Even though that was true, I hated to give them what they might want—me, dead. Still, if I didn’t show up or search their lands, they might think Briar was lying and Iwasdead. Either choice had consequences.

I wished Dad was alive so he could guide me on the right thing to do. My heart ached, stealing my breath. The pain of losing both parents and almost my entire pack took hold. I feared if I didn’t push the pain away, it would take me down, and I’d lose Briar in the process.

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