Page 61 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

“Connell,” he called in greeting.

“Hold there, Mitchell,” Connell called back.

Mitchell frowned.He reached behind him when he noticed two more members of his clan emerge.Jace and Jayden stood behind Connell.Jayden had an arrow pointed at Tracy.Mitchell cursed and stepped in front of Tracy with a menacing sneer.

“Lower your weapon, Jayden,” he ordered in a harsh voice.

Jayden ignored him.His gaze swept over the group before pausing on Jace’s face.Jace refused to meet his eyes.

“What’s going on, Connell?”he demanded.

Connell’s gaze flickered between Mitchell and Tracy.“Why did you bring a shifter here?”

Mitchell released Tracy’s hand and motioned around them.“I will explain everything once we reach the village.”

“You can’t bring a shifter into the village,” Jayden growled.

His expression hardened.“That is not your call, Jayden.”

“No, it is mine,” Connell said.

Mitchell stiffened.“I am the leader of the clan.”

Connell shook his head.“Not any longer.”

Mitchell’s focus returned to Jace’s face.“What exactly did you tell them?”

Jace stared back at him with an uneasy expression.“That you found a shifter.”

“It doesn’t matter what he said.What matters is that you would bring a shifter here, to the last place where we have found refuge.You’ve endangered us all, Mitchell.You know the penalty for that better than anyone,” Connell said.

“He’s trying to save your lives,” Tracy countered.

“Shut up, beast!”Jayden sneered with contempt.

Fury seared through Mitchell and he took a step forward.“Watch your mouth, Jayden.Tracy is right.Iamtrying to save our people’s lives.”

“By bringing anOtherinto the clan?You banned Ella for saving one of their lives and now you bring them right to us,” Jayden snapped.

“Enough!”Connell’s bellow rang out, echoing through the mountain pass.“Why did you bring her?”

Mitchell breathed deeply, trying to control his anger.He understood why Connell and Jayden were upset.They hadn’t met Tracy.What he didn’t understand was why Jace had betrayed him.

“I have a proposal to present to the elders.Tracy is here to help explain things to everyone,” he said.

“She can’t be allowed into the village,” Jayden snapped.

Connell raised his hand, motioning for Jayden to be quiet.Mitchell waited, the silence stretching out as he allowed Connell the time to come to terms with the inevitable outcome.What he and Tracy had to share needed to be presented before everyone.It was too big a decision to be made by one person.

“Bind them both.Blindfold the… woman,” Connell ordered.

“Like hell,” Mitchell growled, thrusting his hand back protectively toward Tracy and stepping backwards.

Tracy placed her hand on his arm.“Mitchell, if this is the only way to speak to your people, then I will do it.There is too much at stake for pride.”

Her quiet voice washed over him.He shook his head in denial even though he knew she was right.Cursing under his breath, he turned and pulled her into his arms.

“I won’t let them hurt you,” he promised.

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