Page 141 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Chapter 5

Owen waited until Macey was gone, then he took a quick dip in the lake to wash away as much of her scent as possible, before dressing, again, and making his way back to the cabins. A snarl was the only warning Owen received before he was knocked off his feet. His back hit the dirt and his cousin pinned him down.

Ben’s fingers dug into his shoulders. “I smell her on you.”

A growl lodged in Owen’s throat, and he shoved Ben’s head away. Owen lifted his hips and bucked Ben off. “So what.”

Before Owen could scramble up Ben was on him again. “Fucking blood drinkers is forbidden.”

Owen slammed his elbow into his cousin’s head. He didn’t want to hurt Ben too bad, but he didn’t want to get hurt either. “What gives you the right to follow me around?”

“Your brother thought you were up to something. I’m protecting your pack, our family before you shame us all.”

They grappled, kicking up dirt, pushing and twisting and trying to gain the upper hand. Owen’s heart hammered. They didn’t know he was trying to form a pack, they thought he was just messing around with Macey. He should be glad that was all they knew. “What are you going to do? I can fuck who I want.”

“No, you can’t. I’m taking you to your father so he can sort you out before everyone finds out and you tarnish our pack.” Ben got off him and hauled him up.

Owen broke free and shoved Ben hard, so he stumbled into a tree. “Mind your own business.”

“You should be minding pack business.” Ben charged at him again, but Owen moved out of the way.

Hands grabbed at him before he could make his escape. His brother.

“I’ve got him. Father will be pissed.” Joel punched Owen in the kidney. “Stop struggling.”

Owen fought for calm. Joel wanted a reason to hurt him, to ensure that his status remained intact while Owen’s was lowered. He needed to stop and think. Heat spread from his lower back as he drew in a breath. “Fine, take me to him.”

It was the last thing he wanted. He knew what was coming.

* * *

The main pack assembled,most were in pajamas and no one was happy to be there. This could’ve waited until daylight. There was no need to do it at all. This was nothing but a power play. A reminder that Owen was expected to obey whatever command he was given.

Owen was pushed to his knees in the center to answer for his crimes. The wolves were at the front of the circle, vampires at the back. His father could’ve sent vampires after him, but they might have been sympathetic.

He’d seen others in this situation, brought before his father to pay penance for breaching a rule, but had never thought he’d be here to be punished so publicly. Slowly he lifted his gaze to his father. He wouldn’t be cowed or ashamed.

“You are accused of forbidden relations with a vampire,” his father intoned. There was a glimmer in his eyes though, like he’d waited for his younger son to screw up in a big way and he was enjoying this moment. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Had he questioned his father too many times? Railed against the restrictions and laws once too often?

Or not often enough?

There was no point in denying, so he didn’t waste his breath on lies. “The old laws forbid it. But not all packs follow those rules. Not all follow the past blindly.”

“We follow them, and you will be punished according to the old rules. You will fight until you submit to your brother.” His father smiled.

So did Joel.

They’d fought a lot as pups, only once since getting fur. Never for blood.

Owen swallowed. If he submitted, he’d be sunk to the bottom of the pack until he could prove he put the pack first. If he won, he’d have to take Joel’s place as their father’s second. Either way he was bound to the pack and trapped.

Did his father know something or have suspicions?

If he fought, then regardless of the outcome his father won. And his father knew that.

But Owen had studied the old laws and traditions. He’d searched for reasons for them to be relevant. But most were based on fear, superstition, or the hunger for power. His father was a petty tyrant, and his brother was no better. They’d never sacrifice themselves for their pack.

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