Page 100 of Luna: Posy 2

"No."

He didn't offer reasons or justification, but I knew he would have thought it out before he gave his answer.

"Jay?" the king asked.

"Maybe. Quartz is very angry, though, so there's a chance he'll sway me or simply take control and rip Halder's throat out."

"Problem solved, if you ask me," Angelo muttered.

"None of you think he's worth a chance to redeem himself?" I asked with a frown.

"That's not what we're deciding, sweetness," Jayden explained in a gentle tone. "We're trying to determine who among us is able to talk to him without our feelings getting in the way and influencing us."

I dropped my eyes to clasped hands as I thought about his words.

"Well, regardless of who interrogates him," Cole said, "if we find out he worked with the demon, the outcome is simple. If we find out he was coerced, things get a lot more complicated."

"He can't ever be an alpha again," the king said, "and he can't stay here at Tall Pines. I can't induct him in the royal pack, nor would I want to. Lilah would see him too frequently. Anyone have suggestions?"

"Most alphas would worry that he'd try to take over," Jayden pointed out. "With his history, they'd have good reason to."

"And if he happens to be more powerful," Cole said, "the alpha won't be able tomakehim submit."

"Exactly." The king sighed. "So where might a pariah have a chance at acceptance? It would need to be a strong pack with a powerful alpha, and one whose members are open-minded."

Everyone fell silent, their faces drawn in concentration.

I myself thought the answer was obvious.

Maybe they no want to admit it, Lark suggested.Saying it out loud makes it real.

"I'll talk to him," I said, "and you all know the best place for him is Five Fangs."

Chaos erupted around me.

Wyatt, Ash, and Cole were the loudest, although the betas weren't much quieter. Mason gathered me up on his lap and pushed my face in his neck, his thick arms wrapping around me as if he could hide me from the world.

Jayden, smart boy that he was, linked me instead of try to be heard over everyone.

I agree that our pack is probably the best placement if he's innocent, which is a huge if, but why doyouwant to talk to him?

I was surprised by his calm question when everyone else was bellowing their disapproval.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one here who doesn'twantto kill him and for surewon'tkill him,I gave him half of my reasons.

It could be dangerous, sweetness. However small a chance it may be, he could hurt you, and none of us are willing to take that risk.

Link Ty and see what he thinks about Mr. Halder's condition. If he's so weak he needs help getting water, I can't believe he's in any shape to attack me.

Hmm. Wait a minute.

Smiling into Mason's neck, I let myself relax in my mate's tight hold, certain I was going to win this one.

Ty says he's as weak as a kitten, Jayden admitted reluctantly.

See? What could possibly happen? Ty's there. And I can take Emerson along, too. I don't think he has any stake in this, other than knowing his mate would like to kill the guy, but I think he can separate himself from that.

Jayden was quiet for several long minutes. As I waited, I tuned in to the boys' wolves, curious to know what they were feeling. As Jayden had said, Quartz was in a rage, which was not unusual, but I was surprised to find Sid in the same condition. Granite and Topaz were more worried about their boys than anything. As for Garnet, he was sunk deep in Mason's mind, almost too deep for me to reach, but I could sense his fury.

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