Page 58 of The Dark Rising
I shrug. “War will be coming.” I fold my arms and lean back on the fence, observing.
He sighs. “This is not where I expected it to be. Fending off rogures and about to start a war with the Highers.”
“Neither did I, but we cannot let it continue.” Not after what was hidden from us right before our eyes.
“No,” he says solemnly. “I can’t help but think of all the times we followed orders, took creatures down, and wondered if they were really looking for an Heir at that time.”
“Those types of questions will probably never be answered, you will drive yourself mad.” He grunts. “Again!” I order, when some of the them finish.
Leo chuckles. “Those that are scared of you will do no good in battle, never mind a war.”
“They think since I’m an Heir, I’m dangerous to them?” Ridiculous.
“You always were.”
“Not in any way like they think I am now,” I sigh. I cannot have them fearing me because of who I am. I’m pushing hard in training, but that’s only to help save their lives. Now, they think I’m going to snap their necks with no thought or reason.
“They will come around,” Leo says, laughing as an Elite gets his legs swiped from under him by Maverick. He’s the one who holds the fort when my brothers and I are out. “He’s getting better every time.”
“I did train him.”
Leo shoves my shoulder. “Cocky bastard.” I shrug. “Most of the others are following his lead in not pissing themselves when you’re near,” he snickers.
“I can’t have men who I can’t trust, especially not now.”
He nods. “Are we weeding them out?”
“Yes. I want names of everyone who has a connection to the Highers, or their families have connections to the Highers, no matter how little. We cannot hide Rhea and her pack forever. They also need to train, and I need to be able to trust that my Elites will follow me like they should, not the Highers.”
“I will start on it with the others.” He reaches into his pocket. “Another letter for you.” I see the seal on it and instantly shake my head, letting him know to discard it.
Leo pauses for a second.
“Spit it out,” I say, turning around to face him, my arms crossed.
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Are you two patching things up?”
“That doesn’t concern you,”
“Come on, brother,” he says, exasperated.
I turn and look back at my men. “I don’t know about fixing things. How could I ever make up for what I did? I’m still angry at her, at her lies. But my actions and hers are not so simple. We both had reasons, and I’m not sure we are both ready to hear them, though her reasons are pretty obvious.”
“Have you told her why you didn’t disobey Charles’s order?”
“No,” I grunt.
“She may change her mind—“
“My reason doesn’t matter why I did what I did, brother. It’s too late for that. It’s unforgivable.”
“You are too hard on yourself,” he mutters. “You were put in an impossible situation.”
“That doesn’t matter either.” I start toward my men. “Let’s focus on weeding out the rotten for now.” I hear him sigh before he leaves.
I breathe deep and let it out, clenching my hands before releasing them. “Maverick,” I call. His head snaps toward me and he comes over.
“Yes, Alpha” His chests heaves with his deep breaths, sweat dripping off of him.
