Page 58 of Promise of the Wolf Moon

We all had the burden of secrets. My relationship with Tillman was mine to deal with.

But...there was one truth I had no trouble telling.

“He wasnevermy mate.”

“Only ’cause you say so.” Decker laughed.

“No.” I looked first at my mom, then at my dad. Their eyes were wide as they realized what I’d said. I’d felt ashamed to tell them the truth only my Alpha had known. “Tillman was never my mate. He never marked me or mated with me.”

My brother glared at me, then barked out, “Bullshit.”

“Deck.” I sighed, knowing I would never change his mind. “You grew up idolizing him. You want to believe he was a worthy male. He wasn’t.”

My brother stared at me for a few moments, his hands clutched into tight fists. “I know what kind of male he was.” He ground out between clenched teeth. “You were the one always too blind to see who he really was. And you’re making the same damn mistake now.” He waved his hand at Seff and me. “You met Seff two nights ago, and you think you know him. You don’t. You think you’re going to... You can’t be serious. Neither of you is worthy of being parents.”

“Decker, that’s enough!” my dad shouted.

I felt Nereida stiffen against me. I glanced down at her face. If I’d seen fear there, I would’ve rushed both her and her sister out in a second...but...she wasn’t afraid. I glanced at Arteisma. They both held a hard, glinty look in their eyes.

Brutus looked at me, then to Seff. “You didn’t tell them?”

Seff shrugged. “We told a few people,” he said. “Her parents figured it out right away, but no, we didn’t, you know, announce it.”

“Tell us what?” Decker demanded.

Seff slowly turned to face my brother. “Desarae is mysakana.”

Decker said nothing, only stared at Seff with wide eyes. I felt his shock through our twin bond, which quickly gave way to resentment and jealousy. Then his angry glare shifted to me.

“It’s always all about you, isn’t it?”

Say nothing.

How many times had Tillman made the same false statement? Decker had undoubtedly learned the blame game well from his former idol.

My brother stood waiting for a reply I wasn’t about to give him. His eyes swept the room. Seeing no allies to back him up, he strode across the cookhouse, shoved past Viveca, and out the doors.

Brutus glanced at me. “Maybe now is not the time to—”

“Yes, it is.” I interrupted. “This is exactly the time. The dead and their belongings need to be transported as soon as possible. Anyone who doesn’t plan on spending the winter trapped on the mountain needs to leave.” I looked at Viveca. “The last thing I want to do is give up the twins. However, I need to know Arteisma and Nereida will be safe while Seff and I track down these last rogues. If being safe means they have to go with you for the time being, then that’s what will happen.”

Brutus nodded. “Then, it’s settled. In front of witnesses, Viveca will agree to the custody rules in caring for Desarae and Seff’s offspring when they are presented to her in writing.”

Viveca’s upper lip twitched as though she smelled something awful, but she nodded. Her hungry gaze never left the twins.

Brutus went on. “She promises to care for them and bring them to attend an official adoption tribunal when it’s called.”

She nodded again.

Seff narrowed his eyes at her. “And since I’m fighting for custody here, Viveca, you try to disappear with those little females, and I’ll be the first one to get a pack together to hunt you down.”

Her eyes shifted to Seff’s for only a moment. “I understand.”

I looked around the cookhouse, catching a stiff nod of agreement from everyone else as well as a big grin from Jessy. Whatever objections Decker had with Seff and me adopting the twins, he’d have to wait until the tribunal.

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