Page 118 of A Warrior's Fate

Kai didn’t trust his council. Thought ill of their intentions for him. Had wanted to keep her away and keep her safe—them both safe—for that reason.

But now she was here despite that fact. Because she deserved it, maybe, but there was something else.

She wasn’t his spy. She was bait. The woman of Io, the daughter of a high-ranking member within a hierarchy that certainly had a history of questionable actions in its past. Actions that seemed far more far-fetched than conspiring to kill an alpha and heir to maintain its order.

But why?

Something had changed since Kai had come back. Something that led him to believe that Io was responsible for what had happened to his father and brother. Which meant, in his eyes, her pack thought so little of her that she was an expendable means to an end.

Isla felt a sting at the corners of her eyes, and she backed away from him until she hit the railing. With only a glance, she could catch the sympathy on Kai’s face like he could hear her every thought as she descended the hellish hole to her conclusions.

“Isla,” he said gently, reluctantly. He hadn’t wanted her to know. For her own sake or his?

She shook her head. “No.”

“Isla.”

“No.” More forceful now. “No, you’re wrong.”

She heard him step forward. “Isla.”

Grinding her teeth to hold back a scream, Isla lifted her head. “Kai.” It was a mix of desperation and anger. “You have to be wrong.”

Even closer. She was nearly trapped by him again, but he didn’t extend his arms. He just stayed and waited, silent until he opened his mouth—and then looked away. “What is that?”

Isla spun, careful not to touch him, and followed his line of sight to the horde of vehicles barreling up the drive towards the hall.

“The gates should’ve been closed,” Kai said, retreating from her.

As Isla turned fully to face the streets, the cars came to a screeching halt. Doors on either side, doors in the back, flew open. Out of them, poured over three dozen wolves—from those in full shifts to those baring claws and teeth and weapons in hand. Even from so high up above, their pungent stench made her stomach curdle.

“Rogues,” Isla choked, and Kai said nothing.

He’d already set off back through the entryway to the room and to the stairs. Down below, Isla heard a rogue’s howl and the squelching scream of a fallen guard before she followed right behind him.

Down, down, down.

They were so far away from the party. They had too long to go.

Around, around, around.

There were guards. A lot of guards. Everything would be fine. They could handle them.

Don’t fall, don’t fall, don’t fall.

Isla felt nauseous and dizzy by the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, but she pressed forward, urged by the screams of the banquet, so loud they carried even in the dank, hidden space.

Kai was much faster than she was, and she nearly lost him a few times as they curved through the halls, riddled with cowering staff members and guards charging towards the western building. Through the windows they had shot past on their run through the connecting passages, Isla could see the courtyard in pandemonium, could practically smell the putrid odor of rogues, blood, and fear in the air.

How had they gotten into Mavec? How had they gotten all the way up to the hall?

Maybe it was the sight or scent that had struck him, but Kai had slowed enough to stick by her. And with a glance her way, she knew the plan. They’d shift the second they stepped outside and take down whoever they could.

As they broke out into the courtyard, Isla took a few moments of pause and surveyed the scene to ensure it was safe to leave herself vulnerable for those small seconds.

But it was moments too long.

Isla let out a yelp as she was pushed by a fleeing guest. She stumbled back, flailing to stay upright, waiting to meet the unforgiving ground, just about to go into a shift before she hit it.

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