Page 54 of Forsaken Fate

“Good, Theo. That’s really good. We need to keep a united front. I’ve got ...”

“Grayson,” I cut him off. “Whatever, okay? I don’t want to talk political strategy right now. This is something more personal. I need to ask Brynna a question if you don’t mind. Is she there with you right now?”

Silence. Then something muffled as Grayson held his hand over the phone.

“She’s right here,” Grayson answered, and my blood ran hot. She was with him still. They’d been intimate maybe. The thought of it made me shake with rage. I took a deep breath before I crushed the phone in my had to pieces. I could barely stop myself from shifting.

I waited a moment.

“Yes, Theo?” Brynna’s voice was steady, guarded. She spoke through what I now knew was her mask of a smile.

“I’m asking you about ideas for a gift, got it?” I said through clenched teeth. “It’s traditional for a member of the family to give a gift to the happy couple upon the occasion of their marking ceremony.”

“That’s sweet, Theo. You supporting Grayson is really gift enough.”

Sure, the fucker.

“I need to see you again. Can you figure out how to make that happen?”

“I’m sorry, he’s already got one of those. That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“I don’t give a shit. I need to see you and you want to see me. We need to talk.”

“Sorry I can’t be more help, Theo. Don’t worry about it, though. I’m afraid I need to get going. I’ve got another fitting before tomorrow. Grayson’s picked out the dress he wants me to wear.”

“Is he threatening you? Is that it? Brynna. You need to let me know what’s going on.”

Silence. Then I heard Brynna’s breath catch. I was getting to her.

“I’m not going to let him hurt you. But you have to let me in. Okay?”

“Talk to you soon, Theo. Thanks again for thinking of us.”

Then she hung up the phone.

* * *

Four hours later, I drove up Diana’s tree-lined drive. Each one had perfectly spaced white Christmas lights leading the way. I felt a pang in my gut at a memory long buried. Years ago, when my father first drove my mother here, I remember she had wanted to do that sometime.

Just think how pretty they’d look all lit up, Teddy? She was one of the only people he’d let call him that.

Just think how much of a pain in the ass it will be getting them that way? He had said.

It was a ruse. He would have hung each bulb individually plus the moon itself if she asked him to and they both knew it.

It was dusk. I parked my car and walked around the side of the house. There were empty stables to the east. The woods stretched out for miles beyond it. My wolf stirred. I felt at least a dozen pairs of eyes out there. Shifters.

The pack leaders had arrived. Some of the strongest Alphas in the state would be here. But there were more than just wolves out there. I dropped to a crouch, ready to shift into my wolf. Ready to fight if need be.

Bears. I sensed four of them. Big mother fuckers. They stayed together to the west of me. They would be representatives from the major clans upstate. There were jaguar, panther, and tiger shifters out there too. Fucking tigers. Grayson couldn’t have been stupid enough to invite members of the clans responsible for killing my mother and sister. Could he?

“Theo!”

Grayson shouted my name. It took great effort, but I managed to retract my fangs.

“You’re late,” he said.

I pointed skyward. “The moon’s out. I’m right on time.”

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