Page 2 of Haze

“Where is she going?” I look up at him. He’s blurry through my tears.

“Olive will go into heat. Those men want a lot of pups. They’ll use her for that.” Dad says those words, and I only sort of know what he means.

“I didn’t get to say goodbye,” I whisper.

Dad huffs, dragging me back through the woods. “You’re not to get attached to people, Kathy. If someone gets close, they’ll see your flaw. No one can know your flaw. Remember what I’ve told you.”

“If I’m not strong, I can’t be here,” I answer quietly.

“You want Robert and me to keep you, don’t you?” Dad snaps his words.

“Yes,” I answer firmly.

My oldest brother, Robert, will take Dad’s place as Alpha one day. He thinks I’m nothing, like Dad does. But I’ll do anything to stay with Jimmy and Cade.

“Then you have to be strong so Robert and I don’t have to get rid of you,” Dad growls again.

Forcing my wolf down, I nod. She makes me not strong, so I’ll just hide her away. I don’t need her anyway. I’ll be strong without her. No one has to know we’re flawed. No one has to know we’re worthless.

Present Day

Finn

The door to the Alpha’s office comes off its hinges when I ram my way through it. Splinters fly in all directions. The pack Quartermasters spring up. Guns point in my direction as they move to protect Magnus. Their loyalty to my brother has always been admirable. But today, the blind trust I placed in him is gone, and they’re in my way.

“Get out!” The Alpha command rips through me.

They scatter out the door as quickly as I came in, leaving Magnus and me alone.

Magnus doesn’t stand but offers me a seat with a lazy wave of his hand. “Come now, Finn. Let’s chat.”

“There are no words for what you’ve done, Magnus,” I snarl. Balling my fists is the only thing stopping me from ripping his head off.

Magnus’s gaze darkens. Green eyes fade to black, and the void, which is his wolf, watches me. Men are scared senseless seeing The Hellhound. But when he’s your brother and you’ve grown up cutting your teeth on each other’s flesh, there is no fear.

“Enlighten me, brother. What is it I’ve done to upset you?” Magnus sits back in his chair, playing dumb to the massacre he’s orchestrated.

“You walked them straight into their deaths. Don’t deny knowing. You fed them straight to the O’Mahoneys. Now you’re sitting here like it’s any other Tuesday,” I spit.

My finger itches. I could draw my gun here and now and end him. I have half a mind to put a bullet in Magnus, the same way he allowed those boys to die.

“It’s Wednesday, and it’s the cost of war,” Magnus corrects me flatly; he’s completely unfazed.

“They were too young, Magnus. They were starting their lives. You’ve made young widows, one with pups on the way. For what? You sent them to die on purpose?” I’m snarling through words that come from the fire in my gut.

Magnus doesn’t bother raising his voice when he scolds me. “I told you, Finn. It’s the cost of war. The widows and pups will be cared for, as always.”

“The cost is too high, Magnus.” I shake my head, stifling my snarl, but my words aren’t any less cutting. “What will Ma say about all this?”

Magnus stands, letting out a snarl as he leans forward, bracing his hands on his desk.

We’re nearly face-to-face. “Ma isn’t here. So, what does it matter about what Ma will say when she gets back from Galway? She’ll say it’s my job, my responsibility, and if you don’t like it, you should leave.”

I run my tongue against one of my descended fangs. Ma would tell me to get out. “You’re exactly right, Magnus. I can’t pretend to be blind. I’m not your loyal brother anymore. I’m done.”

Magnus huffs, his hand reaching into the top drawer of his desk where he keeps his gun, “Fine. Do one last thing.”

Suspicion runs through me. No. There’s no reason Magnus would reach for his weapon.

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