Page 170 of Moon Claimed
Tears coating her cheeks, Cameron nodded.
I tilted my chin and regarded the tribe. The sour decay thingreallywasn’t helping my wooziness. “I think you all deserve the truth.”
“They’veheardthe truth,” Rhona said into the mic.
I ignored her. Only because turning my head made the world wonky. Pitching my voice higher, I called. “I’m engaged in a series of meets with Sascha Greyson at the end of which I will be able to choose him or not choose him as a mate. He also holds the power of this choice.”
No one made a peep. Probably because most couldn’t hear me.
“That night in Sandstone, I had knowledge that could have saved the life of Hercules Thana. I made a mistake and live with that immense regret. In hindsight, concealing the truth of what happened from those who knew him best was cowardly. My only excuses are fear of your reaction and shame. I knew if the truth was known that I would lose a sister. I wanted to delay that moment.”
“We’ve heard enough,” Rhona scoffed, turning away.
“Just one more thing.” I shoved away every shred of my pride.
Taking a steadying breath, I said, “I hereby abdicate the position of head steward and nominate Rhona Thana in my stead. In her, you will find a leader you can be proud of. But youmustunite behind her. Enough of this mess. When you leave Sandstone today, forget your problems with those around you. Division has andwillweaken this tribe. Support Rhona completely. Do it for her or do it for this land but ensure you do it.”
I nodded to Valerie and Billy. “You can take me away now.”
That earned me an angry shove from Valerie. I grinned as Billy released the ropes around my ankles.
“Return her to that shitty car,” Rhona said into the mic. “Andie Booker, you have two hours to pack what you need. After that, leave this valley and never return.”
Wow.She was exiling me?
One tiny problem with that.
I cast a look at Sascha.
“See how she watches him?” she hissed.
I met her emerald eyes, so like my own. “I love you, Rhona.”
Her grip on the microphone tightened.
Turning on my heel, I lead the way through the crowd. Valerie did her best to stride beside me, but Billy didn’t seem to have his heart in it.
It’s over,my wolf said.
It is.That was about five times as horrible as my worst fears.
But it was over.
My awareness of my wolf strengthened with every step. The movement was helping push the drug out of my system.
We can free our hands if you want,she said.
There was a slight push at the base of my nail beds. I could cut through the ropes with my claws, but there wasn’t any point.Nah, they’ll remove them soon anyway.
We’re leaving? It’s a risk.
No. We’ve got to find Wade. I won’t leave before then. After that… we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
I didn’t really want to see Sascha again before going, but I probably had to if I wanted to have the best chance at finding Wade.
My wolf wrenched us to a halt.
Her growl ripped through my mind, and then I smelled it too.