Page 61 of Bonded and Betrayed
“No, it’s a promise,” I declare. “Don’t come to me for anything. We’ve stayed out of the politics of this town for long enough, but times are about to change.”
My chest warms as the words leave my lips, feeling right, feeling sure. This is the correct course, and although I didn’t get the answer I was hoping for today, I found my path.
“You can’t,” Glenda scoffs, shaking her head in disgust.
“Oh, I will,” I say, with a steely look of determination. “My father was happy to stick to his corner, but I see your power trip for what it truly is, and I won’t let it stand. We work together, that’s the foundation this town was built on, and if you truly think us shifters are beneath you—that we’re trash—then I’ll show you how strong we truly are.”
I turn on my heel and stride for the door, refusing to let her get another word in. The door opens too easily, as though someone is doing it for me, but judging by Glenda’s shouts of protest, I doubt it’s her. Some spirit in this house guides me forward, supporting me with a protective wind whistling around me, warming me and keeping me safe as I get in my car.
Lines have been drawn today, and the future is clearer than ever. Us shifters have always been kept at the edge of society, with the witches retaining the true power, but that ends today. It might be another name I have to add to my list of enemies but with allies like her, they’re just as likely to stab you in the back as they are to actually fight by your side.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Skylar
“Andwhydidyouthink it was a good idea to go see that miserable witch without at least telling us?” Arsenio huffs from across the desk and crosses his arms over his chest.
Leaning back in my office chair, I cock a brow in challenge at his attempt to admonish me. It’s cute that he’s trying, but it’s not going to work. Of course, this is what I walked into when I got to the club. A chagrined look on my beta’s face and a furious mate. He’s kinda cute when he’s angry.
“If I’d told any of you, you would’ve either tried to talk me out of my plans or come with me,” I sigh in exasperation. “She was hostile enough already. Showing up with one of you in tow would have had her kicking us to the curb the moment she opened the front door.”
“I still don’t think—”
“You don’t need to agree, hell you don’t even need to try to understand it, but what you do need to understand is that I’m an alpha. I have the safety of my pack to think about, as well as all of you,” I declare, my voice unwavering, unwilling to accept any argument. “I was willing to put my pride aside to help save lives—because let’s be realistic, thinking we’re all going to walk away from this unscathed is a fool’s dream.”
Arsenio frowns, his eyes going distant for a moment before he relents. “You’re right. I don’t like it, but I know you did the right thing.”
“I’m sorry, Sky,” Seline says, and I turn my look of disapproval on her. “I crossed the line, I shouldn’t have told him where you were when he showed up.”
“You’re my best friend, Seline,” I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “You’re my family and one of the only people I can trust, but you’re also my beta. That comes with a different set of principles.”
“I know.” She looks down at the floor before she meets my gaze, her dark hazel eyes glistening under the office lights.
“Okay, okay,” I say, not wanting this to drag on any longer. “We’re both still trying to navigate the boundaries of friendship and pack. And meddling mates are something neither of us is prepared for.” I glance at Arsenio with a frown, annoyed at him again for putting my friend in this awkward position to begin with.
“I’m sorry, Seline,” Arsenio says, and my eyes widen a fraction as he turns his amber gaze on my friend with a look of sincerity creasing his features. “I shouldn’t have pushed. It was unfair of me to put you in that position.”
“Thank you.” She smiles, her shoulders slumping slightly in relief. My chest warms and a small smile plays on my lips as I look between them, grateful to have the two of them on my side—that is, until Arsenio gives me a pointed look, making the grin evaporate in an instant.
“But I wouldn’t have to if my mate would tell me these things and not have me guessing if she’s at the bottom of a lake—”
“Okay, on that note, do you want to hear what happened, or are we going to go around in a circle again?” I interject, narrowing a glare on my fiery mate who grins triumphantly back at me.
Jerkface.
“Of course, firecracker,” Arsenio drawls, and partially sits on my desk. “Tell us what the old crone said.”
I let loose an exasperated huff, the sound eliciting an amused chuckle from him, and launch into the short conversation with the head of the elders. I keep the part about the voice to myself for now, not completely sure it was anything other than my conscience now that time has passed.
“I knew the chances were slim, but I didn’t expect that,” Seline murmurs, her brows furrowed and lips curling with disdain.
“I’m thinking we have a bonfire,” Arsenio says, his lighter materializing in his palm. He flicks it open and ignites it in one swift, practiced motion. “I know the perfect place.”
“Nope, that’s not happening,” I scoff, reaching across the desk to extinguish the flame and snapping the lighter closed.
“Really,” he huffs, his chest deflating with disappointment.
“Yes, really. We need to focus on the bears first, and next we’ll hit Glenda where it hurts, politically,” I say, glancing between both of them, determined to keep true to my parting words. “If we act with violence, we’ll only be reaffirming what she thinks of shifters, that we’re too violent to lead.”