Kerrigan swallowed her anxiety.
Trager took her hand and approached the man she could only assume was the alpha.
“You return to the pack that doesn’t want you.” His voice held zero emotion, but his gaze was cold and calculating. “Why?”
“I have news that could be important to the pack.” Kerrigan’s eyes went to Trager. His tone of voice was nothing she recognized. It was hard and razor sharp.
The alpha cocked his head to the side. “Is that right?”
Trager gave a single nod.
Taking in a deep inhale of breath, the alpha stepped forward. His power was like a physical force. Kerrigan could feel it slamming against her chest. She had the oddest urge to duck her head, to look away. To crawl under a rock.
“She is extremely aroused, but how do I know she’s your mate?”
Oh, god. Of course they could smell that. She glanced around the room. Several men looked to be in a daze. Holy shit. They’re animalistic. Don’t expect them to act like humans.
“Vesh tells me she’s not marked. Only one reason I can think of for that.”
“She’s human,” Trager spat. “We’re waiting until after the wedding.”
The alpha smiled cruelly. “That’s sweet. But it isn’t good enough. I want proof. The Elders haven’t had a failed vision in a hundred and twenty years, and now you claim the prophecy that expelled you from the pack is false, and bring me news out of the kindness of your heart? I don’t buy it.”
Trager straightened. “I bring you news with the hope that my family will be kept safe.”
“What family?”
Kerrigan watched Trager’s throat work as he swallowed. “My parents and my sister.”
“They’ve all disowned you. Even your sister, when she took Farrow as her mate. You have no family. And you should get used to that feeling. The prophecy will hold, and you’ll be alone, for the rest of your existence. No mate, no young.”
She couldn’t look away from Trager’s face. His jaw was locked tight, but his eyes blinked rapidly. He was hurt, she knew. He’d come here to help his sister, Farrow, and whoever else, but no one cared. All they could do was remind him he wasn’t wanted.
No mate, no young. She realized what the alpha said. No young. No kids. No family.
Did Trager want kids?
According to wolf-bitch, people who couldn’t procreate were worthless to wolves. Kerrigan’s heart dropped. Would Trager think of her like that? Because kids weren’t in her future? Their future.
No, no, no. He couldn’t. He was nothing like Ethan. Trager would never call her worthless.
“I think you should mark her now. Here, in front of the pack.”
Vesh’s gaze, suddenly furious, snapped to the alpha.
Trager stiffened. “No.”
There was a collective gasp, the crowd murmuring.
The alpha ran his narrowed gaze slowly over Kerrigan. It felt like being petted, but nothing was touching her. She wanted him to stop.
“She’s primed and ready. A public marking would prove to the pack that your mate accepts you. Perhaps… your family would reconsider. Perhaps they’d welcome you back.”
His family would respect him if he marked her. That’s what the alpha was saying, right. How bad could it be? A cut? Tattoo? A brand, like the one on the alpha’s chest?
“Do it,” she said.
Trager’s furious gaze snapped to her. He looked like he wanted to murder her. His hand flew to the back of her neck, pinching just hard enough to make her freeze. It didn’t hurt, but there was no doubt about his intentions. He was shutting her up. As an animal would.
Her instinct was to shrug him off. No one told her when she could or could not talk. No one. But then she thought better of it. Follow my lead.
The alpha’s dark eyebrow arched. “Your mate approves. It’s settled then.”
“No. I won’t do it.”
“I could make you,” the alpha snarled.
Vesh stepped forward. “Alpha, their bond has been tested. By both Avan and myself. I believe she’s his true mate.”
The alpha glared at Vesh, then scanned the crowd. “Avan? This true?”
“Yes, Alpha. She would’ve clawed my eyes out. And the wolf couldn’t even look on me.” Wolf-bitch.
The alpha crossed his arms, appearing thoughtful, before bringing his gaze back to Trager. “You know what makes me a good alpha? Never trusting. Not even the word of two of my best guards. You’ll mark her, here, now, or I won’t listen to another word you say.” His eyes gleamed, wicked. “I want to see you fuck her against the wall.”
Fuck her? Like… fuck her? In front of everyone? No, she hadn’t volunteered for that. She knew sex was involved but she thought he’d only meant the marking would be public. Whatever the hell that was.