The Night Prince (The Wolf King, #2)(23)
Whatever happens, Callum will get me back.
“Oh, for the love of the Goddess.” Blake’s exasperated tone comes from behind me. He hooks an arm around my waist, and wrenches me against his chest. He brings his mouth to my ear as my breath catches in my throat. “I apologize for this, Aurora, darling.”
He sinks his teeth into my shoulder. Time slows down. I breathe in sharply, and jerk against him as he bites through my cloak. I arch my back, and pain flares through me as his canines penetrate my skin. I gasp.
Callum spins around, and the shock in his eyes is followed quickly by his wolf.
Shadows flood my body. The sound of dripping water fills my ears, and the taste of pine and parchment fills my mouth. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as a scalpel screeches against metal. A deep aching hunger consumes me. Far away, someone screams.
Blake releases me, and my knees almost buckle.
He steps past me and wipes my blood off his lips with the back of his hand.
“On this sacred night, with a priestess of the moon as my witness, I, Blake, alpha of Lowfell, claim Aurora as one of my clan.” His tone drips with sarcasm. “I seal the claim by marking her with my bite. From this night, until Ghealach herself sees fit, Aurora is part of Lowfell and I her alpha. To dispute this claim is to break wolf law.”
Chapter Ten
I’m numb. An icy wave of adrenaline crashes through me. Everyone stares at me, and their faces blur. My shoulder is hot and wet, and it throbs in time with my elevated heartbeat. It takes a moment to process what just happened, what’s still happening.
James stands in the center of the stone circle. His men point muskets at us.
Blake just claimed me as his. His lips are stained red with my blood.
The wolf blazes in Callum’s eyes.
Violence radiates from every ridge of his body. The wind howls around him and makes his kilt flap against his thighs. His chest rises and falls deeply, but his expression is stony. It’s as if he’s battling the beast that rages inside him. Or perhaps he is deciding who to unleash it upon. He has turned his back on James. His full attention is consumed by Blake.
James smiles wickedly. “I suppose the matter of which alpha Aurora belongs to is settled then.” James gestures that his men lower their weapons. “We’ll respect wolf law and leave peacefully. No blood will be spilled tonight.”
James’s voice is amused. He doesn’t seem concerned to be leaving without me, and I’m filled with dread as I wonder if he wanted this to happen. Callum and Blake make a powerful, but fragile, alliance. Even though Callum has told me he doesn’t like the dominant, alpha side of himself, he’s protective of me. Blake biting me, hurting me, and claiming me as part of his clan could be enough to ruin their alliance.
James walks away. His steps are slow and unworried, as if he knows he has nothing to fear from us. His arrogance stirs the storm inside me, and I realize I’m shaking from anger, not shock. Anger at James, anger at Blake, anger at two males who bit me without my permission and think they have some form of ownership over me because of it.
On the other side of the circle, Lochlan leans against one of the jagged rocks, arms folded across his chest, eyes glinting with intrigue. From his expression, the alpha of Glas-Cladach could be watching a theatrical performance. James inclines his head as he passes.
“I’m surprised to see you here, Lochlan,” says James. “Your father would turn in his grave.”
Lochlan smiles. “As I was the one who put him there, that does not mean much to me.”
James releases a low chuckle. He nods at another male in yellow tartan with messy blond hair. “Ian, isn’t it? Have you heard from your brother lately? He was captured as part of the attack on Fort Dubh-Clach, wasn’t he?”
Ian’s face hardens. “What do you know of it?”
James shrugs. “I’ve heard he’s in the Borderlands dungeons, prisoner of their new lord. Did you know he’s offered to return any wolf prisoners to us in exchange for Aurora?” My blood stills. Ian’s face pales, and he brings his attention to me.
“I’m not the enemy,” continues James. He joins his men at the edge of the circle before turning. “Kneel before me, Brother. Apologize. I’ll pardon your treason and exile you to Highfell. Aurora will be used as I see fit in the real war against the south, but you have my word, I will not harm her.” His gaze slides to Blake, who smirks beside me. “Blake will be executed, of course—something you cannot deny will give you satisfaction. Do this, and we can put all this behind us. Refuse, and you will learn what it’s like to have me as your foe.”
Callum stands preternaturally still. His shoulders are taut beneath his coat, and his fists are clenched at his sides. “I’ll see you soon, Brother.” His voice is almost a growl.
James swallows, then walks away. His men follow. Silence stretches across the summit, and it feels as if everyone is holding their breath until they disappear from view.
A long breath escapes me. The relief that he is gone is short-lived. I feel Blake’s attention on me, and something wild in my chest rears its head.
I do not belong to anyone.
I am Princess Aurora of the Southlands.
Blake had no right.
I spin around. His exasperation pulses in my chest, flickers across his face. I slap him. His head snaps to the side, and the sound of the impact echoes off the stones. A murmur travels around the circle, as if his clan can’t believe I hit him. Jack turns his chuckle into a cough by the whisky barrel, while Arran shakes his head.