And it results in a grin from both Volt and Tieran.
After a beat, I begin to understand—her lesson on the lie.
They told her why truth is important to a clan and she’s using it now to provoke Tieran into telling his story.
Not that he needs the coaxing.
He would tell her regardless.
But the word play is definitely a welcome breath of fresh air in the room. It means she’s starting to understand our dynamic. And I fucking love that.
“Alpha Bryson offered me his daughter as a whore, not a mate,” he says, cutting straight to the heart of the story. “He knows that Carnage Wolf Alphas need Omegas for their clans. But he tried to seduce me into a deal between our packs by offering his daughter as a slave.”
“Harem member,” I correct him with a grin.
“To him, it’s the same,” Tieran replies. “And I refused, which he blamed on his daughter. He told her she wasn’t good for anything and killed her in a fit of rage. Which doesn’t exactly paint him in the best image, so he told the Elders I rejected her and killed her. And he convinced several of his wolves to back up the story.”
“Was my father there?”
Tieran nods. “Yes. His Beta was present. Gafton, right? He provided a full testimony to the Elders. And it’s all a lie.”
“Which you have proof of,” Volt adds, making Clove’s eyebrows hit her hairline.
“You have proof that he lied?” Her voice matches her shocked expression.
Tieran nods. “I do.”
“Why didn’t you use it?”
“Because it’s not time yet,” he replies, making her frown. “Carnage Island was the perfect location for me to become my own wolf. I took the opportunity as my first challenge.”
“I don’t understand,” she says slowly. “You accepted the sentencing… because you wanted to be sent to Carnage Island?”
He considers her a moment, his expression thoughtful. There’s still so much Clove has to learn about our kind. It’s a good thing we have an eternity to teach her.
“It’s common for Carnage Wolves destined to be Pack Alphas to venture into the wild to find themselves, to prove themselves worthy through a series of challenges,” Tieran explains slowly. “Accepting my fate from the Elders was the first challenge in my journey. Killing Bryson will be my final challenge, making it time for me to finally return to the Black Mountain Pack.”
“Oh.” She swallows. “So everyone will, uh, leave with you?”
“Not everyone,” he says. “There are wolves who need to be kept on Carnage Island. And we’ll ensure they survive and prosper. It’ll be a secondary base for our kind, a shelter of protection.”
“I see.” She sounds breathless. “A-and me?”
He stares at her. “What do you think?”
“I…” She clears her throat, some of that confidence seeming to seep back into her stature, the wolf inside her reminding her to tell the truth.
Good girl, I think, proud.
“The Elders think I killed my mother, that I’m feral,” she says.
Tieran dips his chin. “Yes. Both of which are not true.”
“But my mate rejected me.”
“Not your true mate,” he corrects her. “Just some pompous dick Santeetlah Wolf who thought he was your betrothed. But I think we all know that’s not true now. Right?” He glances at Volt and then me.
“Right,” we echo.
“A Santeetlah Wolf can’t be a true mate for a Carnage Wolf, darling,” Tieran murmurs. “Once we explain that to the Elders, you’ll be free. As will I, because I didn’t reject or kill Bryson’s daughter. And I can prove it.” He shrugs. “I’ll send them a lengthy letter when I’m done killing him. I’m sure they’ll be riveted by the details and so tied up in red tape, they won’t be able to see straight for months.”
“Such a shame,” I drawl.
Volt grins. “I still think I should bomb their headquarters.”
Tieran shakes his head. “You can focus on Bryson’s head for now.” He looks at Alpha Pan and Alpha Lance “You’ll both go to Richmond, pretend to be us. I’ll get you clothes.” His focus goes to Alpha Ebony. “I need you to take Clove back to the island and keep her safe. And—”
“What?” Clove interjects. “No. I’m coming with you.”
Volt and I share a look.
“No, you’re not,” Tieran says, the authority sharp in his tone. “We won’t be able to focus with you there. You need to be somewhere safe, and right now, that’s with Alpha Ebony and Alpha Duncan.”