Chapter 43 Chapter 43
The energy in the room shifted as it fell into a chilling silence. A weighted sensation plunged Suki’s chest as her mind spiralled.
“Please, say something.” Brendan stepped towards her.
Suki retreated a step, almost moving into Rey. “I smelt a human when we were on our date, and you looked at me like you’d seen a ghost… This was why, wasn’t it? Because you think I was right. Do you think they’re back to hurt more werewolves?”
He swallowed thickly. “I don’t know… I wish I knew, I truly did.”
“This all can’t be a coincidence; the attack on Nighttide, you ending up here, our mate bond. All that has happened between the three of us, whilst a threat grows against the werewolf species? This has to be it, the humans are back!”
“Wait,” Reynard finally broke his silence, “we need to take a step back for a moment. Humans broke into your pack–?”
“Former pack,” Brendan corrected.
He sighed, “Right. Humans broke into your former back and killed and kidnapped families.”
A nod.
“How is that possible? Humans shouldn’t know we exist, and they sure as hell shouldn’t know what the weaknesses of werewolves are to be able to do all that.”
Brendan shook his head slowly. “They knew. I don’t know how they knew of the existence of werewolves or our weaknesses, but they were prepared, too prepared. They had these long metal staffs that could emit high-voltage shocks at the push of a button; it was the perfect voltage to even stun the strongest of werewolves. They also had needles and dart guns full of tranquilisers to knock out the families they kidnapped, and…” His head lowered.
Suki took his hand and spoke soothingly to him, “And what, Brendan?”
He met her eyes, presenting her with the echoes of his trauma and pain. “They knew about wolfsbane,” his voice trembled. “They knew the exact doses to use to either kill or weaken us.”
Reynard shook his head. “I’ve studied all I can about warrior tactics in other packs. Nighttide’s information was limited due to their secrecy and desire for ultimate isolation, but everyone knows how resourceful and strong their warriors are. Their tactics for battle are meant to be virtually flawless.”
“Yeah, I know,” Brendan sighed. “Which is why it was even clearer that the attack on the pack had to start from within. Someone within Nighttide betrayed their brothers and sisters; they must have been either a part of the warriors or high up enough to know all the specifics, and it wasn’t me.”
“You see how that is hard to believe?” Rey argued.
Snarling, Bredan snapped back, “Of course, I see it. I was a prodigy – the perfect warrior in the making. I was stronger than some of the best warriors by the time I was just 14 years old. They trusted me with their secrets and tactics, making me swear an oath never to share them, and to this day, I continue to keep those secrets even after my banishment.” He squared up to Reynard.
“Guys, don’t,” Suki stepped forward, trying to avoid things from getting more heated.
Rey raised his hand, stopping her. He held ground but stayed silent as he let Brendan continue to speak.
“Even after being seen as a traitor and becoming a Rogue, my loyalty to my home pack never diminished. It’s all I have left, who I truly am, not what anyone else says or thinks about me. I would never betray my people, even as a Rogue, I refuse to. I lost everyone important to me because no one believed me. Whoever was behind this knew exactly how to point all the evidence towards me…”
Another moment of silence hit the room again, but it was different this time. It wasn’t tense or full of rage, or even unease. It was more like sorrow and understanding.
Reynard hummed, almost as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to speak. “I believe you.”
“What?” Brendan asked, shocked.
Suki blinked, looking between her two mates.
“I don’t know how to explain it, but I can feel that you’re telling us the truth, at least the truth that you know and experienced.” He looked at Suki and smiled. “I think it has something to do with your bond with both of us. I think Brendan and I have a connection through you.”
“Seriously?” asked Suki.
He nodded. “Being in very close proximity and not focusing on our dislike for one another, for once, and letting Brendan speak his truth seems to have allowed me to feel that connection.”
Brendan exhaled, “That’s… weird.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m still furious you’re mated to the love of my life.” He paused and sighed, holding out his hand, “But I’m willing to trust you for now. I’ll be civil and help you, for Suki.”
“For Suki,” he smiled faintly and grabbed his forearm, agreeing through the warrior’s handshake, a true sign of respect for one another.
Suki grinned and stepped forward to speak, but was instantly interrupted by her phone ringing. Her eyes widened as she saw the caller ID and quickly answered. “Hi, Daddy.”
Both men looked at their mate.
“Suki, where are you? The house workers tell me that they haven’t seen you all day, and I’ve been worried sick! Have you forgotten there’s a powerful threat amongst the packs?”
“No, sir–”
“Get home this instant! I’ll be there in an hour, and I expect you to be home before me.”
She swallowed thickly, “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, I lost track of–” the line clicked, disconnecting their call. “Time,” she sighed, putting her phone down. “I have to go, my father is furious.”
Brendan frowned. “I’m sorry, love, it’s my fault. I kept you here for longer than I had intended.”
“It’s okay,” she smiled and placed her hands on his chest, “I was mad at you at first, but all is forgiven. We’ll get to the bottom of this mystery,” she turned to look at Reynard, “together.”
Both her mates smiled at her, and this peculiar warmth flickered inside her; it almost felt exhilarating and was intensely inviting. It was something she wanted to feel more of, but couldn’t properly describe the sensation she was feeling.