38. After the Fact

38

After the Fact

FLOR

I could not stop blushing.

I couldn't believe what I'd done with Brand on the lakeshore to begin with.

But after that? I slapped my hands over my cheeks as we walked up from the cabin to the Lodge, me slightly in front of the men, glad that the gray weather was keeping the rest of the pack inside.

Of course, face after face appeared in the windows of the Lodge as we drew closer, noses smushed against the glass, eyes wide. Most of them were friendly faces, at least, since it was only the unranked living inside. Still, I blushed even harder.

I'd heard of the walk of shame in magazines. That had to be what this was, even if there was a healthy amount of smug satisfaction coming from my wolf, who hadn't stopped purring since the night before.She kept sending images of the previous night's activities into our shared mind, with hints at even more debauched activities, and I kept ignoring her suggestions.

I was going to need to wait at least a decade before I let myself even think about what I'd done with Brand… and Glen.

"Pick up the pace, little flower, or we'll still be here for the noon meeting," Brand teased. We'd decided we didn't want to stay until the all-pack event. Brand was itching to get home, and I wasn't eager to face the screaming hordes again, just in case they decided to burn me at the stake, or threw me into the lake in a sack to see if I floated or sank.

Glen had seemed sad but resolute before the cabin. Now, he was ecstatic. I could feel his eyes on my back.

"Stop staring at me, Glenda," I snapped without looking behind me. Brand chuckled. He was amused at my conflicted emotions, but tried to hide it. "You too, Bearman. Look at the trees or something."

Patrick stepped out of the massive Lodge front door, jogging down the steps. He stopped, sniffed the air, and fought to hide his smile. "Brand, Flor, good morning. Big brother, how did the guard duty go?" His eyebrows wiggled up and down, and I gave him a sharp elbow to the gut as I passed by.

"Say one word, and I'll cut off your head," I promised. I buried my face in Brand's chest, breathing in his pine scent for a moment.

Patrick laughed and kept teasing Glen behind my back, but after a moment, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. "Flor, the mood in the pack is volatile. I'm not sure…"

I knew what he meant."We're not staying for the meeting, Patrick. I think getting a fresh start would be good for all of us."

Patrick pulled me in for a firm hug, ignoring the others' growls of displeasure. "Little sister, I can never tell you how grateful I am that you fought your way into our lives. I wish more of our shifters understood who you are."

I pushed him away."Who I am? Don't get carried away, Patty. I'm just the Southern pack reject. No manners, no class, no breeding."

Patrick shook his head slowly, lowering his voice. "You're one of the strongest shifters alive, by mate"—he nodded to Brand—"and by birth. You know Southern will want you back, don't you, Flor? Luke will need you, but no pack gives up its Alpha's blood."

I froze. "You don't know what you're talking about."

He nodded, tightlipped. "Of course not. In fact, we never spoke of this. And my father never said that Northern will keep that secret from all the others on the Council, as a sign of our appreciation. No one knows anything about you… other than that you're far too handy with a steak knife."

I set one hand on the handle of my blade, and the other on my sword. I wore them both at all times now.

Patrick pulled Glen away to chat quietly, and I glanced up at Brand. He'd heard it all, but hadn't even blinked. "You knew?" He nodded once. "How?"

"Luke gave Glen a note back at Southern, a piece of evidence against Alpha Callaway that was damning. Twenty years ago, he paid a significant sum to a coven of witches to sever a mate bond. When we asked about your father, Luke ducked the question."

"Luke knew?" I swallowed hard, waiting.

Brand's reply came slowly. "He did. I guessed from what he didn't say, and once I claimed you… I knew."

I didn't ask what he meant. It wasn't the time.

"Flor, Luke also knew the pack law that doesn't allow Alphas' Heirs—or children—to leave their packlands. He sacrificed himself to get you free. To give you the chance to see the world, and find a new home." Brand's eyes gleamed with emotion. "I will honor his sacrifice by giving you my home, if you'll have it."

My heart lurched. "His sacrifice… Is Luke going to die?"

He waited a long moment, then said gently, "I will never lie to you, my love."

And then he fell silent.

It was close to noon by the time we had our bags packed, and Margarette walked us down the drive to where a car waited, with Alpha Hillier standing there. The morning sky was cloudless, though my own emotions were stormy enough to be felt. Brand kept smoothing his hand over my arm, like he could calm me with his touch.

Okay, he could, but not even his comforting warmth could keep me from worrying. My heart had started racing, like there was something terrible happening, and I had no idea what it was.

No, that was a lie. I knew it had something to do with Luke. I needed to get in touch with him somehow. But the thought of going back to Southern felt far too much like a leap from the frying pan into the fire.

I hadn't survived this long by taking those sorts of idiot chances.

When we reached the waiting car, I realized Alpha Hillier had a storm brewing in his eyes as well. As soon as we were close enough, he shared why.

"I want you to be careful on your journey. Sergeant has gone rogue."