Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

I pause outside the bedroom, not ready to face the people downstairs who share my blood.

"What's going on in that head of yours, brat?" Cadoc steps closer. The others form a semicircle around me. It's become my position of comfort.

"Liv gave her reasons for remaining hidden, but it still feels like another abandonment." My face grows hot. It's petty, but I can't pretend it's a family reunion.

"Make them earn your loyalty, princess. Blood doesn't automatically get a pass." Bo scowls. "Their actions can cut even deeper than others."

"You might share genetic material, but you don't know them," Kirk adds softly.

I nod. They're all right, but I can't help but feel jaded and broken. I've spent years wishing for more family. Now the miracle feels stained and suspicious.

Fell puts a hand on my shoulder. "Trust your instinct, but don't let fear lead you."

I meet his green gaze and find myself ensnared by the wisdom swirling in their depths. The man I knew before isn't speaking. It's the newly minted Volva coming into his power.

"I understand."

A smile curves his tempting lips up. My stomach flutters. He runs his hand down my arm. I shiver, leaning closer to his warmth.

"Whatever happens, we have your back," Fell reminds me. "This isn't your burden to carry alone."

The words unclench the knot in my chest. I'm not eleven and trapped by circumstances. I don't have to accept the scraps they might give.

Standing taller, I take a deep breath.

"You control how this situation proceeds." I welcome Bo's haughty tone. He tilts my chin up.

"My mate bows to no one, princess. They will show you the proper respect or deal with me."

I lick my dry lips and nod. "Okay."

"Say it like you mean it, princess. I know you have more fire than that."

I scowl at his dismissive tone.

"There she is." He chuckles, and I pull back.

"Anything that feels too good to be true usually is. We all need to stay sharp," Kirk says.

"Let us know when you're ready, brat." Cadoc squeezes my shoulder.

Standing up straight, I draw from their strength. I want to be the mate they deserve. "Let's get this show on the road, boys."

"That's my girl." Fell kisses my cheek as Bo takes the lead. Spine straight and face a mask of indifference, Bo wears his aristocratic bearings like a shield.

Mimicking his arrogant fa?ade, I hide my emotions. We need every advantage we can get against this unknown organization. Blood isn't always thicker than water.

They waited like professional poker players to show their winning hand. I can't forget that. I spot the dark-haired family affair as we walk down the stairs.

The picture-perfect image is painful to look at. Hadoc and Li are a perfect blend of their parents. Tall, and brunette with athletic builds and faces carved by a sculptor's hand.

Li's almost elfin with her sharp cheekbones, angular face, and cat-like hazel-colored eyes. She's chopped her thick curls into a pixie cut that puts her face on display. Tan-skinned like her father, Li's a few inches shy of her brother's six-foot-plus. Cutoff jeans and a black racer-back tank top show off her muscles and keep things casual.

Her thin lips spread into a wide grin. "Cousin." The joy she exudes is infectious. The corners of my lips twitch up in response.

Liv exhales and shakes her head while Had chuckles. Sten remains stoned faced.

We reach the bottom of the stairs and Li rushes forward, enveloping me in a hug. She smells like wildflowers and freshly cut grass.

Squeezing me exuberantly, she steps back. "I'm so excited to finally meet you."

"Let the girl breathe, sis." Had tugs her back.

"What? This is huge." Li puts a hand on her hip.

"We know." Aunt Liv flashes me a bashful smile.

"I can't share the sentiment, since I never knew this meeting was possible."

Liv flinches and Sten grunts.

"I hated hiding from you. Family belongs together." Li's shoulders slump and the light fades from her eyes.

I almost feel guilty for dulling her shine.

"Yet, you did," Bo speaks from beside me. I appreciate his buffer. He can play the bad guy.

"When the gods speak, you obey. It was part of our protection agreement," Sten says.

"It's easy to hide behind a higher being, isn't it?"

Kirk's aggressive question surprises me.

"Are you calling us liars?" Sten's chest swells.

"Do you feel like one?" Cadoc draws Sten's attention to him.

Sten's expression darkens. "I'm not here to play word games."

"Good. Because neither are we." Fell's words reverberate through the room. The air grows heavy.

"Looks like family bonding time is over." Had's mock amusement lightens the mood.

"We have a lot to explain. I get that." Aunt Liv holds up a hand.

"Make it crystal clear for us," Kirk's tone borders on a demand.

Sten growls a warning. "We are not dogs who obey commands."

"Never said you were, Berserker. You seem very sensitive." Bo flips his lighter open and closed.

"Stay your silver tongue," Sten says.

"Are my words too complex for you, beast?" Bo arches a brow.

"Bo." I place a hand on his bicep and squeeze.

He presses his lips into a thin line.

"After everything we've been through. You'll have to forgive our caution." Cadoc keeps his voice neutral.

"We brought you into our pack territory. What more do you want as a show of faith?" Stern sits ramrod straight in his seat.

I study him. "Information." It's the one thing I need from them.

"And nothing more?" Aunt Liv asks softly.

"That remains to be seen." I shrug. I won't rule out a familial connection, but my priority is the pack and my duty.

Aunt Liv gives a curt nod. "We separated from the pack because of corruption."

"You keep saying that—" I trail off.

"I can still remember the time before Alpha Erik took over. Abundance and joy marked his father's reign. The sickness hadn't struck, and our relationship with other packs was good. We weren't isolated, and women had the freedom to choose the life they wanted."

"There has never been freedom from duty to our people." Bo sneers.

"How well he's brainwashed you. The sickness made people blind and dependent on the Alpha, who seemed to have all the answers. Fears turned a wolf into a god. People stopped questioning his motives and strange decisions. They sold their souls for a lie."

"As opposed to fleeing like you?" Cadoc challenges.

"I forged an alternative path." Aunt Liv raises her chin.

"We gave other's choice," Sten insists.

"And yet, you hide." Kirk points at him.

"We are selective about who finds us. There's a difference," Sten argues.

"How easy it must be for a male wolf to view my escape as cowardice. You who have the world laid out at your feet. While our rights are stolen away." Aunt Liv's words hit hard. The men in the room look away briefly.

"We keep the women safe," Cadoc protests.

"For their own good, right? Meanwhile, you tote the bullshit about continuing the pack being their primary goal. Never asking them what dreams they want to chase," Aunt Liv continues her scathing speech.

"Unless they're defective," I add.

"Ylva," Fell's voice is pained.

"What she says has merit. You can't deny that." I look at my men, daring them to disagree.

"How far we've fallen from the ways of our ancestors." Liv scowls.

"And you have the answer to fix everything?" Kirk asks.

"I never claimed to. But I know I'd rather die standing than live on my knees obeying someone who doesn't deserve my loyalty."

"Or do you deny the Alpha's unfit?" Sten smiles evilly, waiting for us to defend him.

Pushing away the urge to argue, I bite the inside of my cheek. None of us respond.

"We want the same things. A better life for our people and the end of your crooked leaders' rule," Aunt Liv insists.

"Even if our methods differ," Sten mumbles.

"Which is why we should put our differences aside to work together," I suggest, eyeing my stoic mates who give reluctant nods.

"Yes." Li and Had's voice the same thing.

"We agree," Sten says.

"First though, we have family business to attend to. I want to show you something." Liv stands.