“What did he want? Did he say Neah would speak to me? Was that what it was about?” She asks hopefully “No, and you need to drop it when it comes to the Alpha. I don't know how many more times I can tell you this, but you need to back off.”

She turns in front of me, stopping me from moving any further and stares at me. “I can’t keep doing this Damien. It seems pointless me being here. Maybe I'm not cut out for this. Maybe it’s time we parted ways.”

“You are not going anywhere. I need you here, where I can keep an eye on you.

She smiles at me. “] am not your mate, Damien. You have found her.”

“But you are my family.”

“Thirty days.” She mutters. “I will give it another thirty days and if she still won't talk to me, it's time for me to move on.” “Thirty days.” I agree. Alot could happen in a month. holds this content.

Raven sits across the dining table, staring at me. Now and again she would pull that bottom lip in, trapping it between her teeth as her eyes strayed from mine. Her fingers lightly drum on the table as Dane speaks about the plans for my brother and the other prick in his dungeon.

Klaus and Eric nod their heads in agreement at Danes words

“The prisoners are both set to be beheaded tomorrow at midday.” There would be no chance for them to make a plea. In fact, Dane wanted them both dealt with as soon as possible. Personally. I don’t know why he had waited so long. It wasn’t like they were going to be released if they shared useful information.

“Is everyone in agreement?” Dane asks all of us, but his eyes focus on me.

‘This is your pack, Dane. It is your decision. I am not here to question your judgement.” I mutter. I wasn’t going to try and defend my brother. He lost the right to that the moment he bit into Raven's leg

Klaus and Eric stare at me before verbally agreeing. It seemed as though theyWwere surprised by my — respons¢ too. But what would thes alternative be? Save my brotherand neverbe allowed to see my mate agai? Leave the Alpha without Lyean protection? That wasn’t going to happen. Especially not now.

“Could Mallory not get anything out of him?” It was the first time Alpha Neah had voluntarily asked about her. Maybe there was hope for the both of them.

"No. She tried.” I reply. “It’s like I told,

Dane. Salem is too far gone. Theré is x . . . —

no humanity left in him. If he.cared,

he wouldn't have bitten hisex mate.”

Alpha Neah briefly looks down at her stomach with a frown

“They won't be like my brother.” I reassure her. “I will make sure of that.”

"You think they are Lycans?” Klaus asks me.

“What do you mean?” Raven scowls at me. "We don’t even know what they are yet and probably won't until they are born. You can't just assume.”

“I am not making assumptions. I can tell you what they are right now.” I state with my attention on the Alpha.

All sets of eyes are on me as I wait for someone to answer. “You...you can smell them?” Alpha Neah asks quietly. “Yes. For a few days now.

“I can't.” She looks over at Dane whe is still frowning and slowly returns her gaze to me. “How... how can you?”

‘The sameway as I was ableto ~ track mybrother through the forest. The same way as how I always. knew where the other Rogues \ were hiding. I can smell Lycans.” “ ~