Page 123 of The Alpha’s Heir

Kera waved her hand at the unclaimed territory between us and the city of Ethica. “It’s about time someone took care of this land.”

My aunt… My old Alpha… walked away as my mate came up and wrapped me in his arms.

“Is everything okay?” He held me close, kissing the top of my head.

No… It is not…

I took a deep breath as I stared at the barren landscape of rolling hills and aspen trees, trying to trace the path of the river in my mind’s eye and already working through where the border needed to go.

“We’ll be fine.” I patted his arm, feeling his steady warmth behind me. “But we’re going to need some tents.”

45

Roman

“This would’ve been a court-martial.” Colonel Williams stood under the flickering lantern light of the temporary headquarters for the council and government. He’d lost a few pounds since the last time I saw him.

To my knowledge, the government had been forced underground as the gods took over most of the city.

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

I was already itching to get out of here again.

“Ironically, I’m up for reenlistment this week,” I smirked as I leaned back against the metal chair. “But even if my contract wasn’t expiring, I’d still be doing this. I’m only here as a courtesy. Miller Pack doesn’t want to get started on a bad foot with what’s left of the city.”

“I don’t have resources or goods to spare, so I don’t know what you want from me.” The colonel pulled on his cuffs. There was grime around the edges, and the sleeves hung looser than normal. I almost felt bad for him. Things were getting worse.

I had to remind myself of the mission.

“I don’t need your handouts.” I thought of Meg, and how quickly she’d been able to pull a settlement of sorts together.

“You’d be the first,” he scoffed. “Even these gods are demanding tribute. They’re going to bleed us dry.”

I thought about asking how that Iron Fist plan was going, but it was no longer my problem.

I slid my cleaned and neatly folded uniform across the table, seeing the collar devices pick up the glint of the lantern light one last time as I rose to stand.

“Don’t close the gates,” I told him. “I want your word that any citizen, no matter their station, won’t be held here against their will, and I have permission to get them out.”

His word wouldn’t be legally binding according to city laws, but it was enough for me. Not having that uniform on anymore was liberating. I now operated by my mate’s—and pack’s—laws.

And I had a lot more freedom to seek justice for wrongdoing in the ways I saw fit.

I watched the colonel’s face brighten. He thought he was getting the better end of the deal. Less mouths to feed in the city meant less chances of uprisings.

“You have my word,” he said, for whatever worth that held.

*

“Did you get what you came for?” Justus leaned against the wall in the courtyard, waiting for me to exit the headquarters office. His eyes were clearer than I’d seen in years, even if his clothes were disheveled and unwashed without Katrina around to keep him kempt.

Other council families clustered in the courtyard, standing in line for rations of bottled water or canned foods, and generally trying to avoid crossing paths with any gods as they watched each other with suspicious eyes.

Or maybe those were just directed at me.

“I think so.” I nodded, not sure what else to say to my old friend. Things had changed since Meg came crashing into our lives.

In some ways, for the better.