Page 139 of Mage Massacres

He nodded, and I patted his head in praise.

“I don’t lead fifty people. However, I do lead entire species. That’s plural, Cady. As far as I’m concerned, my pack is extensive and eclectic. Miller Lynch is part of my pack, and endangering her life isn’t acceptable. It’s a direct threat to me, not as your Supreme Alpha, but to me.”

I put my right hand on my chest as I forced him to meet my eyes.

“You understand what I’m saying, right? If the hearsay about me has reached you, then you’ll know how protective I am of my treasures. And if those particular stories haven’t made it to your cave, then you should ask around. It might be smart to know whose buttons you’re playing with before you press the wrong one.”

I took the wineglass from his clenched fingers, sniffing the contents before wrinkling my nose at the stench. His son moved slowly across the room, observing me as he went to his mate.

“Here’s how this is going to work. Korbin is leaving with Miller. He’s now a part of my pack. If he chooses, of his own free will, to return here, then I won’t stop him. Every interaction you have with him or Miller, from this moment on, should be considered interaction with me as well. If you wouldn’t say it to me, then don’t say it to them. Understood?”

He jerked his head in another nod, his glare seething but doing nothing to frighten me.

“I won’t take all the choices away from you, though.” I held my index and middle finger up. “You do have two options.”

I paced around the room, wobbling my head as if I needed to think through my next words. My gaze explored the area, finding Miller wrapped in Korbin’s arms.

They wouldn’t lose each other again.

I wouldn’t allow it.

I smiled sweetly at Caddell, knowing the poison was still visible in my softening eyes. “You can realize you made a mistake by forcing your son to squander his potential, and willingly let him go with his mate. Or you can challenge me in an attempt to keep him here. Both options do lead to a bit of embarrassment, but the second one promises death.”

The lycan alpha’s breath sawed through his chest as I released my hold over him.

“Those aren’t choices,” he growled. “Give you my heir or die?”

I shrugged. “You’re right. Either way, this is going to work out in my favor. But option one gives him the chance to better himself, and eventually reform the entire clan. That’s a win-win if you ask me.”

“If he’s so eager to leave, then take him,” Caddell snarled. “But don’t expect me to roll over and be friendly.”

I cinched my hand into a fist, and he gasped. “What did you do? My—my—”

“I locked your shift,” I affirmed. “Now you know what it feels like to be powerless due to someone else’s decisions. Learn how to play nice, and I’ll give you your lycan back.”

Millie and Korbin had broad grins on their faces when I turned my back to the lycan alpha. I tipped my chin a fraction, signaling our departure.

“I’ll meet you guys at the hotel. I have one more thing to do.”

“You’re going to mark him?” Palmer questioned as his siblings and Korbin disappeared.

“He needs a tracker,” I stressed. “I have a feeling I just earned us another enemy, and Millie will be his target.”

28

Briggs

Tuesday, June 16th

Night

Novak and Palmer had rented a house for the night. Not a hotel room or two like we’d assumed, but a whole-ass home.

I was waiting at the door when the delivery man rang the doorbell. Most of us needed to eat, so I had ordered takeout when we arrived. The manager of the rental home had left menus on the kitchen counter, and I’d chosen one at random, picking a little bit of everything.

“Mr. Magoo?”

“Uhh, yeah?”