but that’s not what this feels like, Nai. Compromise involves both sides giving and both sides getting. We give our lives so the high mages can stay safe on their protected island. It seems to me like the wolves take all the risks. And you’re telling us we should take these risks for money. That seems an awful lot like taking a side. I don’t care about money. I care about not losing one more man.”
“That is not true.” I shot out of my chair, hands balled into fists. “What I’m saying is … well, Kian said … they threatened—”
“I don’t want to argue with you anymore,” Rage said, looking down at me with disappointment. “I need some sleep. We can talk later.” He turned and was halfway down the stairs before I could even process what was happening. ‘Good night, Nai.’ His words in my head were clipped, and my heart sank in my chest.
And then he left the room.
Big fat tears welled in my eyes, and Honor nuzzled his head into my thigh as Justice stepped closer to me, awkwardly running his hands through his hair.
“Nai, he’s just really stressed—” Justice started.
“Goodnight, guys.” I said a hasty goodbye to the other Midnight brothers and then left the throne room with tears in my eyes. Rage and I had fought plenty of times before we’d sealed the bond, but somehow, this time hurt the most. I didn’t want to be here anymore, I wanted to be as far away from all things Midnight as possible. I needed my bestie. A little visit to the Harvest girls was in order.
Chapter Ten
I wiped my tears and then knocked softly on the Harvest girls’ dorm room door. The second it opened, I came face to face with my redheaded bestie, and then she screamed like a dolphin being attacked. Throwing herself at me, she pulled me in for the most suffocating and best hug of my life.
“Nai! Dammit, girl, I missed you.”
Fiona, Nell, Rue, and Mele popped into view behind Kaja, and more screeching commenced—some of it was even mine. Everything Rage and I had talked about was forgotten for now. I was in my Harvest girl bubble, and all was right with the world.
Kaja pulled back to look at me. “Can I hug you? I mean … aren’t you our queen now?”
Fiona waved her hand. “Queen-schmeen, she’ll always be our Nai.”
I grinned, stepping into the foyer and giving each and every one of them a tight squeeze. “What have you guys been up to? Tell me everything,” I said, practically begging for a distraction.
Kaja laughed. “Us tell you? No way, you tell us everything. Rage said you had to run off to save your grandfather on High Mage Island!”
I chewed my lip, shuffling awkwardly in the hallway. “I’d rather hear about you.”
Understanding lit up Kaja’s face, and she nodded. “Come sit.”
I followed them into the living room, and we all sat around the coffee table.
“So,” Kaja said, “Rage invited all of the shifters back to the island and put the hawks bordering Daybreak land.”
Fiona snickered as if she knew where this story was going, I leaned in, desperate to have my mind off of my argument with Rage.
“So, day one, Mallory starts to complain that when the hawks are in bird form, they fly nearby and spy on her when she’s taking a bath.”
I burst out in laughter. “What? That’s crazy.”
Kaja nodded, grinning. “She’s accusing them of being Peeping Toms.”
Nell rolled her eyes. “As if anyone wants to see Mallory naked.”
I knew there had to be more to this, and I wanted the juicy part. “What happened?” I asked.
“Mallory complained to John, the new alpha of Daybreak, but he told her it wasn’t a real problem. So then she brought the issue to Rage. She wanted the hawks moved and a land animal in their place.”
I groaned. What a headache. Mallory was so annoying!
Fiona was having a hard time keeping her laughter in, and Mele was bright red, so I knew the story got better.
“And?” I asked.
“Rage—” Kaja burst out laughing like she couldn’t keep it in any longer.
Even though nothing funny had been said yet, I started to snicker.
“Tell me!” I playfully punched her arm. This was exactly what I needed, some carefree time with my girls.
Nell grabbed her face as if that could keep her from smiling. “Rage backed John and denied Mallory’s request. He told her she needed to respect her alpha, and if it really was an