Sins of Mine - Mary E. Twomey Page 0,40

your dog off the lawn. Shoo, now. Go on back to your people.”

Though my brother is on two legs, Gray barks at Wilfred, who actually jumps at the sound.

I wave off Wilfred’s tenacity. “He’s with me, and he’ll be treated with respect.”

“Shifters aren’t allowed in the palace, Your Grace,” Wilfred reminds me, as if that’s a rule I’ve merely forgotten instead of smashed to pieces on purpose.

I tap the edge of my sunglasses and slowly lower them, reminding him how fortunate he is that I don’t often expose my temper. “These are not the manners I was hoping you’d show my best friend.”

“Your… what?” Wilfred pales, like he might be sick on the spot at the idea.

My hand on Gray’s shoulder enforces my edict. “Back to your post. Be sure to keep the riff-raff out.”

Gray snarls at Wilfred, who stands at least a head shorter than his massive stature. Though, to be fair, most people do.

Once we pass the entrance and the door shuts behind me, Gray elbows me and gives me a light shove. “Are we getting best friend bracelets to celebrate?”

The corner of my mouth pulls up, matching his. I can’t believe how small my big life was before I landed myself a true brother—one who will march into a place he’s not welcomed and not allowed, all to make sure I make it out alright.

Red and gold greet me, though it’s never felt more hollow. Everything is shiny and ornate, but on the flipside, there’s not a single square inch that looks or feels welcoming.

I don’t belong here anymore—a fact that settles my insides. I know where I belong now, and with whom I’ll be spending my life.

And one of those people is right here beside me.

Wilfred scampers in after us, the pitch of his voice climbing. “Your Majesty, now is not the best time for your homecoming. Let me call you a car and get you set up in your favorite room at the Fitzhugh Hotel.”

I turn, my brow raised. “What seems to be the trouble, Wilfred?”

As if in answer, the comm beeps twice—an alarm code I know well to mean the palace is officially on lockdown.

I groan as Wilfred straightens. “You know the drill. Into the saferoom with you.”

Gray frowns. “What’s going on?”

I roll my eyes. “The palace is on lockdown.” This is not an ideal place to be trapped.

Just then, I startle when a hand grabs onto my wrist. “I’ve got him! He’s alive, but he’s in bad shape. I’m getting him back to the car!” Cassia whispers, frantic and scared. I can’t see her, and thankfully, neither can Wilfred.

Gray straightens, so I know he’s heard Cassia’s good news. Gray heads for the open door. “You’re right. I’m a shifter. I shouldn’t be in here. Let’s go, Paxton.”

Though I make to follow, Wilfred steps in my path. “Lockdown, Your Grace. The shifter can leave, but you are to go to the saferoom.”

Gray turns, frowning that it wasn’t as easy as walking out the front door, which is clearly where Cassia has taken Sloan. “The prince is coming with me. You never saw him.”

Wilfred grips my arm too hard for me to shake off. When I shove the guard, he shouts for backup, and I know things are about to go south real fast.

“Let him go!” Though Gray never laid a hand on any of the inmates who messed with Arlanna, his fist doesn’t hold back this time.

Perhaps Gray understands the importance of our escape. Fighting wouldn’t have done a thing, back at Prigham’s, but out here, he’s making it clear that we are his family.

We are his pack.

His punch wields so much force, I cannot help but stare as Wilfred slams into the wall, blinking as he slides to the floor.

“One punch? Bollocks, that’s impressive.”

Gray grabs my arm as footsteps echo down the hardwood floors of the hallway. “Get to the car!”

Too many men shout to block the exit, but we’re already out and racing toward the teal car, which is problematic for blending in anywhere. Our best bet is to drive as fast as we can back to the commune.

The car door is open, so I know Cassia is already inside. My lungs burn and my side aches as I race toward the unarmored car.

The only thing that distracts me is the sight of Gray’s hair growing before my eyes.

Shite.

“No, Gray! Do not shift! Don’t give them the fight they want! Just get to the car and let’s go!”

Now we’re not just outrunning