Alaska,” I said, wishing that weren’t true.
“But it’s been a shitshow since we arrived,” Brunton countered. “I’m not sure there’s a correlation between the two.”
“I guess we will soon see.” Merc’s sobering observation sent a chill through my body. “He’s regained control of the pack that once drove him mad,” he continued, stepping closer to the wolves, “and the fey royals are hunting us.”
Foust nodded. “I’ll keep an eye on him and let you know if anything smacks of the time before he bailed.”
“Dude, you can’t—”
“We have no choice,” Foust said, cutting Brunton off. “I don’t want to be a narc, but this isn’t the time to let our loyalty to him bring us all down. Even Knox wouldn’t want that.”
“He wouldn’t,” I said softly, hating the truth in those words. Then a thought occurred to me—one the others had so far overlooked. One that could very well be the game-changer for the alpha of two packs. “But last time, he didn’t have me.” Everyone in the room stared at me. “We’re connected—we have been since the second we met—and you all know it. Maybe that connection can help keep him grounded. Can help share the toll that being alpha of this city seems to take on him.”
Foust and Brunton looked hopeful. Merc looked worried.
“I don’t know about this, Piper—”
“It’s not a choice, Merc. It just is. And if it keeps Knox steady and sane through this and everything after, then I will use that connection however I need to to make it happen.”
“He’s not been the same since he met you,” Foust said as he took a step closer. There was a glint of awe in his eyes—and a note of appreciation. “I’ve never seen him happier.”
“Yeah,” Brunton agreed. “I think she might be right.”
Merc continued to look uncertain. “I hope that is the case. Now, Piper,” he said before pulling me into his side, “I need to go make some phone calls. I’ll be up in my room if you need me.”
“Yeah, okay. Sure. I’m going to go get some fresh air. Clear my head.”
I gave Merc a kiss and the boys a little wave, then slipped out of the room and down the hall, headed for the front door. I craved nature to recharge, and that was exactly what I planned to do. Because I needed to be ready for the fey king and queen.
I punched in the code to the front door and threw it open to an unexpected sight. Reinhardt lingered on the other side. Behind him stood Kingston.
“I need to see your mate,” Reinhardt said, walking in uninvited.
“Which one?” Kingston said with a laugh. My father and I ignored him entirely, which was one of the best approaches with the sketchy warlock. He loved an audience. Denying him one was a terrible blow.
“Merc was just down the hall,” I said, gesturing in the direction of the meeting room, “but he’s headed up to make some calls.”
My father narrowed his eyes at me, then stormed down the hall.
“I’d knock before walking in—”
“I’ll be sure to do that,” Reinhardt replied.
With nothing left to say—at least in Kingston’s presence—I brushed past him into the breezeway and waited for them to close the inside door so I could open the exterior. Once outside, I let loose a loud exhale. My father would not take the news of Mack’s death and its potential ramifications well, assuming that Merc disclosed it to him. I highly doubted that would happen with Kingston present.
I wasn’t even sure why Reinhardt had brought him in the first place. But my father always had his reasons.
Not wanting to drift too far from the mansion, I plopped down in a patch of grass near the door and stared at the massive trees lining the driveway. The towering oaks and pines waved in the breeze, lulling me into a state of calm that I desperately needed.
“Thank you,” I whispered on the wind. Then I closed my eyes so I could lift them to meet the sun. The warmth it gave felt amazing, and for a moment, everything felt right. Calm. Normal.
But thoughts began to drift into my mind of everything that had happened at Mack’s club—the weight of fey magic that had pushed down around us as Mack had mounted his assault. Even at his penthouse, I’d never felt it so acutely. So strongly. Not even when I’d happened upon the portal there and closed it. Not even when I’d touched the mask the fey king had