Midnight Truth (Shifter Island #4) - Leia Stone Page 0,81

and he swallowed. “I’ll get word out right away.” He stood.

“Thanks,” I turned to walk away and then spun on my heel to face him once more. “I’ll pick up those powder bombs later tonight. And I’ll need antidote flowers for those of us throwing them so we aren’t affected by the powder.”

“Anything else, princess?” He gave me a hard stare like he wanted to kill me.

Time to go.

“Nope.” I forced a cheery smile and waved. “See ya later!”

I left his room, feeling better than when I came in. Now I just needed to cut the Midnight brothers loose. It was probably best to just pull that Band-Aid off.

Chapter Fifteen

“Absolutely not!” Rage growled, his expression tight. He slammed his fist down on King Ozark’s brand new table and then winced when a new crack appeared.

“I’m not really asking, Rage,” I said, keeping my voice calm. The last thing I needed was for Rage to lose it—especially right now. “I’m not rejecting you in any way—”

“Damn straight.” He strode out from behind the table and stalked toward me. “We’re fated mates, Nai”—as if I didn’t know. “Why would you even suggest breaking the shield bond?”

Justice and Noble both watched me with nearly identical pinched expressions, their eyes narrowed, but thus far, neither had said anything.

I took a deep breath and faced Rage. “I love you. And … we’re going into battle tomorrow.”

Rage glanced at Justice. “Well … aren’t you going to speak up? Tell her this is insane.”

Justice opened his mouth, but I spoke first.

“If I’m repeatedly attacked and mortally wounded, the Midnight Pack will lose one heir after another—all the way up to you, the alpha king. If you die, Rage, there will be no one left in your pack to rule. Your entire line will die out.” My shoulders sagged at the very thought of losing any one of these boys … but— “I can’t be the reason for your death. But more than that, I can’t be the reason Midnight Pack loses all its alpha heirs. Please don’t make me bear those burdens, Rage.”

Justice cleared his throat, and his gaze bounced to me before returning to his older brother. “As much as I hate to admit it, she has a point.”

Rage growled low in his throat and shot Justice a death glare.

“She’s putting the wolves before herself,” Noble added. “An act of a true wolf queen.”

Rounding on his brother, Rage stared down the third Midnight heir. “Is that an attempt to insult me?”

Noble blanched and then lowered his head. “No.”

‘Rage!’ I snapped through our bond. ‘What the mage are you thinking?’

All I could feel through our bond was his anger, but he didn’t even look at me.

Obviously, he wasn’t thinking, and I could understand that. I’d been contemplating this change for a bit, but I’d just blindsided him.

“I’m sorry,” Rage cut to Noble, who nodded.

Without waiting any longer for a reply that didn’t seem forthcoming, I turned my attention to the two other Midnight brothers, deciding to deal with Rage later. “Thank you, Justice and Noble … truly … for all you’ve done—” My voice cracked as gratitude welled within me, clogging my throat and blurring my vision. “I really appreciate … everything.” I blinked, and two fat tears spilled down my cheeks. After crossing the room to them, I forced a swallow. “I need … I need to release you now and draw blood.” I think. My mind went back to the moment my grandfather had released Reyna from her shield oath in an effort to save her life.

Both Noble and Justice held out their hands. Concentrating on my hand, I brought my wolf to the surface with little coaxing, as if she understood the grave importance of what we were doing. After my hand transformed into a wolf claw, I scratched Justice across the forearm with my nail, drawing blood.

“I hereby release you from your shield oath, Justice Midnight,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

Justice gasped, and at the same time, I felt something within me tear. Struggling to contain my emotions, I pulled my brother-in-law in for a hug and whispered my gratitude once more.

He pulled away with a strangled cry and then strode from the room, visibly upset.

I turned to Noble and then clasped his hand.

“It was my honor to serve as your shield, Nai,” he said as I turned his hand over.

It was impossible to see him through my tears, and I sucked in a ragged breath. After a quick stroke of