of his words rumbled through the camp like thunder. “Tell them that because of you I have come in peace, but if they even breath in a threatening manner in your direction again my patience will end and I will wipe them from the fucking planet. Tell them you are mine and I will always protect and cherish what belongs to me—and they better do so, too.”
It was hard to speak over the trembling in her voice. His words might be harsh and violent, but they were beautiful to her. Grif had always given her everything she never knew she wanted and now, again, he did just that.
“Tell them either Talg agrees to peace, orders the immediate return of the females, and starts treating you with respect, or he dies here and now.”
He stopped speaking. She finished soon after.
There was a moment of silence as the echoes of their combined words faded.
Nayla held her breath. All eyes fell to the pack leader.
“Agreed.” Talg’s assent was a barely discernable snarl, but it was heard by all.
Low murmurs.
Talg had always pushed for death before dishonor, especially when it came to dealing with Others. Now, however, when it was he who was threatened, he chose another route.
Another crack in Talg’s seemingly impenetrable power.
Ramm moved forward, his gaze dark with shock, disgust, and fear as he stretched out his hand to help Talg stand.
This had to be hard for them all. For so long they had followed someone they assumed was as close to the Ancients as one could be. To discover he was nothing more than a weak, bitter male must be hard, indeed.
Grif stepped back, releasing his rope.
Freed, the snarling leader batted Ramm’s hand away, stumbling to stand. Nayla could hardly believe this was the same male who had terrorized her for so long.
Only too late did she see the dart in his hand. The same kind she had used on the Others who attacked her.
“You will never escape your destiny!” Talg’s hand barreled toward her.
“No!” Grif shoved her aside—putting himself in the pack leader’s path.
Her heart stuttered as she fell, her body twisting, hands out to try and reach Grif, knowing the instant the dart pierced his skin it would bring death.
Grif’s gaze locked with hers, a farewell before they’d even begun. “I love you.”
Talg crumpled at his feet, his hand with the dart never reaching Grif.
Ramm stood behind the leader’s body, a glowing spear in hand.
48
Shock, then horror, ripped through the pack.
Ramm had killed Talg.
The warbling traditional grief cry that should have pierced the air, did not.
A heavy silence coated the stillness instead.
Grif shoved to his feet. He grabbed for her as she launched herself at him.
Only Ramm appeared as stoic as before, his gaze locked on Grif. Perhaps he was simply in shock. With a single act of rebellion, he had transformed the pack’s destiny. “Mave tarish dlakim?” Ask your male if the deal still stands?
She was too stunned to do anything but obey, repeating the request to Grif.
Wrapping her tighter in his hold, he nodded. “Tell him yes. But there will be no more second chances. Tell him that you are under my protection. Anyone who tries to harm you will be killed.”
She repeated his answer, but then asked Ramm a question of her own. “Whashe?” Why?
Ramm did not need clarification. “I do not know if the Ancients will judge my actions as just, but I cannot regret what has been done. I…” he looked away, “I never agreed with many of Talg’s decisions, but he was leader.” He shook his head. “I did not ask the questions I should have. I did not listen to my doubts. I will have to live with that cowardice, and what it has cost me.” He looked around. “Cost us all.”
Nayla’s heart bled for him. “You are a male of honor.”
The tip of his ear twitched, the only indication of the well of emotion behind his somber stare. “I do not know what is truth, but I do know this. Talg always said the Others were savages. Good for nothing but death. But this one not only pushed for peace, he was willing to give his life for you. That is a bond between pack and Other we never imagined was possible. Like so much else today, we have seen with our own eyes something new and miraculous.”
Awe whispered through her. She had always known that what she and Grif felt for each other would reshape them for the better. She