War of Hearts (True Immortality) - S Young Page 0,121

bastard alone. We’ll do it together, once Callie and James are safe.”

She lifted her chin, and he knew she was getting ready to dig in her heels. “Maybe we should put it to a vote.”

Conall ignored the pack’s sniggers.

He took a step toward his mate, towering over her. “This isnae a fucking democracy. I’m alpha here and unless you want to go toe-to-toe with me, my decision is law.”

Thea bristled, her own energy building, matching his and then overwhelming it. Her indignation overpowered his, and her feelings now impacted every one of his pack. And that never happened to an alpha and his pack unless someone more powerful came along. But usually it had to be an alpha wolf.

Thea didn’t even realize her affect. “If your sister weren’t in trouble, I would so take up that challenge.”

The pack murmured but Conall could feel the excitement humming from them. Thea might not be a werewolf, but they knew they were in the presence of an exceptionally strong being. If she was a wolf, she’d be the alpha of all alphas.

Conall leaned down to whisper in her ear, “You’ll just need to take that anger out on me once we’re alone, Thea love.”

She shivered, and he pulled back to find desire mingled with anger flashing through her eyes. “Oh, I intend to.”

The pack dispersed. They sent warrior members on a reconnaissance to see what they could learn about the defenses Ashforth had set up at Castle Cara.

Everyone else had been sent home to await orders.

Thea waited near the main exit of the Coach House while Conall had a private word with the Canids. She felt off, not herself. For many reasons.

One was the unreasonable jealousy clawing at her insides at the thought of Conall speaking with Sienna Canid. From Thea’s impression of the werewolf, she could see Sienna was potentially a good match for Conall.

A little hiss escaped her at the idea, and she turned away to lean against the wall, wishing Conall would hurry. Being left alone to her own thoughts was not a good thing.

But she couldn’t help it.

It wasn’t the fact that Sienna was a tall, athletic, gorgeous blond. It was her manner. She was cool, calm, and Thea could see the intelligence behind her lovely blue eyes as she listened and observed patiently. She was exactly the kind of woman she imagined Conall would have been happy to end up with.

The thought made Thea want to punch something.

Or jump Conall to remind herself that he wanted no one but her.

The utter vulnerability that settled over her since baring so much of her past to the pack probably heightened her feelings of jealousy. For years Ashforth’s torment had been a secret she’d guarded. Now these people knew what had been done to her. She did it for Conall, for his sister and best friend, but it didn’t mean it wasn’t one of the most difficult things she’d ever had to do.

It was like she’d been walking around with metal armor covering her whole body for years and within the space of fifteen minutes, she’d shed plate after plate, until there was hardly anything shielding her. And her skin felt sensitive.

Raw.

All Thea wanted was to hide somewhere and instead she was stuck waiting in the Coach House while Conall talked with Peter Canid.

Thea liked Peter. He had honor, like Conall. Hopefully, her existence hadn’t ruined that alliance. It would be a worthy one. Even if it meant Sienna Canid would still be around. And Richard Canid. Thea didn’t get a great feeling from him. He bristled with impulse control issues.

“Conall will be along soon.”

Thea started at the voice and turned to watch Grace MacLennan approach. She braced, not comfortable in this woman’s presence despite her relationship with Conall. It wasn’t just that she’d been willing to throw Thea back to Ashforth in exchange for Callie. There was distrust in Grace’s eyes, and the feeling was mutual.

Thea nodded. Wary.

Grace glanced behind her, as if to check she was alone. Then her expression hardened. “What was the cat-o’-nine-tails made of?”

“Excuse me?”

“Dinnae be coy, lass.” Grace took a step toward her. “It was iron.”

Thea’s heart began to pound. Grace had guessed. How had she guessed?

The older wolf nodded slowly. “My mother was a very religious woman. I grew up on her stories of the fae and how they birthed our species. She told me of their remarkable gifts and their one weakness. I never knew if I believed as she did until today