Chapter 32 — Rhiannon
Thea sinks into the plush couch beside me, then shifts uncomfortably, one hand resting on her swollen belly. I’d rather be on my feet, but the cuts and bruises Olcan hasn’t treated yet protest the idea.
Strangely, my hand keeps tingling. The same one I pressed against Ethan’s chest in the courtyard.
For a moment, I felt his heartbeat inside mine, like two halves of one whole. Impossible. Humans and Lycans don’t connect like that.
My wolf stirs, disagreeing. She’s been restless since that moment, pacing beneath my skin like she knows something I won’t admit.
No. My wolf’s just latching onto the first person who’s shown interest since Xander’s rejection. Ethan saved my life. Of course there’s some twisted emotional attachment forming. Trauma does that.
His emerald eyes, holding mine in the courtyard, means nothing. It changes nothing.
And I don’t have the luxury of sitting around to dissect all of this right now. Not when peace with the Shaman hangs by a thread and there’s a Scarlet Wolf in our dungeons.
Xander leans forward in his chair toward Thea. “You didn’t have to come for this, my love.” His voice carries that protective edge it always does when she’s involved. “Everything is under control.”
Thea’s chin lifts. “You can’t blame me for being concerned after I heard you had to intervene yourself during Jayme’s latest incident.”
Latest incident. Such a diplomatic way to describe a Scarlet Wolf nearly tearing through my highest-ranking guards.
“You don’t need to concern yourself. . .” Xander’s voice fades into the background as my mind drifts to Branson.
All those months of loyalty to the Guard, to the pack, while harboring this secret. I can understand the desperate attempt to protect his brother, but endangering the pack, who are my family? The betrayal stings deeper because I trusted him. I still haven’t figured out how to tell Xander.
Yet Ethan’s words keep circling back. What if someone’s controlling him?
The theory seemed ridiculous when we thought Jayme was one of us. But Scarlets can connect to magic, their ancient bloodlines making them susceptible. If someone knew what Jayme was, if they deliberately triggered his transformation into that...
Once everyone knows the truth, they’ll say this was inevitable. A Scarlet Wolf in our midst is as good as a ticking time bomb finally detonating. The blame will fall on Branson for concealing it. Rather than a single execution, we potentially face two now.
But being Scarlet doesn’t explain the timing. Jayme’s been part of this pack for over a year. If this was so inevitable, why now? Why would he target the Shaman, and us, at the exact moment we were getting closer to resolving our feud?
It’s too convenient. Too perfect. And it doesn’t explain why someone Ethan swears looked Shaman would attack us while Jayme was imprisoned.
Either way, we’re fucked. The thought that I somehow failed him refuses to leave.
“Will you be able to salvage the peace talks?” Thea’s pointed question brings me back to the present conversation.
Xander’s exhaustion shows in the unusually harsh lines carved across his face. “Honestly, I don’t know. This summit has been worse than I ever imagined. I have no idea what I could say that would make any difference now.”
“But you’re still going to try,” Thea says softly.
“Of course. I won’t allow Kortan to be cursed again, whatever it takes.”
“We’re committed to peace at Kortan,” she says. “That’s what matters.”
His determination steadies me. The Xander I knew before would’ve stormed off, given up. That man doesn’t exist anymore. I glance at Thea. She probably has something to do with that transformation.
I nod in firm agreement.
“Unfortunately, this does mean Stasio is going to want Jayme’s head.”
My body tenses. “My Lord—”
“After what just happened, I don’t see how I can justify further investigation or delaying his trial any longer.” Xander’s mouth flattens into that stubborn line I know too well. “He almost wiped the dungeon floor with us. All of us.”
My stomach twists, my thoughts colliding in rapid succession. Jayme is being controlled. Someone orchestrated this. Someone who knew exactly what buttons to push.
“But Alpha—” I begin.
Commotion erupts outside. Instinct kicks in. I’m halfway upright with my hand over the hilt of my sword before my body screams in protest. Xander steps toward the door, shielding Thea.
The door bursts open. Ethan rushes in, followed by Conan, Akila. . .and Branson.
This is now the second time I’ve seen him out of his chambers despite placing him on house arrest.
The guard trails behind them. “Forgive me, My Lord. They insisted—”
“It’s fine.” Xander dismisses the guard with a wave as he stands, then looks at Ethan. “What is it?”
Ethan’s eyes find mine briefly before shifting to Xander. “We need to talk about Jayme. We think he’s being controlled by someone else.”
What is Ethan doing?
Xander’s forehead creases as he scans Conan’s, Akila’s, and Branson’s faces. “I appreciate that you want to defend your comrade, but we know that’s not possible. Lycans can’t be mind-controlled.”
“You’re right.” Branson’s deep voice rumbles through the room. “Normal Lycans can’t be. But my brother isn’t a normal Lycan.”
The air shifts. I brace myself, knowing what is about to be revealed.
“Jayme is a Scarlet Wolf.” The confession drops like a stone.
“What?” Xander recoils half a step. “His appearance doesn’t match a Scarlet Wolf.”
“It’s true,” Branson continues. “He’s been dying his fur to disguise it.”
The temperature in the room plummets. Xander’s eyes flash, his wolf rising to the surface.
His gaze snaps to me. “Did you know about this?”
“I just discovered it earlier.” The words come out steadier than I feel. “That’s why I placed Branson under house arrest.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me immediately?” His voice drops to a dangerous rumble. “Do you understand the consequences of this? A Scarlet in our pack, near my pregnant Luna, during delicate peace negotiations—”
“With all due respect, Alpha,” Ethan interrupts with that reckless courage of his. “Does it matter what Jayme is if someone else is pulling his strings?”
“Of course it does.” Xander’s attention shifts to Ethan, giving me a moment to breathe. “But what makes you so certain he’s being controlled?”
“Because none of this makes sense, My Lord,” Conan says. “Sure, Jayme’s got a bit of a temper, but he’s worked his ass off to be one of us for over a year.
“He earned our trust, proved himself worthy of the Guard.” Akila looks straight at Xander. “Why would he suddenly throw that away, after everything he’s been through?”
“And the memory loss?” Branson says. “When has a wolf ever forgotten what they did in their shifted form?”
Xander’s posture doesn’t soften, but I see the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
“Blackroot.” Ethan’s sudden declaration makes everyone turn. “Jayme uses Blackroot to dye his hair. The seers keep seeing Blackroot in their visions. The visions are a warning. Someone who knows about Jayme is trying to sabotage the summit.”
It makes sense. I turn to Branson. “Who else knows that Jayme is a Scarlet?”
“No one else that I’m aware of. We’ve been very careful.”
“That doesn’t explain everything.” Akila shakes her head. “Who would want to sabotage the summit? No Lycan would risk another Moon Curse. We suffered too much during those years.”
“What if it’s revenge?” Thea’s quiet voice draws every eye. “For the suffering the Shaman caused because of the Moon Curse?”
Ethan stilled, his sharp focus overtaking his face as pieces suddenly clicked into place. “No, this wasn’t a wolf. This was one of the Shaman.”
I stare at Ethan with enough intensity to burn through steel as I scramble to piece together his logic.
“The Shaman gave Dr. Olcan a large box of Blackroot,” Ethan continues, words tumbling out faster now. “When you add in the seers’ visions, and Jayme using Blackroot to dye his hair, that can’t all be a coincidence. They must know Jayme is a Scarlet. They’re using magic to control him.”
“But the first victims were Haron and Holden,” Conan protests. “Why would the Shaman attack their own?”
“We’ve seen people do worse in times of war,” I say. “I wouldn’t put it past someone to sacrifice their own children.”
Akila nods. “Especially if Stasio knew they’d survive. No one witnessed their attacks, so they could’ve been staged somehow. But the attack on us in the dungeon?” She shakes her head. “That was meant to kill us. Stasio just didn’t account for Ethan, Branson, and our Alpha showing up.”
Xander’s expression shifts from anger to cold determination. “I will speak to Stasio. I’ll see what he has to say about this, and what his explanation is for gifting the Blackroot.”
“I’m coming with you.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. “My Lord, if Stasio is behind this, you are likely the ultimate target.”
“She’s right,” Thea interjects, rising carefully from the couch. “Six of you struggled to subdue Jayme during this last attack. Stasio could unleash him on you whenever he chooses. It’s too dangerous alone.”
“Fine, I’ll take Ethan,” Xander says. “Stasio won’t sense danger from him, and Ethan can watch for deception.”
Ethan raises his eyebrows in surprise, but he nods.
My wolf suddenly snarls, clawing within my chest at the thought of Ethan walking into danger. The same rhythm from the courtyard tries to resurface. I clamp down on it, burying it deep where it can’t give me away.
“Rhiannon, you’ll take your position outside Stasio’s chambers with Conan and Akila,” Xander continues, already strategizing. “If Stasio tries anything—”
“We’ll be ready.” I straighten despite my injuries.
“Branson,” Xander studies him for a long moment.
“Yes, My Lord?” Branson’s voice is quiet, uncertain.
“Stay with Thea. Protect my Luna and my unborn whelp.”
It’s not forgiveness, but it’s trust.
Branson nods once. “With my life, Alpha.”
“When do we move?” Akila asks.
“Now. Before they realize we’ve figured it out.” Xander’s gaze sweeps over all of us. “If you’re right about this, then this summit was doomed from the start.”