Chapter Thirty #3
The roar of conversation stops so fast it’s like someone cast a silence spell. All eyes turn Silas’s way. Even Bishop’s squeeze on my hand isn’t reassuring. I’ve been through this too many times— Silas jovially making some announcement that will send my world spinning off its axis.
“The last few days have been unsettling,” he says.
“Changes are coming at a furious pace. But the Pack was already changing. It has been since Bishop’s boys joined us, since Bishop himself joined us and Claude returned home.
These changes, most will concede, have been for the better, even when they are disruptive. ”
He looks down the table. “Yes, William, I know you are still waiting to get your bedchambers all to yourself again, and believe me, Jacques cannot wait to get his own room when we reopen the old wing. Apparently, your nighttime odors are a bit… noxious.”
Everyone laughs.
Silas continues, “Soon the wing will reopen, thanks to our improved finances. I’ve seen how well all of you have adjusted, and I appreciate your sacrifices as our Pack grows.
Despite the bumps, we’re stronger. These new changes will be more of the same.
Unsettling at first, but with the promise of great things for our future. ”
He beams at me and Bishop. “A new, young, visionary Alpha. And a lycan mate, with Alpha blood, returning to the old custom. All threats against my heir’s mate have been eliminated, and the path is now clear.”
The wolves shift, a ripple of discomfort with the reminder that the “threat” had been my aunt, murdered in cold blood by their Alpha.
“I trusted Henry,” Silas says. “And I still believe he made a mistake, one that didn’t necessarily signal treason. We all know Cains aren’t exactly geniuses.”
A laugh at the insult, though it feels obligatory and forced.
“I will deal with Henry, and I hope to have him return to his post soon, as long as he can explain his actions to my satisfaction.”
I wait for some mention of Reginald, but Silas only says, “This current bump in the road reminds me that Henry is getting older, and it’s time to prepare a wolf to take his place. That will be done in the traditional manner, with a tournament to be held next week.”
Cheers and excited whispering from down the table. Two of the younger wolves immediately start to arm wrestle.
“Following the tournament,” Silas says, “you’ll all enjoy a much-deserved holiday in the city, with a pocketful of coins, to spend as you like.”
Definite excitement now, with whoops and jostling and grins.
Bread and circuses, I think, but I keep my expression neutral.
“And further, in light of these difficult past days, I believe we’re all entitled to an unscheduled hunt, after which I shall open my personal stock of liquor.” He nods toward Bishop. “A proper celebration for the upcoming nuptials, which will be held before the tournament.”
More cheers. Maybe I should relax—this isn’t about me—but I really don’t like how many treats Silas is throwing their way.
I sneak a look at Bishop. His expression betrays only a hint of satisfaction. Silas realizes his hold on the Pack has slipped. That’s good for Bishop.
I’m worrying too much. I won’t say I am paranoid—I have been given enough reason to distrust anything Silas Stockwell says—but I am overreacting.
And, yet, when Silas’s mouth opens again, I still tense.
“Bishop will join us for tonight’s hunt,” he says, and at that, Bishop’s grip tightens on my hand.
Silas continues, “He missed the last one, and we wouldn’t want our Alpha-elect to set a poor example, going too long between transformations.”
“I’d gladly join,” Bishop says smoothly. “I hate to miss another hunt. But after last night, Cordelia really shouldn’t be alone.”
“She won’t be alone. She’ll be with Julius. Your cousin.”
At a throat clearing across the table, I look over and Claude lowers his voice. “It’s not the Pack who might cause trouble. Jealousy is brewing belowstairs.”
“I can still transform tonight if you’re concerned, sir,” Bishop says. “But I’d prefer…” He clasps my hand. “To stay with my fiancée.”
“All right, all right,” Silas says, as genially as ever. “I only ask for a favor, on behalf of us all. Enjoy your evening out-of-doors, will you? Seems there was a bit of racket coming from your bedchamber last night, and my boys need their sleep.”
Hoots and hollers at that, and I don’t need to fake my reddening face. Silas claps Bishop on the back and then sits down, and the dinner resumes.
Once the Pack has left on its hunt, Bishop leads me down two hallways and knocks on a door. Julius opens it, and Bishop waves him into the corridor.
“I won’t ask how he is,” Bishop says. “I don’t care.”
“No? I believe you do care, Cousin. You care whether he’s well enough to pose a danger to Cordelia. He’s not.”
Bishop leans in. “Is there any chance he’s malingering?
Silas seemed eager to get me out of the house tonight.
Initially, he wanted Cordelia to stay with you, but he seemed happy enough to change that…
as long as Cordelia and I both go outside.
You’ll be alone in the house with Henry. Could that be the plan?”
“Hurting me?” Julius’s brows shoot up. “You know what Silas thinks of me. I’m only good for healing his wolves. I’m certainly not a threat.”
“He’s a fool,” Bishop mutters. “But even if he’s decided you’re not a threat, you are my confidant.”
I clear my throat. When they look over, I murmur, “May I offer another interpretation?”
“Of course,” Bishop says.
“Julius is more than your confidant. He’s your closest companion, your cousin, your right-hand man. Between us, we’ve hurt Henry—and his reputation—to the point where Silas plans to find a successor for him.”
“What?” Julius says.
“There’s to be a tournament after our wedding,” Bishop says. “Silas isn’t ready to fire Henry as his enforcer. He’s testing the waters, seeing how the Pack might react if he keeps him on. But he’s also lining up a replacement.”
“Can I ask what happened to Reginald?” I say.
An uneasy look passes between the cousins.
“We don’t know,” Julius admits. “He was taken to the cell. It’s guarded—and not by anyone loyal to us. No one is permitted to see him. No one knows what happened between him and Silas. But we suspect…” A sidelong look Bishop’s way.
“Torture,” Bishop says, his tone studiously empty. “Silas is torturing him, and there’s nothing we can do about that. If Reginald was honestly trying to set you free, then I’m sorry for what he’s enduring. But I can’t interfere.”
“Agreed,” I say. “But clearly Silas believes his advisor betrayed him. He also clearly believes his enforcer planned to hurt me—his property. Now he’s planning a tournament and promising the Pack a holiday afterward, with full purses.”
Julius rubs a hand over his mouth. “He feels threatened. He’s vulnerable, and he’s moving fast to solidify his position.”
“All it means is that we have a timeline,” Bishop says. “One week until the wedding. But, back to what Cordelia was saying.” He turns to me. “You think Silas might plan to hurt Julius, as misguided revenge for what we’ve cost him.”
I nod. “Am I right that Henry is Silas’s staunchest ally?”
“He is,” Julius says. “They’re also friends.
Silas will need to go on the hunt, so he can’t hurt me directly.
But you’re suggesting Henry might be malingering, waiting to attack me when the house is empty.
The exact… extent of his injuries is… unclear.
I may have… exaggerated the damage done by Cordelia’s spell, and I may now be continuing to exaggerate.
However, to make sure he rests and recuperates, he’s sedated, and he’ll stay that way for as long as necessary. ”
“Ah,” Bishop says.
“I didn’t think you needed those details. I did consider ensuring he’s never a threat again.” He lifts his hands before Bishop can protest. “That’s not how Pack wolves behave. I know.”
“I believe it also violates your oath as a physician.”
“That’s for humans. My oath says nothing about how I need to treat werewolves.”
I shake my head. “Silas really does underestimate you.”
“Everyone does.” A flash of teeth. “It’s very useful.”
“Sedation is fine,” Bishop says firmly. “We’ll deal with Henry once I’m Alpha. Just because he’s sedated, however, doesn’t mean you’re safe. Someone could leave the hunt and come back.”
“There are very few wolves I consider a serious threat. Besides Silas and Henry, the rest are firmly on our side. I’ll take precautions, but I doubt I’ll need them. If you want my opinion, the hunt is only another treat. Silas has stumbled, and there’s no one to blame but himself.”
“That won’t keep him from blaming others. Including…” Bishop looks my way.
“I know,” Julius says. “Which is why we need to be ready. We have one more week.”