Chapter 30
ISLA
After wanting to throw her into a Deimos safehouse while she and Kai tried to avoid their mating bond, it was ironic that Ezekiel had been dealt that very fate.
Isla observed the brambles where the former beta’s prison lay, the cottage marked by the faint scent of smoke on the wind as it billowed through the treetops from its stout stone chimney.
It was one of five houses that Kai’s family had spread through the region, a quaint space accompanied by a gurgling stream peppered with colored leaves fallen in the season’s shift as mossy boulders slumbered beside it.
When they reached the precipice of the narrow dirt path leading to the doorway, Kai muttered, “A fucking vacation house.”
His punishment should’ve been worse. Much worse. If anyone else had done what he had, then they would’ve been rotting in the dungeons beneath the hall.
“You did it for Ameera,” Isla said, mapping the path of the moonlight over his shoulder blades, the night’s darkness pressing on them both.
She didn’t bring up his father, whose memory was more than likely also a motive. They may have fought, but the connection between him and Kyran’s ghost remained.
As she and Kai drew closer, a set of guards emerged from the brush beside the front door, bowing deeply. They acknowledged them before silently retreating to the woods, still on patrol but allowing them privacy with Ezekiel.
The worn porch steps creaked beneath their feet, undoubtedly signaling to Ezekiel that they were approaching.
Isla hated that her heart began to beat faster, hated that her dagger weighed heavier at her side.
There was no battle here. Just a talk. They had the upper hand.
And this would be the first time she addressed the beta as his queen.
Seeming to master himself as if he, too, had plummeted into reeling thoughts, Kai pushed the door open.
Goddess, this place is a hot spring.
Sweat percolated on Isla’s brow as she followed Kai inside, able to take in the cottage’s living area and small kitchen with one sweep of her eyes.
Kai could likely cross the space in a few strong strides.
A fire roared in the stone hearth while the earthy, gamey aroma of stew blended with the scent of burning wood as the pot steamed on the stovetop.
No wonder it was so hot… and the soup smelled delicious.
“Alpha.”
Isla’s focus snapped to the high-backed armchair by the fireplace. Ezekiel rose, a smile like that of a fox, not a wolf, sliding across his lips as he tucked the book he’d been reading beneath his arm. He bowed deeply to Kai before shifting his attention to her.
Isla schooled her expression.
She hadn’t seen the beta since before the challenge.
He appeared much more haggard than he had then, his salt-and-pepper beard lengthy and slightly unkempt, his sleek dark hair, much like Ameera’s, nearing his shoulders. His eyes were tired, worn, and… seeking. Incredulous.
“And the Luna of Deimos, at last.” Isla’s eyes flared wide as he cleared his seating area, placing his book on the coffee table. “My queen.”
He dropped to his knees, bowing his head.
Isla’s eyes slid to Kai, whose features were a mix of discomfort, confusion, and the slightest bit of smugness.
But Isla still felt the condescending undercurrent of Ezekiel’s gesture, and whatever glory was supposed to wash over her felt like grime.
“Get up,” she demanded, bracing her feet apart and folding her arms. “Don’t embarrass yourself more than you already have.”
Ezekiel lifted his head slowly and surveyed her, then turned to watch Kai.
“Your luna gave you an order,” Kai said, no room in his tone for question or protest.
One foot at a time, Ezekiel stood. “I’ll admit, I’m surprised by your visit. From what the smug bastard Sol has said, I figured it wouldn’t be long until you cast me out as a rogue. But then you allowed my wife to visit, though we didn’t have much… privacy from the guards.”
“Are you complaining?” Kai deadpanned.
“No. I am grateful for your graciousness. I just wish it could’ve been my whole family.”
“We extended the invitation to Ameera.” Something wicked rose within Isla then, venom coating her tongue.
She wasn’t sure what exactly had set her off, but the poison felt good after everything they’d been dealt these past few months.
“She has the freedom to come and see you. Any time. All the time. She just doesn’t want to. ”
Her biting words clearly roused Ezekiel, whose eyes became slits.
“And yet, here you are,” he seethed, and Isla felt Kai bristle at the tone.
She stuck out a hand to hold her mate back, allowing Ezekiel to spew his vitriol.
“I heard the Imperial Beta was here for the coronation. Your father, who sent your mate into a battle for his life. Your father, who aids the Imperial Alpha, who likely knows of the attacks—”
A blade whizzed just by Ezekiel’s shoulder, wedging perfectly into the wooden mantle above the fireplace. It would’ve plunged into his heart if Isla had chosen to center her aim.
“You don’t get to talk about my family. Not like that,” she growled before steeling herself. “But Cassius’s plans are what we’re here for.”
Ezekiel’s chest rose and fell heavily.
“Sit,” Kai told him. Isla hadn’t even noticed he’d moved, now spinning Ezekiel’s armchair away from the flames. The former beta wisely obeyed, lowering with his features pinched, eyes darting between them. Not cowering, though. This was prey that would put up a fight.
Goddess forbid this would be simple.
Kai went back to where he had been standing. “No more tricks, no more lies, no more games. People are dying because we don’t know how to move, where to move.”
“Everyone is hiding shit from us,” Isla continued, waltzing to the hearth to retrieve her blade.
She wrenched the metal from the wood and, for a moment, embraced the heat.
Let the burn chase away her deep-set cold.
“And that ends now.” She turned away, leaning against the back of Ezekiel’s chair, balancing her dagger on a point.
“So, you’re going to tell us everything you’ve been hiding. Everything you know.”
“And if you miss anything, I’ll know.”
Kai’s words seemed to affect Ezekiel the most, his throat bobbing as a crack fissured his cavalier armor. He’d been at the alpha challenge, and he understood enough to grasp his meaning.
Suddenly, his lips curled in perverse delight. “Look at you—both of you. Everything your father could’ve dreamed of. Powerful. Feared.” His head twisted to Isla, still standing just out of his direct sight. “I never told you this, but despite everything, I think Kyran would’ve liked you.”
Isla watched Kai’s features twist at the words, torment flashing in his eyes.
“Do you know about the rebel units in Mimas, Tethys, and Iapetus?” Isla began.
It was a simple question, and the surprise that sparked on Ezekiel’s face told her he hadn’t expected them to be privy to this.
He drilled his face into neutrality. “Who told you?”
“Warrior General Eli,” Isla said, her stomach pitting as his sunken features flashed into her mind.
No more tears. They would fix this.
Ezekiel scoffed. “Did he still think you’d be on Io’s side?”
“No. He was hoping I’d be against them.”
“Well, that’s unexpected.” He chuckled bitterly. “I should’ve given him more credit. Where is he now?”
“Dead,” Kai broke his observational silence. “Murdered during the Equinox.”
Ezekiel blinked. “By who?”
“We don’t know,” Kai said. “It could’ve been your witch or an order from Cassius.”
At the mention of the Imperial Alpha, Ezekiel’s eyes slid to Isla, who took her place at Kai’s side. She fought to keep her features impassive. “Tell us everything you know about the rebellions.”
Ezekiel took a long breath before settling further in his seat.
“The peace amongst the packs has been treading a remarkably thin line since Kyran and I began our tenures, and even before that. While Imperial Alpha Eoin was in power, he conspired to have Alpha Locke’s line rule in Charon.
Though we’re a landlocked kingdom, the Imperials have had their eyes on Mavec for decades.
Absorbing it into any one of our surrounding territories that Cassius has his claws in would give him exactly what he wants.
Truly centralized power and better control of the kingdoms. He’d likely hand off Io’s current land to his son and rule over all from new territory.
” Ezekiel paused, but one look at Kai and the threat of his power had him continuing, “He’s allowed Charon to gradually tear itself apart so he can build it back up into what he needs it to be.
Oberon, Callisto, Ganymede, Rhea—they're all on his side. Before I’d been put in here, I’d heard he proposed a marriage of the Imperial Heir to one of Baldor’s daughters. ”
Isla started. Adrien hadn’t mentioned that at all. Her mind reeled with all their previous talks. With memories of the influx of Charon’s pack members who’d risked their lives to seek refuge within their borders.
“Alpha Verena and Alpha Deacon know about Cassius’s witches.
Verena knew your father had a plan, but she hadn’t known exactly what it was.
There are rebel groups in their territories, and it’s safe to say they’re not doing much to discourage them.
If war is imminent, I’d imagine they’ll be calling on them soon. ”
Isla’s heart thundered in her ears. “Are there rebels here?”
“I’m sure they exist, but I have not found them.”
Kai paced a few steps in the room, casually glancing down at his feet as he tucked his hands in his pockets, a picture of effortless regality. “If my father wasn’t afraid of war, why did he stop working with the witch?”
Isla caught the slightest twinge of muscle in Kai’s cheek.
Ezekiel might’ve, too, if the spark in his eye was any indicator. “He only told me it was to protect the family… to protect you.” He presented it as if it were the greatest secret he’d ever kept.
Kai dropped his easy disposition, his body locking up. “Me? Protect me from what? Who?”
Ezekiel smiled like a canary who had just gotten a second chance at life. “I don’t know. He said he’d tell me when he was sure, but”—he shook his head—“she killed him a week later.”
Whatever Kai had been feeling, despite it no longer being visible on his face, Isla could sense it through the bond’s fragments and mist. Something violent, twisted, and agonizing churned inside him.
Had Kyran known that Kai was… different?
She fought the urge to reach out to Kai physically, knowing he didn’t want Ezekiel to see the effect of his words.
Kai cocked his head. “You never thought to mention that?”
“I told you that I was going to explain everything to you after the Hunt, but then your fated mate being the Imperial Beta’s daughter complicated things. It all became a balance. But now, it’s clear where our luna stands.”
Isla twirled her blade in her hand. Goddess, his addressing her by that title shouldn’t have made her skin crawl.
“How many times,” Kai’s voice had taken on a darkness that made Isla pause, and she swore red began to edge his irises, “did you meet with the witch after my father passed? When she nearly killed Isla, she said you were ‘coming around’ to her plans.”
Ezekiel’s disposition wobbled, his lips becoming a thin line.
Isla felt Kai’s aura spill into the room like ink in water. Ezekiel’s hand snapped to his head. Were Kai’s abilities still so potent with the bane in his system?
“Twice,” Ezekiel breathed. “Twice.” He flinched.
“Is she responsible for the rogue attack during the banquet for Delta Atesh?”
More hesitation. A further push of Kai’s power. Isla tried to gauge when to jump in and pull him back.
“Yes.”
“Did you know about it? Did you help?”
She could’ve sworn the fire in the hearth sputtered, and Kai’s essence became overwhelming, the bond pulling taut.
“I did not think it would be like that. She mentioned a few rogues slipping in to find something she’d lost. She promised no death. I swear.”
Kai’s eyes flared red, and Isla stepped closer.
“And you trusted her? She’d just killed my family.
Your fucking best friend. My brother, who was like a son to you.
” All lethally clipped words, sharp as blades, but a part of him was slipping a leash.
“You kept meeting with her. You got our people killed and lied about it.”
A small fleck of crimson dripped from Ezekiel’s nose. Kai noticed.
He didn’t back down.
Isla stepped in front of him, putting her hands on his forearms. “Not worth it.”
She might as well have struck him across the face. “Not worth it?”
“That was supposed to come out better.” She stroked his arm in apology.
Ezekiel, in Isla’s granted reprieve, slumped in his seat. “She was our best chance.” He coughed. “She was our best chance against Io.”
“Well, now you have to take her out of the equation because she’s after us, too,” she said. He didn’t need to know that she didn’t want them dead. A tired question spilled from Isla’s lips before she could stop herself. “Is there any way for this to end peacefully?”
Ezekiel shook his head. “Our alpha killed a man without touching him. We all saw it. We all lied to ourselves, saying the rogue had done it to himself, but we felt him. Fear makes us not question. Hope tells us it doesn’t matter.
Kai is stronger than Cassius is. And if he isn’t, then he will be soon.
And that cannot stand. It won’t stand. So, in my opinion…
no. I don’t think there’s any chance for peace while you exist.”