Chapter 29 — Rhiannon
As soon as I’m out of Ethan’s sight, I practically sprint to the training grounds.
I didn’t have time to explain it to Ethan. I didn’t know how to explain. There’s too much history behind it.
I hope I’m wrong. I hope on everything that I’m wrong.
Branson is standing at the edge of the training circle, watching over the guard and the recruits as they practice.
He looks like he always does: A deep frown is carved onto his face, and his long dark hair is pulled back into a ponytail.
He stands with his thick arms crossed over his broad chest like a silent statue.
How could he have kept this from me? From all of us? He’s usually the one telling me what the laws are. He’s always the one to stay in line. How could he have done this?
I approach him and say, “I need to speak to you immediately.”
He glances down at me and says, “Yes, of course, Commander.” He cups his hands around his mouth and calls out to the trainees, his voice carrying on the wind. “Enough!”
Everyone stops. “Take a break,” he orders.
I motion for him to follow me farther away from the others.
Once we’re away from the listening ears and curious glances of the guards, he asks, “What’s this about?”
“I’m going to ask you something, Branson,” I say. “I need you to be honest with me.”
“Commander, I am always—”
“I didn’t bring Ethan with me,” I cut him off.
I need to get all of this out. “I didn’t bring him because I need you to know that I trust you.
I have always trusted you. You have been the voice of reason for us all and I can’t—” I have to stop.
I can hear the shakiness in my voice. I take a breath and start again.
“Just don’t lie to me. Not about this. Please. ”
He just stares, his mouth pressed into a hard line and his dark eyes locked on mine. “Of course.”
“Is Jayme a Scarlet?”
I expect him to deny it right off. I expect the next words to come out of his mouth to be of course not, Commander. Whatever gave you that idea?
But he doesn’t say that. In fact, he says nothing. He just stands there, staring, his lips still pursed and his arms stiff.
“Please,” I say, and my voice cracks again. “Just tell me the truth.”
“Commander,” he starts. But then he looks away, closing his eyes.
The only thing I think is no. I still can’t believe it. This is far too terrible of a thing for Branson to keep from me.
“Branson,” I say, leaning into him. “Is it true?”
He takes a big breath, his large chest rising and falling. “It’s not what you think.”
“Goddess help me,” I say under my breath. “No.”
“He’s not dangerous,” he says. The pleading in his eyes pulls at me. “I swear it. The matter of what he was at birth is only that. He isn’t what you think he is.”
I take a step back from him. It all makes sense.
Jayme’s moods shift faster and more intensely than anyone else in our pack.
I think about all the times someone came to me and said that they felt something off with Jayme, but they couldn’t pinpoint why.
His true nature is something we’ve all sensed.
Being a Scarlet could never be hidden completely.
“How can you say that to me?” I say, utter despair in my voice. “You know what Scarlets are capable of.”
“I know my brother.” Branson’s nose wrinkles as he snarls at me. “I don’t care what people say about what a Scarlet is or isn’t. I know his heart, and I am telling you he is not a danger to anyone.”
“How am I supposed to believe that?”
“Because I’m telling you!” His voice booms, shaking the trees. “You said you trust me. That you have always trusted me. Then trust me now. Jayme is not responsible for these crimes.”
His voice rings in my ears. All I can do is look up at him. My heart is breaking.
“Branson,” I say, “you know military strategy and history better than anyone. You understand the history of Scarlet Wolves, and the part they played in Clarion’s past wars.”
“Yes, I am well aware.”
“They’re bred assassins. Mercenaries working in the shadows.
They can’t ever be trusted. How could you bring him here?
How could you put us all at risk like this?
Do you have any idea of the damage he has already done to our chance to achieve peace?
We’ve escaped the Moon Curse for only a year, and now, because of what Jayme has done, we might face something far more devastating. Do you understand that?”
He says nothing, only hangs his head.
“Do you understand that if Stasio finds out — if anyone finds out — Stasio will be convinced that we planted him here with the intention of assassinating them?”
I put my hands over my face in despair. The revelation hits me, and I can barely breathe.
“I can’t expect you to understand why I did this,” Branson says.
“I certainly can’t expect you to accept it.
But you know who I am, Rhiannon. You know that I’m faithful to this pack.
I would never betray my Alpha or my Commander.
Not for any reason. Jayme is of the same mind.
You know what we left behind to be a part of the Crescent Pack. ”
I look at him, this gentle giant who has been nothing but a source of security for all of us. He’s always been my brother-in-arms.
But now, he has betrayed me in the worst possible way.
“I’m relieving you of duty,” I say to him. “And confining you to your quarters under house arrest until—” I stammer. Until when? Until we execute your brother? I take a breath and continue, “Until we decide what the next steps will be. Is that understood?”
He nods and says, “Yes, Commander.”
“Return to the training grounds,” I say. “Put Akila in charge, then go straight to your quarters. I’ll assign a guard to watch you shortly.”
Branson’s nostrils flare.
“You are not to leave your quarters or see Jayme without me present.”
“Yes, Commander.”
He turns and heads back toward the training grounds, his shoulders rigid. I watch him go, this man who has stood beside me through countless battles, now soon to be reduced to a prisoner in his own home.
My wolf paces restlessly. Everything I thought I knew has crumbled.
I stand there for a moment, my hands shaking. I take a deep breath to ground myself, processing what I know now.
If Jayme is a Scarlet, then he must be guilty. The evidence, the attacks, everything points to—
No. I stop myself mid-thought. I won’t let ignorance cloud my judgment.
Being a Scarlet doesn’t automatically make him guilty of these crimes.
I’ve trained him for nearly a year. His dedication, his perseverance to belong, I’ve seen all of it. Not to mention the way he helps younger guards, always being respectful, never getting aggressive unless provoked during sparring.
Yes, Scarlets have a dark history. But history isn’t destiny.
That confused face in the dungeon comes back to me, the genuine bewilderment in his eyes when he said he couldn’t remember the attack. That wasn’t deception — I would have sensed it. My instincts about people have never failed me.
Branson knows his brother, too. And despite my anger at being deceived, I know Branson’s judgment is sound.
Jayme is still innocent, but he’ll always be a Scarlet Wolf.
And I need to tell Xander immediately.
My stomach churns as I walk toward his quarters. Once he learns Jayme is a Scarlet, there won’t be any more delays. There’ll be no more investigation. He’ll order the trial, and we both know how that will end.
The evidence and testimonies already point to Jayme’s guilt.
Now, with his true nature revealed, Xander will see no choice but to proceed with swift justice, not only to appease Stasio and prevent war with the Shaman, but also to manage the upheaval among the pack once they discover that a Scarlet has been living among us.
But I still believe Jayme. Somehow, I have to convince Xander to give me more time to prove it before they condemn him to death.
As I approach Alpha Xander’s office, I see that the door is ajar, and I hear voices before I reach it. I pause outside, recognizing Stasio’s cautious tone alongside Xander’s deeper voice.
“—cannot allow this to continue,” Stasio says. “My children were nearly killed.”
I knock once and enter without waiting for permission. Both men turn toward me, and the hostility between them is obvious.
Xander sits behind his massive oak desk, fingers steepled, while Stasio occupies one of the leather chairs across from him, his weathered hands gripping the armrests with white knuckles.
“Commander.” Xander’s voice carries an edge of relief. “I was about to send for you.”
Stasio inclines his head slightly. “Commander, I trust you have updates on the investigation?”
“There have been some developments, yes.” I keep my expression neutral.
Though I’m certainly not sharing them with you, Stasio. Not when you’re hell-bent on having Jayme punished without due process.
Xander leans forward against his desk. “Elder Stasio has been sharing his requests for how we should respond to the attack on Holden. According to his account, Jayme assaulted him without provocation.”
“Has Holden spoken more about the attack?” I ask
“Absolutely,” Stasio says. “He barely managed to escape without further injuries, and he’s fearful that someone else might not be so lucky.”
Something about this doesn’t sit right. Holden should never have been able to get into the guarded dungeons in the first place. What were his motives when he went to confront Jayme? But I can’t voice those suspicions with Stasio present.
“Given this testimony,” Xander says, “we’re implementing heightened security measures for the prisoner.”
“What kind of measures?” I ask, though I have a sinking feeling that I already know.
Stasio’s eyes flash coldly. “Chains. Iron shackles. That monster cannot be allowed to move freely, even within his cell. Perhaps he should even wear a muzzle.”
Monster. My wolf bristles at the derogatory term, but knowing what I know now about Jayme’s true nature, I don’t know how to argue against these precautions. Scarlet Wolves possess strength beyond normal Lycans, especially when triggered.
“That makes sense,” I say, forcing my tone to sound agreeable. “Increased restraints are warranted.”
Xander seems surprised by my response and studies my face, suspicious of my compliance. “You accept these measures, Commander?”
I don’t have a choice, because I know what he is capable of.
I nod. “We can’t allow this violence to escalate, and we can’t risk additional causalities.”
“Precisely.” Stasio nods approvingly. “I’m glad to see you understand the gravity of the situation, Commander.”
I force myself to meet Xander’s gaze steadily. “Alpha, I’d like permission to question Holden myself. I want to hear his testimony firsthand.”
“Absolutely not,” Stasio cuts in immediately. “My son has endured enough trauma—”
“Elder Stasio,” Xander holds up a hand. “The Commander has a valid point. A direct account will provide crucial details for the investigation.”
Stasio’s nostrils flare, and a beat of silence passes before he speaks. “Very well. But I insist on being present during any questioning.”
“Of course.” I keep my voice respectful, though irritation flares in my chest. “I’ll also need Ethan present. His observational skills have proven valuable to the investigation.”
“The human?” Stasio’s eyebrows rise. “Is that really... necessary?”
“He’s been instrumental in uncovering key details.” I hold Stasio’s gaze without flinching. “My Alpha can confirm his contributions.”
Xander nods. “Yes, Ethan’s insights have been surprisingly useful.”
Surprisingly. As if humans are incapable of intelligence. I bite back a sharp retort.
Stasio straightens in his chair. “I’ll await you both at Holden’s chambers, before the evening meal, for your meeting with him.”
“Understood.” I turn toward Xander. “I’ll see to the enhanced restraints immediately, My Lord.”
As I head for the door, the words I came here to say burn in my throat. Jayme is a Scarlet Wolf. But with Stasio’s calculating gaze tracking my every movement, I can’t risk revealing that information to him. Not yet.
“Commander,” Xander calls as I reach the threshold.
I pause, half-turning back.
“Thank you for your diligence in this matter.”
“Of course, My Lord.” I nod once and step into the corridor, pulling the door closed behind me.
The conversation I need to have with Xander will have to wait. Right now, I have a Scarlet Wolf to secure.