Chapter 10
Anders could hardly believe it. He had been claimed and had claimed her back. Misti was finally his, and he was hers.
But for how much longer would they be alive?
Emboldened by her fiery strength, he moved to stand beside her, a unified front. We can continue down this familiar road and slaughter each other, and all can perish?—
Or we can have unity and peace, Misty finished.
What of the Wild Shades? Kastner demanded, his howl low and deadly.
Out of the three alphas, the only one to still look impressive was Kastner. Had he partaken in any of the battles? Or was he that fierce of a warrior? Either way, although Kastner was smaller than his father, Anders would not want to face him on the battlefield.
You can return to the mountain if you wish. Anders stared down his father, daring him to refute his command. Honestly, Anders had no leg to stand on. He could only remain upright via channeling from Misti, and she wouldn’t have the strength for both of them for long. They had to finish this, and peacefully, and soon.
You are no son of mine. His father’s familiar howl filled his ears.
You are not my heir, her father added.
For once you agree on something. Misti’s howl managed to sound dry.
Give us leave to live in peace. None of the packs need us. We aren’t heirs. We gave that up, and we forsake any right to leading the Shadowed Stars or the Red Nightwalkers. Let us go and?—
And what about them? Her father jerked a claw toward the other two alphas. They killed my wolves.
And you killed theirs, Misti pointed out. Violence will only serve to fuel more violence. Hasn’t this gone on long enough? Even the Wild Shades are being dragged into it.
Because of you. Kastner glowered at them. Nothing could be more intimidating than a wolf’s glower.
You were willing. Anders glowered right back.
Yes, well…
The mountain is mine. Misti’s father curled back his upper lip.
You have never had the mountain. Anders’s father bared his fangs.
The mountain doesn’t belong to either of you, Misti cut in. The mountain is everyone’s. Werewolves, animals, hell, if humans wanted to hike it, could you really stop them without risking exposure?
Why are you talking? her father snapped. I should kill you where you stand right now. Claimed by a Shadowed Star.
He is no Shadowed Star. Anders’s father shoved dirt toward Anders.
Then we have no quarrel. Anders slid back a step.
Oh, but we do. You’re a traitor to your people.
But if you renounce me as heir, how can I betray people I no longer have a duty toward?
Kastner was eyeing Anders in a way that made him uncomfortable. Anders had overheard Talon talking with his Red Nightwalker and Shadowed Star spies. He had been so desperate to reclaim the mountain he didn’t care who was killed in the process, even if it meant his own people would be among the causalities. Talon had mentioned specifically that the alphas had to be taken out. Had that included Kastner, or was that alpha in on the betrayal?
As long as we can return to the mountain without any more deaths, we Wild Shades will agree to a ceasefire.
Anders stood up straighter. One vote for peace.
But the two more difficult ones remained.
A ceasefire. Misti’s father snorted. The werewolf looked almost a little feeble, as if time was increasing for him faster than it should be. You regain ground on the mountain and lose nothing. How convenient for you.
I know for a fact your son wanted us dead. Anders’s father circled Kastner. My men, the ones he thought he had bought, told me all about his plans, how he wanted to try and leave all three packs so devastated by death and with all of us alphas out of the way, and our children being branded as traitors, he planned on trying to combine whoever had survived into one new pack with him as their alpha.
Is this true? Misti’s father joined the pacing around Kastner, although from the other direction.
His father wrinkled his nose. Of course his spies in your camp wouldn’t have told you.
They did, but I hadn’t taken it seriously. This son of yours, Talon is it? Where is he?
Anders stepped forward. I killed him.
The silence that had prevailed since they started their… debate for lack of a better word disintegrated with Anders’s confession. Werewolves started to push and shove each other. Howls of fury spread, far too many and too loud for any to be distinguished.
When Kastner marched up to Anders, quiet slowly descended. Instead of addressing Anders, he spoke to the other two alphas. He really wanted all three of us dead? My own son?
Yes.
Didn’t you know?
I didn’t. Kastner lowered onto his front legs, in a crouched position. That my own son would wish me dead… This bloodshed is far too much. Yes, I had wanted to reclaim the mountain, but if we three packs cannot live there in peace, then we will return home.
Anders’s father approached him, eyeing Anders with a strange glint in his eyes. Why did you kill Talon? For her?
Because he had abandoned his people.
Some would say you abandoned us.
You exiled me. Should I have stayed and been killed instead?
His father nodded. Maybe… maybe I have misjudged you.
You claimed a Shadowed Star. Misti’s father approached her. How could you?
Because I can see what’s inside. Werewolves aren’t all created equal, but we don’t have to hate each other. We don’t have to do anything but survive. Misti laid her head against Anders’s. There’s more to life than fighting.
Anders’s father rested on the ground. Anders hadn’t realized just how badly he had injured his father. In fact, his father seemed almost worse off than he was.
Son, if you want… you could be my heir again.
Anders stiffened.
And you, daughter… if you think you can try and change their minds, to get them to accept those Starred fools… you’re welcome to try when your time comes.
Misti stared at Anders.
A new pack of the two combined. Could they do that? Could they all set aside their differences and move past the hate to come to a mutual understanding and maybe even one day an acceptance?
Wasn’t it worth it?
Misti nodded.
Anders did too.
Again, the wolves around them burst into howls, but this time, there wasn’t a hint of fury in their cries. Maybe unease, a little worry, but there was also hope.
Hope for the future. Hope for a possible peace.
Hope for love.
Hope for tomorrow.