Chapter 23 #2
Cenric certainly had a good eye…especially for someone who liked to stay in the background.
“And you’re hoping to talk me out of that fear?” I asked.
“No.”
Wait…what?
“No?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Not at all.” If anything, Cenric’s voice was dead serious. “I’m here to tell you that you’re right. You’ve been right about everything.”
As good as that felt to hear, I couldn’t help but be skeptical. “But Calindra says—“
“Ah…Calindra,” Cenric cut me off with a knowing smile. “She is a good woman and a fine healer, but unlike us, her true loyalty is to the cause, not Tauren’s well-being.”
I shook my head. That didn’t sound right.
“You’re wrong,” I said. “She’s a good person.”
“Of course she is.” He nodded. “But even good people can become blinded by their desires. In her mind, she’s doing what’s best for the pack. Putting the needs of all the unmated alphas, like her son, above the safety of one man. She probably doesn’t even see she’s doing it. But we do.”
“We?”
“Why do you think I stayed behind while the others went back to the village? I wanted a chance to talk to you…alone.”
I leaned forward in my chair. “About Tauren?”
“Exactly,” he said. “You see, I love my cousin too, and you’re right—he’s in danger.”
“From his father?”
Cenric nodded, “Drogan’s been looking for a reason to get rid of Tauren for a long time.”
“But why?” That’s the part I’d never understood. What could make a man hate his own flesh and blood so much?
“He believes Tauren wants to usurp his seat as Lykaon of the pack.”
My brows pulled together as I shook my head. “Why in the world would he think that? Tauren has never said anything about wanting to lead. He just wants the pack to thrive.”
“Perhaps,” Cenric said, not sounding totally convinced. “But Drogan doesn’t see it that way.”
“But if Drogan wanted his son gone, he could have done it years ago. He’d already pushed Tauren to the edge of the pack. Total banishment wouldn’t have been that much of a change.”
But Cenric shook his head, as if I didn’t understand the complexities of ferus politics.
“It’s not that easy,” he said. “Tauren has always been popular, especially among the unmated alphas. Many see him as their champion. Drogan didn’t want to make him into a martyr. He needed a legitimate reason to get rid of Tauren. For good this time.”
My stomach sank. “Is he really that cruel?”
“I’m not sure cruel is the right word,” Cenric said defensively. “Desperate is more accurate. Power is addictive. No one gives it up easily.”
Sure, but…
“Tauren’s popularity has only grown since I’ve come to the Wilds. No bullshit trial is going to change that.”
“I agree,” Cenric said, his gaze sharp and solemn. “At this point, Tauren’s supporters would have to believe he did something horrible for them to turn their backs on him. Something unforgivable.”
“Tauren would never do anything like that.”
“No, he wouldn’t.” A strange smile flashed over Cenric’s lips—just for a second. “You and I know that, but Drogan doesn’t.”
“So make him see.” I was practically begging. “You’re in Drogan’s inner circle. Can’t you make him see that his plan won’t work?”
“I doubt it. The Fates know I’ve tried, but once my uncle’s mind is set, there’s no changing it.” Cenric shrugged. “That’s why I’m here. We’re both level-headed realists. I thought if anyone could help me save my cousin, it’s you.”
I inched forward in my seat. “Cenric, can I trust you to keep a secret?”
“Of course,” he said.
“You won’t tell anyone? Not even Tauren.”
He gave a somber nod. “You have my word.”
Oh, thank God.
“Yesterday, I came to the decision that I need to leave the Wilds,” I said. “For Tauren’s sake. I’m hoping that if I’m gone, then Drogan will calm down. He might even forgive Tauren altogether.”
Cenric pursed his lips. His eyes flicked back and forth like he was tossing the idea around in his head. After a couple of seconds, his gaze snapped back to mine.
“I hate to say it, but I think you might be right,” he said. “Tauren’s best hope of survival is for you to leave the Wilds.”
“But I don’t think I can do it on my own,” I explained. “I don’t know the way back to the Wall. And even if I managed to get there, I don’t have a clue how to get to the other side.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” he said quickly. “I can help you with all of that.”
Together, Cenric and I spent the next hour coming up with a detailed plan to sneak me out of the Wilds and back over the Wall without anyone we knew finding out.
I wanted it to happen as soon as possible, but Cenric was adamant that we needed to wait. The night of the full moon would be best, he assured me.
Tauren and our friends would be focused on their plan to overthrow Drogan. Drogan would be focused on the plan to execute his son. It would be the only time that everyone was distracted.
“I don’t think you’re prepared for how angry Tauren is going to be when you tell him you were the one who helped me escape,” I warned him. “He’s going to hate you forever.”
But Cenric just shook his head.
“Not forever,” he said, looking down into the fire pit, now cold and grey. “I can promise you that.”