Meg
I kept my head held high as I made my way to the sitting room, hearing the anxious whispers behind those closed doors stop abruptly as I approached.
Whoever was in there, was scared beyond reason. I could scent Justus and Helen among the newcomers, and I hesitated outside the door, wondering what I was getting myself into.
How about we just leave? My wolf lay low, growling. Something isn’t right.
Like the fact that I failed them?
Though Morrigan’s judgment held less of a sting now. The more I heard about the humans and the city of Ethica, the more I wondered what exactly I was working so hard to save.
But these were Roman’s people. Like it or not, he felt a duty to them, and what kind of mate would I be if I didn’t try to help?
I took one more deep breath, ready to face whatever Helen was going to throw at me, as I pushed open the door.
The silence screamed warnings.
My gaze immediately went to Helen, who stood by the large windows where rain beat against the glass and made a muddy mess of the gardens below. Candlelight flickered, casting shadows around the room, and illuminating Helen’s silhouette as she hugged herself.
Beside her, frozen by the bar cart, was Justus with his back turned towards me.
My wolf growled louder as I looked around the room. All six of the council I’d seen my first day in Ethica sat unmoving on the couches, staring at nothing with vacant, lifeless eyes.
Gasping, I took a step back.
They were breathing statues, all except for the man who stood by the decorative fireplace.
I sniffed.
Not a man. The fur on my wolf’s hackles raised. A god.
The smirk on his chiseled face spoke of hidden promises, and not the kind you’d want him to keep. My heart started racing as I wondered whom I’d come across this time. Gods really should come with regalia or some kind of distinct markers.
His skin was bronzed and hair a dark black that swept the side of his handsome face. The romance books I’d read so far got that much right. I hadn’t seen a god yet that was less than perfect.
Like Hades and Persephone back in Cerberus, this god wore almost human clothing. It was all black and dressier than the business attire the council was wearing, with silken slacks and button-down shirt suited more for a fancy event.
I thought of the wedding gown hanging in the closet upstairs and instantly felt sick.
“Who are you?” I asked softly, hoping he’d be more reasonable than any god I’d been introduced to so far.
The god’s smile widened as he assessed me with that cool and calculating gaze. “Did the Morrigan not teach you anything, wolf?”
Great. Another asshole.
He snapped his fingers and my wolf let out a frustrated howl, fighting against the compulsion that made my knees buckle and hit the floor.
“That’s better,” the god said. “Your kind used to know when to kneel.”
He’s either lying, or he doesn’t know I’m an alpha. My wolf thrashed within.
Since when do the gods tell the truth?
“My apologies,” I gritted out through clenched teeth, buying time as I tried to think how to get us out of here. “What we know of your kind is lost to the ancient history books.”
“Don’t bore me with your mortal excuses.” He waved his hand in the air, dragging the high-backed velvet chair closer with the magic of his will, and took a seat.
I used the time to look around again at the frozen faces of the council. “Are they okay?”
“They bored me too.” His sharp tone implied the rest of that threat. “Now, you… You were fun.”
He curled his finger and Justus jerked forward as if pulled on a marionette string. “Tell me, human. Why didn’t you marry your intended wolf bride?”
Sweat beaded on his skin as Justus twisted and jerked, moving each foot a painful inch until he stood at my side.
“Let him go. It wasn’t his fault.” Panic squeezed my chest when I realized I couldn’t crawl off my knees.
The god’s eyes narrowed at me. “It’s rude to speak out of turn. Should I silence you too?”
Threat taken.
Let me out. I’ll try and kill him.
When has that ever worked?
The god snapped his fingers.
Justus’s frantic voice filled the room. “We can still get married. Like I told Mom, that was always the plan. Just give us a second chance.”
“Silence.” The god waved his hand again, and Justus’s mouth shut.
He turned to me, sneering. “Has he always been this much of a coward?”
I licked my dry lips, refusing to answer.
The god’s smile was cruel. “Ah, the loyalty of a wolf. How refreshing. So tell me, alpha, what plans do the wolves have of war with the humans?”
Ares. It was Ares, the god of war.
And I was ashamed to admit I only guessed that because I’d read a spicy romance between Ares and Aphrodite.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said. “Why are you here, Ares?”
There was a split second of acknowledgement in his darkened gaze that let me know I’d hit the mark.
“Maybe mortals aren’t so stupid after all.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing one ankle over his knee. “Though I’d have thought it was obvious.”
Ares motioned to the frozen council. “Since they too are cowards unwilling to kick things off, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”
The icy tendril of fear snaked its way through me when I understood what he was saying.
The beginning of the end. Another all-out war between the humans and shifters, this time with the gods’ help. We couldn’t do it. Not after what Kera and our family had already gone through. Not after the peace we’d carved out between us.
I wouldn’t be pitted against my mate.
It was in Ares’s knowing look that I realized that was exactly what he planned.
“You know, you could’ve stopped this all from happening if you weren’t so soft,” he said. “If you’d only controlled your beast.”
He’s goading us, I told her.
It’s working, she growled.
I’m sure he expected me to crumple and cry under the weight of his insults, but he didn’t know I came from a long line of crazy women who didn’t know how to back down.
“Maybe I didn’t want to save the world.” I stared straight at him.
Ares blinked. “Come again?”
Whatever hold he had on me loosened just a fraction, but it was enough for my wolf to lunge.
Like an idiot.
What are you doing?
I kneel for no master.
Ares’s laugh bellowed throughout the room as he caught my wolf by the furry throat.
“Keep fighting, little alpha.” The bastard of a god cuddled my beast close, scratching the top of her head as she snapped at him, and I realized we’d somehow fallen right into Ares’s trap.
“Those strong feelings will be just the thing to draw that warrior mate of yours to me. Unless… he decides he doesn’t want to come for you after all. ”
What did he say? My wolf stilled in his arms.
Ares continued to stroke her fur and I could hear the devious smile in his words. “Do you think Roman will ever forgive you for being the reason his father is dead?”