Emory took a deep breath as she sat back down across from her brother. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“He needed to know,” Trey replied. “Rodyn is my closest friend and has been pining for you forever! He needed to know there was no future there, ever. I got the sense you couldn’t tell him and would drag it out. I could have told him, but I wanted him to hear it from you. It was a necessary evil, you did nothing wrong.”

It didn’t feel that way. She swallowed and looked away from him. “There’s something you need to know,” she said, not feeling like dwelling on the fact that she’d hurt Rodyn. She’d always considered the idea that if she never did find or meet her fated, she and Rodyn would end up together. Always felt that way, always wondered if he was actually her mate. Of course, she never knew because she left Kedar when she was fifteen, before her first shift.

“Deflecting instead of dealing with those feelings will only make it worse when you eventually decide to feel them,” Trey said to her. “I know you cared for him, a lot. And if Rodyn wasn’t tied to his duty as Alpha of Rolan, he would have come for you years ago.”

She stared at Trey for a while, then she smiled. “Thank you. But I am not trying to deflect, there is something diabolical going on right now, and I think you need to know where we’re at.”

Trey’s intense green eyes narrowed. “What is it, Red?”

She told him about Seraphine’s manipulations, and the binding spell that linked her life force to Rahl’s. What she didn’t tell him was what Kane had told her about breaking the spell. She didn’t want him thinking about sacrificing himself for her, she wouldn’t lose the only family she had left. As she spoke, she watched Trey’s expression shift from confusion to understanding, and finally to anger.

“So, you’re telling me that you’re bound to the Lycan king in a way that if he dies, you die?” Trey asked. “And your dragon mate knows about this?”

“Yes,” she replied. “You can call him Kane, you know. Dragon mate, really?”

“Well, given all you’ve told me, you have both a Lycan and dragon mate now.” Trey’s jaw tightened. “This is a disaster.”

“I know that, I’m just saying using their names makes it sound less” bigot. You don’t harbour an indifference towards the dragons, do you?” she asked. “It would be wrong because without the war, the Lycans would not exist, and by extension, we wouldn’t.”

“That’s not it, if anything, I am only being cautious and trying not to offend. You may not feel it because their king is your mate, but the dragons are incredibly powerful and on par with the gods. They’re not to be trifled with, Red. While this is huge for the wolves, we still know considerably little about the dragons,” Trey explained. “One dragon shifting could burn Kedar to the ground.”

She understood his caution, but it felt like they were tiptoeing around a much larger issue. “I know, Trey. Trust me, I’ve seen their power up close. But Kane isn’t like that.”

“If the history books hold any truth, your mate is a world-conquering villain, Red. He is soft and sweet with you because you are his mate. But if you took the time to learn about Lord Odreil and the worlds he’d conquered just because, you’d understand my scepticism in all this,” Trey said, his voice tinged with worry.

Emory looked at him suspiciously. “I take it the council meeting did not go well. What, the Thetas do not agree to our union too?”

Trey sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, a gesture she remembered as his tell for when he was stressed. “It’s not just about agreement. They’re wary. The Thetas are especially concerned about the implications of such a powerful alliance. They fear it could destabilize the existing balance and incite conflict, especially with the Lycans.”

“What balance? There wasn’t any before. If anything, the dragons will bring one.”

“Yes, they will, and it will come at the cost of them dominating the empire. If anything, the Lycans are the lesser of two evils.” Trey leaned back on the couch, almost in a slouching position that made her worry he was overworking himself and really stressed out.

“You are mistaken. Unlike the Lycans, the dragons will not go to war with us because it would be foolish on our part to even consider that.” She scooted closer on the couch and crossed her legs. “When they take over the empire, they will be fair, and balance will be restored.”

“When?” Trey cocked a brow.

“Do you honestly believe if the dragons are to remain in Morrian, they would agree for the Lycans to lead them? They are at the top of the food chain. Of course, they would take over the empire and move the seat of the Emperor to Qaelasyn. It’s a given, and the Lycans will not dispute it because they can’t. For the wolves to even question accepting this alliance is unfounded.”

Trey’s eyes narrowed. “You’re placing a lot of trust in them, Red. Have you considered what happens if they decide we’re not worth keeping around?”

“Kane won’t let that happen. He cares about me, and by extension, he’ll care about our people.”

Trey rubbed his temples. “But this isn’t just about Kane. It’s about the entire dragon fold. Can you guarantee their loyalty and benevolence?”

Of course, she couldn’t guarantee it, but she believed in Kane. “I can’t promise anything, but I believe in Kane. And I need you to believe in me. I am going into this unification at the helm of the wolves. Do you honestly think I will let any harm come to them?”

Trey’s gaze softened, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “I know you’ll do everything in your power to protect us. It’s just” The dragons are powerful, and their history isn’t exactly comforting.”

“I understand your concern,” she replied. “But this alliance is our best chance at a utopia. We can’t afford to let fear dictate our actions. We need to trust that we’re making the right decisions for our people.”

Trey sighed, nodding slowly. “You’re right. It’s just hard to shake the feeling that we’re walking into uncharted territory. But if you believe in Kane, then I’ll trust your judgment.”

“Thank you,” she said, squeezing his hand. “We’ll make this work, Trey. I promise.”

Trey offered a small smile, the tension in his expression easing. Having Trey’s support meant everything to her.

“First things first,” Trey said, his tone shifting to a more practical one. “We need to make sure the pack is ready for this unification. There will be questions, concerns, and possibly resistance. We have to be prepared.”

She nodded, already thinking of the best way to approach the pack. “You’ll need to address their concerns head-on, and show them that this alliance is for the greater good.”

“Agreed,” Trey said. “And we’ll need to keep an eye on the Lycans, especially with Lady Wulric’s new ambition that could complicate things.”

“I’ll keep in touch with Rahl and make sure we’re ahead of any potential threats,” she assured him, slowly realizing that just as he’d told her before, she was the epicentre of everything.

Trey gave her a knowing look. “I still need to meet with your mate and his council to figure out how this will work and when this unification ceremony will take place.”

“I will get him to you,” she promised.

Then Trey rose and walked over to her. He kissed her head and looked at her for a minute. “Keep me posted about the situation with Lord Wulric. I will keep that from the council for now.”

Then he started to leave, but she spun around on the couch.

“Trey, we haven’t gotten a chance to talk and catch up since I got back. I don’t even know how you’re really doing, handling Larc’s death and even Nolan too.” She rose and walked up to him. “Would you mind us visiting them now or whenever you get the chance? Just to be’” she trailed off.

Trey paused at the doorway, his hand lingering on the frame. He turned back to her. “You’re right, Red. We haven’t had a moment to just” be. It’s been one thing after another since you returned.”

“I know what you mean.”

“I miss them,” Trey admitted quietly. “Larc and Nolan were” They were my rock.”

She nodded, her eyes misting with unshed tears. “I know. I think visiting them might help us both find some peace.”

His eyes met hers, and she saw the unspoken agreement there. “Alright. Let’s go now. I could use a moment to remember them.”

They left the room together, walking in silence through the halls of the pack house. They stayed their Gamma and dragon escorts in front of the house. Memories of Larc and Nolan now flooded her mind, their laughter, their faces, and the last time she saw them. She missed them every day in Broiia. Before she was uprooted from Kedar to go live with aunt Kinshra, her brothers were her closest friends and protectors. Not getting to see Nolan or Larc before they died hurt more than anything.

The path to the burial ground behind the compound was serene, lined with tall pines that whispered in the breeze. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the landscape, and for a moment, Emory felt a sense of calm wash over her.

They reached the gravesides, marked by simple stones inscribed with their names. Emory knelt beside Larc’s grave, tracing the letters with her fingertips. “Hey, Larc,” she whispered. Larc’s hurt even more because it was so fresh. “If only I’d come back two days earlier, I could have seen you one last time.”

Trey stood beside Nolan’s grave, his head bowed in silent prayer. After a moment, he spoke. “You never got a chance with them because of me.”

“Don’t say that. You only kept me away to protect me. Never blame yourself for taking care of me.”

Emory rose and moved to stand beside Trey, slipping her hand into his. They stood together in quiet reflection.

“They would have freaked out about your mate. I can imagine Larc begging him to shift to see his dragon form,” Trey said and they shared a laugh.

They stayed a while longer, just standing there in silence. After a while, they made their way back to the house, and they parted ways with Emory returning to her flat. She closed the door and rested her head against it with a small huff. The sound of the doorway reached her before she sensed it beside her, and she turned to it, wondering how it was connected to her mind now. Was it her mind or her feelings?

Emory stepped through it, appearing in front of Kane and Rahl in Rahl’s tower. She looked around the familiar living room before turning to face her mate.

“I was hoping to snag your brother along with you,” Kane said as he took her in his arms. “We need to talk.”

“How I hate that phrase,” she said with a sigh. “What is going on?”

“With the dragons returned, it is only fair that the seat of power relocates to my tower. It is rather” insulting to have the Lycans attempting to rule over us.” Kane glared at Rahl as he spoke. “The Wulric does not dispute that.”

Rahl remained calm, though Emory could see the tension in his eyes. “The seat of power must serve the greater good of the Empire. If relocating to your tower achieves that, then so be it.”

Emory looked between them. “Really?” she asked Rahl.

He shrugged. “I have no objection to moving the seat of power so long as all parties are represented fairly in this new arrangement. Besides, I can’t exactly dispute now, can I? I’m well aware of his reputation when it comes to dominion.”

That was the second time there’d been a reference to Kane as a tyrant, and she was starting to wonder about his past. There was no way he was the king during their war against the gods. Was he?

“The Wulric is invited to the Gersentu Tower, along with his council. So is the Chav’re Alpha and the wolf council, the humans too,” Kane said. “Tomorrow at sunset we usher the empire into a new era of peace and prosperity, and Qaelasyn will become the new seat of power.”

“What about the link? What becomes of that?” Emory wondered. She had thought Kane had come to address the link with Rahl. Now it seemed he’d come to impose his will and authority. Maybe, just maybe, there was another side to Kane she didn’t know yet.

Both men stared at each other, the enormity between them was very obvious, before Kane turned his attention back to her. Those golden eyes lit up like he was seeing her for the first time, and she smiled as she held his gaze. He caressed her cheek, and her eyes slipped closed against the warmth of his hand.

“We should leave the Wulric to his brooding,” Kane said, and the doorway opened beside them.

Her eyes slipped open, and she glanced at Rahl again. She really wanted to know how things had gone with his mother, but she knew Kane would not care for her lingering to discuss anything with Rahl. He gave her a small smile, folding his arms as he watched them. Emory returned the smile and followed Kane through the doorway.

“You do have feelings for him,” Kane said quietly once they were in his lair. “Do you forget I feel your emotions, Eilir?”

Her chest pounded with guilt. She hesitated, meeting his intense golden gaze with a small sigh. “I don’t even know how I feel about him. This is so confusing.”

He watched her for a while before his expression softened, the hardness in his eyes giving way to concern. “Do you remember what Sera did when she meddled with your mind the other day?”

“I have no memory of it,” Emory replied, her frustration and helplessness bubbling up. The thought of being manipulated was infuriating.

“I suspect she may have compelled you in some way to crave the Wulric,” he said, scratching his brow with a frown. “We’ll figure this out. You’re mine, Emory. I won’t lose you to him.”

“I don’t want to lose you either.” She sank into one of the couches. “You should find my brother. He wishes to speak with you, and it seems you need to speak with him too. Once you’ve decided on things and set a date for the unification, let me know.”

Kane frowned. “Are you off somewhere?”

“Yes, I need to meet with the Crimson Wing. I met with them earlier and we have more to discuss.” As if on cue, the doorway opened beside her. She stood up. “When I get back, will you show me around Qaelasyn?”

He nodded, though the worry didn’t leave his eyes. Emory gave him a reassuring smile before stepping through the doorway, hoping that somehow, they would find a way to figure out the tangled web of their lives.