Chapter 20: Grace: Intelligence is Lacking
“Let me go!” Tugging my wrist back just causes more pain; I’ll never get away by relying on strength. I wouldn’t win against even the weakest wolf, and Ellie is not weak. But I can’t just sit there and do nothing, so I keep trying.
“This is all because of you,” she snaps, her fingers tightening to the point it feels my bones are being crushed. “Coming in here and causing a misunderstanding between our pack and the Lycans.”
Our pack, she says, as if she’s already Luna or something.
Not that I’m competing, or even want to, but don’t I have a little more claim to this pack than she does? Even if I’ve become an abandoned human, I at least lived among these people for six years.
There’s no point in arguing semantics, though. I don’t want this pack anymore; I want to leave.
“Let me go,” I say again, trying to pry her fingers off with my other hand. They don’t budge, and she snatches my other wrist as if I’m a child, with the same bone-crushing grasp.
The pain’s enough to send me to my knees, but I don’t want to go down in a pathetic heap in front of her, of all people.
“Is there a problem here?” The Lycan’s finally noticed I’m no longer behind him, striding toward Ellie from across the room.
Relief floods through me as he approaches, but it evaporates just as quickly. His expression remains neutral as he watches Ellie crush my wrists, not a flicker of concern crossing his features.
“Lycan Beta.” Ellie’s voice drips honey, her grip never loosening. “I was just having some words with the disgrace.”
A chill runs through me at his words. The way he says it—like I’m property.
Ellie’s perfect posture falters. “I apologize, Lycan Beta. I acted rashly.” Her voice drips with rehearsed contrition. “You see, this human has been the source of much discord between our pack and yours. I only wish to understand why.”
My throat tightens as she continues, each word precise and calculated.
“I will personally investigate her situation. After all, we want nothing but peace between our packs now.”
The Beta’s attention hasn’t left my wrists. Something in his stance shifts, a predatory stillness that makes my skin crawl. “Will you now?”
“Of course. It’s clear she’s caused enough trouble already.”
The Lycan Beta’s lips curl into something between a sneer and a smile. “Your loyalty is commendable. Your intelligence, however, seems to be lacking.”
Ellie’s perfect posture crumbles. The change in her demeanor is so sudden, it’s like watching a flower wilt in fast motion. Gone is the self-assured female who crushed my wrists moments ago.
“The Lycan King made his stance quite clear.” His voice drops to a dangerous whisper. “Or did you miss that part while cowering on your knees?”
A shudder runs through me at the memory of last night—the way everyone dropped except me. The raw power that had filled the room. The blood that followed.
Ellie’s gaze darts between me and the Beta, uncertainty clouding her features. “High Alpha said harboring humans goes against international law.” Her voice wavers. “The Blue Mountain Pack intends to follow such law to the letter.”
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