CHAPTER THREE - ADRIEL

“Do you mean that?”

I sit back looking at my family. At all of them. My parents. My five brothers and my sister. We’re sat around the table, with the food untouched in front of us all. We eat like this, as a family, most nights. It’s the one meal we spend together.

“Yes.” I say.

Khloe’s eyebrows shoot up. Ryker doesn’t look surprised. The rest stare back and I swear their jaws smack the table.

“You don’t have to make any decisions now.” My mother says before picking up her fork again.

“I know but for the moment Ryker is my heir.” I state. I don’t want to have any in-fighting, any petty squabbles. We need to present a united front and me being clear about this ensures that’s what we do.

Ryker shakes his head just enough for me to notice.

‘You have a problem with that?’ I ask through the mind-link.

‘You know I’m not suitable to take over if something were to happen.’ He replies.

I tilt my head. ‘And why is that?’

He looks away as if he’s ashamed when we both know he has no reason to be.

‘Levi should be your heir. Levi will have pups…’ He replies.

‘So could you.’

‘You know that’s not going to happen.’ He growls.

I narrow my eyes. “Ryker is my heir and that is final.” I say out loud.

He huffs but he doesn’t argue more.

“What are we going to do about the Aurora Pack?” Khloe asks.

I look at my parents for a second. Someone has attacked us, even if it weren’t for my connection to this particular Pack, I need to find out who was behind it. I need to ensure they’re punished. They came against our species. They must pay for that.

“We’ll send some Wolves to investigate.” I say. “And we’ll send envoys to all the other Packs too.”

“I’ll go.” Cain says.

“Really?” I reply.

He shrugs. “It will put them at ease, show we’re taking this seriously.”

“Fine.” I say.

“I’ll go too.” Aeron says. “We’ll split the Packs between us.”

I look at my mother, to see how she takes that, both her mates will be leaving. She meets my gaze head on. For a human she can certainly master the same fierce spirit we all embody. “It’s for the good of our family.” She says as if she knows what I’m thinking.

I know she’s right. But that doesn’t mean I like separating them.

“I can go too.” Levi says.

“No, you’ve never been an envoy before…” I begin.

“Then wouldn’t you say it’s time I learnt?” He replies.

Yeah, maybe he’s right but that doesn’t mean I want my entire family spread far and wide. Besides we don’t know who is behind this. I hate putting my parents at risk. I don’t want to put Levi in such a situation when I know he’s not ready.

“Not this time brother. Let our fathers do this.” I say.

His shoulders slump. I know he means well but I don’t want to risk anything happening. And I know my parents can take care of themselves.