“I don’t like this,” he said.
“I know.”
“Do you? Because you’re asking me to do the same thing Richard Collins did. You’re asking me to take control of a group of wolves who won’t be able to say no. To use them.”
“You’re not him. You never have been.”
His clenched his jaw. “You said we were the same. Sides of a coin.”
“Yeah. But the difference is you aren’t trying to take something away. You’re trying to protect what’s already yours.” I shook my head. “Look, Ox. I can’t pretend that this isn’t messed up. Because it is. You see everything in black and white. As good and bad. And that’s what makes you the Alpha that you are. But I can’t do that. I can’t. I’m not like you. I never have been, and I never will be. My conscience can’t be as clear as yours. I’ve—done things. Things I’m not proud of. But I would do anything to keep my pack safe. To keep my family safe. And I’m asking you to do the same. Because it won’t end with the hunters. There are always going to be more who try and take what doesn’t belong to them. Witches. Michelle Hughes.” I sighed. “My father. It won’t—what would you do? To protect those you love?”
“Everything,” Ox said, though I knew it hurt him to say. “I would do everything.”
“
I need you to trust me on this.”
He sighed and closed his eyes. “The wards. Witches. Won’t they keep the Omegas out? Can you even change them back?”
“Maybe not by myself. But others are coming.”
Joe blinked. “What? What others? How can you know that? We’re cut off from the outside.”
I shrugged. “Magic.” It was easier than telling him his dead father appeared in a vision to a witch in Minneapolis and she told me so in a dream. Maybe when things were all said and done. Maybe never.
Rico snorted. “Magic. Magic, he says. Ay dios mío. Our lives, man. Bambi is never going to forgive me, even with a sexy scar.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Jessie told him, patting him on the hand. “I’ve got faith in you.” She frowned. “Maybe.”
“Hey! I’ve been shot. You’re supposed to be nice to me.”
“You were grazed. And then let women carry you back.”
“That’s because I’m a feminist.”
Jessie sighed.
“Can you do this?” Joe asked Ox.
Ox started to shake his head but stopped himself. “I don’t—I think so. I’ll need you.” He reached out and took Joe’s hand. “I’ll need all of you. Especially if I’m going to… control them.”
“Won’t they go after Gordo?” Robbie asked, still standing close to Kelly. “If they’re like the others, can you stop them from attacking him?”
“I’ll do what I can,” Ox said. “But it’s not going to be easy.”
“I can handle myself,” I said.
“I can’t believe you,” Kelly said, and it hurt to hear the betrayal in his voice. “Any of you. That you’d do this to them. To Mark. To Carter.”
Carter sighed. “Pretty sure I’m still in my right mind here. Well. Mostly in my right mind. I can speak for myself.” The timber wolf pressed its nose against his shoulder, and he shoved it away.
Kelly laughed bitterly. “Only because you’re scared and don’t see any other way.”
“Kelly.”
“Fuck you.”
“Look at me.”