Alek snorted beside him. “Your wolf thinks everyone behaves as righteously as him.”
“Does not. I just wanted to shake their hands and tell ’em we appreciated their contribution to—”
“And that’s quite decent of you. But they’re not gonna be your friends, Macauley. They live for one thing—to hunt and get paid,” Wick informed him. “Besides. With the bounty I put on Alessandro Giuliani’s head, I’m sure they’ll be on the next thing smoking back to England.”
Wick’s statement hit Bell so hard he felt like he’d been slapped in the face. “What?” Bell glared at Wick from the rear seat.
“You heard me,” Wick said firmly. The King may’ve looked worn-all-to-hell, but he spoke as he always did… with the final word. “He’s been officially declared a traitor to our race and an enemy of the crown. He’s wanted dead or alive, and brought to your feet.”
Bell’s head began to throb as his anger spiked to another level, but he remained respectful when he responded, “I don’t want him brought to my feet, Chadwick.” Bell took a deep breath then growled, “I was hoping you wouldn’t do this, Wick.”
“I didn’t do anything…except rule.” Wick’s casual tone grated on his nerves even more. He had no idea what Bell had really been through, chained to that goddamn table. He deserved his revenge. He’d been killed and resurrected for it. “As of right now you are out of the field. Your responsibilities have changed and your position is too important to lose you to covert missions. You’ve trained an entire army for this, Bell. I have the troops scouting for leads, and the intelligence unit is working on this nonstop. He will be found.”
Bell was poised to say something else when he felt his Beloved press himself into his side and lean in until his lips were against his ear, but still used their link to talk.
“You are quite angry, little bird.”
Bell gasped at Wrath’s dangerous tone. It’d been Alek holding his hand when he’d stepped off the jet. He was beginning to get whiplash with how flawlessly Wrath and Alek could fade in and out. And while it was taking some getting used to, he loved it. Both of them had a unique feeling they brought to the surface, and right now Wrath’s presence was calming his rage. He didn’t want to feel as betrayed as he did. Wick knew he’d want retribution, he’d earned it. So, why would his friend try to take that from him… unless he thought Bell was no longer capable?
He was more capable now than ever! Bell held in another growl, his chest expanding but the hot air brewing behind his ribcage had nowhere to go.
“Mmmm. Your anger brings me forward all its own.”
Bell shook his head. “Why would he do this? It’s not right and he knows it. Alessandro killed all my men, then tortured me.”
“Grrrr. Don’t remind me.” Wrath gripped the back of Bell’s neck with one hot palm, the heat immediately dulling the throb in his head. The other, he placed over his sternum. “I never want to think of that moment again.”
“It’s our way of life. An eye for an eye.” Bell turned and looked at Wrath, almost getting lost in the beautiful, orange flecks in his eyes, “you promised me vengeance.”
“And you will have it.”
“HOW?” Bell yelled, his anger spiking.
Wrath’s eyes blazed as his grip tightened even more. Bell released the hot air and tilted his head as Wrath nudged his jaw with his nose, forcing his head back, “I don’t know. But, staying away to hunt Alessandro was not an option. I rain down in many ways, fragile mate. Not with just fire. Your enemy is my enemy. And now he’s a wanted man, a hunted man. He won’t have a moment’s peace. Wrath has already fallen upon him.”
Bell understood what Wrath was saying, that Alessandro would get what was coming to him one way or another. But it didn’t take away the sting that it wouldn’t come from him. “Still doesn’t mean we can’t go back later.”
“I can practically hear you and your mate plotting, Belleron. And, I’m sorry if you don’t approve of my decision. But, the Lord High has a very important position and it’s no longer being a foot soldier. The hunt for Alessandro and his rebellion will be done by the reserves.”
The truck was quiet after that. Bell didn’t have anything else to say. Wick was right. He was no longer a general on the front lines. His duties were to advise the king and unite the covens. He was trusted, his name was well known. However, he never wanted it to be synonymous with being considered a coward or weakling. He didn’t want to completely lose hope that he’d somehow, some way, repay that asshole for what he’d done to him.