Page 91 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
Pride flickers through me before I can squash it. Of course he’d pick up on that detail.
“Then we’ll do a search,” Akila says, already pivoting to tactical mode. “We’ll do a systematic sweep of the fortress and surrounding area. If he’s weakened, he’ll need somewhere to recover.”
Xander nods. “Agreed. Get more guards on Jayme’s cell. Make sure there is a constant rotation to prevent any one person from being compromised. No one can get in there.”
“Done,” I say. “Our most experienced wolves will be stationed there with sentinels nearby to ensure Holden won’t be able to use magic against them again.”
“The question remains,” Xander continues, brushing his fingers across his jaw, “what does Holden gain from sabotaging the summit? Peace between our peoples benefits everyone.”
“Unless he doesn’t want peace,” Akila suggests. “Some people thrive on conflict.”
“But why attack his own father?” Conan asks. “That’s beyond conflict with Lycans. That’s mutiny.”
Haron must’ve known.
The thought sears into my mind, soft and sudden. It isn’t mine, but I know the voice immediately.
I saw it,Ethan’s voice continues.
My head whips toward Ethan so fast my neck cracks, but his gaze stays locked on the floor.
Saw what?I send the question intentionally, uncertainty clawing at me about whether he can hear me.
He continues to study the floor.The lightbulb twins have been talking to each other through their thoughts. I’m sure of it.
Then say something,I urge him.
Ethan’s head lifts up slowly. His green eyes bore into me, and his voice cuts through my mind again, crystal clear, though his mouth stays shut.
Holy shit, you can hear me?
Yes, I can hear you.
What the fuck? Can everyone else—
I glance around the room. No one’s watching us. They’re still discussing Holden.
I don’t think so.I keep my face neutral even though my wolf is losing her mind.
How are we doing this?
No idea. Now tell them what you saw.
Ethan clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “There’s something else.” They turn to him. “During the reception that took place the first night the Shaman arrived, andother times since then, I’ve noticed something out of place going on between Holden and Haron.”
Xander’s silver-blue eyes sharpen. “What kind of odd?”
“Silent conversations. They’d look at each other across a room, and their expressions would change, like they were having full discussions without saying a word. At first, I thought it was just sibling intuition, but—” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “The behavior was too specific, as if they were giving responses to questions that hadn’t been asked aloud and reactions to things that hadn’t been said.”
“Mind-linking?” Akila asks. “Like between Lycans?”
“You think they were communicating telepathically.” Xander leans forward. “We still don’t have a complete grasp of Shaman’s intercommunications. If Lycans can mind-link, who’s to say Shaman — especially Shaman twins — can’t share a similar connection?”
“So, if that’s the case,” Ethan says, “Haron might know way more about her brother’s plans than she’s telling us.”
The room falls silent. Even Branson stops his restless pacing.
“That’s a serious accusation,” Xander says slowly.
