Page 79 of Those That Defy the Realm

Antares starts pulling alcohol bottles from the shelf and mixing something into tall tumblers. “Yeah, but we all know it was to get away from me. He knew Ty wouldn’t take me, that I’d pick staying here with Rory, that I can’t really show my face in that city. So, he volunteered as soon as Ty announced he had to take a trip and needed backup. Seriously, he jumped at the chance, literally.”

“That doesn’t mean he did it to get away from you.”

“Right, even Rory has noticed how much he purposefully ignores me. I walk into a room and he walks out.” He walks back over and hands me one of the drinks he’s made. Taking a sip the alcohol slides down my throat shockingly smooth, considering how many different spirits I’ve just seen him mix into it.

“Maybe Ty will talk to him whilst they’re away.”

Antares splutters. “Yeah, sure. Ty and I may have made peace, but come on, Atlas and him go way back. He’s not exactly on my side here, he’s not about to be a wingman for me.”

I contemplate that as I take another few mouthfuls of the cocktail. “Well, then I guess we’re both currently fucked.”

“That I will drink to.” Antares leans forward and holds his nearly empty glass out for me to clink with my own. We shoot the rest of the liquid. “Another?”

My brain already feels a tiny bit fuzzy from the drink, which shouldn’t really be possible from just one. But it is a welcome blanket over all of my current worries.

“Yes, please.”

CHAPTER 26

ASH

Ibat my brother on the snout as he tries to get me to engage with him. I’d been having a nice bathe in the sun in my wolf form when he’d come up and wrapped his jaws around the scruff of my neck.

It wasn’t hard, purely an act to instigate some play fighting, but I wasn’t in the mood. Rawson tries again, gripping my foreleg between his teeth and pulls me onto my back, straddling me as he goes.

Letting out a playful growl, but with an edge of warning, I use my hind leg to shove him to the ground.

Millie, who’d also been lounging nearby, decides, just as I’m about to end this game, to leap onto us both. Somehow it becomes two on one—me being the one—and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as my younger siblings will always side with one another against us older ones.

Rather than dampening their fun, I allow a few minutes of rough and tumble. I manage to break away from them both, leaping clear from their tangled limbs before turning and daring them to chase me through the clearing where we’d decided to come to this afternoon.

Lowering my front half, so my chest brushes the short grass I let out a bark and wait until the very last second to turn tail and run, leaping over Kai, one of my older brothers, who was the final sibling that had been able to join us on this jaunt this afternoon.

I think Kai might’ve actually been asleep as he startles at my landing, rising to his feet in a flash and causing Millie and Rawson to crash into him.

He goes flying with a snarl, barely missing where I’d come to a stop. He looks to me as he regains his feet, his large pointed ears flattening as he does a quick take to our siblings before catching my gaze once more. His intention is clear.

Yipping in response, we team up and together our little brother and sister don’t stand a chance. They’re both pinned beneath our paws in under a minute.

We only release them when they both go still and start whining. With a final nip to her ear, I move so my sister can roll over and find her feet once more. It’s as I move away that I spot our father watching from the edge of the woods. His glossy grey coat gleams as he trots into the clearing.

He doesn’t stay in his wolf form, however, shifting as he reaches us. “I hope you were playing fair.” He directs mine and Kai’s way.

Shifting back myself, I answer, “Of course. Anyway, Rawson started it.”

Dad chuckles.

Millie shifts as well but the other two remain in their fur forms, coming closer to greet our father. “What’s up Dad?” Millie asks.

He looks at me with an expression I can’t read, but it sends a chill down my spine. “What is it?”

“Your mother has received a call from Rory.”

“Rory? Is everything okay? Is something wrong with Henry or Claire?” Suddenly, I feel stupid that I didn’t bring my phone with me. It wouldn’t have a signal up here in the clearing anyway, but still, why did I think it a good idea to travel up here when I should be able to be contacted at any time? Especially with the anxious buzzing I’ve felt recently, which hasn’t disappeared since I’ve been back in the Northern Isles.

“They’re both fine,” Dad reassures me. “But Rory wanted to talk through some evidence she’d found with your mother, and it involves Claire.”

“Please, just tell me.”