An Alpha's Choice (Talon Pack #2)(31)

She didn’t say anything, her mind still working through everything that had happened even in the last week.

“I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but Brynn, you need to tell him.”

She shook her head. “I can’t. If I do, I’ll be weak. He’ll know that weakness, and I can’t allow that to happen.”

He sighed. “You will never be weak, no matter what you think. Your wolf needs this, as do you. And Finn needs it too, baby girl. He needs to know what he’s missing. If you don’t tell him, then I might be forced to kick his ass because I’m so f*cking pissed that he’s hurting you by not knowing, Brynn. There has to be a reason, and hiding from it isn’t helping anyone.”

She licked her lips. “What happens when I tell him? What then? Both of us will know that we’re missing something.”

“Or maybe you can find a way. Never discount the moon goddess.”

Brynn had been discounted her entire existence thanks to the moon goddess and her grand plans. It would take more than a nudge from her brother for Brynn to bare her belly and the truth. She’d spent far too long proving that she could handle anything. She wasn’t sure she was ready—if she could ever be ready for Finn to knowingly turn her away.

For if he did that, she’d shatter in truth.

And there was no coming back from that.





Persuasion


The delicate balance between peace and war was not something to be cared for lightly. When one wanted to gently align key elements so said balance would shift at the precise moment, then nothing else could matter.

Senator Charles McMaster knew better than anyone that the art of war wasn’t fought in one evening. Instead, it took years to put the key pieces in place. With the aid of General Keith Montag, the plan would fall into place soon.

It was all about persuasion.

Persuading the right humans to fall in line.

Persuading the right shifter-haters to act when required.

Persuading the right doctors to follow him into the abyss of shifter research.

Charles adjusted the knot of his tie so it lay perfectly over his chest. It wouldn’t do to look anything but perfect. The world needed to see a caring and compassionate activist in one frame, and one who would stand up for their rights in the other.

Wolves could never be allowed to know who truly controlled their future.

Because one day, they would feel the true agony of their existence.

“Are you ready to see the subject?” Montag asked, his voice almost a growl. The man was so uncouth, almost like the wolves they hunted. But Charles needed Montag for his plan to work.




Charles turned toward the General and raised a brow. “Of course. Has there been any progress since the last phase of the moon?”

Montag shook his head. “No. The damn beast won’t shift. But we’ll get him to. If not, then he’ll end up with the others, and we’ll find a new subject.” Montag shrugged. “It’s not like we don’t know where the others are.”

Charles nodded slightly. “True, of course.” They’d known for far longer than the wolves were aware, but then again, Charles did his best to be one step ahead of the game.

He followed Montag toward the lower basement where the beginning of their journey had occurred and where many of the next stages would remain. Cages lined the walls while a door at the other end of the long room led the way to the more…daunting prospects.

This was only phase one, of course. Charles needed the humans to remain fearful of what they didn’t know. The wolves were playing nice so far and being oh so careful. That wouldn’t remain the case for long so Charles would do what he could to ensure that he used this pause in their hostility to his and Montag’s advantage.

He would soon…persuade the next set of humans to fight in his war. Only they wouldn’t know they were doing it until it was too late.

Charles stared dispassionately at the wolf in human form, who huddled naked in the cage. If it didn’t shift soon, it would die. Maybe not by genetics, but by those Charles employed. It wouldn’t do for him to do it himself. He didn’t do the dirty work. That’s why he had Montag.

The General kept the cage shut but stuck a cattle prod through the bars. The beast screamed, but again, didn’t shift.

What a waste.

No matter, however. Soon, the next step in his plan would take place, and the humans would remain fearful of the wolves they didn’t know. It was unfortunate that the Heir had saved that small child. It was even more unfortunate that it looked as if the Heir and the Talon woman had done their best to save the two wolves who Charles had been keeping an eye on. The humans were seeing those two act with valor far too many times for Charles’ liking.

He needed the masses to fear the wolves, not pause to think of those two’s actions.

It seemed he needed to add one more piece to the plan.

A little prodding, a little persuasion, and the extremists who had been unknowingly aiding him would keep up their work.

The beast screamed again, and this time, Charles let one side of his mouth lift up in a grin.

The delicate balance would be his to play with, his to manipulate. It was what he’d been born for. It was what others would bleed for.





Chapter Nine


Finn ran a hand over his mouth, nodding at the sentries at the Talon gate. He slid though the wards, ignoring the pinpricks of sensation dancing along his skin. When he went through the Redwood wards, it was as if he were coming home, the magic welcoming him. This was more like something agreeing to let him stay, but not for long. The magic knew he wasn’t a Talon and wanted Finn to know that, as well.