Page 74 of Hart's Redemption

“Being there for you is what Be… Brothers are for.”

Now it was my turn to snicker. “You were totally going to say Betas.”

“Was not.”

“Were to.” Falling into the familiar pattern of friendly banter was as easy as it had always been with Eric. In many ways, he really was my brother, if not by blood. “You just can’t wait to be at the top of the pecking order.”

“Not the top-top, that’s gonna be your headache.”

“Yeah yeah.” I rubbed my temple as if in anticipation of the aforementioned ache. “You know, you still have to fight for the position.”

“Pft. Forget the fact that you’re implying someone might actually beat me, who would challenge?”

“I imagine Remus would be willing to make a run at it.”

“What?” Eric’s strangled question had me biting back a laugh.

“Good night, Eric. Thanks again.”

“Don’t you dare hang up! What’s this business about Remus?”

“Really should get some rest.”

“WhataboutRemus?!” Eric’s panicked shout was the last thing I heard before I cut the call. Mean as it was, I couldn’t help but give my friend a hard time. He’d spent most of our lives preparing to be my second in command, with never a consideration of opposition.

I smiled to myself. There wasn’t really a reason for him to be so concerned. After all, if there could be two Alphas, why couldn’t there be two Betas to match? Of course, that assumed any of us lived long enough to find out if two Alphas really could rule the same pack.

Chapter 24

Josh

Thedayofmytrial came without warning or fanfare. A squad of soldiers arrived, mercifully not led by Commander Walsh. I stood perfectly still, hands in plain view as the wall cleared, then slid back to allow them entrance to the cell. The smell of their collective wariness and anger tickled my nose. That fact alone betrayed their lack of training to work closely with lycanthropes.

A soldier decked out in full combat gear, complete with goggles that had no place in a dimly lit cell, stepped forward and silently signaled for his team to surround me. I roved my gaze over the group in search of a familiar face and found none. On the surface, it might seem that someone had done enoughhomework to make sure I was well and truly isolated, but on a deeper level, it also meant that these soldiers were not the best the government had to offer.

Politics.

I fought the urge to sneer. “You’re not with Supernatural Threat Elimination, Acquisition, and Mitigation.”

The lead soldier checked his bio-ware before looking up. “You sure about that?” Judging by the roughness of his voice, overall demeanor, and the way he held himself, I’d guess Marine.

“Yes. You aren’t following proper procedure for securing a lycanthrope. In addition, I’m familiar with all members of STEAM as well as its rigorous requirements for acceptance. Unless I’ve been down here far longer than a few months, not enough time has elapsed to warrant new additions, and I can only assume that you haven’t been briefed on protocol.”

I caught the faintest trace of an agitated tick. To his credit, unlike Commander Walsh, this soldier was a professional and held a tight rein on his temper.

“You seem awful confident in your assumptions,” a voice beside me said.

“STEAM units often contain a mix of supernatural races in order to balance all potential threats. I can smell that all of you are human.” I turned to face the soldier who had spoken up. “I can also smell your fear.” The taunt worked perfectly. Anxiety emanated from the soldiers, filling the room with its cloyingly sweet scent.

“Do not engage with the prisoner,” the lead soldier barked at the same time he pulled something from his belt.

I hissed as magic-laced, silver cuffs encircled my wrists. The commanding officer may have been too professional to openly smirk, but it clearly shone in his eyes. Without further ado, they marched me out of my cell and into the ominous corridor. I didn’t even have a minute to appreciate being outside of thosefour walls for the first time in months when a portal wide enough to admit three across opened before us.

A subtle nudge in my back got my feet moving. The sharp burn of ozone seared my nostrils as we stepped through into an all too familiar setting. After all, how many times had I myself marched someone through these hallowed halls?

Intricate mosaics and decorated pillars replaced dreary stone and steel. Symbols of justice glowed where they were permanently etched along the walls. The Temple of Pugu was the pinnacle of sorcery, simultaneously serving as a supernatural holding cell and a secure platform for portals. Veins of magic pulsed all the way up to the impressive domed ceiling some thirty meters up as our gateway snapped shut. For such a grand space, it also felt infinitely small.

I fought back a tide of unease as the gravity of my situation reasserted itself. The soldiers remained silent as we crossed the short distance to yet another cell. Unlike my previous one, this had open bars that allowed me to see out into the grand space. It also allowed curious dignitaries and anyone else with the proper clearance to see me.