"That's a dangerous hope. Keep your eyes peeled while we're here, Cyril," Eric said quietly.
"Yes, Alpha."
A few minutes later, Mark's house came into view.
Eric stepped out before Cyril, posture calm, shoulders relaxed. Mark was already waiting, expression carefully arranged, hands clasped.
Eric extended his hand.
Mark took it.
"Welcome to Redwood, Alpha Eric," Mark drawled, eyes glittering with calculation.
"Do you welcome every guest," he asked, tightening his grip just enough to make a point, "or are you just kissing my ass?"
Cyril bit the inside of his cheek.
Mark's smile faltered. He withdrew his hand and clapped once. "Well," he said, "let's get to it."
At the sound, a man stepped forward from the shadows near the house. Broad-shouldered, eyes hard and loyal—Mark's beta. Robert.
In his hands were chains.
Pure silver.
Cyril moved, stepping in front of Eric, shoulders squared, eyes flashing. "That's not happening."
