Alpha Terrell's POV
"A friend?" Kade wheezed. "You? Alpha Terrell, the Butcher of monsters and humans, wants to be someone's friend?"
"I fail to see the humor."
"That's because you don't know what friendship means!" Kade clutched his sides, still laughing. "Alpha, you've killed men for the tiniest reasons. You burned an entire castle down an hour ago. You don't have friends. You have subordinates and enemies. Those are your only two categories for people!"
Gareth wiped tears from his eyes. "He's not wrong. I've known you for many years, and I still wouldn't call us friends."
"We're brothers in arms," Bellick added. "Comrades. Fellow warriors. But friends?" He shook his head. "You'd need a personality for that."
My jaw clenched. "Are you all quite finished?"
"Not even close," Kade grinned. "This is the best thing that's happened since I joined your army. Wait until the others hear…"
"No one is hearing anything." My voice dropped to a lethal pitch. "That's an order."
The laughter died abruptly.
"You're serious about this," Gareth said.
"Completely."
"Why?" Bellick asked bluntly. "Why go through this charade? Just tell her who you are and deal with the consequences."
"Because I don't have time for consequences," I snapped. "I need to get home. I need rest. I need…" I cut myself off before I said something I'd regret.
"You need her," Gareth said quietly.
The truth of it hung in the air between us.
"Whether I need her or not is irrelevant," I said coldly. "What matters is getting her back to Black Claw territory without incident. And that requires her cooperation. Which she won't give if she knows who I am."
"So you'll trick her," Kade said.
"I'll manage her. There's a difference."
"And then what?" Gareth asked. "You get her home, she finds out the truth, and what? You think she won't try to kill you anyway?"
"By then, we'll be in my territory. My castle. Where I have control." I met each of their eyes in turn. "But during this journey, I need her calm. Compliant. And the only way that happens is if she thinks I'm someone safe."
"Someone safe," Bellick repeated. "You. Safe." He shook his head. "This is insane."
"This is necessary."
"Why?" Kade pushed. "Why do you even care? I thought you were planning to reject her anyway. Why not just throw her over your shoulder and be done with it?"
The question I'd been avoiding.
"My plans are my own business," I said icily. "Whether I reject her or accept her is not your concern. Your only job is to spread the word to the others - including Sheena - that Bellick is Alpha Terrell. And I..."
I forced the words out. "I am just another warrior."
"This is going to be a disaster," Gareth muttered.
"Probably," I agreed. "But it's the disaster we're working with. Now, are you going to follow orders, or do I need to find new generals?"
That got their attention.
"Of course, Alpha," Gareth said immediately.
"We'll spread the word," Bellick added.
Kade still looked like he wanted to laugh, but he nodded. "As you command. But for the record, I think you've lost your mind."
"Noted." I glanced toward where Angel waited. "And if anyone - anyone - slips and reveals my identity..."
"We'll die by your bare hands," Gareth finished. "Yes, Alpha. We understand."
"Good." I turned to leave, then paused. "One more thing. If she asks about the battle at the Hound pack, about what happened to her family..."
"What do we tell her?" Bellick asked.
"The truth. That Alpha Terrell ordered their deaths. That he's a monster who deserves everything she wants to do to him." The words tasted like poison. "Let her hate me. But let her hate the right person."
"And who's the right person?" Kade asked. "Since you're not you anymore?"
I smiled. "Why, that would be Bellick, of course. Our fearsome Alpha. The Butcher. The monster."
Bellick sighed heavily. "I'm going to regret this."
"Probably," I agreed again. "But you'll do it anyway. We make camp here tonight!"
I turned, and walked back toward where Sheena stood with my horse. Angel remained slumped in the saddle, still unconscious, her body swaying dangerously with each small movement the animal made.
Sheena held the reins loosely, but her eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my jaw clench. That knowing, piercing stare that saw too much. The priestess had always been able to read people better than she had any right to.
I walked over and grabbed the reins from her hands.
She didn't let go immediately, holding my gaze with that same unnerving expression.
"What?" I barked.
Her lips pressed together, and for a moment I thought she might actually voice whatever thoughts were swirling in that head of hers. But she simply released the reins and stepped back.
"Nothing, Alpha."
"Good. Keep it that way." I turned my attention to Angel, carefully assessing the best way to get her down without jarring her injuries.
Sheena walked away, her robes sweeping the ground, heading toward her own horse at the back of our formation.
I called after her, my voice sharp. "We're making camp here tonight."
She paused, glancing back over her shoulder with that same strange expression. "As you wish, Alpha."
The witch better keep her thoughts to herself, I thought darkly, watching her walk away.