Chapter 115
~ ROWAN
The man barely made it across the parking lot before I was on him and throwing him to the ground. He groaned as his face collided with the rough gravel.
Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, I pulled him to his feet. “If you’re going to make a run for it, at least make it worth my time p>
Aria’s heavy footsteps came up behind me as she caught up to us. “What’s going on p>
I took in the man from head to toe. He did not smell lycan, neither did he look like someone from here. His jaw was set tightly but I could see the stab of fear that flashed across his face at my watchful gaze.
“Why don’t you save us both the time and tell me what I need to know p>
His lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just trying to head home p>
“Then why did you run p>
He shrugged. “I don’t like lycans p>
“And yet you came to a pack filled with them?” I asked, unable to hold back a snort.
He was good, I’d give him that. Legally, I had nothing on him. All he did was use a fake name to check into the inn, it was not a crime. I’d need concrete proof and he was not giving it to me.
If I wasn’t so pissed, I’d be impressed by how thorough he was.
“Seeing as I have done nothing wrong, I would like to return to my pack. I am innocent p>
“You’re right.” I released him. “You are innocent p>
He stared at me in shock, mouth agape and eyes wide. He clearly was not expecting me to let it go that easy. A second passed and I saw relief coat him like a blanket, his shoulders sagged and he straightened his shirt.
“I am glad you have seen reason p>
He did not get the chance to even turn before I pounced.
My knuckled flew across the side of his temple in a flash and he crumpled to the ground, eyes closed. The rise and fall of his chest told me that he was alive.
Behind me, Aria gasped. “What are you doing? He was innocent, you said so yourself p>
I ignored her, dusting my hands against my trousers. “I know p>
“Then why? You will get into trouble p>
“With who?” I scoffed. “I am judge, jury and executioner and I do not care how many toes I have to step on to find my mate. I will break every law, and I will hurt anyone I think is responsible p>
She swallowed tightly, staring up at me with a mixture of shock and wariness.
My control slipped the longer Nyssa stayed missing. They did not know how lucky they were that all I did was punch the bastard.
“If it gets to the council,” she warned but I shook my head.
The council was the only power above me. It was a group of eight lycans. Rumors stated that they lived somewhere deep in the mountains, away from the rest of the packs.
They monitored things, making sure that both werewolves and lycans lived harmoniously. My father told me that they had only involved themselves in pack matters once, and it was when a rabid Alpha went on a killing spree, wiping out packs in order to rule them all.
That was centuries ago. No one had seen them since. Hell, no one even knew if they were alive.
“It will not. The council will not involve themselves unless it reaches a new magnitude. For now, find a guard to take him to the cells, I will deal with it later p>
I did not give Aria a chance to protest before heading back into the inn.
The patrons watched me with wary eyes. I could almost smell the fear and unease as I walked through the lobby but I ignored it all, focusing on the woman at the desk.
Her skin was pale, her lips spread softly as she stared up at me. “Your Majesty p>
“The names,” I reminded her.
With shaky fingers, she scribbled a few names onto a piece of paper and handed it over to me. My fingers brushed hers as I took it and flinched.
It stung, but only for a moment.
I prided myself in knowing that my pack could not only trust me, but they loved me. They knew I would go to the ends of the earth for them, I could only hope that they would understand that I was merely doing the same for my mate.
I turned to leave when I heard her voice call out to me. “I hope you find her p>
I stopped in my tracks and turned to her. “Who said anything about a her p>
“It has to be,” she chuckled softly. “I do not know anything else that would make a man lose control like that p>
I watched her for a moment, debating a response before nodding. “Thank you p>
When I stepped out of the inn, I was surprised to find that a guard had arrived already and he tugged the unconscious werewolf into the backseat of a car.
“How did you get them here so fast?” I asked.
“The minute you ran out after him, I guessed something terrible would happen. I called for guards.” She shrugged as if it were no big deal, smoothing her hands down her shirt. “Where to next p>
“You are going back to the palace p>
“What? Why?” she protested. “I thought we were doing this p>
“I am going to question a man, Aria. It is not something you want to see p>
She frowned. “I am not a child p>
I nearly laughed at those words.
She had not been a child for decades, but she was my sister, and I treasured the moments where she looked at me like I could do no wrong. I was not willing to taint it with images of me hurting people.
“My answer remains no p>