Read Online Dawn (The Dire Wolves Chronicles Book 3) by Alyssa Rose Ivy - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Alyssa Rose Ivy
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passed. “I apologize for him.”
“Why?”
“Because he indirectly works for me. I take responsibility for all who do. It’s the only way.”
“Then you take responsibility for keeping us here?”
“Yes. Which is why you are moving.”
“And where am I moving exactly?” I walked toward the bars. The king wasn’t going to show any concern about me coming close. To do so would show weakness.
“More comfortable quarters. I do apologize for your short stay here. We didn’t have time to get your new ones ready.”
“By more comfortable, do you mean the morgue?”
He laughed. “Of course not. Do you believe I want you dead?”
“Yes.” That was certainly what he wanted. Whether he’d do it was another story altogether.
“I want answers, and I want an end to the violence.”
“I’ve done nothing violent besides turning over a few humans. I don’t believe that’s grounds to hold us.”
“You mean the humans your pack member killed?”
“We did have a questionable relationship with witches. We needed to protect ourselves. Our numbers are dwindling.” I put it all out there to emphasize my willingness to cooperate.
“What witches?”
I had his attention. “I’ll tell you everything you need to know if you let my pack members go.”
“How about we make a deal?”
“A deal?”
“You move over to your new quarters without causing trouble, and I will free one of your pack members.”
“And why would you do that?”
“You did say I only needed you.”
“You want us all dead.”
“I have no wish for anyone to die.”
“I don’t need your mock politeness. I’m not looking to play games.” I met his gaze head on.
“Neither am I.”
“Then where am I moving?”
“It’s more of a house than a typical prison. Transporting you will be much easier if I have your cooperation.”
“You want me to order my men to listen?” There was no reason for him to pretend otherwise.
“One is freed if you do.” He watched me with the gaze and determination of a hawk searching for prey. He was crow, so it wasn’t far off.
“Do I get to choose who you release?”
His lips twisted into an amused smile. “No. I already know who you’ll choose.”
“In other words, you won’t release Marni?”
“I have a feeling she’s more important than you’re admitting.”
I shrugged. “Believe what you want.”
I played it cool, but I was nervous. If the king freed Chet and not Marni… well no one wanted to see what happened there.
“Your majesty?” I forced myself to use a formal term whether I believed he deserved the respect or not.
“Please, call me Levi.” He slipped his hand through the bar.
Who was this king? Was it all mind games? I accepted his handshake. “I’m Hunter.”
“I am aware of exactly who you are. Hence why I want you in more appropriate accommodations. You are of royal blood after all.”
“Why would you say that?”
“No need to pretend. I’m well informed.”
“Then you already know I haven’t been killing anyone.”
“I don’t know anything to the contrary, but you aren’t the only royal Dire still around.” He stepped back.
He knew about my brother.
I said nothing. I wasn’t admitting anything yet.
“We can finish this discussion soon, but tell me. Are you going to cooperate?”
“Yes. I will do what I need to for my pack.” At least for now. He wanted to find my brother Fielding. I wanted the same thing, and my bet was it was for the same reason.
Levi opened the cell himself. I was surprised. Most leaders left the dirty work to those underneath them. He wasn’t what I had expected. He was a better leader than his predecessors, but that didn’t mean he was strong enough to keep control. If we weren’t at war I may have helped him. But helping the leader of the organization systematically killing off my people was never going to happen.
He stepped aside to let me exit.
“Where are the chains? The shackles for my hands?”
“I
“Why?”
“Because he indirectly works for me. I take responsibility for all who do. It’s the only way.”
“Then you take responsibility for keeping us here?”
“Yes. Which is why you are moving.”
“And where am I moving exactly?” I walked toward the bars. The king wasn’t going to show any concern about me coming close. To do so would show weakness.
“More comfortable quarters. I do apologize for your short stay here. We didn’t have time to get your new ones ready.”
“By more comfortable, do you mean the morgue?”
He laughed. “Of course not. Do you believe I want you dead?”
“Yes.” That was certainly what he wanted. Whether he’d do it was another story altogether.
“I want answers, and I want an end to the violence.”
“I’ve done nothing violent besides turning over a few humans. I don’t believe that’s grounds to hold us.”
“You mean the humans your pack member killed?”
“We did have a questionable relationship with witches. We needed to protect ourselves. Our numbers are dwindling.” I put it all out there to emphasize my willingness to cooperate.
“What witches?”
I had his attention. “I’ll tell you everything you need to know if you let my pack members go.”
“How about we make a deal?”
“A deal?”
“You move over to your new quarters without causing trouble, and I will free one of your pack members.”
“And why would you do that?”
“You did say I only needed you.”
“You want us all dead.”
“I have no wish for anyone to die.”
“I don’t need your mock politeness. I’m not looking to play games.” I met his gaze head on.
“Neither am I.”
“Then where am I moving?”
“It’s more of a house than a typical prison. Transporting you will be much easier if I have your cooperation.”
“You want me to order my men to listen?” There was no reason for him to pretend otherwise.
“One is freed if you do.” He watched me with the gaze and determination of a hawk searching for prey. He was crow, so it wasn’t far off.
“Do I get to choose who you release?”
His lips twisted into an amused smile. “No. I already know who you’ll choose.”
“In other words, you won’t release Marni?”
“I have a feeling she’s more important than you’re admitting.”
I shrugged. “Believe what you want.”
I played it cool, but I was nervous. If the king freed Chet and not Marni… well no one wanted to see what happened there.
“Your majesty?” I forced myself to use a formal term whether I believed he deserved the respect or not.
“Please, call me Levi.” He slipped his hand through the bar.
Who was this king? Was it all mind games? I accepted his handshake. “I’m Hunter.”
“I am aware of exactly who you are. Hence why I want you in more appropriate accommodations. You are of royal blood after all.”
“Why would you say that?”
“No need to pretend. I’m well informed.”
“Then you already know I haven’t been killing anyone.”
“I don’t know anything to the contrary, but you aren’t the only royal Dire still around.” He stepped back.
He knew about my brother.
I said nothing. I wasn’t admitting anything yet.
“We can finish this discussion soon, but tell me. Are you going to cooperate?”
“Yes. I will do what I need to for my pack.” At least for now. He wanted to find my brother Fielding. I wanted the same thing, and my bet was it was for the same reason.
Levi opened the cell himself. I was surprised. Most leaders left the dirty work to those underneath them. He wasn’t what I had expected. He was a better leader than his predecessors, but that didn’t mean he was strong enough to keep control. If we weren’t at war I may have helped him. But helping the leader of the organization systematically killing off my people was never going to happen.
He stepped aside to let me exit.
“Where are the chains? The shackles for my hands?”
“I
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