Chapter 181

Sideburns studied me in an unnerving way. “Though I’m less than satisfied with this interview, I’ll let it go for now. However, we’re still going to take you with us into our city, for your own safety. But understand this: we haven’t been able to check out your story yet, and since we can’t validate it yet, you’ll be under supervision. When we reach Nevada, you’ll have to stay in the retaining center until we can clear you. That’s the law, as we’re on the brink of war with vampires.”

 The retaining center sounded very much like jail.

Rage shot through me. So far, almost everyone who came across my path had tried to dominate me, capture me, jail me, or kill me. One day, they’d all be sorry when I was no longer powerless and helpless and lost.

“Retaining center?” Shade cried. “Jared, you can’t be serious—” Sideburns’ glare stopped the younger prince’s protest.

I shrugged. There was no point in persuading or arguing with the Alpha

Heir anymore. His words were law to the shifters. But I could undermine him from the sidelines. I’d slip away tonight after I had a full stomach and after everyone went to sleep.

“Go eat,” the Alpha Heir ordered, hearing my stomach growl again. The rich aroma of roasted meat suffused the air. “In our society, no shifter goes hungry.”

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T he wind blew open the flap of the tent where I slept, letting in a chilly current along with a ray of moonlight across my face. I hadn’t expected to be among the four high-ranking shifters

who enjoyed the privilege of sleeping indoors instead of on the hard ground under the moon and stars.

Two soldiers were parked outside the entrance of my tent, either to guard me or to prevent me from escaping. Or they might be worried that I’d walk around slitting shifters’ throats.

I lay on a fur bed, my ears pricking as I ignored the background noises to tune in on the conversation between Sideburns, Shade, and Going-gray in a tent not too far from mine.

The trio hadn’t gone to bed at midnight. Shifters must be nocturnal, though they weren’t as bad as vampires.

“That Pip girl isn’t what she claims to be.” Going-gray’s accusing words drifted over to me. “She’s playing dumb.”

Grandpa hadn’t warmed up to me one little bit even after he’d carried me for probably five minutes along the road. Most shifters didn’t warm up to outsiders, but I didn’t blame them. It was a dangerous world. All the more reason that Shade had my gratitude. He wasn’t as jaded or stuck up as the others.

“Could you guys at least show some sympathy toward her situation?” Shade said. “Pip is lost, just as she said. Even if she isn’t what she said she is, what harm can she do? She’s but a lone wolf, almost a pup. It’s our responsibility to guide and protect her. Yes, she doesn’t understand any

 shifter rules, but she’s got the spark. All the more reason why we should be patient toward her. You two have been jerks.”