Chapter 44: Final Showdown

Lilia POV

The Crimsontails all listened to Dane. The smiles of peace and harmony gave way to scowls of anger and betrayal.

Dane said, “Despite being enemies, we’ve never wished your pack any harm.”

Kyon bared his teeth. “We’ve had our differences, as we all know.”

“Lots of them,” Jiro said. “But this war wasn’t our idea any more than it was yours. And you should know that my brother went into it kicking and screaming until Cyran kidnapped his mate.”

Affection filled Lilia for these men.

Dane looked proud of his brothers. “The decision to go to war was mine. But we only make war if we must, and we could have done a LOT more damage. We honor your dead who fought valiantly … even the rogue shifters Cyran hired.”

Someone further back in the crowd yelled, “I would never hire rogue shifters. You can’t trust them. Alpha Cyran, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Cyran stood, looking like he was desperately trying to figure a way out.