Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“—why would a demigod help the alpha council fulfill a prophecy that has nothing the fuck to do with them,” Edric finished. “A prophecy that hurts them. Because if we’re the ruling species on earth, it means they’re not.”
“And they want to be the ruling species on earth,” I cried. “Edric, my father told me that the demigods believe the only way to return the Olympian gods to Mount Olympus is for the demigods to spread far and wide, and repopulate the earth with true believers and worshipers of their gods. But all that spreading and repopulating is impossible for them for the same reason it’s impossible for us—
“The fae,” we said at the same time.
“Yes,” I shouted, throwing my hands up. “So, imagine for a second that you’re a demigod and you get a vision of a whole generation of werewolves born with incredible, amazing, FAE-killing powers. What would you do?
“My guess? You call up a certain soul-stealing friend of yours, and hatch a plan.”
“Fucking hell, Daze. Are you saying the shadow is manipulating the council? Steering them into committing these horrible acts against their own people, all because it’ll achieve the ultimate end of wiping out the fae?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. The only future we’re seeing is the Golden Age of Wolves, but the shadow sees what comes after. When they make the wolves strong enough to kill the fae, and then they suck the souls out of the wolves and make themselves strong enough to kill everyone, then they’ll rule all dominions on earth and on Mount Olympus.”
“But why? Why like this? Why turn us against each other? Why not just steal our powers now if they’re going to do it anyway!”
“Because they’re weak and overstretched by their own never-ending war. They don’t have the money, time, or resources to be at war with us and the fae. And because if it all goes wrong, no one will ever know they were even involved. It’s the wolves that’ll go down in history as the monsters.”
“I— This— What am I supposed to say here, Daze? How can you even know this? It’s all a guess.”
“When you’ve stewed and pickled in hatred and vengeance for as long as I have, you get a peek into the vile, depraved minds of the enemies you’re determined to destroy.” My fists balled. “This is more than a guess, Edric. I know this is what the shadow’s planning, because as someone who’s planning to slaughter all my fucking enemies and take over the world... it’s exactly what I’d do if I were them.”
Edric’s lips were closed, but his mind was loud. He rushed through every alternative, justification, and explanation he could think of, but in the end—
“Okay.” Resignation hung heavy in his mind. “I believe you and... I trust you.”
A tight knot of frustration and pain unwound in my throat. Even though I asked this of him, I didn’t think he’d give it to me.
His trust.
“But, please, Daze. Explain to me why this means our war can’t stop with killing the shadow?”
I tipped my head. “Killing the shadow might be enough to stop the demigods and what they’re planning. I mean, if their plan hinges on plausible deniability, ripping that away might be enough to send those roaches scurrying back to their holes to die.
“And after that happens, we’ll be left with the alpha council.” My lips twisted. “The same fucking alpha council that loved the shadow’s plan so much, they plotted to kidnap and imprison us the night of the mating ceremony. The same alpha councilman who sanctioned the murder of his own son so that their plan couldn’t be discovered and stopped. The same alpha council who’ll institute the forced breeding programs and sacrifice innocent omega babies along with ours.
“Tell me, Edric, do you really believe those sick-in-the-head bastards will just pack up and quit on the Golden Age just because one fucking shadow gets their throat ripped out? No,” I said, shaking my head. “Because it’s not what I’d do if I was one of those sick-in-the-head bastards. If it’s me and I couldn’t have the power for myself, I’d do the next best thing, and wrap it up in chains.”
“You mean... enslavement.”
“It’s not that farfetched, Edric. Just look at how the omegas are treated now. They’re raped, and no one gives a shit. They’re thrown out of their homes onto the streets and no one gives a shit. They’re allowed only the worst-paying jobs and half an education, and again, no one gives a shit. Is it really a big leap to think if the alpha council is willing to breed and kill them? They’d also be willing to force them to use their powers only at their command?”
“No. It’s not a leap.”
A mirthless smile stretched my lips. “But again, you could say all of that is a guess. Again, you could say we don’t have to mute all the alphas, or slaughter everyone who doesn’t accept Wolf Nation will be ruled my way and my way alone. And you could say we don’t have to kick off a violent, bloody war that’ll forever change Wolf Nation as we know it—”