I might not be a warg, but there was nothing right or normal in fearing the man whose duty it was to protect you. There was nothing noble or proud in causing those under your care to cower at the mention of your name.

I didn’t know Bessemer, had never met the man, but his actions had imprinted his pack in such a way I could tell that for the first time in ages, I had room in my heart to hate someone other than myself. He was a bad man. Of that, I had no doubt. His taste in mates didn’t bolster confidence either. Aisha was more of a spitting cobra than a wolf, and her venom corroded all she touched.

Dell, with her big heart, deserved better than to be resigned to a life of skulking behind Graeson in the hopes she could hide in his shadow. She ought to be like that bold and sassy woman who kidnapped me in an SUV every day, not this pale echo of her true self.

“I’m going to Kermit,” I announced, not doubting for an instant Graeson would manage to pick that out of Dell’s head. “Will my family be safe while I’m gone?” They could defend themselves, but I hoped it wouldn’t come to a show of force. “Or would it be better if they moved on?”

“Cord secured guest rights for your family. They’re allowed to remain on the fringe of the pack’s lands as long as they don’t cross over without an escort.” Her forehead scrunched, and I wondered if she wasn’t speaking with Graeson right now. “The punishment for breaking the alpha’s oath is death.”

In that, the fae and earthborn agreed. There were strict rules for hospitality that fae believed must be observed in order to maintain honor while acting as a guest or while entertaining guests in one’s home. Once past the threshold…well…that was another matter.

“Good.” That was one less worry for me. Aunt Dot and Isaac were used to me leaving for extended periods of time. They wouldn’t bat an eye at an overnight trip. “Aunt Dot still hasn’t met Graeson sans fur, and it would be hard on her to relocate so soon. A Gemini is never out of practice when it comes to roaming, but it’s been a peaceful year for us. I would like to spend more time here—another week at least—before uprooting her again.”

“We’ll protect your kin,” she vowed, soft tone laced with steel. “I promise you that.”

“Dell.” The fact I wasn’t included in any of her declarations niggled the back of my mind enough that Imogen’s words drifted back to me. “What is the selection?”

A subtle flush rose up her cheeks. “Cord wants to talk to you about that. Tonight.”