“Calla, you have to do something,” Ansel whispered. “Even if you can’t help me. Before they sent me away, Lumine said they would unmake the rest of our pack, one by one, as an example. You can’t let that happen. They’re your pack.”

I couldn’t speak. My tongue felt as thick as wet cotton in my mouth and it was choking me. What could I do? All the choices I’d made had destroyed my world. My mother was dead, my brother a bruised husk of the boy he’d once been. And for what? Shay and I were safe, but had we done any good? Were the Keepers any less of a threat? My head ached. I put my hands to my temples, trying to sort through the chaos of doubt.

“We won’t let it happen.”

I raised my face at Monroe’s words. His face was grim. His jaw set.

“We’re going to save your pack.”

FIFTEEN

I DIDN̓̕̕̕’T THINK I COULD get any colder, but as Monroe’s words settled around us, I could have sworn the temperature in the room dropped.

It was Shay who cleared his throat, speaking slowly. “What do you mean, we’re going to save her pack?”

Monroe didn’t answer.

Shay wouldn’t look at me. “I hate to say it, but Ren obviously knew the risk he was taking when he made those choices, which means he understands the bigger picture. He was willing to make that sacrifice.”

“Sacrifice?” I hated how often that word was cropping up in my life. My mother had been sacrificed. My brother seemed to think he’d be better off if he’d been killed as well. I couldn’t bear the thought that Ren would soon number among the casualties that I’d created by saving Shay.

“No.” I glared at them. “Ren is not a sacrifice. We are going to Vail to get him.”

Ansel was nodding even as he continued rocking back and forth where he sat. Shay refused to meet my eyes.

“Going to Vail to do what?” Shay asked. “Get killed? Look how well your last trip went!”

“Shay,” Monroe said. “We can’t leave the young wolves to the Keepers. It would be cruel. We could still bring a few of them back—salvage this alliance. It just won’t happen as quickly as we’d hoped.”

“I’m not trying to be cruel,” Shay said. “You’re the ones who keep telling us this is a war. Wars make casualties.”

Monroe kept his eyes on Ansel. “They are children. It’s different.”

“Children?” Shay’s laugh was harsh. “We’re talking about the other alpha. I know Calla’s young, but I wouldn’t call her a child. Renier Laroche is no different. He knew what he was doing. It’s over.”

“How can you say that?” I glared at Shay. “The only reason he might die is because he was trying to save us!”

“I’m being honest,” hereplied coolly. “If we go to Vail, it will be a bloodbath. You can’t take that risk. I won’t let you.”

“Won’t let me! Who the hell do you think you are?” Blood roared in my veins; my teeth were so sharp they pierced the surface of my tongue as I shouted.

I whirled to face Monroe. “We cannot leave him!”

Monroe grasped my hand. “We will not leave him, Calla. You have my word.”

“How can you say that?” Shay was shouting now. “What could possibly justify a suicide mission like this one?!”

“He loves Calla,” Monroe said quietly. “He already risked his life to save her. He won’t betray her. He’ll die for her.”

Guilt ripped through my belly like a knife. Shay swore under his breath.

“You can’t know that,” he said, fists clenched at his sides. “He’s a Guardian. I’ve seen what they can do. I’ve read their history. They’ve followed the Keepers without question for centuries. Ren is one of them.”

Monroe turned on Shay, his jaw tightening. “He is not just a Guardian. He’s Corrine’s son. She changed her mind. So will he.”

“Corrine is dead,” Shay hissed. “Forget your love story, old man.”

A solid crack sounded when Monroe’s fist met Shay’s jaw and sent him hurtling across the floor. Adne gasped and crouched next to Shay where he’d fallen. Ethan came to Monroe’s side, lips thin and eyes mysterious.

“Come on, Dad,” Adne murmured. She must have been upset because I’d never heard her call Monroe anything other than his name. “Please be reasonable. Shay’s just afraid for Calla. He loves her too.”

Make that really upset. That was the first time she’d ever acknowledged Shay’s feelings for me. It might have been reassuring, but I was too angry with Shay for her words to affect me. Even if it was because he loved me, he had no right to stop me from helping my pack.

“We’re clearly past reason,” Shay grumbled, and rubbed his jaw as Adne helped him to his feet.

“I’m sorry.” Monroe shook his head slowly, staring at his stillclenched fist.

Connor glanced at my stunned expression once and scrambled to stand between me and Monroe, and Adne and Shay.

“Look,” he said. “The last thing we need is to fall apart. We’re all on the same side.”

“You could have fooled me,” Shay muttered.

“Cool it, Chosen One.” Connor smiled wryly. “If you’re serious about changing things, about making the world better, we have to help the Guardians. Their lives are hell; we have to get them out of there. And Monroe’s right. Even getting a few out could be the first steps toward an alliance. We have to start somewhere.”