Chapter 19 · His Father's Debt

The ring was still warm from the dead beast's neck.

Silas turned it over in his palm. Kade's father's signet. He'd seen it a hundred times growing up. Heavy silver, the Thornwood crest stamped deep. But the band—he squinted in the dim morning light—the band had writing he'd never noticed before.

No. Not writing he'd never noticed. Writing that hadn't been there.

"What've you got?"

Silas's hand closed. Kade stood three feet away, blood still drying on his shirt from the fight. His eyes were too bright. Had been since Lyra fed him two days ago.

"Your father's ring." Silas kept his voice level. "Off the alpha beast."

"Let me see it."

"In a minute." Silas angled his body, subtle. Put himself between Kade and the main group. Lyra was over there. Still pale. Still shaking. Still alive because she'd ripped six hunting beasts apart with her bare hands and vampire speed.

Still pack, because Kade had claimed her in front of everyone.

Kade's jaw tightened. "That's not a request, Silas."

"And this isn't a normal situation." Silas opened his palm. Let Kade see the ring but didn't hand it over. "Look at the inscription."

Kade stared. His nostrils flared.