34. Betrayal

Sona didn’t think she could understand betrayal so well.
Vallea was clearly several months pregnant, which meant that Sona had been blinder than she thought. Conri had been sleeping with her for months longer than Sona knew.
Though Taos kept her hidden, she was able to see glimpses of the female who destroyed more things than Sona cared to list in the moment—because she was seeing red. Rage and grief and hate and misery welled in her heart and body so fast and so brutally that if she let go of her self-control, she would Shift and end Vallea’s life then and there.
But there were several wrong things to list there, too.
Taos crossed his arms behind his back. To the other Alphas, it was just a gesture of arrogance and ease; really he was offering Sona not just comfort but a warning. *It’s okay, but don’t lose control*. How did he know she was reacting?
It was the change in her vitals. Everyone knew there was someone hiding behind the Redbone Alpha, but no one was remotely interested. It wouldn’t be long before Conri, Vallea, or Eldor recognized her scent.
“Grayhide,” Taos barked with enthusiasm, “pleasant to see you again. How’s your tooth?”
“Fuck off, Taos.”
“Oh, you missed the conversation. Call me by my first name or I’ll punch out the rest of your teeth.”
“Your savagery is not as amusing as you think it is, *Redbone*,” Conri growled.
Sona’s jaw tightened. If he could sound any less like himself than he did a week ago…he really was an entirely different wolf. She would not associate herself with someone so unlikeable. Maybe they were fake mates. The moon goddess had different fates for them both.
“Who is this escort? A casual rump gone awry? An affair of adultery? A lover you plucked from a hallway to save her from dusting? She’s ready to burst in a few places. Is she famished? I’m sure there is tea inside.”
Sona covered her mouth with a hand to stop the shout of laughter. Gratitude for Taos calmed her distress. She finally rested her hand in his open palm; he was excellent at hiding any physical response—not even his heart rate increased, when Sona knew it would have in any other situation.
Conri and Vallea’s affronted reactions was almost comical. Sona couldn’t give two shits about them anymore and it was satisfying to see them speechless with anger and embarrassment.
“What your fucking mouth, Redbone,” Conri snapped, less a voice and more a snarl; he was struggling not to Shift into his wolf form. When Vallea whimpered—gods did it sound fake—he put her behind him. “She is my betrothed and future Luna. If you have any class or regard for rank, you will respect her!”
Eldor and Rand choked, and Taos voiced what they were all thinking: “Well fuck.” Then added, “I believed I was being quite polite by asking her if she had a perchance for tea, Grayhide. No need for hysterics. I myself am a fan of lavender. Really soothes the throat.”
*Did he take the Alpha title*?! was the question that blared in Sona’s mind, but when she moved out from behind Taos—ignoring his protest—it was to shout, “You’re making the *murderer* a Luna?!”
Vallea yelped and hid behind Conri, who barked Sona’s name in surprise. Eldor did a double take before transforming himself from that apathetic leader to the fretful father-figure she used to know.
Rand’s tone was an odd mix of suspicion and confusion. “Murderer?”
Things kept happening too fast: Vallea flinched, Sona tried to lurch forward but Taos grabbed her arm, Eldor tried to get Sona’s attention, Conri snapped at his own former Alpha to ignore Sona’s wild accusation, and then Edom and the two other Gammas were involved by pulling everyone apart.
Sona ended up against Taos’ chest, his arms entrapping her, mouth near her ear to mutter, “Was my provoking as savory as it sounded? Was I spot-on?”
“About her poisoning Amaris Roshan?” Sona said loudly so the entire night could hear.
Vallea was now sandwiched between Conri and another Moonvalley male she didn’t recognize—supposedly his new Gamma, she assumed. “I did no such thing!”
“You lying, conniving, vengeful, jealous *bitch*,” screamed Sona, writhing in Taos’ grip. His low chuckle only goaded her on. “You poisoned the Luna and framed me! You took my mate away! You separated me from my son, my grandfather! You killed Artem and orphaned Arden! You—you *ruined everything*!
“Alright, trinket,” Taos murmured, pulling them back a step. “We’ll talk this out.”
Conri wanted to talk, apparently, but about a different subject. “Why the fuck are you wearing a Redbone betrothal dress?” he barked harshly.
“What?”
The Leto Alpha came between the two couples. “Hold it. What in the moon goddess’ hell is going on?” He looked at his former packmate. “Vallea, I haven’t seen you in years. Is what Sona said true?”
“Of course it isn’t,” she hissed. “She is the killer. She brought the tea to my Luna.”
Eldor shook his head. “That is ridiculous. A Goldwater, especially a healer, especially from the Mai family, would never commit such a heinous crime. But i wonder the same thing. Pardon my language, Mistress Mai. What in hell are you doing with Taos Redbone? He undoubtedly is a killer. Are you *engaged* to this hunter?”
Taos released his grip so Sona could whirl on him. Suddenly the beautiful dress felt wrong. Betrayal bit at her again. “You lied.”
“I saw no reason to tell the truth,” said Taos in an unnervingly calm voice. He looked down at her as if prepared to face her wrath. “I wanted to make a statement. This wasn’t the way I’d envisioned—much less grandeur—but it was still effective in the shock it produced. It was given by my father to my mother for their engagement decades ago. Actually, it’s a family heirloom, given by each Alpha to their prospective Luna as a wedding gift.”
Conri tried to storm forward, but was stopped by Edom, who was impossibly larger. “You hypocrite!”
Sona snapped her teeth, Taos having to hold her back again. “What, did you forget what happened at the border? I agreed to marry him so I didn’t have to face trial for a crime I didn’t commit!”
“What the hell is going on?” Rand muttered.
“History in the making,” Eldor muttered back. He raised his voice. “Calm down, all of you. Hold your tongues until we finish the business we were called here for. Conri Grayhide, you gave the summons. What for?”
All attention pinned on Sona’s falsified mate.
He clenched his jaw, not appreciating the stares, and said, “To announce that I have seized the title of Alpha of Moonvalley.”