We part ways, as much as I wish we could remain side by side, and I head once more toward Erasmus’s house. Before I can reach it, however, Lewis Moore growls lowly.
I eye the werewolf but say nothing.
“You have allowed yourself to become too caught up with the death of a human.” He snarls. “What does it matter? It is not your place to question our alpha. If he believes that this needed to be done, then you must accept it and learn your place.”
I grit my teeth, struggling to keep my anger in check.
“This is not about questioning Erasmus’s authority,” I argue. “It is about protecting our kind from unnecessary scrutiny and exposure. It is behaviors like this that could cause us to be hunted down and killed!”
“You do not trust Erasmus. He knows best!”
My jaw tightens as I try to hold my temper in check. “I know my place and accept the alpha’s authority,” I grit out, unwilling to let him think that he can tell me what I can and cannot do, “but as a member of this pack, am I not entitled to an opinion when it comes down to matters of justice?”
He scowls at me. His eyes narrow dangerously, and for a moment, I fear that he might attack me for daring to disagree with him.
“Do not forget your place,” he warns darkly.
My eyes narrow, and my jaw clenches. “I will never stop trying to make sure that no one else gets hurt, Lewis,” I growl lowly in response. “And if our alpha wishes to call me out for it, then so be it.”
Lewis sneers at me, his disdain clear upon his face. “You will regret turning your back on Erasmus,” he insists.
I shake my head. “You are wrong. I am not turning my back on anyone.”
“You have,” he insists. “You are picking the humans over us. We are a pack! We must be together, united as one. What one of us does, all of us do. We all killed that human, and the world is better off for it. You do not claim to know better than our alpha, do you?”
“I am worried about the safety of all werewolves,” I start.
“All werewolves.” Lewis snorts. “Our pack is all that matters.”
“Our pack?” I shake my head. “Our pack has needs that have not been met in quite some time, but no one speaks concerning that because we all love Erasmus, but the truth is that we need more land. We need to be able to unleash our wolves without fear of being seen and—”
“Fear.” Lewis lets out a low growl. “That is what rules you, but Erasmus is a master of bravery. He is willing to do whatever it takes for us to be on top. What more could we ask for? If you had your way, the humans would be the ones in charge.”
“Last I check, there is a ruler we must all abide by for as long as we dwell in England,” I say dryly.
“I care not for who wears a crown,” Lewis snaps. “All that matters is my alpha. He knows best, and if you disagree with him, then perhaps you are not an ally, and if you are not an ally, you are an enemy, and an enemy of the pack should be dealt with as such.”
“Go on then,” I snap. “Go and tell Erasmus that I am an enemy of the pack. You and I both know that he will not agree with you.”
“Are you so certain of that?” Lewis ask.
Without another word, he turns away from me and continues on his way, stalking off toward a waiting horse.
I watch him go, my heart still pounding from the encounter. The fear of being labeled an enemy of the pack hangs heavy on my shoulders.
Will talking to Erasmus help or hinder me? After a moment of deliberation, I opt not to seek him out right now. After all, I am merely trying to protect the pack and its members as best I can, but will my actions be seen as an insult or even a challenge? If that is the case, then there could be dire consequences.
At this point, it is too late to turn back. I do want justice for the werewolves. We have as much right to live as the humans, but I also want the humans, not just the nobles but all humans, to be able to live without fear. There is no reason why we cannot live in peace, all of us.
The only thing left for me to do is press forward and try to ensure that those I care about are kept safe from harm. And if the alpha wishes me punished for my attempts at protection, then so be it. I shall accept whatever consequences may come my way, but this does not mean that I will go down without a fight.