They Took His Inheritance, He Claimed Three Alpha Mates novel · Chapter 26 of 40

Chapter 26: Raven in Public

The word Choose still hung white in the corner of Max's sight, and he had told no one, because the elders had called the bond hearing for dusk.

He would answer it tonight, after the Hall had its answer first.

The Meeting Hall was full to the walls.

Six hundred wolves sat on the benches with their cloaks around their knees, and the lamps were lit along both galleries.

Max stood on the dais between the three primes.

Mary's chair at the elders' table was empty.

She had been told to keep to her room.

The white-bearded Tyros elder rose with his hand on the table.

"The Charter says an omega who is bonded cannot be ruined," he said. "Very well. Show us the bonds."

James pulled his collar down without being asked, and the silver ring of small crescents shone above his collarbone.

"Helix," he said. "Present, and a little embarrassed."

A laugh went round the benches.

Joel unbuttoned his coat and showed his shoulder, grey eyes forward.

"Tyros."

"Rydes?" said the elder.

Nobody moved.

Raven stood at the end of the line with his book shut in his hand.

Every wolf in the Hall knew the rumor.

The prime of Rydes had been seen at Max's door twice, and nobody had seen a mark.

"A mark that cannot be seen," said the elder, almost gently, "is a story, Prime Raven. I do not say it is false. I say a bond is a thing that the packs see."

Raven looked at him.

Then he looked at Max.

He had told him, in the dark of the corridor, with his mouth against his ear, that no one marks me in public.

It was the one thing he had ever asked.

"I said I wouldn't," Raven said. His voice was low and flat, and it carried.

"You did," said Max. "I'll tell them it isn't needed. I'll find another way."

"There isn't one."

He put the book on the table.

He took his hand away from it.

"Dusk has come," he said.

Max went cold all over.

"Raven."

"I'm asking," said Raven, to the whole room. "I am asking him, in front of the Rydes, in front of the Tyros, and in front of Helix. Mark me."

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