Cry Wolf

Prologue

Great Clan Leader Raul Ashland shifted in his gilded chair and stretched his legs out before him. At the unnaturally old age of a thousand and hundred years old, he didn't look a day over forty.

There's not even a single streak of gray on his hair or beard. But today, despite his seemingly relaxed pose, his knuckles glistened white as they flexed against the arms of his chair.

His obsidian gaze settled on Sin Maverick, Captain of the High Guard, known to the people of Old America as the Reaper.

"The human rebels needed to be stopped," the Clan Leader said. "I won't tolerate their defiance in my ruling. If our spies' reports are correct, they've now managed to sway some of the witches into aiding them." His thin lips curved into a sneer.

"Humans and witches working together!" he spat, as if the words were a foul concoction in his mouth. "What kind of Paranormal would allow himself to be seduced into a lowly human cause? How insulting!??."

His gaze narrowed at Sin. "You will infiltrate this band of rebels, posing as one of these weak, easily-swayed humans. I want to know who's leading them. I want names of collaborators, locations of their camps, plans...as much information as you can uncover so we can be thorough in our eradication of this rebellion. Is that clear?"

Sin nodded in deference to the Clan Leader, even as he bit back annoyance at the man's patronizing tone. He always acted as if Sin were a child rather than a grown man. "As you wish, Great Clan Leader," he said, keeping all trace of irritation out of his voice.

Cool control had been bred--and at times, beaten--into him as a youth. He'd learned early the importance of keeping his feelings tightly under control around the Elders, especially at the Great Clan Leader's presence.

Sin had perfected the art of giving off an aloof, stoic mien in public--not just in front of the Great Clan Leader, but in front of the people of old America as well.

Yet within him lurked a powerful depth of emotion he feared would boil to the surface one day. And if that should happen...it wouldn't bode well for his health and well-being.

Weakness of any kind was not tolerated in his world, especially not from those who lived and worked directly at High Guard of Clan Leader's direct command.

"I want this nonsense stamped out forthwith." Raul growled loudly.

"It may take some time to locate and infiltrate the group," Sin said.

"Yes, yes, I know how it works." Raul waved a restless hand at him. "I prefer expediency, but we can't afford to be reckless or we'll risk taking out only part of them, while leaving enough behind to start their r****e-rousing again. Better to be thorough."

"I agree. I'll leave at first light tomorrow."

Sin waited to be dismissed, but apparently Raul wasn't done with him yet.

The Clan Leader picked up a silver mug and drank from it, taking his time, clearly not caring that Sin already itched to be away from here.

And when the Clan Leader's heated, suggestive gaze slid over him across the top of his mug, Sin's veins ran cold with revulsion.

While Raul had his loyalty, Sin loathed the lascivious desire that often filled those jewel-black eyes when the older man looked at him.

Though some lowly omega might have immediately jump onto his bed, Sin would rather not.

He'd heard stories of the man's s****l depravity and cruelty, and could well believe it was true. With the older man's eye turning his way more and more often of late, it was just as well he was leaving and would likely be gone for several weeks.

"The humans have cowered in hiding this past century, as they should," Raul finally continued. "I won't have some trouble-maker inciting them against me. They need to be shown their place and reminded that their deeds from the past will neither be forgotten, nor forgiven."

"Well said, Great Clan Leader." Sin's father spoke up for the first time.

Sin barely spared him a glance. His father, the great General Louis...nothing more than a classic yes man to the Great Clan Leader, he thought with sarcastic bitterness.

Raul eyed Sin critically. "The rebels can't suspect who you are. I'll supply you with a disguising charm. Use it. You look too much like your father."

Sin nodded, but another flash of irritation shot through him. He knew how to do his job--this would hardly be his first undercover work.

And he didn't need a reminder that his appearance would attract attention. His hair, like his father's, was a striking white-blond. Unusual by all standards, and a dead giveaway to his identity.

Though Sin kept his trimmed just above his shoulders, while General Louis' hung long and loose in a cascade down his back, there was no mistaking they were related.

"The Great Clan Leader is putting his trust in you," Sin's father said. "Don't disappoint him." The words, as always, were etched with stony disapproval, but Sin understood what he was really saying...don't disappoint me. Again.

He ignored him, having learned long ago that nothing he did would ever be enough to please the elder Louis. He honored the man as his father, but held little love for the icy general who'd never shown him any.

Instead, he addressed the Great Clan Leader. "If there's nothing else, my lord, I'll make preparations to leave."

"Yes, be on your way, then." The man gave him a pointed and decidedly libidinous look that set Sin's skin to crawling. "Don't fail me in this task I've given you, Reaper. Bring me the information I seek, and when the rebel leader's head is on a pike, I'll have a most generous reward for you."

Sin suspected he knew the nature of the reward and wondered how quickly he'd be killed if he refused.

Once again keeping his true feelings tightly under control, he bowed. "Always your servant, Great Clan Leader."

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