Chapter Sixty-nine: WE'RE NEIGHBORS NOW

ALPHA COLTON

"Write to the High King, I'm officially calling the deal off."

I looked away from Karl's confused face to the array of pack defenders going about their routine.

"The penalty for breaching the deal? What if the Northerners strike most crudely?" Karl's voice resonated with fear.

"I don't work in fear. If they strike, we strike back. We have a greater advantage. The festival is far over and right now amongst other things I want to focus mostly on building a family."

I appreciated how he chose to remain silent on the family subject. If I had brought this up a few months ago he would have jeered that I was too old-fashioned. But now, there was a gap in the relationship. I was sure as hell nothing could mend it soon.

Vinny jogged to us, his body covered in sweat and a smile on the edges of his lips.

"Have you checked your abilities?" He chuckled, "Eclisir was last night."

"Thanks for the reminder," Karl sassed.

"No defender lost their ability, no one so far in t