The man's nostrils flared. "Of course not my prince. But even you must admit that these refugees have brought nothing but sickness and strife."
Prince Magnus' eyes narrowed. "That also sounds like an order: what must I do?"
Delacroix paled and realized exactly how angry he had made his prince. He took a step back, taking safety in the crowd. "We all want them gone!" he shouted, encouraging the mob.
Again, shouts and threats were hurled their way. Ellie looked up at her mate. She was shocked to see his eyes were shut tight, and he was gritting his teeth. Of course! He hated crowds and loud noises. When the cacophony reached a frenzied decibel, her mate's eyes opened, and his canines dropped.
This can't be good.
"Silence!" Grant roared.
Almost immediately, the crowd complied. The silence that followed gave the cavern an eerie feel as their echoed shouts faded.
It wasn't just the fact that everyone had quieted, vampire and wolf. It was that nearly every single person had tilted their heads to one side, exposing their throats in a submissive gesture, even the Noble Family head. Grant was breathing raggedly at her side, trying to rein in his anger.
"My gods! He's an Alpha Born!"
Ellie turned to the speaker to see Adora staring at Grant in wonder.
Prince Magnus shook his head as if to clear his mind. "Everyone return to your homes," he ordered quietly.
The vampire crowd dispersed, as if in a trance, without another word spoken. Ellie was surprised to see that every wolf present including the Bolivars had dropped to their knees in submission.
Grant shook his head repeatedly. "Please. Don't."
Adriel laid a brotherly hand on his shoulder. "Let us return to Level One to discuss this new development, shall we?"
Ellie grabbed her mate's hand and squeezed tight. He looked down at her, a haunted expression on his face.
She gave him a wobbly smile. "Let's go."
CHAPTER SIX
Ellie sat in the same chair she had during breakfast; however, unlike this morning, the atmosphere was volatile.
Prince Magnus collapsed in his chair. "Before we start"--he pinned Grant with an intense stare--"did you know?"
Grant shook his head. "No."
"How could you not know?" Demetrio asked from their right. He and Adora had returned with them to Level One.
Adora flicked her mate's ear. "Don't yell at the boy; there has to be a perfectly reasonable explanation."
Demetrio rubbed his ear, a contrite expression on his face. He turned to Grant. "I didn't mean to sound accusatory, but all Alpha Borns are identified and trained from an early age. For you not to know is almost impossible."
Ellie gasped. "You said you were kicked out of your pack by your father when you were young, is that why?"
Grant kept his head down, staring at his clasped hands on the table. "They never told me I was Alpha Born."
Ellie watched Adora and her mate closely. Their looks of horror suddenly made her very concerned for her mate.
Adora swallowed. "How old were you when you were forced from your home?"
"Twenty."
Demetrio's eyes flashed with anger. "That's barbaric! You were just a child."
Meryn raised her hand.