I frowned. “Can you please explain yourself? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Mistral gawked at both of us like we’d manifested from outer space.
“Leveret, your pack is desperately looking for you. They’re combing the entire wildlife reserve, begging anybody with ears to help. And here you are, gallivanting around with your kidnapper like it’s no big deal!”
I felt a pang of guilt. Was my family that upset? I’d been so deep in my feelings with Animus, I’d forgotten that they didn’t know I was safe. My heart sank.
Animus gently squeezed my shoulder. His touch soothed me.
"And let me guess," he said to Mistral in a cold tone. "You're helping Leveret's pack out of the goodness of your heart."
Mistral winced. "Y-yes, obviously."
My mate scoffed. He didn't seem to believe the air spirit, but I didn't know why.
"You may have tricked them, Mistral, but you can't fool me," Animus snapped. "I know better than anybody your true feelings towards mortals."
Mistral eyed him warily. "I don't know what you're talking about. All I want to do is help Leveret get home."
"And I'm supposed to believe there is nothing in it for you?" Animus growled. "Please. At least learn to lie properly before you do it to my face."
Mistral's feathers ruffled. He glanced between the two of us. His stance was stiff.
Did my pack ask Mistral for help? On one hand, it made sense. He was an air spirit with the ability to fly. He knew more about Animus than my family did, and possessed a method of reaching him that my land-bound family members didn't have. But I wasn't oblivious to the fact that he'd been untrustworthy in the past.
"You lied to my cousin, Quinn," I said. "He said you promised him a pair of wings that you never intended to give him."
Mistral's eyes widened. He stammered, "That's not true. I never promised him anything. Of course a fox shifter can't fly!"
"Sure they can, if a spirit blesses them," I argued. "Quinn's daughter, Celeste. is a fox shifter, and she can fly because of Animus."
Animus smiled. He looked both proud and smug.
"That doesn't count," Mistral stated.
"Okay. Then what about the time you stole Meeko's sword?" I asked firmly.
Mistral balked, his jaw tensing. He swallowed as if uneasy.
"That was an accident," Mistral mumbled.
"Then why didn't you return it when he confronted you?"
"I couldn't! I needed to defend myself from him!" Mistral exclaimed, jabbing a talon in Animus's direction.
Animus snorted. "I bet you felt silly when you realized you couldn't even wield the sword."
I almost felt sorry for Mistral at that point. Did he think I was stupid? Actions spoke louder than words. He could blame Animus all he wanted, but the fact remained that Mistral had done more harm to my family than my mate, and all of it was purposeful and without remorse. Animus clearly felt sorry for the consequences of his rage at the coast, and had helped make it up to my family in more ways than one. Meanwhile, Mistral caused problems for us because of his own selfishness and never once apologized.
I'd heard Animus, my fated mate, referred to as malicious one too many times. Who was really the malicious spirit here?
"I don't believe you," I said bluntly. "Thanks for your offer to help, but I don't need it. I'm right where I want to be."
Mistral squawked in confusion. "You'd rather be here with that traitor than with your family?"
"Don't make assumptions about me," I said. "I fully intend to reunite with my family. But I'm going to do it with Animus by my side. So thanks, but no thank you."
Realization dawned on Mistral's face. "Oh no... This is just like before. You brainwashed this mortal alpha, didn't you, Animus?"