“That’s not true. All you care about is that...”
I broke off because I didn’t want to blame Nash now. He was my brother, and he cared about me.
His arms wrapped around my body, and I wrapped mine around his back in friendship.
Inside, I was grateful to him for this hug because I was close to tears.
But I had to pull myself together.
There were still a few songbirds chirping, and the fresh forest air invaded my nose, while a roll of thunder sounded in the distance.
I loved it here. And Julian had loved it, too, back then…
What had happened? What had it all made of us?
The wind brushed my hair, and I heard Nash whispering at my back.
“He’s decided against you, Emy.”
Mayor’s Office
The mayor tried to ignore the thunder in the distance. Like every year, the sound sent goosebumps down her arms. Yet the annual autumn storms weren’t half as bad as the fact that she had to keep this town from collapsing.
She turned in her desk chair, away from the oak table, and looked out the window across to the lawyer’s office when the door burst open.
She flinched, turned quickly, and spotted the man in his fifties who was known as the head doctor at Blairville Hospital.
“Dr. Copeland,” she began, putting on her well-practiced smile. “I’m glad it’s you.”
The doctor looked anything but thrilled. His expression was tense, his beard, a boatman’s ruff, and dark blond hair were neat, as always, and his doctor’s coat, along with suit pants, dark brown vest, and white shirt, fit neatly, but the mayor knew this man was a loose cannon.
“I don’t have much time!” the doctor pressed out, taking a deep breath.
“Then I’ll be brief,” the mayor continued, lowering her eyes to the documents on the table in front of her – quite a few cover letters from concerned citizens. “You can’t have your pack approaching people. You know the rules.” She looked up and caught his tense gaze. “People’s safety comes first,” she said.
“I always follow the rules,” the doctor snorted. “And so does my family.” His hands balled into fists, veins popping out on his arms, turning dark. “No one in the pack would harm a soul.”
The mayor tried not to stare at his arms, looking back into his eyes.
“I understand...”
“You do not!” the doctor snapped at her angrily. “All you Quatura care about is keeping your own head above water! We’re a thorn in your side!”
She pressed her lips together.
“As mayor, I’m all about making sure the treaties are followed.”
His irises flashed yellowish. “Then you should start restricting the DeLoughreys!”
When he uttered the name of the richest family in town, his jaw tightened to the point that she feared it would jump out.
“Who do you think is behind the missing persons cases in Fogs Forest?” He moved closer to the desk that thankfully separated them. “Wildlife?” He propped himself up on the desk. “Humans?”
“Doctor Copeland...”
“No!” He pounded his fist on the surface of the desk. “I’ve been silent long enough!” He pushed off, stepping back but not breaking eye contact. “Get a grip on these monsters before they become a threat not only to us but to the entire city!”
Just as quickly as he had appeared, the doctor disappeared. The door crashed shut, and the windows shook alarmingly.
It took five minutes for the mayor to exhale her breath. Then she rose, stared for a few minutes after the doctor, from the second floor, as he crossed the street in a rage towards the hospital, followed by reporters. When he was gone, she left the office through the side corridor to avoid the news channel reporters and strode toward the lawyer’s office with growing anxiety.
Heart racing, she entered the old Victorian-style brick building, passing a few legal assistants before taking the stairs upstairs.
The office door stood open, revealing a view of the beautiful young woman in the black lawyer’s dress. As always, she wore fine luxury dresses that flattered her elegant body, adorned with subtle silver jewelry, which the mayor knew was white gold.
“Miss DeLoughrey,” she began, clearing her throat and braving herself to enter the office.
The young woman with a heart-shaped face and dark brown, almost black hair did not even turn around but continued to put folders on her shelves.
“Miss Blair,” she said tonelessly. “I know why you’re here.” She spun to return to her desk. “And no, the clan has nothing to do with the Alpha’s accusations.” Only now did she look to the mayor, catching her gaze with her turquoise green eyes.
“I didn’t know eavesdropping was one of your qualities?” the mayor remarked with growing tension.
She knew that this lawyer’s beauty was only a facade. There was something dark behind it.
Still, the mayor didn’t know if the woman was a Transformed or a Legacy Ruisangor. In general, she knew far too little about this family.
“That man is louder than my godson’s car,” the lawyer sighed, continuing to put away her papers.
