There’s an ocean of pain and secrets in his voice.
“Kirk?” Bo’s angry voice bounces off the walls of the room. I stare at him, unsure what to say. This is more than possession, it’s caring, and concern. An emotion I wasn’t sure he was capable of until right now.
“I won’t say more. It would only put us all in more danger.” Kirk refuses to meet his stare. “Never underestimate what he’s capable of, and always watch your back.”
“What can we do to mitigate damage?” Cadoc asks.
“We play the long game. And stay a step ahead.” Kirk’s eyes narrow and his voice takes on a determined note.
“How?” Bo says.
“Find his weakness and exploit it. Survive until we can turn the tables and earn ourselves some immunity.”
“That’s a bleak plan. Sit around and wait for him to move?” Fell cracks his neck, agitated.
Cadoc holds up his hands. “It’s a realistic strategy. No one said we’d sit here twiddling our thumbs. We’ll be working on things on our end under the surface. Appearing benign to avoid suspicion is wise.”
“I’m calling in favors. Someone has to know something. We’re going to figure out his weaknesses.” Bo’s fingers fly over his cell.
“Who did he send?” Cadoc remains out of sight as Kirk peers out the window.
“Clive and Tad—And they’re carrying a scroll.”
“What the hell do they need a scroll for?” Cadoc mumbles.
Shots are being fired. Scrolls are only brought out for serious business.
“I used to believe dark deeds done in the name of a good cause balanced everything out. But over the years, I’ve seen too much to believe the black-and-white bullshit they force-feed the pack.” The rage dripping from every word Fell says is disconcerting. The muscles in his neck strain.
Every truth they share warps my vision I had of them; chipping away at the wall I erected between us.
Heavy knocks echo. Cadoc holds up his hand. We obey his command to remain still. They repeat the knock, and he signals us toward the door.
I stand between Fell and Kirk. Bo and Cadoc opens the door.
“Have we forgotten how to politely announce our visits to wolves during mating?” Bo arches a brow and looks down at the two men.
“If it takes you this long. Maybe you should have someone show you how it’s done.” The tow-haired wolf with the thin lips leers at me with disdain.
Bo’s lips twitch. “Is that a challenge? Cause, it’s been too long since I handed a cocky wolf his ass in front of an audience.”
Bo steps into the wolf’s space.
“Quit posturing, Anrik.” Alphonse elbows him. “We’re here to deliver a formal invitation. Can we come in?”
“We mean you no harm,” Alphonse says. It’s strange that the Alpha’s personal security is keeping tabs on us.
“We’ll see, Alphonse. Enter at your own risk.” Cadoc steps back and allows them to enter.
Alphonse hands over a scroll. The wax pack emblem cracks, sounding almost like a gunshot.
Cadoc reads it and his eyebrows raise. “The date on this is Friday.”
I read over his shoulder. They expect us to begin an official mating ceremony in less than two days? It’s a sweet sixteen and a wedding all in one. That’s not nearly enough time to prepare.
“We had a month. Why did he move the date up?” Cadoc scowls.
“Alpha has seen to everything. You don’t have to lift a finger,” Alphonse assures us.
Anrik’s stare makes me uncomfortable. “Tonight, the Alpha wishes to discuss the mating ceremony.”
Alphonse rubs the back of his neck playing up the “good cop” role I don’t buy. “People have become restless. They need to see action taking place.”
“It’s a lot of trouble to go to just for a dinner invite,” Bo says.
“He wanted to make sure you understood attendance wasn’t optional,” Anrik’s smile shows too many teeth.
Message received.
Cadoc dismisses him with a wave of his hand. “We’ll be there.”
“Pack for the weekend,” Alphonse suggests.
The request is odd. “May I ask why?”
“You said it yourself; this isn’t something that can be planned in one evening.” Anrik shrugs.
It’s a trap we have no choice but to walk straight into with our heads held high.
