Page 12 of Wrestling With Werewolves

I try not to feel the loss of that focus on me.

Get it together, Lola, you’re being weird! I mentally slap myself.

Richard leads the way as Arkan and Hana walk next to me. When shadows swoop overhead, I duck on instinct, but the group laughs together.

I glance up to see two pegasi galloping through the air, their beautiful giant wings beating gracefully. They dive and dance above us before disappearing up into the trees. Goddess, I wonder if they live up there. We don’t have any pegasi in Santa Alaya.

Hana chuckles and gestures to the forest around us. “Shifter Hollow comprises nearly a third of Ever’s total space within the wards. Unlike many other havens, this one was designed with a forested section specifically for pegasi, centaurs, and shifters. The shifters and centaurs live down here, but the pegasi live up in the treetops.” She leans down as if telling me a secret. “There’s even a harpy who lives here, so don’t be alarmed if you see her. Her name is Celset.”

Shock trills through me. A harpy within haven wards is unusual. The solitary, cannibalistic monsters tend to prefer the untamed wilds of the human world.

Hana’s laugh tinkles between us. “Ever is unusual in a lot of ways. It’s definitely my favorite haven we’ve lived in.”

Arkan reaches over and places a hand at the base of her spine, stroking her coat with deft, elegant fingers.

I smile up at them as we walk along a broad, flat street through the woods. “You haven’t been here long, is that right?”

Hana’s smile grows tender. “Our cottage sprang up next to the Community Garden a bit over a week ago. Hearth HQ sent us to help Ever’s original Keeper when the warlock Wesley continued to target Ever. The Keeper’s mate is a black witch. Wesley attacked her last week, and…” her voice trails off.

Arkan looks around his mate at me. “Morgan killed him. I’m told her power was amazing to see. I wasn’t there, but”—he glances at Richard—“Richard could tell you all about it.”

Richard looks over the shoulder not weighed down by my bags. “It was terrifying, but she’s a hero. Abe retired after Wesley’s last attack to spend time with his mate.”

“Holy moons,” I murmur. “That sounds harrowing.”

Arkan looks at me again. “This pack lost a member during the attack, Leighton. If Shifter Hollow feels a little somber while you’re here, that’s why. Everyone is thrilled you’ve arrived, but you might sense a tender edge to the Hollow.”

My heart drops into my stomach. Jogging forward, I put my hand on Richard’s forearm, stopping him. He turns to me with a surprised expression, full lips pursed into a flat, thin line.

“This is a horrible time for me to come here, if you’re dealing with loss. Let me call Papá, Richard. There is no need for you to focus on me when you should be focusing on your packmates.”

Chocolate eyes soften, and he shakes his head. “You’re never a bother, Lola. We’re happy to have you here.” His thoughtful smile returns. “Sobre todo, familia, remember? That’s just as true here as anywhere else, and now that you’re here, you’re part of my family.”

He tries to turn and continue, but I grip his forearm harder. “Did Papá know?” My voice is pure steel when it rumbles from my throat. If Papá sent me here not realizing their pack is in mourning, then I should leave.

Richard glances off into the forest, letting out a soft sigh as if he’s weighing telling me the truth or not.

After an interminable silence that’s probably only moments, he shakes his head. “Marco didn’t know.” He gives me a serious look, black brows furrowing in the center. “He didn’t ask, and he shouldn’t have because your safety is his priority.”

Richard’s skin is hot through his shirt, nearly burning my palm with his heat. Dark eyes sear mine with intensity as he continues, his wolf’s green overtaking his natural shade. “You are not a bother, Lola. Leighton’s family is well cared for. There will always be space for you, no matter what else is going on.”

At his side, Connall nods. “We’re good, Lola. We promise.”

I can’t ignore the guilt and discomfort that rise in my core, nearly choking me with their strength. All of this because I tried to put the music first instead of my people. How many times has Papá drummed ‘pack first’ into my brain? We have a responsibility to our people, not our dreams.

I’ll never make that mistake again. Shifters as high up in the hierarchy as I am don’t get to make those sorts of choices about their lives.

I can see why.

When I say nothing, Richard spins and walks backward, waving his free hand around us. “This is Shifter Hollow’s downtown area. The main road, Sycamore, leads to downtown Ever if you go the opposite way. The post office is here, if you need to order or receive a package from another haven. My bar, Bad Axe, will be on your right. I live above it, if you need anything at all.”

I look at where he’s pointing. The front of the bar is as rustic as it gets, a big neon sign hanging above twin wooden doors with mismatched tree branch handles. Like every other store in the Hollow’s downtown, it’s built right into the base of gigantic, wide trees so tall, I can’t even see the sky.

Above Bad Axe’s entrance, a giant rectangular glass box juts out. Another is angled to the side on top of that one. In fact, as I look around, that’s true of every second story along the whole street. Angled glass rooms hang out into the street, furniture and art and monsters visible through the clear walls.

I stare in awe at the traditional shifter architecture. I rarely leave Santa Alaya, so I haven’t had a chance to see it in person. A potions shop occupies the space next to Bad Axe, and in the glass room above it, a female walks with her hand lifted to her mouth, speaking into her comm watch.

“Little different from Santa Alaya, huh?” Richard winks. “We went old school with the design of Shifter Hollow when Ever was created, but I love it. There’s nothing to make you feel connected to your pack like seeing your pack all the time.”

---