Page 68 of Wolf's Forbidden Curse

She smiled. “Because I’m tired of biting my tongue and waiting for the day that the pack leaders really do take things too far. They are going to get us all killed, and I’m not interested in just standing by and watching as they destroy everything and everyone I care about.” She hiccupped with emotion but kept talking. “When I was younger, I hid behind the excuse that I was small and inexperienced. But I’m not going to do that anymore. I want to strengthen the pack, push back against the rhetoric that was shoved down our throats, and actually make the compound a nice place to live. I can’t do it alone, though. I need your help.”

Matt, Nic, and I all shared a look. None of us were surprised she said this, but it would seem none of us had a planned response. Well, except Cornelius.

“You can count me in. I’m going back.” He said this in a way that invited no argument. His mind had been made up, likely long ago, and there was nothing any of us could say that would make him rethink this decision. I remained quiet, unsure how to feel about this development. I obviously didn’t want Cornelius to leave. This little group was my family, and the idea of any one of them walking away from the life we created for ourselves in Solara Bay was devastating. But on the other hand, I wasn’t entirely unaffected by Simone’s words. I was starting to see her vision for the future and understood that it was worth fighting for.

I just couldn’t be on the front lines for this one.

“I’m sorry, Simone,” I said in a low voice. “But I can’t go back there. Maybe if things end up changing a lot… but even then. I just have so many bad memories.”

“I get it,” she said. She glanced at Nic and Matt. “What about you two?”

“I don’t know,” Matt said. “I have a job here that I really love. I–I have to think about it.”

“Me too,” said Nic. “Can we take some time?”

“Sure. I’m going back to the compound tonight, so I don’t raise too many eyebrows, but Cornelius knows how to contact me. Once you make up your mind, I will send word on how to get back to the compound without any trouble. We’ll have to devise a plan to make sure you’re not just waltzing in there without any warning. Who knows how people would react to that.”

“I’ve got some ideas,” said Cornelius. “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.”

“I’ll help in any way that I can,” I told them, and Cornelius smiled at that. I pushed myself off the couch with a shallow sigh. “Well, if that’s everything, I have to head back into town.” I gave Simone a look. “I hope you don’t mind if I take a quick check around the perimeter before I go?”

She scoffed but in a playful way. “You haven’t changed a bit, Rory. You’re still very distrustful, aren’t you?”

I shrugged. “Not of everyone. There are three people in this room who I trust unquestioningly. And then another person I’m on my way to see right now.”

Simone’s smile widened at this, but I walked away before she could ask me any further questions. Outside the house, I took a few minutes to double-check that there was no one waiting to attack my friends once they were a man down. Then I jumped into my car and drove as fast as I could back to Daphne’s.

CHAPTER 30

DAPHNE

Iheard Rory’s footsteps as he ran up the staircase outside my door, bounding with energy, it would seem. I was in bed when he came inside but was actually just about to get up and find something to eat. He saw me throw the covers off and rushed to my side.

“Don’t get up on my account.”

“I’m not,” I said. “I’m just hungry.”

“I’ll get you something,” he said. “Is there food in the fridge, or do you want me to run into town and get you something in particular?”

I took his hand. “No, I want you to stay right here.” I got out of bed despite his protests and went to the kitchenette. I took a bottle of cold water and half a sandwich Al had made from the fridge and sat down with them both at the table. “It feels good not to be lying down anymore. So, how did everything go at the house?”

Rory took a seat next to me. “Better than I expected.”

“I figured as much since you returned in one piece. Not even a scratch on you.” I pursed my lips together. “Which reminds me, next time I tell you that you’re not allowed to ride off into some dangerous battle or what you think might turn into one, you have to listen to me. I was worried sick!”

“You didn’t seem that worried.”

I folded my arms. “I did some deep breathing to calm myself down a little bit ago. Mainly because I didn’t want to give you the satisfaction of seeing me all worked up when you returned. But I was worried.”

He smiled. “I promise not to put you in that situation again. I swear.”

“Thank you. Now, tell me the rest of the story.”

“There’s not much to tell. Simone did come to try to convince all four of us to return to the compound with her. She wants to make the place better, get rid of the current leaders, or something. I don’t know what her plan is exactly, but I told her I wasn’t interested in returning. Cornelius will go back, though.”

“Is he the only one?”

I nodded. “I think so. Matt’s definitely not going. He’s too attached to his work here.”

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