Page 11 of Season of the Wolf

Each seat at the table was filled and shrouded stares were cast our way. It was the Chancellor who greeted us.

“Gentlemen.”

I nodded in response, as did each of my brothers. Roz simply clung to my arm, her grip tightening.

“We thank you all for joining us tonight to discuss a bit of … delicate business,” he went on. “As you are all well aware, the supernatural climate in Seaton Falls has changed quite a bit in recent weeks. Following your pursuit of the Sovereign with our queen, there were repercussions.”

I couldn’t have agreed more. Sightings of mutts had increased to the point that it’d been discussed whether an evacuation of the human population might be in order.

“Let it first go on record that we knew there would be a response following the attack. However, we allowed it because, quite frankly, this war is imminent. The queen’s advances may have altered the timeline a bit, but we like to believe that Sebastian is now aware of something very important; that we, the lycans of Seaton Falls, are a formidable clan. We’re willing to stand for the rights of our species, more than eager to bring an end to his reign.” His voice trembled with delight as those words left his mouth—grave, deep.

My breaths came rapidly. For quite some time, talk of war felt like nothing more than a rumor, some half-cocked conspiracy theory conjured within the minds of the delusional and paranoid.

But now, it felt different.

Like the Chancellor said, it felt … imminent.

“As you may also know, protecting Evangeline has become a bit of a challenge,” he added. “The latest report from one of the guards securing their home is that she attempted to run off several nights ago, only to have her efforts thwarted by a member of her household.”

“Run off? Why?” I asked the question without thinking, forgetting to be mindful of the order that was to be kept in this chamber. It couldn’t be helped, though. Several people had been worried about Evie since the incident. Myself included.

The Chancellor stared a moment, thrown by my enthusiastic interruption. “It’s my understanding that she did so in an attempt to locate the Sovereign again. Apparently, she’s got unfinished business with one of his witches,” he explained. It would have been a suicide mission, no doubt, so we were pleased to hear she’d been stopped and taken home.”

She was doing worse than I thought, bad enough to take off in the middle of the night, headed toward certain danger. It seemed she’d become a bit …unhinged.

Or maybe she was just desperate.

“However, before being taken home,” the Chancellor added, “there was an encounter with a band of mutts she and her companion were forced to put down. Which brings me to my next point—the need for additional,qualifiedguards to ensure the safety of Seaton Falls.”

My gaze shifted left, toward my father and brothers in a row. Each stood poised, silent as the Chancellor went on, addressing only me this time.

“We’ve come to a decision regarding your next task on the road to atonement, Nicholas.” At the sound of my name rolling off his tongue, I shuddered, recalling the last time I heard it spoken that way.

“Excuse me …‘road to atonement’? It was my father who asked, but I knew Roz had a similar thought when her grip nearly cut off my circulation.

The Chancellor’s gaze slipped to Dad. Or at least I guessed as much when his head swiveled that way. Beneath the cloak it was impossible to tell.

“It was my understanding that the death mission Nick was sent on made him square with you all,” my father reasoned. “His debt is paid.”

He was so sure of this that it nearly knocked the wind from him when a swift response was fired at him. This time, it was one of the Elders who spoke.

“Mr. Stokes, it’s my understanding that those of us present before you today are theonlybeings in existence with the authority to decide when his debt is paid,” the Elder seethed, mocking my father in conclusion. “And let us not forget that your wife’s freedom hangs by a thread. We’re upholding the promise we made our soon-to-be queen, but I don’t believe any of us are above pulling rank should we see the need.”

The threat was heard loud and clear.

“Besides … let us also be mindful that the Stokes family name could use a little restoration as well,” he added with a wicked smile.

Kyle fumed beside me, but said nothing. It was probably for the best.

The Chancellor’s attention was solely on me once again.

He breathed two words at first. “A guard.”

My brow quirked, but I waited for further explanation.

“We believe it would suit you. In addition, the role requires discipline, focus—two attributes you could stand to sharpen,” The Elder added to the Chancellor’s statement.

I could see how they’d think I could use a lesson in both.

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