Page 73 of Season of the Wolf

Chapter Twenty-One

Evie

It took an hour for him to leave that cell.

Even after being given the key.

From my bedroom, I could have traced his steps—from the moment he stormed up the stairs, to his door slamming so hard against the frame it seemed the whole house shook.

Elise had come in to visit after checking on the guys downstairs. She placed her hand on mine when my expression must have told of how distraught I was, how misunderstood I felt.

“He’ll come around,” she assured me, offering a kind smile right after.

I believed her, but hated the idea of waiting to work things out until then. I had to get my mind off the altercation with Liam somehow, so I changed the subject.

“What’s the word from the Council?” I asked.

Elise sighed before responding. “The area has been thoroughly searched for the fools who did this. They believe this to be the work of a small team that got in and out of town quickly to avoid detection. There’s been no report of mutts or other activity,” she went on. “Just … devastation.”

I recalled the grim scene we walked through on our way home anddevastationwas a fitting word.

“I did my best to convince the Council to allow us to open our home to a few, but it was out of the question.” Another soft smile touched her eyes. “They wouldn’t dare endanger the life of their queen,” she said with an air of jesting in her tone that made me smile, too.

“Of course not,” I yawned.

For a moment, we submitted to the silence that crept in. This was all still so hard to believe.

“Ethan says tonight’s …mission,” she stated with a smile, “was a success.”

I considered that word, success, eventually giving a nod. “Aside from nearly drowning, I’d say it was.”

My thoughts went back to the look of acceptance behind my mother’s gaze when we parted ways before that ambulance drove off. It was almost like … she knew.

Knew our connection extended beyond today.

Knew we meant something to one another.

“While I don’t appreciate having to hold my breath while awaiting news of whether my children are dead or alive,” Elise sighed, “I do admire your courage.”

My gaze met hers as she shared more of her feelings.

“I like to think I’ve had my moments of bravery, but they were few and far between. But you … I think you’d risk your life every day if it were necessary to protect those you love.”

I breathed deep, feeling the emotion behind her thoughts.

“Says the woman who laid it all on the line for a race of supernaturals that aren’t even her own people,” I smiled.

She returned the gesture before clarifying. “I did it forbothraces. We’ve always needed each other whether we realized it or not.”

I imagined that was true.

My hand cooled when she moved hers, standing from the edge of my bed where she’d been sitting.

“I’d better get a move on,” she yawned. “Hilda’s been out there all night, and now that you seven are home safe, I’m going out to help as well. The people need supplies, food, blankets, clothes. The Council may have the power to stop us from opening our home, but not our hearts.”

It was hard to fathom someone as naturally compassionate as her being in admiration ofme.There was once a time not so long ago when I hated her, thought of her as the most selfish person walking this planet.

And then the smoke cleared and I discovered I was wrong about her.

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