Page 10 of Season of the Wolf

Roz hadn’t divulged it yet, but her father—her pack’s alpha—was pulling rank, forbidding her to leave the house without permission, especially if her goal was to come see me. I knew as much when she didn’t evenattemptto volunteer to come along to Mount Arvon. Only her pride wouldn’t let her admit it.

So, we were stuck for now, but maybe it was for the best.

Instead of makingeitherof us uncomfortable by saying too much, I kept my reply to a simple, “Think I’ll stay put for now.”

She didn’t push, maybe because intuition made my reasons clear.

“Well, if you’re determined to do this tonight, I suppose we’ll chat later. Promise you’ll call?”

It was rare for Rozalind Chadwick to be vulnerable, but she definitely was in this moment.

“Of course.”

When the line went silent, I looked myself over and one thought came to mind:

Dead man walking.

*

I was the last of my brothers to arrive. Their cars were parked and empty, reminding me of how close I cut it. Mostly, I procrastinated for fear this might be the last taste of freedom I got for a while, maybe ever.

Think positive.

I stepped out, keeping my eyes trained on the dark windows of the library. It had long since been closed to the public for the day. Now, at this hour, there was only supernatural business to conduct.

One step was all I took before a set of headlights to my left caught my attention. Beside me, a small four-door pulled into the space and confusion rendered me speechless.

“Roz? What’re you doing here?” The question left my mouth as soon as I caught sight of her dark hair just above the hood of the car.

She stood completely upright now; soft brown eyes staring back. “I couldn’t just sit at home,” she reasoned, shutting the door before rounding the hood.

I was set to scold her for coming out, not knowing what this meeting was about, but warmth encircling my neck made those words lodge themselves in my throat. Instead, my arms went around her too, breathing her in as we clung to one another.

How was she even here?

“Your dad let you come?” I asked, still holding on.

The warmth of her hair contrasted the chill in the air when she shook her head.

“No, I just … came.”

Leaning back, I stared at her, knowing she must have put up one heck of a fight to be standing here right now. With her dad being alpha, for her to break free would have to mean … his hold on her was weakening.

I’d felt it, too. With Richie. Once, there was an unyielding pull to submit to him. But lately, I found it easier and easier to resist. My brothers told me once, when I first transitioned, that I would likely rise to be our pack’s alpha. Maybe Roz shared that same fate.

She squeezed again. “Let’s get inside before you’re late.”

Hand in hand, we entered and descended the dark staircase I was all too familiar with. I could hardly believe I had the balls to visit this place again, but the letter I received, requesting my presence, made it impossible to avoid.

Mysterious sounds echoed across the hollow chamber and, standing there, were my three brothers, and a surprise—my dad. Had my mother been allowed to leave the house of her own free will, I was sure she would’ve come, too. Although my dad hadn’t been summoned, it was about solidarity.

I nodded toward my family, noting that none were quite as formal as me. But then again, they hadn’t nearly been sentenced to death in this place a short time ago. I think I was allowed to go the extra mile.

“Nice duds,” Kyle chuckled, tugging my tie a bit when I stood beside him.

Richie glanced over, taking note of the uninvited guest I brought along. If I had to guess, I’d be hearing about it later. However, he turned away, deciding to let it be for now.

The creaky door behind the Elders’ table opened and six figures filed out—three elders, two witches, and the Chancellor. He, in particular, struck untold fear inside me. Perhaps because he seemed the most disappointed I didn’t die at his feet several weeks ago.

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