Page 116 of Wolf Roulette

“They don’t listen.”

“Maybe there’s a way to make them listen?”

She narrowed her gaze. “Like what?”

“Well, when you normally talk to them, what do you do?”

“They yell at me and I yell back.”

I pursed my lips. “What do you think when they yell at you?”

Essie cast me an exasperated look. “Okay, I get it. Talk about things when no one’s yelling.”

I exchanged an amused look with the smiling kitchen staff.

Once the teen had finished her scroll, I spoke again. “Essie, I understand you want people to treat you your age rather than someone of Axel’s age. Try to remember that most of the pack are far older than you. Hundreds of years older. They love you, but they may have forgotten how they felt at your age. Speak calmly, and they’ll be more inclined to listen.”

The Luther sniffed. “Okay.”

I squared my shoulders. “Earning people’s respect requires treating people with respect. Today, you stole a truck and crashed it. I’m sure you realise there will be consequences.”

She swallowed. “He’s going to be angry at me.”

“Probably. How would you feel if someone broke something of yours? Maybe there was another way to talk with me. What do you think?”

The teenager sighed. “Phone.”

“That’s right. You know that for next time, but now, it’s time to face the music.” I handed her my phone. “You need to call, uh, Mr Greyson, and then you’ll need to contact Evelyn so she can let your parents know where you’ve been.”

Blood drained from her face as she took the phone.

“You can take the call outside if you prefer,” I offered.

Watching her leave, I nicked a scroll for myself and grinned with the cooks. Part of me had to applaud Essie’s guts.

No way would I have nicked Alexei’s car at her age.

I waited a few minutes before joining her.

She was crying, and after briefly listening to Sascha’s deep voice on the other end, I left her to it.

The gardeners were trying to extract the pickup from a low hedge. Bending my knees, I lifted up one end of the truck and waited for them to scramble back before swinging the nose around and lowering it to the ground.

Essie passed me the phone. “Evelyn wants to speak with you.”

I pressed the speaker to my ear. “Hey.”

“Our apologies once again, Andie.”

“It’s no trouble. There is some damage to the garden though.”

“We’ll help to restore it,” she said. “A couple of our male betas are on the way over with a tow truck. Do they have permission to enter tribal lands without penalty?”

My original offer extended to the women and children of the pack. But… the males were only coming because of a child of the pack. “Yes. That’s okay.”

Word spread yet again. Our Timber workers were already at the mill, but Sandstone stewards were waiting to begin employment with the Luthers next Monday. Soon, we had a crowd of them.

The teen gripped my hand when the tow truck arrived.

---