Page 129 of Wolf Roulette

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss, Head Steward?” Nathan interrupted my daydream.

“There is.” I studied the head team. “We have three penalty points. It’s in our interest to gain two more.”

Their faces smoothed.

Yep,this was shaky ground.

“You want to set something up?” Pascal confronted the elephant in the room like a champ.

“I won’t condone underhand tactics. I do believe that we should actively try to catch a misstep from the pack. For instance, care of the land must be displayed at all times. The pack workers have been stretched over four grids and leaped at the chance to employ us. Why is that?”

One by one, the head team smiled.

My thought exactly. “I’d like a full investigation done in Timber to ensure best practices were maintained during the pack’s possession. You mentioned a seminar for the Sandstone stewards, Stanley. Add another topic to the agenda, please. The workers are to assess what they can of the grid while working for the pack and report anything amiss. The pack manages Timber on and off, but they haven’t possessed Sandstone in a long time. If there are hiccups, we’ll use them to our advantage.”

Trixie jotted notes down. “I’ll set up a reporting chain.”

“Thank you. If anyone has any last questions for the day, now’s the time to ask,” I said. “I’m unavailable until later tomorrow morning—it’s the new moon.”

“What happens at the new moon?” Roderick asked.

My team asked these questions casually, but I’d noticed that my answers became common knowledge to the tribe. They were promoting transparency, and I didn’t see any harm in that. I was starting to think Sascha should reconsider Alexei’s past example and be more transparent with Luther powers and their struggles. “Without sunlight, my wolf takes over from dusk until dawn. In the week prior to the new moon, I run more to give her what she needs. That prevents uncontrolled shifts and helps my mood. Once the new moon is over, I feel great.”

His brows shot up. “Luthers always seem weakened and tired for several days after.”

“What the pack shows you and actually experience are different things. They like to mislead the tribe on occasion.”

I collected my paperwork. I had plenty of time to finish my last assignment before dusk. My study was enjoyable once, but I couldn’t wait to get the extra task off my plate now.

Can you ask Wade to give us a bath?Booker said quietly.

Was that the equivalent of shaving your legs before a date? I had to be a cool wolf parent.Sure. No problem.He may agree to brush us too.

That would be agreeable.

She was going to kill me with cute. I pulled out my phone and texted Wade.

There were other messages there. From Basilia.

King Julius believes Luthers make better rugs than allies.

But he’s willing to negotiate further.

That… was brutally honest. I hadn’t even met this king guy and he gave me the heebie-jeebies.

I read her next message.

He sees particular value in your proximity.

That will be crucial to Vissimo involvement.

When is good for a video meeting?

Dang, that wasn’t ideal. The pack may need to leave the valley, and if we entered an alliance and backtracked later, I had a feeling ol’ Julius wouldn’t react well.

I texted her back a time later next week.

I needed time to brainstorm.

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