Page 21 of Fated Wolf's Destiny

“But why do they hate me? I’m no threat to them.”

“They’re old and they’re scared,” Lucas continues, his voice low. “All they have is their traditions. Some of the pack and most of the Elders see your grandmother’s choice as a threat to everything they thought they were protecting. They were wrong, but they’re too stubborn to admit it. Ryder’s trying to keep the peace—he doesn’t have to do that. He could disband the council, but he doesn’t want them to feel disrespected and that they have nothing to offer.”

“Are they a threat to him?”

Lucas chuckles. “Not in any way, shape or form. If they try to oust him, they’d have to have someone challenge him. And no one within the pack would do that. If they tried to bring in an outsider, they’d lose. All of our warriors are loyal to Ryder. Besides we’ve got a problem that requires strength, courage, and leadership, and Ryder’s got that in spades.”

“What problem?”

“The mutants…”

“Mutants? There are mutants? Who and what are they?”

“We call them the Crimson Claw because of the bloody claw markings they make on trees, boulders and their victims. We don’t know as much about them as we should. We’re not even sure we fully understand what they are or who is controlling them. Ryder figured out shortly before Arthur died that Arthur was onto something.”

“Ryder knew Arthur?”

Lucas nods. “He asked him for his help…”

“With the mutants?”

“Actually no,” says Lucas, shaking his head. “We’ve also got a problem with declining birthrates—a lot of the wolf packs inthe region do. Ryder was hoping Arthur might be able to help, but then Arthur stumbled onto information about the Crimson Claw. Both Ryder and I believe that’s what got him killed.”

“But then why isn’t anyone investigating?”

“Who? Barnes? Never going to happen. But here’s the thing… it’s obvious Arthur didn’t trust many people, and you have to ask why. Did he know something about those in town? About the other shifters? Or even the other wolf packs?”

“There’s more than one?”

“Absolutely. The continent is divided up into regions. Within each region numerous packs and clans have their own territories; Shadow Hollow acts as a kind of central hub for the Rainshadow Region.”

I look away, blinking back the sting of tears in my eyes. “And what about now? Am I just another threat to the Elders? Another mistake they wish didn’t exist?”

“Probably, but they’re convinced letting Ryder become alpha was the biggest mistake in the last hundred years.”

“Was he elected?”

“Nope and they didn’t ‘let’ him. Ryder challenged the bastard they’d put in place and won.”

“So, could that guy be out there? Maybe he’s controlling the Crimson Claw…”

Lucas shakes his head and laughs somewhat bitterly. “Everett wasn’t that bright. And generally, fights for the role of alpha of the pack end with one of the opponents dead as was the case when Ryder challenged Everett. You’re not a mistake, Bella. And neither Ryder nor I believe you’re a threat.”

His words hang in the air, heavy with sincerity, and I feel a crack in the wall I’ve been building around myself.

“You’re different,” he says, his voice softening. “You’re neither wolf-shifter nor human. In many ways you’re both. You’re different, not what is expected, and that scares peoplebecause it forces them to look at things differently. But it also makes you… important.”

“Important,” I repeat bitterly, shaking my head. “Yeah, I feel really important. Like a walking complication.”

Lucas smiles faintly. “Complications have a way of changing things. Usually for the better.”

I glance at him, caught off guard by the warmth in his eyes. There’s no judgment there, no agenda—just understanding.

For the first time since I came to Shadow Hollow, I feel like someone sees me. Really sees me.

“Thanks,” I say quietly, the word feeling too small but sincere.

“Anytime,” he replies, leaning back on his elbows. “Someone’s gotta keep you grounded with Ryder lurking and stomping around all the time. I have to say, it’s kind of refreshing.”

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