Page 99 of Bitter Discord

“Brother, I figured out something interesting about one of the werewolves here,” Zuri said, smiling.

“Oh?”

“Did you know some Talents can manipulate how others perceive you?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll explain later,” she said, throwing me a wink as I frowned at her. “Now, I think we should send everyone home. I’ll be staying a few more days because I want to enjoy some quality time with Jacky. And it’s nice not having a baby yell at me every minute of every day.” Jabari snorted. “Tell Kushim I love him.”

“Call him and tell him yourself.” Jabari looked offended by the order.

“Kiss Amir good night for me?” Zuri batted her eyelashes.

“That I can do for you,” Jabari promised, hugging her one more time. He hugged me next and walked after our father, with Davor following.

“Thanks again, Davor!” I called out and saw his face heat. Niko snickered as he followed Jabari and Davor. He only waved over his shoulder. Zuri and I were left with Mischa.

“We used to be close,” Mischa said softly, her eyes on Zuri.

“We still are—”

“Bullshit. Until next time.” Mischa walked away, not even acknowledging my presence.

“Well, she continues to be… her,” Zuri said with frustration. Then it was gone, and a smile took over. “Now, let’s say goodbye to our other guests and move on.”

We did, and I realized I had made some fast friends. Everett, Marnar, Abraham, and Roland hugged me goodbye. Chao gave me a nod of respect and shook my hand. Elissa only bowed and went on her way. Hannah was the last one.

“I misjudged,” she said, looking at Zuri.

“Maybe, but you were going on what you were told,” Zuri said with patience I was a little jealous of.

“He doesn’t really know you anymore, does he?”

“The older you get, the more people think you’re stuck in your ways, yet… change comes just as easily with age as it does in youth.” Zuri sighed. “Seye forgets that. Forgets the mother of his father was different from the woman he tried to convince to help in America and different from the woman here now. Tell him, however, my decision holds in all circumstances. The only thing he belittles with his anger at me is his father’s choice.”

“What?” Hannah frowned at her.

“He taught you to hate me, and you don’t even know why.” Zuri shook her head. “His father would be so disappointed in him.”

“Zuri, you can explain it to her,” I said, hoping to help Hannah out. She was a noble woman with noble ideals and a lot of anger directed at someone without understanding.

“No, I think I’ll let Seye face the problem he created.” Zuri smiled. “Then perhaps I’ll visit him, grandmother to grandson.”

“It’s very weird to hear you talk about someone as your grandson.”

“It’s not by blood, which is why I let Seye get away with being the way he is for so long.” Zuri rolled her eyes. “Clearly, I need to put that mantle back on and handle it.”

“I…”

“He wanted me to Change his father, a man I raised as my own, against his will when he was on his death bed,” Zuri said, weary. “That’s all, Hannah.” Zuri started walking away.

I wrapped up the goodbyes. The werewolves left without me, with one exception. Heath was waiting patiently for me. Zuri didn’t get far. She hopped in the back of the truck when we reached her, accepting the ride back to my house. She was staring at her phone, looking troubled and distracted, though. I jumped in the back with her out of curiosity.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Did you read Hisao’s update?” she asked in return, looking up from it.

“No. Phone is on silent.”

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