Page 48 of Fighting Furry

“Just to prove they could get it,” Clarissa said. “They're taunting us.”

“If they destroy it,” Rowan said, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear and leaning in. “It could mean the end of the pack.”

Clarissa patted Rowan's shoulder. “Sweetie, that's just a myth.”

Rowan frowned and shook off Clarissa's hand. “Shelby pops out babies like it's her job, but as soon as the spirit stick was stolen, she said she couldn't get pregnant.”

“Coincidence,” Clarissa said. “Maybe it's just an excuse to take a break from popping out babies.”

“And we've had more babies in the pack since the latest carvings were added.” She looked to me. “The carvings increase the potency of the spirit stick.”

I bit my lip not to laugh. I'd accepted werewolves, but this was incredibly hard to buy. Clarissa seemed to be having the same trouble. “It does seem to increase the confidence of the pack when new carvings are added and I think people feel safer having children. The problem isn't just that it's gone, but that the Aspens Whiten pack wants to claim our territory. Everyone is worried.”

Rowan smiled fondly at Clarissa and nodded. “You are the master of diplomacy, but you won't change my mind. The spirit stick is powerful.”

“So, what's the plan to get it back?” I asked.

Clarissa narrowed her eyes. “We'll get it back. It might take some time, but we've got the council on our side and—”

Rowan snorted. “The council doesn't give a shit about us, Lissa. We need to go in there and take it back.”

“We are not going in there,” Clarissa said. “You are not going in there.”

The waitress delivered plates of food to the three of us. Clarissa and Rowan had human-sized platters of eggs, bacon, and hash browns, but I had enough food on my plate for all of us. I dug in and considered their situation. I didn't want to step on any toes, but I agreed with Rowan that waiting on the council seemed foolish. I didn't know anything about the council, but Darius had definitely rubbed me the wrong way and I'd paid enough attention to politics among humans to know that politicians always acted in the best interest of themselves and their wallets.

“I know that Axel's a pacifist,” I said. “Does the rest of the pack share his beliefs?”

Both Rowan and Clarissa stopped eating and stared at me. Clarissa straightened her shoulders and her stare turned into a glare. “We stand by our alpha, no matter who turns on him.”

“I'm not trying to go against him,” I said. “I want to help him.”

“Help him by standing beside him, not going behind his back and questioning his policies.”

“Not everyone shares his views,” Rowan said. “But everyone sees the sense in not behaving like wild animals. We need to figure out a way to display strength without resorting to violence.”

“We need to stand by our alpha,” Clarissa said, her words ice cold and sharp.

Rowan grimaced. “Questioning his methods is not stabbing him in the back, Lissa. Someone needs to stand up to him. People in the pack are unhappy and scared. They're losing trust in him and someone needs to make him—”

“No,” Clarissa said. “He is our alpha. He needs our support now more than ever. If the pack doesn't like it, they can join the Aspens Whiten pack.”

Rowan shook her head, clearly frustrated, but she didn't continue the argument. It sounded like one they'd had before.

I ducked my head and went back to eating. There was no point in arguing with Clarissa, but something Rowan said had clicked. It wasn't a bad idea. I just had to figure out how to make it work.

***

“Oh my god, Julie, I am so sorry.” Krista flung open her front door as I stepped up onto her porch. She was four feet eleven inches tall and so petite she bought her clothes in the kids' department. She had blond hair to her waist and was wearing yoga pants and a tank top with no bra, which was a touch awkward since she had a huge rack for such a small person.

“No worries,” I said. “I kind of like being a werewolf.”

“Really? You aren't just saying that to be nice, are you? I feel so bad about what happened. Do you want to hit me? You can if it will make you feel better.”

I feinted like I was going to punch her, but pulled back and hugged her instead. “I don't want to hit you. I feel like I should be apologizing to you. If I'd seen your text, I never would have gone out and you wouldn't be under house arrest.”

She pulled me into her house and shut the door behind us. “Don't be stupid. I should have explained everything before you got here. If I'd shown up at your place and gotten a random text to stay inside, I probably wouldn't have even listened.” She sashayed toward the kitchen. “I've been baking all day because I am bored out of my fucking mind. Would you like anything? A brownie? Cookie? Banana bread?”

My eyes widened when I walked into her kitchen and saw every counter and available surface covered with irresistible sugary goodness. Just what I needed would be to show up to the pack meeting sugar drunk. “No thanks. Me and sugar don't get along so well anymore.”

---