Page 4 of Fated Wolf's Redemption

I nod. "I do. There’s something fractured beneath us. The energy in these mountains—it’s different. Wilder. More unpredictable."

Oscar rubs a hand over his jaw. "And you think the Nightshade Pack is the key?"

"They’re the oldest settled pack in the region," I say. "If anyone holds the missing piece, it’s them. But we won’t get anywhere if they keep guarding their damn borders like they can keep the truth out just by growling at it."

Kylie laughs. "To be fair, Lucas does growl pretty well."

I groan, throwing a twig at her, which she bats away effortlessly. "Not helping."

Oscar watches me for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. "You know he’s going to fight you every step of the way, right?"

I lift my chin. "Then I’ll fight back."

Kylie nudges Oscar with her boot. "Told you. She’s already got him under her skin."

"Absolutely not," I blurt out quickly.

Oscar arches an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Sophia, don’t play games with this. If Lucas Stone is going to be a problem, we need to deal with him accordingly."

"He’s not a problem," I say, standing. "He’s just another wolf too set in his ways to see what’s happening right in front of him. And I don’t have time to waste convincing a man like that to pull his head out of his own ass."

Oscar makes a sound that might be amusement or exasperation—hard to tell with him. "Then what’s your plan?"

I stretch my arms over my head, rolling my shoulders. "We give them something they can’t ignore."

Kylie watches me, eyes glinting with curiosity. "And what exactly would that be?"

I smile, slow and deliberate. "Proof. Something undeniable. Something that they can’t turn a blind eye to. They may admit that there’s a problem, but they refuse to try and do something about it."

Oscar doesn’t argue, which tells me he agrees. "And if they still refuse?"

"Then we keep pushing," I say simply. "Because we don’t have the luxury of waiting for them to decide if our warnings are worth listening to."

Kylie tosses her knife into the dirt beside the fire, the blade sinking into the earth with a satisfying thud. "I thought your father said diplomacy was the goal."

I grab my mug, draining the last of my tea. "Diplomacy is the goal. But if that doesn’t work…" I shrug, heading toward my tent. "I’m not above breaking a few rules… not to mention skulls."

Oscar shakes his head. "Lucas is going to love you."

I snort, throwing him a look over my shoulder. "I doubt it."

Kylie grins. "Even better."

I rinse my mug, my mind still replaying the moment I faced Lucas down in the forest. The way he stood there, solid as the mountain itself, daring me to challenge his authority.

Good—I never back down from a challenge.

The fire is little more than glowing embers when my father strides into camp, his coat damp from the rain that started falling an hour ago. He’s followed by Blackwood. The moment they step into the clearing, the energy shifts. Oscar straightens from where he’s crouched by the fire, and Kylie stops playing with her blade, her sharp gaze settling on the man walking beside him.

Elder Marcus Blackwood, member of the Regional Council. The elder moves with the kind of purpose that comes from knowing he’s the most important person in camp—or at least believing it. He ties his long silver hair back at the nape of his neck, and though his steps are slow, they carry the weight ofauthority. He wears it like a cloak, like it should be enough to command respect without question.

I resist the urge to sigh. Oh, goodie… this should be fun.

My father nods at me. “Sophia, you already know Elder Blackwood.”

“Elder,” I say smoothly, lifting my chin. “It’s been a while.”

His expression doesn’t change, but something about the way he studies me makes it clear he hasn’t forgotten who I am—or the last time I ignored his advice.

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