Page 82 of It All Started with a Bite

“Priscilla’s son Marcus is about to come of age,” Victoria said thoughtfully. “He’ll need to prove himself as an alpha soon.”

Samuel’s expression hardened. “If she thinks she can use this situation to gain more influence?—”

“She wouldn’t dare.” Victoria stared into her drink with a frown. “Not after what happened with her husband.”

Bo’s ears pricked. So did mine.

“Why, what happened to him?”

Victoria and Samuel exchanged a loaded look.

“Arthur Holt disappeared under mysterious circumstances ten years ago,” Victoria finally said.

I decided I really didn’t want to know what that meant. Learning about the dark side of the supernatural community and werewolf assassinations was bad enough.

“Marcus is weak.” Samuel lowered his brows. “It’s not the kid’s fault, but I doubt he’ll ever make a proper alpha. He needs somebody strong at his side.”

The grandfather clock chimed the hour.

“I should go,” I said reluctantly. “Ellie will be wondering where I am.”

“I’ll drive you,” Samuel said.

Victoria watched us head for the door. “Abby?”

I stopped and turned.

“Thank you.” A tired smile curved Victoria’s lips. “For standing up for me at the Council meeting.”

I shrugged. “That’s what family does, right?”

Victoria’s expression softened.

Samuel squeezed my hand as we left his mother’s study.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. It sounds like you had a rough time.”

I grimaced. “Not really. I flipped and told those stuffy werewolves where to stick it. You should have seen their faces.”

“They looked like Ellie when she has marmite,” Bo added helpfully.

Samuel chuckled. His gaze dropped to my mouth. His eyes grew heated.

“Wanna go check out my room before I drop you off?” he drawled seductively.

My mouth went dry. Darn, this man could really flip my wolf’s switch with his voice and his come-hither eyes. I swallowed convulsively.

“How about we save that for another day?”

He laughed at my strangled voice.

26

On the Trail

“This is boring,”Bo complained from the back of the van.

“Real-life surveillance usually is,” Didi said from the driver’s seat.

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