Page 72 of It All Started with a Bite

Pearl looked at Bo. “Did I say that right?”

“Maybe lose the ‘lowly peasants’ next time,” Bo huffed.

I cut my eyes to my dog.

“We decided she should practice some commoner slang,” Bo said innocently.

“Oh God,” Samuel mumbled. He recovered his composure and addressed Victoria with a frown. “Why are you here, Mother?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” the Hawthorne matriarch said, not looking sorry at all, “but I need to borrow Abby. The Council of Elders wants to see her this afternoon.”

My stomach sank. I’d almost forgotten about that.

“I have meetings for the rest of the day, so I won’t be able to attend,” Samuel said curtly. “Get them to reschedule.”

“No one said you had to be there,” Victoria declared dismissively.

“But I want to be there,” Samuel growled.

I intervened before Nigel started digging a hole in the break room so he could escape. Judging from the way Didi was scowling and gripping her coffee cup, she was busy contemplating whether to turn everyone into a frog.

“I’ll be okay.” I placed a hand on Samuel’s arm. “Besides, Victoria and Pearl will be there.”

“No worries, homie,” Pearl said with regal dignity. “We’ll make sure you don’t look sus in front of the squad.”

The rest of us narrowed our eyes at Bo.

He wagged his tail. “What?”

23

How to Make Enemies and Influence Werewolves

The Den occupieda limestone mansion in Temple Heights that made the Hawthorne residence look modest in comparison. Victoria’s Mercedes purred to a stop in front of wrought-iron gates bearing the club’s insignia: a crescent moon wrapped around a martini glass.

“Remember what we discussed,” Victoria said as the gates opened.

“Try not to start any blood feuds,” I recited dutifully.

Victoria’s expression grew pinched.

“I’m sorry, but the ‘speak only when spoken to’ stipulation that preceded that instruction does not sit well with me,” I said adamantly.

“It’s for your own good.” Victoria rolled onto a driveway lined with topiary bushes shaped like various supernatural creatures. “The people we’re about to meet are vultures. The minute they sense any weakness from you, they’ll pounce.”

“Can I pounce back?” I asked innocently.

Bo wheezed on the rear seat. Victoria’s left eye started twitching.

I sighed. “Alright, I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise.”

Victoria parked in a lot full of gleaming, expensive vehicles that would probably make Wheeler green with envy. I followed her up stone steps to a pair of ornate wooden doors guarded by a man in an impeccable tailored suit.

I could tell from his scent that he was a werewolf.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hawthorne.” He bowed. “The Council is expecting you in the Moonlight Room.”

Someone needed to come up with more original names for these places.

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