A tense moment passed before he replied,We’re in the front room. Come on in.
Bodey didn’t hesitate to open the door.
As the eleven of us crammed in, I scanned the room. The two sizable wooden desks were still there, the one that was supposed to have been mine across from the identical desk where the receptionist usually sat. Right then, it was occupied by Theo.
Zeke sat at the other desk, his chair scooted back so he could lay his head against the light-blue wall. He stopped pressing the buttons on his phone and placed it on the desk.
One person was missing.
I tensed. “Where’s Sybil?”
“In the bathroom.” Zeke shrugged, and I didn’t miss his scowl.
“Is she okay?” Bodey asked, placing a hand on my lower back as he glared at Theo.
Zeke blew out a breath. “She’s fine.”
Behind me, Jasmine inhaled sharply, and I spun around to see her gawking at Theo. Theo frowned, and then his eyes widened as he returned her stare. Something was going on, but I couldn’t focus on that now.
“Who else is here?” Lucas asked as he flanked Bodey, and Miles and Jack took the other side of Samuel, keeping Samuel and me in the center.
The former advisors stood behind us, protecting our backs.
“I already told you.” Zeke straightened and then smiled cruelly. “Unless Callie didn’t share that information with you. It’s sort of nice knowing that I’m not the only one she withholds information from.”
“She informed us of everything.” Jack lifted his chin, staring down his nose at the older man. “We were just wondering who you hid from us.”
Bodey nodded. “Callie’s not the one who enjoys playing games.”
Standing, Zeke puffed his chest. “I’m the one who took Sybil away from Lynerd’s pack. You should bethankingme.”
I laughed, surprising myself. “You made us look foolish. Don’t try to switch things around. I’m not like the others you’ve manipulated all these years. I knowexactlywho you are.”
A toilet flushed, and wariness crept over me.
Until I remembered the numbers outside. “Why are there only twenty wolves out there?” I gestured toward the woods. “You know better than any of us that Kel has been sending more wolves than that to attack our packs.”
Zeke’s neck corded. “That’s all the Halfway alpha sent. Be thankful for them.”
“Why didn’t you bring Trevor and some others from Oxbow?” When he’d told me he was here, I’d assumed he’d have people from his pack and the Halfway pack protecting Sybil.
“Did you forget that the scout we took hostage escaped from there?” Zeke spat, his nostrils flaring.
I crossed my arms. “Did you forget that I was attacked in these woods? Kel knows about both locations and how close these two packs are.”
“She’s right.” Theo cleared his throat. “Maybe we should—”
“I didn’t askyou,” Zeke thundered, glaring at his son.
A soft warning growl came from Jasmine behind me, giving me pause.
Light footsteps tapped down the hall, and soon, Sybil stepped into the room.
Her expression was strained when her emerald gaze landed on me. Even with her dark-tan skin, the circles under her eyes were pronounced. Her long blue hair hung over her shoulders, contrasting with her pale-green dress.
It was shocking. “Are you okay?”
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Just wishing I was back home.”