Page 28 of Nearly Dead

Footsteps interrupt us.Anthony joins us, dressed in formal robes of deep blue that mark his status as a high-ranking magic.His expression is tense, a small furrow between his brows that I’ve learned to recognize as trouble.

“They’re ready for us to go in.”He hesitates, glancing at Astrid.

“But…?”I prompt, uncorking the vial and downing its contents in one swallow.It tastes like ash and copper, burning all the way down as it coats my throat with a film that seems to mute the constant hunger.

“There’s been a complication.”Anthony’s eyes dart toward the stairwell.“The werewolves have arrived.”

I see them crowded in the corridor leading into the antechamber.

“The werewolves were not invited.”Astrid’s perfect composure cracks slightly.

“Try telling them that.”Anthony steps aside.A group of five werewolves enters, led by Sully’s imposing figure.

While we are dressed in formal attire befitting a council summons, the wolves have come in a deliberate display of their nature.Sully wears leather pants and a vest that leaves his muscular arms exposed, showing off intricate tribal tattoos that seem to shift subtly across his skin.Silver chains hang from his belt like a challenge.He fears no traditional werewolf weakness.

I touch my neck.The necklace stings and I want to tear it off.

Behind Sully is Rhea with her blue-cropped hair, dressed similarly but with the addition of a long coat made from what appears to be wolf pelts.Morbid, but whatever.There is also James with his permanent snarl.That feral wolf has gone even further.His half-shifted state displays elongated teeth and claws.Two others that I don’t recognize flank them.One, a tall, willowy woman with unnaturally golden eyes, and the other a stocky man whose massive shoulders strain against his leather jacket to the point that the seams look ready to pop.

Sully’s eyes find mine, and instantly light with a challenge.“Miss Devine.”

If ever I heard subtext in someone’s tone, this is it.The way he greets me sounds like a warning not to fight him.I don’t know why he thinks I want to be Alpha.I can barely manage my own life.Like I’d want a shot at running werewolf politics.

“Ready to face judgment?”Sully asks, smirking.

“This council meeting is not about judgment,” Astrid says coolly.“It’s about assessment.There is nothing for you to do but leave.”

“She’s a wolf.That makes it our business,” Rhea puts forth.Her stance changes as if she’s ready to brawl.Sully puts a firm hand on her shoulder to stop her.

“She’s not a wolf,” Astrid counters.“She’s something special.She’s a Devine.You have no blood claim.”

Sully’s lips curl, but he’s not smiling.I can feel the tension building.The emotions cause my monster to respond.It tries to push its way to the surface.Claws and fangs feel so much more appealing than silk and niceties.

I fight the temptation to shift.

Sully chuckles like he knows what I’m going through.“Call it what you want, Lady Astrid.She’s a wolf.”

“What are you doing here, Sully?”I ask, feeling the potion beginning to work.A cool stillness spreads through my limbs, dampening the wolf’s instinct to respond to his challenge.

“Making sure werewolf interests are represented.If they’re deciding your fate, then they’re deciding ours.”His gaze sweeps over me, taking in the elegant dress, the controlled posture.“Playing dress-up won’t fool them, you know.They’ll still smell what you are.”

“And what am I?”I step closer, ignoring Astrid’s warning glance.

“I know what you should be.”His voice drops, meant only for me.

The heavy undertone doesn’t go unnoticed.

Before I can disagree, Mortimer appears behind the werewolves.My uncle’s face is pinched with his usual disapproval.His traditional council robes are charcoal gray and embroidered with silver sigils, marking his position as a senior magic representative.

“Your presence is highly irregular,” he scolds.“The council called for the Devine family, not a pack of?—”

“Careful,” Sully warns, not bothering to look at him.“We have every right to be here.This concerns werewolf succession.”

“Werewolf succession is not on the council’s agenda tonight,” Mortimer snaps, though I notice he doesn’t step any closer to Sully.

“It is when one of your family carries the blood of our Alpha.”Sully’s eyes never leave mine.“The full moon is in eleven days.By then, Tamara Devine will have made her choice.She’ll stand with us, or against us.”

“Enough.”Astrid moves between us, easily commanding the space.“The council is waiting.We will sort this out inside.”

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