Page 49 of Howling Mad
As the room empties, a mixture of shocked murmurs and excited conversations trailing behind them, I meet Michael’s gaze across the distance.His expression contains so many emotions, I can hardly catalog them all.Pride, amazement, concern, and something deeper that makes my heart race.
Before I can reach him, Claudia intercepts me, blocking my path.Her perfectly manicured hand closes around my arm, pulling me slightly aside.
“That little display won’t change anything,” she hisses, quietly enough that only I can hear.“You humiliated me today, but this pack will never truly accept either of you.Michael will always be an outsider here, and so will you.You’re both freaks in their eyes.The wolf who thinks he’s human and the runt with silver fur.”
I look at her, seeing past the designer clothes and perfect appearance to the insecurity beneath.She needs the pack’s approval so desperately that she’d steal another wolf’s work to get it.
“Being outsiders together beats fitting in with wolves like you,” I say, flashing a smile that deliberately shows my slightly sharper-than-average canines.“And for the record?I didn’t humiliate you.Your theft did that all on its own.”
I pull free of her grasp and continue toward Michael, who has been detained by his father near the door.When I reach them, Heath Thornton gives me a cold appraisal.
“Impressive physical prowess for your...stature,” he acknowledges reluctantly.“Though such displays are hardly appropriate in formal business settings.”
“Neither is intellectual theft,” I say evenly.
His eyes narrow fractionally.“You have spirit, Ms.Morgan, but spirit doesn’t build or maintain packs.”
“Perhaps that depends on what kind of pack you’re trying to build,” I say, pointedly taking Michael’s hand.
Heath looks between us, and something unreadable shifts in his expression.Without another word, he turns and follows Alpha Dexter from the room, leaving us alone with Eleanor.
She breaks the silence.“That was certainly the most exciting investment presentation I’ve witnessed in thirty years as pack historian.”
Michael lets out a startled laugh as tension eases from his shoulders.“Finley, you just...I can’t believe you just...”
“Kicked your ex-girlfriend’s ass in wolf form in front of your entire pack?”I suggest helpfully.“Yes, I did.I’m as surprised as you are.”
Eleanor pats my shoulder approvingly.“Not everyone is surprised, dear.Some of us recognize quality when we see it, regardless of size or fur pattern.”She glances meaningfully in the direction Heath disappeared.“Some take longer than others to learn lessons.”
The drive home that evening is quiet at first, with both of us processing the day’s events.The pack gathering ended shortly after the confrontation, once Alpha Dexter announced that financial discussions would be postponed for further review.That was his attempt to apply a thin diplomatic veil over the chaos we’d caused.
“I still can’t believe you did that,” he says finally, breaking the silence.“No one has ever defended me or my place in the pack quite like that.Ever.”
I look out at the passing trees, watching the territory boundary markers fade behind us.“I’m sorry if I overstepped.I just couldn’t stand hearing her take credit for your work.”
“Overstepped?”He takes my hand, kissing my knuckles without taking his gaze off the road.“What you did was incredible.Terrifying and slightly insane but incredible.”
“Slightly insane is my specialty.”I laugh, though it comes out a bit shaky.“I was worried, you know, that you’d be embarrassed by my wolf form.Everyone can see how different I am.”
“Different doesn’t mean lesser,” he says firmly.“If anything, today proved that.You outmaneuvered a wolf nearly twice your size through intelligence and skill not brute strength.How could I possibly be embarrassed by that?”
His words settle something restless inside me.“So, you’re not mad that I potentially created a permanent rift with your pack?”
“The rift was already there,” he says quietly.“The difference is, now I’m not facing it alone.”
I lean across the console, resting my head on his shoulder.“Being outsiders together.”
“Exactly.”He kisses the top of my head.“Though I should warn you that after today, Aunt Eleanor is definitely going to insist on officiating our mating ceremony, whenever we decide to have one.”
The casual mention of a future ceremony sends pleasant warmth through me.“I think I can live with that, as long as your father isn’t in charge of the guest list.”
“Deal.”His laugh fills the car, free and genuine in a way I haven’t heard since we left the city.“Thank you.Not just for defending me but for seeing all of me and still choosing to stay.”
“Nothing you could show me would ever make me walk away,” I say softly, meaning every word.
As the city skyline appears on the horizon, I have a personal epiphany.We’re not traditional, either separately or together.We don’t fit the expectations and never will.That makes us different but never lesser, especially when we’re supporting each other.I laugh lightly.
He arches a brow.“What?”
