Page 40 of Wolf's Reckoning
Or I was sure it was a lie that I could convince myself was true.
The rest of dinner was as agonizing as I’d predicted. Dex and Tyler had both been frustratingly maddening, and I knew I was being irrational.
At one point, I saw Lewis lead Wolfe and his companion through the doors, and they all went to the back of the hall. My father had spoken to him earlier, I knew that, why would he call for him again? I turned my attention back to my suitors, but my mind kept wandering to what my father and Wolfe were discussing.
The druid stood and announced we would reconvene in the morning and bid us goodnight. I stayed a short timewith Dex and Tyler, desperate to hurry after the druid, but I had better manners and should probably show them that. That didn’t stop the sigh of relief escaping me as I went to my rooms, ready to unwind and shed the mask of interested courtier for the day.
I slowed my walk as I saw the large companion of Wolfe outside my father’s rooms. He looked up at my approach, his eyes following me as I got closer, but he said nothing.
“Is there something you need?” I asked him, coming to a stop at my father’s door, hand resting protectively on the handle.
“Nope.”
I waited, but when it was clear he wasn’t going to say anything else, I forced a smile. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Rowen.”
He nodded once. “I know who you are.”
Again, I waited, and so did he, although I didn’t think he was keen to continue the conversation. “And your name is?”
He looked away, his jaw tightening. “Does it matter?”
“So your mother never taught you manners?” I snapped. “You are in my home, in my pack, and you should show respect.”
He grinned, and it wasn’t friendly. “I’ve not seen anything here that is worthy of my respect except the old alpha in there who is barely hanging on to life as he fights the Goddess’s call home.”
“It makes sense you’d be friends with Wolfe; he was always a contrary dick too.” I grumbled as I pushed the door open to my father’s rooms. “Dad? You okay?” I stopped short when I saw the druid standing over my fatherand Wolfe standing against the wall, his face white and drawn into a frown. “What’s going on?”
“Rowen.”
The relief that it was my father’s voice I heard almost took my legs from me. “Dad?” I hurried over to his bedside, ignoring the man I brushed past to reach him. “What’s wrong?”
“Luna is calling,” he told me as I took his hand. “It is almost time.”
“No.”
His smile was weak. “She has sent me the sign I waited for,” he told me as he looked past me to Wolfe. “The pack is Wolfe’s to lead.”
I straightened so sharply I felt something twinge in protest in my spine. “What?”
“Wolfe is my chosen successor.” My father closed his eyes. “As is witnessed by the Goddess, the druid of my lands, and the heir of my choice.”
“As is witnessed by the Goddess and the druid of the land,” the druid murmured solemnly.
“What!” I demanded again. “This doesn’t make sense. Someone, tell me what the hell is happening.”
My father mumbled something under his breath, and the druid fussed over him. “If you cause him any more upset, I will ask you to leave,” they warned me.
Confused, I turned away and met Wolfe’s gaze.
“What did you do?” I took a step forward, not sure if I was going to scream at him or attack.
Wolfe’s look of disgust didn’t make it better. “I did nothing,” he said roughly.
“You tricked him?” I accused wildly. “Youmusthave, why would he, why would heeverpick you?”
His top lip curled in a sneer as he straightened and took a step towards me. “Watch your tongue, princess.”
“Rowen!” The sound of my father’s voice made me turn away from the wall of fury in front of me. “Respect my choice. Respect your leader.”
