Page 56 of Wolf's Reckoning
Not just the temper.
With a sigh, I brushed my hair, braided it, and decided to go visit with my dad; he still hadn’t told me the plan he was scheming, and the unknown was still making me wary. I toyed with my hairbrush. Maybe a run first. I could spend longer with Dad if I let my wolf out first.
I grinned as I ran my fingers through my hair, loosening it, then shed my clothes and slipped out the window. I was in my wolf form before my paws hit the ground. I ran free over the Hollow and headed to my favorite bluff on the ridge. The wind in my fur, the soil of my packlands beneath my claws, the scent of freedom on the air.
It was the perfect run. I felt more like myself than I had in weeks.
I should’ve known something was coming.
On my return, my wolf padded contentedly over the ground that I knew better than anyone else. However, there was an underlying current of unease as I returned to my packlands. The air was too still, the conversations too quiet, and the pack was sparse.
When Adair found me, I was in the northern clearing, pacing the line where the training fields met the old woods, an unknown scent tickling my nose.
“They’re asking for you.”
I shifted back into human form. “Who?” I didn’t stop scenting the air. “Is it important?”
“It’s not who you think,” she said carefully. “It’s your father.”
That was different.
Ten minutes later, I was dressed and back in my father’s room. Lewis and the druid were already there, and—of course—Wolfe and his shadow, Killian.
I didn’t look at the druid as I entered. I could feel their gaze like a noose around my neck. Dad was sitting up, his face pale but sharper than it had been in days. That alone set every alarm bell ringing.
“You called for me?”
He gestured for me to come closer. “Sit, daughter.”
The air feltfull. Tense. “I’d rather stand.”
“Fine.” His sigh was old and heavy. “Then listen.” He cast a shrewd look at me. “With anopenmind.”
My whole body felt coiled too tightly. I chanced a look at Wolfe and saw he looked as closed off as I felt. What the hellwas going on this time?
The druid moved first, stepping into the space between us like the harbinger they always pretended not to be.
“There’s a proposition Alpha Malric wants you both to consider,” they said. “To secure the pack. To quiet the Pack Council. To preserve the Hollow’s legacy.”
I knew what was coming before they said it. Hell, Ifeltit in my bones.
“A marriage bond,” the druid said. “Between you and Wolfe.”
No one spoke. Not even the shadows. Wolfe didn’t move. He didn’t speak. He didn’tneedto.
My heart thudded once. Then again. Louder this time. Rage crawled up my spine. “Is this a joke?”
“It’s a solution,” the druid replied evenly. “A way to ensure power stays in the Hollow. Withtwoproven leaders. With Luna’s blessing.”
I looked at my father in a mixture of surprise and horror. “Thisis yourtrick?”
He didn’t meet my eyes. “I think it’s a very good idea.” He didn’t look up. “You said it yourself: all anyone is interested in, outside of this pack, is your womb, for the alpha youcouldbirth.”
I blinked back the sudden sting of tears as my father laid my personal issues out for everyone to hear.
“If you marry Wolfe,” my father continued, “it removes you from scrutiny. You will be protected by a strong leader through marriage. Your pack,ourpack, will be that step closer to being what we all want it to be. Secure.”
Wolfe still hadn’t said a word. He was standing with hisarms crossed, gaze sharp, jaw tight—watching me like I was a storm cloud with teeth.
