Page 19 of Destined Bear
Curiosity and concern ignite inside me as I consider her offer.
“Okay. But you can’t come into the Ember Hollow packhouse. It’s invite-only, and they don’t know you’re coming.”
I hesitate. I’m not even sure she’ll be permitted on the grounds. Packhouse locations are kept secret and secure for a reason, but like she’d just said, she’s taken over her mother’s role in our elder council.
“I don’t want to be a part of your meeting, and I’ll run back from there.”
She steps onto the porch, between the columns. I shut the door behind me and scan the perimeter. Heath nods at me from his motorcycle, waiting with two other enforcers.
“Three of us, like you requested,” Heath calls out.
I still don’t know what Nox wants. But since we have a peace treaty, I have to trust that whatever the Alpha of the Ember Hollow pack wants is important.
Heath nods at me from his motorcycle, and my other two men shift from their respective animal forms, an eagle and a lion, and get into a waiting SUV.
They’ll follow to keep an eye out for any unseen dangers. Maybe it’s mild paranoia, but I can’t help but be wary after so many years of unrest among the packs.
I unlock my SUV, and silently, Vivienne climbs in, sitting in the passenger seat.
I do my best not to sneak sidelong looks at her, but it’s damn near impossible when her pheromones overwhelm me.
A part of me wonders if this is going to be the “us” talk. I sincerely hope not. I need my mind to be clear for any business meeting. But Vivienne is far too pragmatic to pull a move like that. She wouldn’t blindside me in the car and talk about feelings.
No, this is something else.
Why does that give me a stab of disappointment?
“What’s going on, Viv?” I finally ask, two miles from the ranch. “We don’t have much time before we get to Ember Hollow.”
“I’m not sure.”
Well, this is already going well. I cast her an annoyed look. “Something must be happening, or else you wouldn’t be sitting in my car right now.”
She grits her teeth as if she’s trying to piece together how to say it. Curiosity overcomes me. I’ve known Vivienne for a longtime, but I’ve never known her to be at a loss for words before. This must be something important.
“Seriously, Vivienne, what’s going on?”
She sneaks a furtive look at me before beginning. “As you know, my mother has had a slew of healers coming and going through the house.”
I snort. “I know, I was the one who sent the healers.”
“Would you let me finish?” She curls and uncurls her hands over her lap, and I suppress the urge to roll my eyes.
My hands tighten over the steering wheel. “Go on.”
“I came home from the council meeting to find a new healer in my house today. Seline from the Stonecrest pack. Do you know her?”
The name tickles something in the back of my mind, but I’m not sure why. “It’s vaguely familiar.”
“Our nurse, Millie, brought her in. She is also a member of the Stonecrest pack, and it seemed like they were conspiring.”
She has my interest now.
“Conspiring how?”
Vivienne falls silent, gathering her thoughts. “I… I’m not entirely sure. They were speaking cryptically, but my gut tells me they’re plotting something.”
My nostrils flare, and now I glower at her. This all feels like some childish ploy to get to sit alone with me when all she had to do was ask. “Is that it?”
