Page 3 of Her Wolf's Demands

Blinking slowly, I shook my head as the door opened. They stayed outside, the silent beckon a warning for us to obey.

Malone watched me, waiting for a response. I clenched my hands into fists, ready to swing them at his head. And yet, the urge left me before it had really formed.

“I’ll let you take the lead,” I murmured. “Just don’t take no shit from them.”

His smile was soft, grateful. And it melted me, just a bit, from the inside out. Jeez, the man could have me any which way he wanted, and I would be powerless to resist.

Linking his fingers through mine, Malone tugged, inviting me to follow him. I went willingly, despite the sour taste in my mouth. I was intrigued by what the pack had to say in response to what had happened. Would they be more lenient with us because of my alpha gene, whatever the hell that was?

Leaving the cabin was like emerging out of a prison cell. It was as if I was on my way to the last day of a trial where the jury would read the verdict on my guilt.

My insides quivered as we walked behind Manual and Joe, our footsteps matching theirs perfectly.

Malone was a fraction ahead of me, either to protect me, or to show everyone that he was in charge. Either way, I’d be a good little mate, allowing him to do his thing.

“Malone,” one of the younger lads called as we approached. “No one mentioned how gorgeous she was!”

A shush rumbled around the camp, the boy yelping when an older woman smacked him in the arm. I kept my gaze low, playing demure, just like Malone had requested.

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” a teen girl said as we passed. “Her magic could be useful.”

The stark contrast between the boy’s reaction and the girl’s wisdom brought a small smile to my lips. I quickly quenched it, keeping my face straight as we came to a stand in front of the fire, facing towards the pack who surrounded us.

“Who ordered our exile?” Malone barked, his previously stoic expression transforming in seconds.

His cheeks flushed pink as he clenched his fists and stared around at his pack, his eyes narrowing on Joe, the elderly man who had first found us in the woods.

“It was I,” Joe admitted, stepping towards the alpha.

Malone’s fingers tightened, his spine stiffening.

I swallowed, a little afraid of what he might do to the elder. On one hand, he should make an example of him. On the other, Joe was clearly a respected member of the pack, considering they all followed his lead when the order had been given.

“And is Joe your alpha?” Malone’s voice projected louder, reaching the ears of every person in attendance.

Frowning, most of them shook their heads. Rochelle snarled gently, her narrowed gaze spitting daggers at me, yet again. That girl had to get over her jealousy, otherwise we’d end up in a bitch fight. I didn’t want to give Malone the satisfaction of fighting over him.

“So, if Joe isn’t your alpha, why are you following his orders?”

Murmurs arose as they protested their innocence. I stayed completely still, almost afraid to even breathe. There were a shit-ton of claws and canines ready to tear me down, just for existing. It would serve me to keep quiet.

“You broke sacred wolf law,” Joe said, his leathery face stern.

Holding his arms out to the side, Malone raised his eyebrows. “And has the sacred wolf law helped our pack prosper? My father was also a stickler for ancient laws and look where that got us. I’ve tried, numerous times, to suggest a new way, but for some reason, you’re all too afraid to catch up with a world that’s moved on.”

They were silent, their stares a mixture of contempt and curiosity. The impression I had of Malone was that he hadn’t been present with the pack, preferring to hide away at his workshop. That had to stop if he wanted to bring his people back together. It was pretty clear that a rift had existed before I was turned. Was it what had happened with his sister? Did the others not know about her illness? Did they resent him for being so heartless?

“What are you suggesting?” a pregnant lady asked, cupping her belly absentmindedly.

A flicker of something danced in my chest, excitement appearing from deep within my subconscious. Er, no, this was not the time to be broody. At all. In fact, the idea of a baby needed to be stuffed down with the rest of my unresolved issues. There, nice and dark, down in the recess of my soul, right where broody Della deserved to be.

Malone glanced at me, his spine straightening when I narrowed my gaze. His top teeth nipped his bottom lip, catching it before he turned back to the pack. “Della’s magic has increased tenfold since she’s turned. The wolf curse has mixed with her witch magic and heightened it, making her a formidable foe.”

My stomach clenched, nausea rising quickly. I had expected a declaration of… not love, of course, that would be a bit premature. However, maybe something a little more romantic. But no. He was laying it on thick, bigging up my newfound talent. What was he getting at?

“That’s exactly why she cannot live,” Lionel piped up, avoiding my gaze when I frowned in his direction.

So much for gratitude. I should’ve just left the silver ring to rot in his damn neck. Clearly trying to rectify my brother’s wrong hadn’t wiped the slate clean with the dark haired haired wolf.

---