AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Huh,” said Raya. “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Me neither. He tried talking me out of it, but then eventually he agreed to support me. He warmed up to the idea once I told him that Isaiah’s from the Olympus Pride.”
The corners of Adaline’s mouth tightened. “Typical.”
Indeed. “I can’t see him getting any kind of alliance out of this, which I warned him of. I don’t think he’ll try to screw me over if that turns out to be the case, but we’ll see.” He’d said he wouldn’t, but Harlan had been careful not to give her his word on this.
“He’s screwed you over before,” muttered Adaline.
That he had. “Come on, let’s get gone.”
Together, they made their way through the Alpha’s grand lodge toward the exit. They rarely ever came here. The unranked weren’t invited to all pride events, they didn’t eat meals in the large hall here at the lodge, and they didn’t associate with the majority of the ranked. It was how most black-foot prides operated.
Stepping out of the lodge into the winter air, Quinley shivered and huddled further into her jacket. It was so cold her breath misted the air in little puffs. While December was one of her favorite months of the year, she often missed the summer warmth.
She halted to avoid bumping into two males who tromped right into her path carrying a wide and very tall arch of artificial flowers. Her cat narrowed her eyes at the female trailing after them holding a clipboard. Fila, Nazra’s bestie.
Harlan had kept to his word, keeping Nazra and her friends in line. There’d been no challenges. No attacks. No harassment. But, thanks to Fila here, there’d been bullshit rumors. And with those had come insults, snickering, and a loss of not only respect but friendships.
Attacks weren’t always physical.
Luckily, that crap hadn’t come from every corner. A fair number of people—most of whom were unranked—had believed Quinley’s version of events and had taken her side. But not vocally. They hadn’t dared speak up in her defense, for which she couldn’t blame them. Still, it hadn’t felt good.
Unsurprisingly, Fila was playing a huge part in setting up all the decorations to celebrate Nazra and Zaire’s return and ascension. Quinley sure hoped she was gone before the celebrations began, because attendance was compulsory—she absolutely could not be a part of them.
Fila cast her an ugly look. “What are you doing around these parts? If you’re hoping to help out, the answer is no. I can’t trust that you wouldn’t try to wreck the decorations.”
Quinley shot her a bland smile. “It’s uncanny how well you read me.” She glanced at Raya. “Don’t you just love her?”
Raya grunted. “No.”
Adaline guided Quinley away from Fila. “That woman is a trial.”
Amen. “I really won’t miss her.”
Raya gently bumped her shoulder against Quinley’s. “You’ll miss me, though, right?”
“Probably.”
Adaline snickered. “I’m still bummed that you’re going to leave. Raya and I talked about moving with you. Our mates would—”
“Don’t,” Quinley advised. “I appreciate it. I do. But there’s a chance that imprinting won’t occur. If it doesn’t, I may have to leave. There’s no point in any of you uprooting when I might not stay in the pride.”
“I know, but you’re my baby sister—it’s my job to look out for you.”
Raya frowned at Adaline. “How come you don’t look out for me anymore?”
“That’s a full-time job that I don’t have time for these days,” said Adaline. “I love you to the depths of my soul, but I’ve never been more relieved by anything than when Lori claimed you—you’re her problem now.”
Raya huffed. “That’s very nice.” She looked at Quinley. “It’ll be hard not having you live close by anymore.”
It would. Mostly because they’d emotionally banded together so tightly after their parents died. It had even been difficult for them to live apart at first.
“You’ll still see me almost every day,” Quinley reminded them. “I’m not going to quit my job at the salon. Harlan said I could keep working there if I wanted to.” She’d worked there since she was sixteen, and she loved it.
Blue Harbor Beauty Salon was owned by the pride and exclusive to shifters. A simple spell that Adaline had purchased from a witch was enough to repel any humans who might otherwise enter the salon. Black-foots hadn’t stepped out of the closet yet, so humans were oblivious to their existence.
Blue Harbor provided several services—hair, nails, makeup, spa treatments, massages, and even pampering for their inner animals.
