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“Well, I’ve got a lion, two tigers, a bear, a fox, and a Gryphon,” That stuns him into silence, and I burst out laughing, and he joins in.
“Okay, funny,” he says.
“Oh, no, I wasn’t joking. I was just laughing because I finally managed to stun you silent.”
“What the fuck?”
“Yeah,” I say. “I’ve got the first, the second, and the sixth replacement.”
“I’m really happy for you, Nora,” David says. “Really happy.”
“Me, too.” I reply. “So, tell me a bit about your ceremony.”
“I’m going to be honest, Nora. Like, fully honest, I know that I have an outfit picked out for me. I know it starts at 10 in the morning. And that is the extent of it.” I burst out laughing.
“Such a man thing to say,” I say, although that’s quite rude of me.
“It’s… Hell, even my mate, Crystal. She’s so upset because we’ve not been part of the planning. We’ve been demanded to be part of it, demanded that we have the ceremony, but then we’ve not got to do anything.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say. “This never should have been part of it. I don’t know what Atticus demanded. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“I can tell you what’s going on.” David offers.
“Is it our pride business?” I reply.
“No,” David says. “Kennedy has it in his mind that we need to take over the neighbouring pack because they’re abusive. However, there is absolutely no proof of this abuse at all. And he’s keen to ask your mate for help because he’s too weak to do it himself.”
“Shit,” I say, closing my eyes. “Do you think Atticus knows?”
“Your mate’s a good man, Nora, from what I’ve heard. And by that, I mean, Kennedy has sat and slated him and said how he’s a terrible person and a terrible fit for you. Which means, we all know the opposite. He’s very insecure. You’re trash.” I laugh, and it’s just awkward.
“Shit, I’m going to have to let you go,” David says, sounding frustrated. “My mate’s car has broken down, and she needs picked up from town.”
“Okay,” I say, feeling a little sad.
“I’ll call you tonight, maybe? Or tomorrow? You can speak to her?”
I grin and nod. “That sounds great.”
“Bye.”
And then the call ends. I take a second to assess my feelings and know I don’t want to be alone.
So I race up the stairs, towards Atticus’s office. I knock on the door and let myself in when he doesn’t reply.
Orson is opposite him at the desk, and Malachi is on the computer screen on a video chat.
“Um,” I murmur when all three of their eyes dart my way.
“Are you okay, little cub?” Orson asks, offering his hand. I slowly make my way to his side, and he tugs me onto his lap. “How did the call go?”
“I’m okay,” I murmur, settling in with him. “And the call went well, I think.”
“Good,” Mal says from the screen. “Are you sure you want to go to the ceremony?”
“He’s only having it because of me,” I say with a shrug. “And his family needs help. I can’t not go.”
“Your heart is too pure,” Orson murmurs, kissing my temple. “We’re just arranging things now.”
