I take a steadying breath, forcing myself not to get sucked into his banter. “Why are you really here?”
"Well, it's a funny story—"
"Save it,” I say. “Tell me the truth."
His easygoing demeanor falters at my insistence.
“Uh, well… the real story is predictable. Boring even.” He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly bashful. “I was just passing through, okay? It seemed easier to cut through the Iron territory on my own instead of asking for permission."
"Wolf packs don't take kindly to people waltzing through their territory without permission."
He snorts. "Lots of people don't take kindly to demons at all.”
"What?"
“Look, I live in the mortal world,” he explains. “The supernatural community has to hide themselves. There’s no other choice, the closest supernatural sanctuary won’t even let demons live there. If the people here have similar views against demons, I knew you'd never let me through, so I tried to slip past on my own."
Oh. I live in Concordia, where anyone with a connection to the hidden other world is welcome. Not everywhere is so accepting.
"Sneaking around isn't the best idea," I offer quietly. "Even if you get past us wolves, the mountain isn't the easiest to navigate.”
He gives me a weak smile. "I'm tougher than I look." And apparently he's also got a softer side under all his bravado and charm.
The question is, do I believe him?
I'm not always the best judge of character, especially with beautiful people. I fall fast and get carried away. My dating history reads like a cautionary tale. Likethe brute from my pack who embodied every toxic Iron trait, Dante the damn Dracula vampire wannabe who aimed to take advantage of my pack connections, or Ava the jealous witch, to name a few.
But dating my fair share of jerks has given me some insight, and I'm not getting that same sense from him.
Marlow’s cagey and clearly has secrets. Does that make him a threat? Adelaide might think so, but I’ve seen no indication he means us any harm.
My instincts tell me to believe him. There's something about him, something I trust. And what kind of sorry wolf doesn’t trust his instincts?
I step closer to the cell. "I believe you. You deserve a fair chance, even if you made a mistake.”
“Really? Thank you, I don’t know what to say." He leans forward, fingers wrapping around the bars as he looks into my eyes. "Please, help me. If you let me go now, I’ll be out of Concordia by morning, I swear it.”
Is it possible? Could I take him at his word and free him? Let him vanish into the night?
It would be so simple. With Adelaide trusting the magic to reinforce the cell bars, security is at a minimum right now. But I can't make such a serious decision on my own. He's the pack's responsibility, and the pack will suffer the consequences if I’m wrong.
“Marlow, I can’t just let you go. But I promise that I’ll do my best to sort this out. I’ll make sure you’re treated fairly.”
“Okay,” he concedes. “I appreciate that."
Marlow and I say our goodbyes for the moment. I leave him with a few more cookies and head out of the dungeons. I need to talk to Adelaide.
~
Wynn
The Iron Pack used to be run more like a military operation than a close-knit family. I feared Adelaide would continue the strictest of our traditions, but instead she adopted more of a ‘work hard, play hard’ motto.
The tavern buzzes with energy tonight after the fights. I weave through the rowdy crowd and spot Cade and Cierra dueling in a beer chugging contest.
Cierra Blackwood is the Alpha Mate, married to Adelaide. Her braided black hair swings behind her as the pair guzzle from large tankards of ale. Cade may have beat me earlier, but Cierra’s chugging that beer faster while the crowd chants, “Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!”
She throws her head back, drains the last of her drink, and slams the mug down on the table with a mighty roar of triumph. The crowd erupts in a chorus of howls and applause.
