“Mostly, I think they are testing our defenses. They haven’t hurt anyone from my pack so far,” Grant says.
“How is he getting the rogues to follow him, though? What is he offering them or telling them?” Raven asks.
“I’ve been wondering the same thing. Could it be his strength? He is a lot stronger as a gods touched shifter and shifters prioritize strength over all else, right?” I ask.
“Pretty much,” Kira says bitterly.
“Hey, those shifters were morons. You have more strength and power than any shifter I have met before.” I wag a finger at her.
“Beth is right. You helped pull us all out of tight spots on more than one occasion.” Raven pats Kira’s shoulder. “You’re a lot stronger than anyone gave you credit for.”
“The wolf isn’t the only thing that gives a shifter strength, Kira,” Greyson says. “I emphasized this within my pack when I was alpha. Hard work and loyalty give you strength as well. It’s stupid that some packs still emphasize physical strength above all else.”
“Okay, guys, I get it. I’ll call my parents on the shell. There may be some hysterics, though, since I never even sent them an Iris message.” Kira grimaces.
“Thank you, Kira. That would be helpful.”
“On second thought, I’m going to call Kelsey first so she can warn them about what to expect.” Kira holds her hand out to me.
I pull the shell from my bag and hand it to her. “Are you sure about this? You don’t have to do this in front of everyone.”
“No, if I don’t do it with you all here, I’ll lose my nerve. Just no one look at first. I don’t know how or where I will catch her.”
“That’s fair,” I chuckle.
“Kelsey, daughter of the Dark Moon alpha.” She blows out a breath.
“What the fuck?” a voice similar to Kira squeaks as the mist forms. “What is this? Holy shit, Kira, is that you?”
“Hey, Kels,” Kira says, dread filling her tone.
“What is this? How am I talking to you through weird mist? Where the hell have you been for the past three years?” Kelsey spits her questions rapidly.
“Whoa, slow down, Kels.” Kira laughs. “A friend let me use her communication device. You know electronics attract terrible monsters.”
“A friend? You have friends at college? That’s so exciting. I’m so happy for you.”
I glance at Raven, widening my eyes. Kira really didn’t have friends before we ambushed her at the academy? How is that possible? Kira is the absolute best.
“The shifters in your pack suck, Kira,” I growl.
“Ohhh, who is that? Your friend? Can I meet her?” Kelsey claps her hands excitedly.
“I did have a reason for calling, Kels,” Kira says. “I didn’t want to shock Mom and Dad with the shell call.”
“Kira, who is your friend?” Kelsey asks.
“Kira has many friends,” I say. “I’m Beth and that’s Raven. That’s Raven’s mate…”
“Alpha Greyson?” Kelsey asks, shocked.
“No longer Alpha Greyson but yeah. My brother, Grant, is the alpha now.” Greyson waves a hand at Grant who sits completely frozen, staring at Kelsey.
“What in Hades is up with you, Grant? You keep staring at people. It’s creepy.” I pick up a pillow from the couch and throw it at him.
He doesn’t even react, and the pillow smacks him directly in the face. One of the enforcers takes a step forward with a low growl.
“Relax, fluffy, it was a pillow, not a sword. I can show you the difference if you’d like.”
