Page 29 of Wild Wolf

“Isn’t them having a tolerable relationship a good thing?”

“Yes and no. Because this pack is going against Moscow’s general wishes, Moscow will react harshly to preserve its reputation with Beijing. That could be a bad thing for the people here. And not just those who know about us.”

“Everybody here knows about us,” I reminded him.

“That’s something Moscow will investigate and potentially punish, too. With the population of this city? It really might lead to everybody knowing about us. We’re on thin ice.”

Great. Not only had I landed in hot water, I’d done so in such a way I might end up the reason the world found out about the supernatural. “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

“I don’t think much will change. The wise will still hide, but it will be easier for the younger wolves to find willing mates. We’ve hid it longer than I thought we could, considering cell phones. Honestly, I believed we’d reached the edge of midnight on remaining hidden years ago, when the internet became the norm. But we somehow stayed secret. I really don’t know how.”

I didn’t, either. “Where do I fit in all of this?”

Desmond made a thoughtful sound, and while he considered my question, I began working with the rabbits, grabbing all of my pots so I could marinade some of them. The others went on cooking sheets, and I resorted to stacking them on each other. After Richard’s bread finished in my fireplace, I’d make use of the spit I’d made for myself and make someone turn them, which would handle three of the rabbits at a time. Some would become stew. If I got creative, I could make a big fire pit out front, grab every piece of metal I had, and improvise grills.

The challenge of feeding everybody kept me busy, and aware Amber would need something else to eat when she got up, I kept the stew Richard had made warm for her. I left the cabin long enough to show Desmond how to keep an eye on the grilling rabbits, and every time I came in and out, I checked on Amber to make sure she was all right.

Or as all right as someone in her position could be.

Richard, in his human form, strode in. “Desmond said I should get in here and help before you have a meltdown, and I’ve been given the green light for the indomitable granny here.”

“You will pay for that, Richard,” Amber promised.

“Oh, it’s not nap time now? You can make me pay for it when you’re back in your prime. It’ll be more satisfying crushing me beneath your heel that way. I’ll wear a suit for Nicolina’s enjoyment while you do it.”

Amber stretched and yawned.

I took that as my cue to feed her, dishing out another bowl of stew and bringing it to her. “I’ll make another batch of brownies for you tomorrow, but you’ll have to cope with Richard’s stew until the rabbits are done. It won’t be much longer.”

“Want the food ready for after the ritual?” Amber asked, and she smiled. “I doubt I’ll eat nearly as much as most of the puppies.”

“You’re going to eat more. I hope we have enough,” Richard muttered. “Are there any raw rabbits left?”

“No, but there’s plenty of meat suitable for wolves in the fridge. I can get more for Petra tomorrow, or I can pull some stuff out of the freezer. There’s also your stew. We can just let her eat it all, and then I can use the pot to make rice.”

“Good plan. I’d prefer if I handled the ritual while you watch. That way, your wolf can pitch in if he wants without you worrying about making a mistake. I won’t make any mistakes. Once she’s shifted, I’ll handle the cooking while you keep her company. Desmond can then bring her into his pack. It’s easier to cope with a smaller pack to start with, and your wolf will be more relaxed if she’s in the pack with you.”

“When do you want to do it?”

“Now, before Nicolina clues in what we’re doing. Desmond is going to keep her distracted. There’ll be enough crying no matter what happens, and if the ritual fails…”

“If it fails you can claim I died in my sleep,” Amber stated. “Because chances are, if the ritual fails with me, it’ll fail early, and I won’t even begin shifting. There shouldn’t be any blood. I’ll die from a heart attack before or suffer from a stroke.”

Richard sighed. “Or the cancer will accelerate its growth and fatally damage your brain.”

“It’ll be a lot faster and more merciful way to go compared to what I’d otherwise have to face. I’m ready, Richard, no matter what may come. I’d rather go out like this than the alternative. And life becomes a lot better for me if I do survive.”

For a few moments, Richard stared at Amber, and then he nodded. “All right. Declan, can everything you’re cooking wait for ten minutes unattended?”

“Yes,” I replied. At worst, a few of the rabbits might be a little crispier than I would be happy with, but I wasn’t concerned.

“Then have a seat. Amber, take over his lap, make yourself comfortable, and if you have any desire to scream, bite him rather than scream. I’m hoping Declan’s wolf will help encourage the ritual to go smoothly, Amber. You know how single male wolves get. And as far as single male wolves go, if you nip at Declan, he can fend you off if he really wants to. Declan, if she nips at your throat and you don’t want her to, just cover her mouth with your hand, or clamp her muzzle closed until she calms down. In her state, she’s not going to be able to fight you much. You’ll easily overpower her. Ignore any whining. The new puppies always whine when they don’t get what they want.”

I did one final check of the food before doing as Richard ordered. Amber chuckled, and she waited for me to settle before she sat on my lap, stretched out her legs, and rested her head on my chest. “I’m going to end up biting you if this works,” she warned. “The first shift hurts like fucking hell. And there’s a high chance that the ritual will forcibly eject all the cancerous material. Since the cancer is in my head, it could get nasty. If it’s not ejected, I’ll end up throwing it up. That won’t be my idea of a good time, but it beats a slow death. Also, ignore Richard’s shit attempt to matchmake. I only wine and dine men upon request. The odds of a ritual taking the turn he wants is slim.”

I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or disappointed. “Will you rip my arms out of my sockets if I hold onto you? If there’s a struggle or any biting because of pain, I don’t want to lose my hold on you.”

“Get a good hold on me, and I don’t care where you grab me, just don’t lose your hold. If this works and I shift, I’m going to go a little psycho probably. The wolf tends to take over for a while, and the spirits get excited when they first bond with a human. You might be licked into submission, too. Richard often gets his face washed by the new puppies. It’s usually a day or two before the mating instinct really starts to kick in, and since it’s not winter, that instinct will be lessened.”