Page 102 of Tempting Fate

“It’s not about hiding what he did,” he says before anyone can interrupt. “The company employs thousands of people. They don’t deserve to find out this way. I can give you some names, though I don’t know who’ll still be around… If they’re any good at business, they’ll have known better than to trust Gideon anyway.”

“All right,” Alpha Deacon says. “Kieran, would you…?”

“Yeah, we’ll talk to Felix. Again.” He doesn’t pull a face, but I feel like it’s a close thing. Whoever Felix is, I kind of want to meet him.

Alpha Deacon shifts in his chair, and I move my attention back to him. “We are still going to do our best to track down the wolf who was recorded shifting in the video sent to you. According to Gideon, he was paid handsomely, and no one has seen the video outside of us. So at least there’s that.”

My stomach clenches. This is it. All wrapped up, and no mention of the fact that things might be okay out there. Sure, maybe I need to stay inside for a while, but if there’s the slightest chance…

Alpha Deacon looks up at Vasile, then at Alpha Axel, who shakes his head. His expression is grave when he turns back to us again, and my heart sinks. Em slumps in his seat.

Between us, Jamie stands suddenly rigid.

“Unfortunately,” Alpha Deacon says, “this does nothing to undo what occurred a few nights ago. I have to think on behalf of all wolves, not just myself, and not just the people in this room. Em, the decision still stands, although we are happy to allow a grace period for you to put your affairs in order and to ensure that you will be safe where you’re going. Patch—”

“They’re my mates,” Jamie blurts out.

Alpha Deacon blinks.

Alpha Axel merely shrugs. “That makes no difference.”

“Yes, it does,” Jamie says, and I think I see the moment when the day finally catches up to him. “Yes, it does. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“You little—”

“You don’t!” Jamie says. “I-I’m human, and I’ve been in this city my entire life. You can’t send me anywhere. And you can’t separate me from my mates. You know you can’t.”

Alpha Axel growls low in his throat. I fidget in my seat, but Jamie’s hand clamps down on my shoulder with unerring accuracy and unexpected strength. He doesn’t look away from Alpha Axel. Em stares up at him, mouth half-open.

“That’s all well and good,” Alpha Deacon says gently, “but I still have to think of the safety of all our wolves. Alpha Axel no longer wants Patch in his pack.”

I flinch. I know it, of course, but it hurts all the same. When I dare to glance over at Alpha Kieran and Sam, neither of them is looking at me. Alpha Kieran is watching Alpha Deacon, his brow furrowed, and Sam looks delighted by what Jamie is doing.

“So, so that—” Jamie falters and looks at me and I look back helplessly. Poor Em must have no idea what’s going on, and we still need to see if he even wants to stay, but I don’t want to leave them.

“He could register as a lone wolf if you all moved to neutral territory,” Alpha Deacon says.

I shake my head. I can’t do that. I need a pack. Jamie’s face falls and he loosens his grip on my shoulder.

“Well, I—”

“Pretty sure we’ve got some room,” Sam pipes up, and all gazes swivel to him.

Alpha Kieran glares. “I’ll kill you,” he whispers, and Sam’s grin only widens as his alpha sighs. “We’ll take them. You. If you all want.”

“Yes,” Jamie says. He looks at Em.

“Yes? I think?”

I swallow. It’s hardly a decision at all, is it? Still, I can’t pretend my wolf isn’t prancing a little, excited to get what, I realise now, he’s been pushing for, for months.

“Yes.”

“Alpha Deacon!” Alpha Axel gets to his feet. “The safety of all wolves does not mean inviting them into another of our packs! We can’t trust them to remain here.”

Alpha Kieran watches Alpha Axel but says nothing. Behind Alpha Deacon, Vasile smirks. Alpha Deacon shakes his head.

“The conditions that govern Kieran’s pack are different, as you well know. Now, unless you are willing to open your pack to several refugee fae, I am not certain that your opinion holds that much weight.” He looks at Alpha Kieran and Sam. “That being said, I will not tolerate behaviour like this again. Their missteps—whether accidental or not—are your responsibility. Both of you.”

Alpha Kieran nods. He bares his throat. “Yes, alpha.”

“Yes, Alpha Deacon,” Sam says. He looks as though he wishes to say something else to Axel, but Kieran subtly stands on his foot and he presses his lips together.

“Right. Your acceptance in Alpha Kieran’s pack is conditional upon you all fully understanding what you are getting into,” Alpha Deacon says to the three of us. “Again, you may take some time. Discuss it. But if you are not in his pack, you two will be leaving this city. Understood?”

Em and I nod. “Yes, alpha,” I say.

“Thank you, Alpha Deacon,” Jamie says.

Alpha Deacon hums. He eyes Jamie speculatively. “You know far more about wolves than I expected.”

Jamie shrugs. “Sometimes you just have to read the fine print.”