Page 121 of Red

Stark gives him an approving nod. “Thank you, Oliver. Now, we’d like to discuss next steps. Elders, you met separately earlier today. So, if someone would like to come down and update us.”

“I got it.” Darwin stands. Stark’s body grows half an inch taller, while he walks down the few stairs on the side of the room.

Darwin takes center stage and scans the room. His gaze stops on me for a moment, I chose a seat higher up in the back today. Nothing like being in a room full of people looking for you. He clears his throat and starts speaking.

“The Council agrees with the Alphas that this red wolf does exist. We are determined to find this red wolf. Each cohort will be assigned a designated search area within our territory. This includes knocking on doors of known families for any newly turned teenagers. We do believe this werewolf is a risk to all. The myths of the red wolf vary, but we would like to detain this individual in a calm manner before taking action. So please, keep things positive with search parties. We don’t need any more deaths.”

It’s a man hunt—or I guess a werewolf hunt. For me.

Perfect.

“Is this necessary?” Stark asks.

“Why would it not be?” asks Oliver.

Stark doesn’t back down, “The red wolf helped and is now gone. Seems like it should stay that way.”

“I agree with Stark,” Merik adds from his seat.

“The Elders decision is final. We cannot risk a rogue wolf with intense speed and possibly more along our borders,” says Darwin.

They have no intentions of letting me live. The mysterious red wolf helped them win, but it will never be enough.

Graden comes down and turns to face everyone. “Please inform your cohorts. Searches need to start immediately. You’re all dismissed.”

The Alphas all rise and group together, except Stark, who goes over to Graden and Otis. At least it means the house will be quiet.

I leave the room and go find a drink to cool down. After emptying a glass, I think that maybe a shower would be better.

I head to Stark’s ensuite, it’s even better than mine. Dual rainfall showerheads hang behind a large stone wall. I need to dye my hair too—keeping a baseball cap on until I climb into bed at night isn’t the best solution. He should be busy with the Council here for a bit longer.

My skin eases to a nice warmth under the rainfall. It will be okay, I remind myself. They have no reason to suspect the girl who could never turn.

A waste of effort. Stark’s mind surprises me.

Why? I ask.

The door opens and Stark walks through the steam to the shower entrance.

“Hunting a red werewolf. I’d say if I was a red werewolf, I wouldn’t tell anyone. Especially with the way they already want to kill it. The second you left, the Elders were debating on how to do it.”

I grab the shower knob and twist it to the coldest setting. “They’re probably afraid? They need to be the most powerful. It’s why Otis admitted they don’t like you . . .” I tilt my head back into the ice water.

“They’re not going to torture and kill me for information on how I function,” he says.

The steam grows in the bathroom. I wasn’t worried about torture . . .

“Red?”

“Yeah?”

“What is it?” He leans into the shower through the steam.

“Nothing. You know I could never hurt someone.” Unless they attacked you or killed my brother, or tried . . . Maybe my acceptable reason list is getting a bit too long.

He stares at me for a long moment as I fill my hand with soap and inhale the roses. “You’re gorgeous.” He softens, and I rub the soap suds along my legs. “I’m glad you never hurt anyone. It’s nice one of us isn’t out there with a death toll on their shoulders.”

Would he still want me if he knew how many I’ve killed? Maybe my innocence is what he likes about me.