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The smile on his face turns hard, as if he’s clenching his jaw beneath it and trying not to glare at me. What a lovely man. I’ve received questions about Rook all night, and I’ve been quick to explain we’re only friends, but I keep it vague this time, hoping to draw out his thoughts and figure out why he’s suspicious of Rook and me. He can’t know what we’re really up to…unless he’s Mr. McSneaky’s accomplice. That’s a good possibility. He’d have all the right access to the accounts and stuff as Toth’s second. “Rook’s been great.”
His jaw definitely clenches this time. “So you like him?”
“What’s not to like?”
He’s a coward, for one. He deserted his clan when they needed him the most and left us in Peter’s hands. Peter,who is also a coward because he wouldn’t take care of Rook and Wulf properly, and who isn’t strong enough to lead this pack the way it should be led.“You could do better.”
I hate this man’s thoughts. Rook was broken after the battle and after losing his parents and mate. Stepping down when he knew he needed to wasn’t cowardly; it was brave. I could tell from our one conversation that it had been hard for him to do.
I’m also shocked by his words. I could do better? Than Rook? Is he talking about himself? Is he flirting with me? “Let me guess,” I say dryly. Jeffrey pushes me out, spins me, and pulls me close again. I give him my best smirk when he wraps his arm around me again. “I could do better withyou?”
“Rook may be dominant, but he doesn’t have a real place in the pack. He’s a glorified handyman. I’m the pack’s beta.”For now. “I could give you a good life.”And you could make a strong luna when I finally take over the pack.Much stronger than that stuck-up bitch Maya.
Whoa. Wait. WHAT? He plans to take over the pack? Could the missing money have something to do with that? Could he be planning to hire help for his hostile takeover? And what about the other guy? Is he a willing partner in this crime, or someone being coerced? It would fit the vision I had. The guy was so nervous, after all.
It takes everything in my power to hold my smile and not let him know I’m onto his thoughts, but I can’t concentrate the rest of the dance. Our conversation dies, and he assumes my silence is because I’m considering his offer. He pulls me uncomfortably close, as if we’re already lovers, and when the song ends, he grabs my hand before I can escape.
His eyes turn toward the doors, and his thoughts race.I can’t claim her without her consent. Rook would challenge me on principal. But if I could convince her to choose me, Rook is honorable… Perhaps she’s been telling the truth all night, and they aren’t romantically involved. Maybe he wouldn’t challenge me if she didn’t want him. I just need to win her over.I could use someone so well liked by the pack on my side. She’s a hero to them. They would follow her.“Would you like to go outside and take a break for a bit—get some fresh air?”
That sounds heavenly, but not with you, I think. I pull my hand from his and give him a smile I hope he can’t tell is fake. “I’d love to, but I’d freeze outside right now, and I’m technically Rook’s date to this party. I wouldn’t want to hurt his feelings by sneaking off with another guy. Thank you for the dance, though. It was nice meeting you.”
I take off before he can say anything. I don’t think I’d be able to keep myself from telling him off if he tried to argue. Rook isn’t hard to find. In fact, he’s so easy to find, I have a feeling he’s been subtly hovering all night. “How’s it going?” he asks. His smile is pleasant, but his question is loaded. His eyes keep drifting to Jeffrey, as if I’ve given something away of my thoughts. Or perhaps Rook was already suspicious of Jeffrey.
“I’m exhausted. Is there someplace quiet we could go hang out for a bit? I need a breather.”
“Of course. Follow me.” He holds out his arm to me, and once again we start strolling about like a couple in a Jane Austen novel.
Instead of leading me outside where I would freeze and there are other wolves mingling about, Rook takes me through the empty clubhouse, down a dark hall past Alpha Toth’s office, and then past the accounting office, until finally we come to a door markedMAINTENANCE. Rook unlocks the door, and before me is either a small office or a large supply closet. It’s probably the same size as the accounting office, but it’s so cluttered with tools and random parts to things that saying it’s cozy inside is being generous. “This is your office?” I ask as he clears a pile of junk off the desk chair.
He pats the chair, gesturing for me to have a seat. “Home, sweet home.”
I sit in the chair, and he rests his butt against the desk that’s also cluttered to high heaven. “I suppose it’s a good thing you’re the handyman and not the janitor.”
Rook snorts. “I keep it like this so people are afraid to come in here. A lot of the wolves around here still think of me as their alpha and come to me with problems they should take to Peter. Having an office like this reminds them I’m not the alpha anymore. And hey, soundproof walls, so speak freely.”
I smirk. “Thought I just did.”
He shakes his head and chuckles again. “I can see why Wulf likes you. He’s always had a thing for sass.”
“Then why’d he try to pawn me off on you?”
Rook’s mouth twitches at the corners. “Because I like sass even more.”
I roll my eyes. “So about Jeffrey…”
Rook laughs at my obvious subject change.
There’s a quick knock on the office door, and then Alpha Toth slides in. “I can’t stay long.”
“We shouldn’t, either,” Rook says, indicating himself and me.
Both men look to me. I don’t have great news, so I take a deep breath and just blurt it out. No sense beating around the bush. “So Jeffrey’s planning to take over the pack.”
I don’t get the response I expect. Rook rolls his eyes, and Alpha Toth sighs.
“Are we not taking this seriously, then?” I ask.
Rook lets his alpha explain. “Jeffrey is ambitious. He’s always wanted to lead the pack. He’s challenged me twice before. Don’t worry, he can’t beat me, or he would have by now.”
