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Jeffrey’s calculating expression doesn’t go away, and it gives me the creeps. I start to wonder if he’s the reason my gut is still telling me I’m in danger.
“Some friend!” one woman shouts, drawing the room’s attention. Her eyes are red rimmed from crying. “She got Maya killed! She pretended to like her and got her killed.”
My stomach sinks, and I shake my head. “IwasMaya’s friend,” I say. It comes out too quietly, because I’m choking on guilt. “I didn’t know until tonight that Maya was helping Daniel. I didn’t know about their relationship. I never wanted to see her get hurt.”
“Maya challenged your luna! She got herself killed!” Alpha Toth snaps, glaring at the upset woman and then casting his frown toward the whole group. “Maya and Daniel were traitors to this pack. They were stealing from you. They were cheating you out of your hard-earned money. They were lying to you and breaking pack laws. They were criminals who could have severely weakened this family and put us at risk with our neighboring packs.”
That shut the crowd up.
“Nora not only agreed to help us at a great personal risk, she agreed to keep all of this secret for the safety of the pack, and she refused to take compensation for it. She helped us out of loyalty to Wulf and his family.”
All eyes shoot to me and then to Rook. I blush under the speculative gazes. Some wolves look curious and others excited, while some wear knowing smirks. I want to flip them all off and tell them, again, that there’s nothing going on between Rook and me, but it’s pointless. The wolves are going to speculate no matter what.
“We owe her our gratitude, not our accusations,” Alpha Toth continues. “Do not place your anger for this wrong on Nora’s shoulders. It was not her fault. I had hoped to take care of this problem discreetly and without bloodshed.” His eyes flick to the luna, who lifts her chin in defiance. Alpha Toth sighs. “But what’s done is done, and that is the end of it. Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks they can defy pack law and get away with it. Now, that said, though they were traitors, they were still wolves, and we will give them a proper burial. Jeffrey, see that it’s done tonight.”
Jeffrey’s jaw clenches at the command, but he holds back a snarky reply and bows his head. He barks out several names, and wolves jump into action, removing the bodies. The motion breaks up the crowd, and people start to gather their families to leave. Guess the party’s over.
Rook stays where he is, blocking me from the pack until the majority of the crowd is gone. Several wolves—mostly some of the stronger men I danced with tonight—linger like they want to talk to me, but Rook growls at any of them who comes too close, and they eventually get the hint. I don’t comment on his possessive actions because I’d rather not deal with the curious wolves.
Alpha Toth and Luna Marie are the only people Rook lets approach. When they come over to us, Rook relaxes and moves out of my way. Alpha Toth is apologetic, while Luna Marie is wearing a stilted smile.
“That did not go as planned,” Alpha Toth says. “I apologize that your involvement in this was brought to light.”
I shrug. Honestly, it could have gone a lot worse for me. “It’s okay. Shit happens. At least my powers were kept secret, and we figured out who was stealing from you.”
“That we did.” Alpha Toth holds his hand out to me. Again, I shake it, not wanting to disrespect him. His thoughts are of gratitude toward me and sadness for his lost wolves. He’s upset that two wolves he liked so much betrayed him, but he’s even sadder that their lives were forfeit. I like that. He’s strong and harsh but also compassionate. He seems like a good leader.
“I, too, am grateful for your help,” Luna Marie says, flashing me a beautiful smile. It turns rueful as she looks at her mate. “Though, I am upset I was not let in on this problem or the plan to involve Miss Jacobs.”
Alpha Toth cringes. “I didn’t want to worry you with the problem until I knew for sure what was going on.”
“You went to an outsider before consulting me,” Luna Maria says through clenched teeth. “And then you brought her here and still didn’t tell me of her involvement.”
Talk about marital issues. Alpha Toth, to use a horrible pun, is going to be in the doghouse with his mate for a while. But since I like him, and she seems a bit bipolar, I take pity on him and help him out a little. “Oh, that was all me,” I say, covering for him as much as I’m able. I make sure not to tell any lies for Luna Marie to sniff out. “Part of our deal was that he tell no one about me.”
Luna Marie narrows her eyes on me. I easily wave it off. “Sorry. It’s just, I know how private packs are, and I knew the pack wouldn’t like my getting involved. There was some danger to me in that respect. Plus, I keep my gifts a very closely guarded secret. Even Alpha Toth still doesn’t know exactly what I do or how it works. The truth of my gifts getting out would make me a target. I made him promise it would stay between us if I agreed to help, or I wouldn’t do it.”
Luna Marie considers me a moment before sighing. “I understand. I’m not happy about it, but I do empathize with your need for discretion. And I am grateful to you for your help.”
Luna Marie dips her head in gratitude and steps closer to her mate as some sort of show of solidarity, like she needs to prove to me that she’s sincere and on her husband’s side. Admittedly, it helps. I’m a little disturbed by the woman after watching how fast she put down Daniel and Maya.
I shrug awkwardly, wondering how to end this conversation so that I can leave. “Well, I’m glad I could help. I’m just sorry about Daniel and Maya.”
Luna Marie gives me a soft, sad smile. “We all are, dear. Maya was beloved in the pack. And as much as I hate to say it, there will be wolves in the pack who harbor resentment toward you, the outsider, for her death. I know you are not responsible, but my wolves, who loved her, will be in denial for some time about her actions and will need someone to blame. You may want to be careful around here in the future.”
Both Rook and Alpha Toth sigh at the truth in her words. I know she’s right, too, considering there are several wolves still watching us, and not all of them look happy. And I still have the vague sense of being in danger, which means someone in the pack still means me harm.
“Perhaps,” Alpha Toth says slowly, “it is best if you keep your distance from the compound for a while.”
The real regret in his voice is surprising, and he can’t help the way his eyes flick to Rook. I’m a little shocked. Was he hoping Rook and I would hook up as much as the rest of the pack? I guess it makes sense. He and Rook are best friends. He must want to see Rook happy almost as much as Wulf does.
I nod my understanding, though I’m disappointed. “I can do that.” I frown at Rook. “I guess I won’t be getting that training after all.”
“I can still teach you,” Rook offers. “I’ll just have to come down to Wulf’s home in the city. We can use his gym.”
“Of course!” Alpha Toth jumps on the idea, his face brightening up again. “Anything we can do to repay you for your service to our pack. Plus, I’m sure it would be good for Rook to get away from the compound a little, and I know he’ll enjoy seeing his brother a bit more often.”
Rook nods his agreement, as does Luna Marie. “That sounds like a suitable compromise,” she says.
