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Show no fear.
That’s what I tell myself as I walk through the Wolf District alongside Walker. Show no fear because I know damn well that the wolves here are just waiting for me to portray some sign of weakness so that they can pounce.
I have no illusion that they’re giving me a wide berth because of anything that I’ve done. The Wicked Wolf wanted me in California and now he’s got me. For twenty-five days—or until I can gather my packmates together and get out of here—I’m a visitor to the Wolf District.
And, as an “honored guest”, he tells me that I’m going to stay in one of the more secluded cabins where I’ll at least have some semblance of privacy.
I’m gonna need it.
I’m used to having eyes on me. This is different.
I don’t know where the guys are. It’s bad enough that my bio-dad made a point to notice that I came with a pair of bodyguards instead of my mate. Keeping us separated is a smart move. It’s also bothering me more than I want to admit, since they’re pack and my alpha side is pushing to make sure they’re okay, but it’s exactly what I would’ve done in Walker’s shoes.
I expected him to pawn me off on another wolf as soon as possible. When he doesn’t, I’m actually a bit surprised. He didn’t strike me as the type of Alpha who would actually tend to any “guest”, but he shows me around without actually drawing attention to me.
Then again, he doesn’t really have to. Wherever he goes, his packmates are drawn to him the same way I’m drawn to the Luna. If she’s the moon, Walker is their sun. I can’t tell if it’s out of fear, respect, or mutual affection, but the way the Western Pack treats him, it’s like he’s their god.
Murmurs follow in our wake as he leads me around the district square. Most of the pack lives in the small houses that border this part of the territory. Like Accalia, there’s a need for community, and the square provides it. Walker points out the open dining area, with filled tables, and a spread of food that has my nervous stomach feeling a little hopeful.
Hey. Just because I signed a deal with a devil, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to want to eat eventually. It’s been hours since I ate last, and the food smells amazing. Too bad that I still don’t know the rules of this place. What if, by asking for some food, I’m signaling something I don’t mean?
Nah… better not risk it. So even though he’d have to be oblivious not to notice my hunger, I refuse when he asks if I’d like to stop for a snack. He just shakes his head—yeah, I figured he knew—and continues to lead me toward the more open, private tract of land.
He eventually leads me up to a cozy cabin that reminds me of the one that we have in Accalia. It’s one floor, quite quaint, but… I don’t know. Something about this particular cabin is familiar.
Weird, right? I might’ve been born on this land, but my mother escaped with me when I was barely a year old. Just a pup. Not surprisingly, I have no memories of my life before I was adopted by my dad and his pack in Lakeview, only the stories that she told me to prepare me when I was older.
And, yet, as I approach the cabin on the outskirts of the Western Pack territory, I can’t shake the feeling that I know it.
Super weird.
As I move down the walkway, I see that something is placed on the front porch.
Following my stare, Walker says, “I had Theo drop off your suitcases for you so that you have everything you need.”
That’s right. Duke was carrying one of my suitcases, Jace the other. He handed his to Duke before he went to scout the area ahead of us, so the big shifter ended up with both of them. Once Christian and Theo ordered us further into the district, he insisted on taking the third. By then, I was done arguing.
The suitcases are here. But what about Jace and Duke?
“And my friends? Where are they?”
His eyes brighten. “They’re in a cabin of their own, of course. I’m sure you’ll see them soon.”
And I’m sure he’s full of shit.
Something really strange is going on. Most of our conversation was very shallow, neither one of us giving anything away as we crossed the Western Pack territory, but I kept waiting for the sour tinge that he was lying to me. It never happened, and I figured it was because he was hedging his bets until he got to know me a little better.
But that last answer? It’s… it’s weird. I don’t get the sensation that he’s lying to me, but neither do his words ring with truth. Huh. That’s never happened to me before.
Maybe I’m looking too much into it. I got his promise, after all. He swore.
Jace and Duke better be fine.
I pick up the first suitcase, then the second. I wait a second to see if Walker will offer the grab the third, and when he doesn’t, I exhale softly. Okay. That’s more like what I expected from him.
“Settle in. Get comfortable,” he tells me as I grab the last one, then reach for the doorknob. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
Pity. I guess it was too much to hope that I could spend the next twenty-five days in the cabin.
