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"Yes, but you need to hear what she has to say."
"Hear what she has to say?" A wolf bellows from the group. "She's one of them!"
"Yeah!" the others chorus, slashing their claws in the air and inching towards us.
I put a trembling Adeline behind me, turning in almost every direction that the wolves close in. They’re not going to touch her, not on my watch. A growl starts inside me and my claws itch to shoot out.
"Listen to her, all of you!" I snarl at them. "Just listen!"
The wolves aren’t listening. One of them charges towards us and as I flex my claws to attack him, but someone beats me to it. Arthur grabs the wolf by the neck and tosses him to the ground.
"Stay back, all of you! You only attack when I tell you to," the wolf barks at his people.
They withdraw to their former positions, but the intent to kill Adeline is still etched on their faces. I don't know if Adeline is weeping but her face is pressed to my back and something wet touches my skin.
Arthur looks at us, his dark eyes now fierce with rage. "Speak, woman! And God knows if you have nothing important for us, I'll order my wolves to tear you into shreds."
Adeline steps away from me. I still hold on to her and her glistening cheeks are a clear sign she’s been crying.
"The High Ridge wolves are coming here," she answers, the confidence returning to her voice. "They are going to attack the pack and I'm here to warn you all."
* * *
“The High Ridge wolves?" Arthur asks, crossing his arms. It's hard not to note the sarcasm in his voice. "You mean, your family?"
"They are not family," Adeline quickly responds, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. "A pack who slaughters other packs is not my family. Look, I know I was born as a High Ridge wolf but I'm not one of them. I'll never do what they do."
"This is a load of shit," Arthur snarls. "You're running out of time. My wolves are impatient."
"Arthur, let's kill her." Brena is the one speaking. Fena's friend has no idea what her friend did to save Adeline. "She'll serve as a warning to the High Ridge wolves."
"No!" I snap, stepping in front of Adeline to take over from where she stopped. "Adeline is telling the truth. She isn't like her family. I know her and I've seen her heart. It's true. The High Ridge Pack is closing in and she doesn't want any of you to get killed, that's why she's passing on this warning." I glare at every wolf, one by one. “Despite the risk it means for her.”
Brena opens her mouth to talk again but Arthur quietens her with a raised finger.
"Really?" the leader says. A look of admiration now spreads across his face. "You trust her?"
"With my life," I reply.
Arthur nods, looking thoughtful. "Okay. You know what? Let's go into my tent. We have more to talk about."
The leader turns around and heads towards the region where the pack had pegged their tents. We follow, walking through the midst of snarling and enraged wolves. I catch the look in Brena's eyes and it's one that burns with raw anger.
Arthur's tent is the largest in the pack. It bears enough space for a sitting room, a kitchen and two bedrooms. He offers us seats—ladderback chairs made of polished wood. Adeline sits close to me and doesn't take her eyes off Arthur, not for a second.
I wouldn’t either if I were in her shoes. The tent is a perfect spot to slaughter her, away from the gazes of other wolves and cubs. The Blood Born Pack was created for one thing—for every wounded wolf to become part of a bigger family, one filled with hope. Letting their younglings watch them as they kill the enemies isn't something Arthur wants.
"You're in love, aren't you?" Arthur says as he settles down in front of us.
Adeline and I exchange glances. I don't want to tell him the truth. Neither does she. But there's no hiding what he already knows.
"Yes," we say simultaneously
Arthur scoffs and shakes his head. "I never thought I would see this day again, one of my wolves falling for the enemy. I'm talking about Fena. She loved and, I think, still loves one of the High Ridge wolves."
Adeline and I exchange looks again. This time, I'm rather surprised Fena hasn't gotten over Jake. She spent time trying to convince me that my love for Adeline is my captivity. But deep down, she’s still clinging to her love for Adeline's brother.
I level Arthur with a look. “If the High Wolf is coming, maybe he can decide.” Surely he’s a wolf of compassion. This pack wouldn’t exist otherwise.
