“When she returns. Yes, my lord. Of course.” Deagan stood, then gave him a ridiculously low bow that he held an absurd amount of time.
Deagan was right, though. Jared did not know if Nora would return. He needed to assure that she did. He needed to find a way to lure her back to Swirl.
6
Nora reached the weekly Gathering well over an hour late because she chose to arrive as a human not a wolf as was customary. It was her protest against the text her father had sent demanding she be present. She couldn’t refuse the order, but she would comply in her own way.
The pack watched her saunter into the clearing. All but one were in their human forms, dressed in the sweatpants and T-shirts they stored here for these occasions. Her father stood near the edge of the woods, the thick, moonlit trees providing a backdrop of shadows. Blake, his second-in-command, was at his side, his gaze locked on the black wolf snarling in the center of the circle the pack had created.
Nora recognized the pacing werewolf. His name was Tate, a relatively new wolf, and this wasn’t the first test he’d failed. It took strength and control to return to human form. That was one reason they were supposed to let their wolves free for the journey here. If they couldn’t take back control from their wolf on a normal night, they weren’t strong enough to shift back under a full moon. Her father would ban them from the pack, or if he deemed them dangerous, he would kill them.
Or rather, he would have his second kill them. Blake wouldn’t want to end the young werewolf’s life. He’d found Tate on the streets a year ago and had brought him into the pack. If his alpha deemed death necessary though, Blake would make it happen.
“Nice of you to show up,” a voice said to Nora’s right.
Nora didn’t acknowledge Luke’s presence, a blatant insult that said you have no impact on this world. She turned her back, then made her way around the circle to a tree that had been split down the middle, stripped of bark, and nailed between two other evergreens. Behind it, a hundred-year-old cabin stored first aid supplies, food, alcohol, and clothing.
“Bring me a drink,” she said to Billy, one of the three wolves leaning against the makeshift wooden bar.
He ducked his head and went inside.
Nora stared at the other two. The male’s instincts kicked in. He complied with her unspoken order and left, but Jasmine met her gaze for almost two seconds before she glanced away. When it looked like she might ignore Nora’s signal to fuck off, Nora stepped closer.
A growl rumbled in Jasmine’s chest, and Nora’s wolf banged against her consciousness, demanding to be set free. Jasmine had been wanting to take Nora down a few notches for Nora’s entire life. It had something to do with the fact that Nora’s mother had born her father a child and Jasmine hadn’t. Why that translated into hatred of her, Nora had no idea, but the woman had been growing more brazen the past few months. That needed to end.
“You want to do this today?” The question came out as a purr. Nora wouldn’t mind a fight tonight. It would make coming to the Gathering not a complete waste of time.
“Get lost, Jasmine,” Luke said behind her.
Oh hell no. She didn’t need anyone interfering in her affairs.
Nora rounded on the male wolf. He stood his ground when she shortened the distance between them.
“You wanted a drink,” he said, holding out a beer as a barrier. He hadn’t bothered to put on a shirt. She was supposed to be impressed by the muscles and the dragon tattoo. She wasn’t.
She snatched the beer from his hand, then shoved it into Jasmine’s chest as the woman walked past.
Jasmine fumbled the bottle, almost dropped it, but kept it from hitting the ground at the last second. She looked up, a snarl on her lips until she saw the expression on Nora’s face.
She averted her gaze and hurried away.
“If you want a fight,” Luke said, “I would be honored to give it to you.”
“I want you to go away.”
“Your father—”
“I’m not interested, Luke.”
His pretty boy smile faded, replaced by something a little mean.
“I’m interested.” He stepped closer.
A throat cleared behind her. She smelled Blake before she sensed his presence.
“You can go away, too,” she said without turning.
“I think I’ll stay and watch,” Blake replied. “I’ve been wanting to see how dominant Luke thinks he is.”
