He gave me an inscrutable look.“Letting a packmate go is never easy.I never understood how my father could do it, but now I have my own pack to look after.All cannot suffer for one.No, it wouldn’t be easy, but it would be fair.”
“I can’t imagine how challenging it is to run a pack.”
“Neither could I until I had my own.It’s a full-time job filled with hard decisions.My heart is full of love for my packmates, but I’m sure you know what happens when an alpha turns a blind eye to defiance and deception.”
“I’ve seen a few cases,” I said, giving my nail polish a cursory glance.“One beta tried to overthrow the Packmaster.We stepped in after someone called and reported a murder.It wasn’t the alpha who died but a bystander who tried to stop the beta.”
Tak scratched his cheek.“There was a weak alpha in my father’s tribe who overlooked a troublemaker.The packmate grew more defiant, and because nothing was done, his people didn’t feel safe.Then it exploded into violence.All Packmasters are alphas, but not every alpha has what it takes to lead.There are good packs and bad ones, but it requires work and building trust, following through with expectations.Lucian knows I’m a fair leader.If he wants to remain, he has to abide by the same rules as everyone else.But will you as Councilwoman accept new information on the case?Will you keep me in the conversation if there are developments?”
“Of course.”I stared at a metal cup holding pens, markers, and bookmarks.“Lucian got lucky.It could’ve gone another way.”My stomach knotted just thinking about it.“That Mage’s Creator could’ve asked for the death penalty.That’s why Lucian shouldn’t take his freedom for granted.It’s a new beginning not many ever see.”
Tak folded his arms on the table and leaned in.“Speaking of new beginnings, congratulations are in order.Unless the rumors I heard this morning about you and Mr.Hightower aren’t true.”
“What you heard is correct.We’re engaged.”
Tak studied me for a beat.
“What?”
He reclined in his chair and shook his head.“Nothing.I appreciate your candor.I’ll make sure Lucian stays out of Council affairs.My word is my bond,” he added with a fist over his heart.“Can I tempt you with barbecue ribs?”
“That sounds good, but I have to get back to work.”
“When should I pick Lucian up?”
“Can you come at six?I’ll be leaving around that time.We prefer releasing prisoners at the end of the day.”
Tak stood and stretched out his arms above his head.“Why is that?”
“They’re well fed and ready for bed, so less likely to cause trouble on their first day out.”
“Lucian won’t be trouble.He’ll climb a tree and sit there all night.”
After standing and pushing in my chair, I found every severance of my association with Lucian a difficult process.“I won’t be continuing his services.”
“Of course.”
“It’s not because of the work—he’s a genius, and I’ll continue recommending him.But I’ll be moving soon, so it won’t be necessary to finish what we started.He can always talk to the new owner to see if they want to continue the project.Have him give me an estimate, and I’ll send a messenger over with the money.”
Tak ushered me through the doorway, and when we reached the main room, a dark silver wolf bounded through the house.It tackled the alpha and licked his face like it was an ice cream cone.Tak rocked with laughter as he patted her front legs, which had white fur around the feet like little socks.
“Hey, beautiful.Miss me already?”His eyes twinkled after she jumped down and barked at the front door.Tak wrapped his fingers around the knob and smiled at me.“Hope’s wolf.”He opened the door and let her outside.“Ever since the birth, she wants out all the time.”
“I guess nine months was a long wait.”
When we stepped onto the porch, the fine mist turned into a light rain.
Virgil stalked toward us naked, his dark blond hair wet and stuck to his shoulders.“Is Salem home?”
Tak put his hands on his hips.“What happened?”
Virgil resembled Pinhead from the horror movieHellraiserbecause of the spikes coming out of his face and arms.With an exasperated sigh, he hiked up the steps barefoot.“I had an altercation with a porcupine.”
When he passed us, Tak threw back his head and laughed at the porcupine quills that covered Virgil’s bare ass.“I see who won the argument.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”Virgil opened the door and slammed it.
Chapter21
