The cottage seemed immediately empty without her presence, and Sara sat there for a good while staring into space, wondering how to pass the time. Her grandmother’s words came back to her, and she looked over at the window. The weather was mild for late October—the blue sky dotted with the odd cloud, but Sara could imagine the sun on her skin, taking away the sharpness of the cool autumn air. The rest of what Celia had said made Sara frown though. She never mentioned council meetings in such detail, or at least Sara didn’t remember her doing it before.
Why would she do it now?
Grabbing her trainers from the bottom of the wardrobe, Sara slipped them on and headed for the front door.
The cottage sat on council-owned land, but a fair way from the main council building. It would take a good thirty minutes if she walked. Something told Sara she needed to be there quicker than that.
So she ran.
Wind whipped through her hair, stinging her eyes, but it felt so good to be running through the trees and she laughed as she weaved between them. At the edge of the tree line, she stopped to get her bearings. The council property was huge, and the last thing she wanted was to get lost in it.
Walking slowly out into the large clearing, she noted the almost circular pattern to it. Seats were cut into the small hill at one side and Sara recognised it for what it was. This was where the council held the challenges issued from one alpha to another. The council members would sit in those seats, the combatants in the circular clearing with the associated pack members watching from the sides.
She shivered as she walked around the edges. The council had been around for ten years now. How many shifters had fought there, possibly even died there? Sara hurried up, eager to get to the other side. A path led off from the clearing, and Sara knew from Celia’s descriptions that it went all the way to the main building.
Without stopping to think if this was the right thing to do or not, Sara set off at a jog, following where it led.
A few minutes later, the huge house loomed up ahead. Sara stopped quickly and ducked behind a tree. She felt both foolish and guilty, but neither enough to make her turn back. Her grandmother had practically invited her here, hadn’t she?
Only one car sat parked outside the front—her father’s. It looked the same as many alpha’s cars—a black SUV—but the number plate was definitely his. Her heart began to race as she imagined him in there talking to the council.
Would it be all of them or a select few?
She had no idea.
The front appeared to be deserted, and the scents she caught were faint, as though they’d been left a while ago.
The whole back of the council building was taken up by one large room which they apparently used for pack disputes. So the meeting room had to be at the front or side. Since no windows were open at the front, the sides of the building were her best bet.
Figuring it was now or never, Sara snuck out from behind the tree. As she ran past her father’s car, she stopped to place a hand on the bonnet—still warm. He couldn’t have been there long. With a deep breath, she ran around to the right side of the building first.
A large open window jutted from the brickwork. As she crept closer—the soft grass silencing her approach—voices floated out from inside. Sara froze, recognising both of them.
Dropping to her knees, she edged up to the wall and turned to sit with her back against it, not making a sound as she settled in position. The wind was in her favour for now, and with any luck, her grandmother was right about no air getting into the room. Sara didn’t fancy getting caught eavesdropping.
“Alpha Gallen,” Celia began, and Sara held her breath. “Please take a seat, and we can begin.”
Sara heard the scrape of several chairs.
“It has come to our attention that you’ve been using your familial connection to me to threaten other packs.”
Her father snorted. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Silence. “So you deny it?”
The silence lasted a beat too long. Would he lie?
“Who told you this?” He had that edge to his voice that meant he was getting irritated.
Celia ignored his question. “Did you tell Alpha Tregarrak that your mother-in-law is on the alpha council, so he’d better watch his step? Or tell him that the council would be on your side if you attacked them?”
“Is this about Sara?” A chair squeaked as though dragged over the floor. “Where is she? I want to see her.”
“Sit down, Alpha Gallen.” Alpha Wallace sounded less than impressed with his outburst. “I shouldn’t have to remind you where you are.”
“My apologies, Alphas.”
Sara had only heard the three of them talk so far. She wondered if any other council members were in there with them.
