He nodded.“Yes.”
“So let’s wait for that with us.This is pretty new.Let’s give it time to breathe.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently on the lips.“Deal.But since you won’t be shifting…”
“Yeah?”
“I wonder if I can ask a favor.”
ChapterSixteen
Organizing the monthly shift was one of the hardest aspects of being alpha.On top of his full-time job, Silas was charged with ensuring the safety of the roughly two hundred wolves who chose to shift at Rivergate Manor.Shifting there wasn’t mandatory.Wolves could choose to risk managing their own transitions.But if a wolf signed up to be at Rivergate, Silas was responsible for making sure they left in the same condition as they arrived.
That took magic.Grateful had used her power to add an enchantment around the property to keep supernaturals and humans out, and recently, following Selene’s abduction, to keep wolves in.It also took enough food to feed an army and an intimate knowledge of the needs of the pack.Teenagers shifting for the first time needed mentors.Older wolves needed added protection.A few wolves with medical backgrounds volunteered in a first aid tent to treat those who woke up with wolf-induced injuries.
All of that required time and leadership, and although Silas didn’t do it all himself, it was amazing how many things bubbled to the top.Which meant that the dragon heart waited in the safe under his bed, his new relationship with Meredith was relegated to the back burner, and Alex’s whereabouts remained a mystery.But before he could give himself over to the moon and the wild, there was one thing he needed to do.
“It’s taken care of,” Logan said.“The new enchantment around your house is in place.No one is getting their hands on that heart.”
Silas paced Logan’s office at Valentine’s, feeling restless.
“I need you to give Meredith access.”
Logan gave a slow, lopsided smile.“Oh?”
“She’s going to feed Maggie while I’m managing the shift.”
“When she was here before, I got the sense she wasn’t your everyday werewolf.”
“Half werewolf.Half skinwalker.She shifts into a fox.”
“Skinwalker?I thought they could shift into anything?”
“Normally.Must be something about the werewolf blood.”
Logan nodded.“So she doesn’t have to shift with the moon.”
“Nope.Anytime she wants.She goes home regularly to shift though.Her mother’s been depressed since Alex murdered her father.Meredith looks out for her.But this month she’s staying, so she agreed to watch Maggie.”
“Enough said.I’ll ask Polina to alter the enchantment to allow her in.”
“Thanks, Logan.”Silas took a seat across the desk from him.
“Meredith must be pretty special.You wouldn’t give just anyone access to your place or Maggie, especially with the heart there.”
“She is.”Silas leaned his elbows on the desk.“I think she might be the one.”
Eyes widening, Logan chuckled long and low.“The sly fox has stolen your heart?I thought I saw a spark when you were here last, but it was hard to tell if it was love or the fumes off all the vodka and tonics.”
“Ugh.Don’t remind me.”
“She must love you.Anyone else would have left your drunk ass on my couch.”
Silas hoped Logan was right.He caught himself smiling like an idiot and changed the subject.“What about the portal to Nickelova’s mountain?Can Polina do it?”
Logan nodded.“Not a portal exactly, but she can get you there.She travels by gold dust.”
“Hey, whatever works.I knew I could count on you.”
