When I brought it up at dinner that night, Warrick shot me down fast. “We’re not enemies per se,” he started, “but it’s a big deal to transfer cities. You’re now a member of Golden Claw. You were added yesterday after the trial. Your paperwork and identification should arrive in the next few days.”
My dejection must have shown, as Sierra leaned forward and patted my hand. “You’re not a prisoner. You can absolutely leave our borders and travel to other cities, but you need to inform thecouncil of the three W’s. Why, where, and when you’ll be back. They keep an eye on their shifters, but it’s for our safety.”
Right…I’d been alone since I was a young teen and had never had a reason to need the packs, butnowI required their control to keep me safe.
Conversation shifted to other topics, and I stayed quiet, eating slices of my meat loaded pizza, handmade by Richard. He was a top-notch chef, and I’d miss this cooking when I was gone.
After dinner, the pack invited me to watch movies with them, but I wasn’t sure I’d be decent company, so I pled exhaustion and hurried off to bed. In my room I showered and changed into soft mauve PJ’s, but, unable to settle, I wandered to the huge double windows. I pushed open the blinds and shutters to let in fresh air, and there was a hint of bonfire on the breeze, washing around me as I admired Annandale Pack’s nicely manicured yard.
It wasn’t huge but they had enough space for the illusion of privacy from their neighbors. The pool, which sat off the back porch, sparkled in the lights from nearby lanterns, giving it a very resort-like feel. I’d never learned to swim; it wasn’t a priority for my mom, even before she found her pack, but I had always found water calming. I hoped there’d be a chance to try swimming before the weather got too cold.
After an hour of night watching, listening to the packs calling their kids inside, I was just about to close the shutters when movement in the back corner of the yard caught my attention. Stilling, I squinted until the shadows parted to reveal a massive black wolf. Well, at least its snout and two piercing eyes.
My fingers tightened on the windowsill to the point of pain as I examined him. He was the size of a bear, looking near my height even in his four-legged form. I was about to scream for Warrick when a tugging in my center stopped me.
Mate.
My wolf piped up to confirm what I’d suspected from the second the shadows moved—suspected but refused to admit to myself. The black beast was one of my pack, though I had no idea which one, except it wasn’t Kellan. Judging on his size and pelt color, it was fairly safe to assume Hunter, but until I met the others, I wouldn’t know for sure.
Nailing him with a glare, I waved my hands in an outwardfuck offmotion.
This light stalking they were currently into wasn’t working for me.
I swear he shot me a wolfish grin, lethal canines coming into focus as his lip lifted. He didn’tfuck offas requested though, and with a huff I closed the shutters and blinds, hoping that I wouldn’t wake tomorrow with an alpha in my room.
There had to be a way to keep them out of this house… Surely a shifter of Warrick’s power level would scent another alpha sneaking into his territory. Which meant he was allowing this to happen.
That threat delivered by Hunter in the council chambers could have been more than just a warning not to get close to me. Maybe they’d struck a deal where Hunter could enterthisproperty to keep an eye onhisproperty.
The thought of Warrick and the others agreeing to that sent a trill of unease down my spine. I’d been wary of trusting them from the start for this very reason; I didn’t know their true intentions.
It was too late now to ask, so I just doublechecked the locks on doors and windows and crawled into the bed that only smelled like me. No other shifter had been in this room since I left, which was a small reassurance.
Wake me if anyone sneaks into the room.It was a sleepy murmur to my wolf and she just grumbled in agreement, though I wasn’t sure I could trust her either.
Not if the one who snuck in was our pack.
Traitor.
Chapter
Nine
“My word for the day is job. I’ve got to find ajob,” I said to Cora the next morning.
She was the only shifter in the house today, and I hoped she’d help me get my life moving in the right direction. “Also, do you know how one goes about renting a house or apartment in Golden Claw? I assume there are investment properties for rentals, or does every pack just own their own house?”
Before answering, she handed me a plate of already sliced fruit, and I reminded myself not to get used to princess treatment. “Thank you,” I said, clutching the plate closer.
“You’re welcome. Now, there are two large apartment buildings that are literally rented to singles and new packs. We could stop by there on our way into town today and inquire as to what is available. You have that stipend from the council to get you established, which should cover the initial rent requirements. Provided you find a job in the next month, you’re pretty much good to go.”
I had just bitten into a ripe berry, and it almost fell out of my mouth at how perfectly that would work out. At least for the short term. “Amazing. I didn’t know the councils had enough money to be splashing it around like that.”
Cora chuckled and ran a hand through her long hair, which she’d left down in soft waves today. “We’re the richest pack city in America. Everyone here lives very well because even minimum wage jobs paywell above standard. You don’t have to worry about your future, Emme. This is the perfect city to establish yourself in.”
If my scent-matched pack hadn’t been part of this beautiful dream, I might have even considered staying here for a few years.
“They mentioned in the trial that there’s another omega here. Is she the only one?”
