“Not as long as you don’t go off avenging.”
Malachi gave a rumble of agreement, then said, “Trevor.”
This time, Trevor bowed his head to Malachi.
“You won’t take action against this man.”
“No. I won’t.”
“Your word to your alpha,” Malachi said with a low growl.
Instantly Trevor nodded. “My word to my alpha.”
A sense of gravity rippled through the pack, so palpable that Willow shifted against Ezra’s side. Vanilla and lime grew tangy with curiosity.
“I’ll explain later,” Ezra whispered to her, and she nodded.
Malachi spread his hands, an invitation. “I’ve made the decision; now I’ll hear your thoughts. I know it’s troubling to all the pack, even more so to our elders who lived through things we haven’t.” He nodded to Arlo and Rebecca, who nodded back in acknowledgement. “We’ve lived in peace with the humans of this town for generations, and the loss of peace last night happened through no wolf’s fault—and no mate’s fault,” he added with a kind look at Willow.
Willow’s arms tightened around Ezra’s waist. His place was with his pack right now, but afterward he would take her in his arms and assure her if she needed him to.
“I just have one question,” Rhett said from the very fringe of the group, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed.
“Go on,” Malachi said.
“Are you planning to do nothing? To ignore this?”
“No.”
Rhett nodded, and after a moment it was clear he had nothing further to ask or comment.
“Well, what then?” Trevor burst out. “What do we get to do, Mal?”
“I have a request of Robert and Ann, and Ezra and Willow,” Malachi said.
Dad and Mom stepped forward, hand in hand. “Anything you need,” Mom said.
“First of all, Ezra, have you reconsidered pressing assault charges? Of all of us, you’re the only one who can take legal action here.”
Ezra felt himself shaking his head already. He didn’t want to do that. He truly didn’t want to. “I don’t need it for myself. Not this time. If—if something else happens, then yes, I’ll do it.”
“All right,” Malachi said as though he had expected those exact words. “Now second—are any of the four of you interested in speaking to the police as witnesses? Not for formal charges, but for their information.”
Willow drew in a sharp breath. “Do I have to?”
“Not at all. I’m asking if you want to.”
“If y’all need me to, I can do it.” She straightened her shoulders and squeezed Ezra’s hand. “I can do it for the pack.”
“No, Willow,” Malachi said. “I’m asking what youwantto do.”
“Well…I…I have to think. I didn’t think of myself as a witness before.”
Malachi nodded, then met Ezra’s eyes with the same question.
“I don’t know,” Ezra said. “I’ll consider it, if you believe it could matter. But if they don’t see a problem with that officer who drew down on you, I don’t think a few lupines complaining will change their minds.”
Willow’s hand tightened around his, and he returned her grip.
