Still in council mode, Malachi nodded and moved on. “Robert, Ann, what about you?”
“I’m not happy,” Mom said. “I’d like to rain justice or vengeance or whatever’s needed on the man who assaulted my pup. As for the police, Robert and I already discussed this, what with them coming to our home, and Robertwasa witness to their treatment of Ezra and of you, Malachi. So we’re ready and willing to go talk to someone about it.”
Dad growled his concurrence.
Well, if they were going, Ezra ought to go with them. After all he was the subject of all the clamor. The idea made him tired, but he couldn’t allow that to keep him quiet when speaking up was needed.
“All right,” he said. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice.”
A low growl rumbled from Malachi’s chest. He shook his head. “Your choice is valid either way, friend.”
“What about you?” Mom said to Malachi. “Have you chosen for your own self, being threatened like you were?”
A muscle ticked in Malachi’s jaw, and his scent flared. His posture hardened, but his eyes on Mom were not harsh. “I’ll go to them whether or not any of you chooses to join me.”
“Because ethics and morality,” Trevor mouthed off.
Malachi cocked an eyebrow at Trevor’s good-natured poke. “Correct. A member of my pack was harmed by a town resident and treated with undue force by the police. I’m responsible to confront it, though I’m not in a position to file charges.”
This was their alpha at his core. He did what he could for his pack, always. The wolves rumbled acknowledgement, and respect and deference toward him blanketed the collective scent.
He nodded again to Ezra and Willow, then to Dad and Mom. “I think your accounts of what happened would be more helpful than mine alone.”
“Oh,” Willow said quietly.
“I’m asking,” Malachi said. “That’s all. You’re free to say no, Willow.”
“But…if I say no…what happens to me?”
“Nothing.”
“I’m not barred from the cookout, or…or second class with the pack, or…?”
“Nothing of the kind. It’s your choice.”
“Actual free choice,” she said quietly, as if reminded of something else. “But you’re the alpha.”
“My requests can be refused as easily as anyone else’s.”
“Oh,” she said again. “When…when are you going?”
“When this council adjourns.”
His words brought renewed urgency. In a few minutes, the council had indeed adjourned. Dad and Mom headed for their vehicle to join Malachi in town. Kelsey walked Trevor off toward the road, her arms around him, though wolves could still hear their conversation.
“I can’t smell if you’re any better,” Kelsey whispered.
“I’m mad,” Trevor said. His low purr-growl hadn’t let up yet.
“Well, at least you can’t go off and get hurt now. I mean, if the man does have guns or something.”
“I would’ve gone the day before the full moon. Nothing to it.” He barked a laugh when Kelsey pushed him. “No worries, babe. I gave my stupid word to my alpha.”
The ebb and flow of conversation between mates and wolves faded from Ezra’s awareness when his own mate tugged his hand.
“What happens the day before the full moon?”
“Oh,” Ezra said. “Any injuries we have, no matter how severe, are healed as we change form. When we change back, the wounds are scars.”
