I didn’t dare look at Liam as I said this, too afraid of theI-told-you-soexpression that was surely written all over his face. If she had won without help from any substance, then I’d ruined his chances of defeating her by forcing him towait.
“Everything’s possible with that woman. The best advice I can give you two is to watch your backs around Morgan. Watch your fronts and sides too for that matter. I wouldn’t it put it past her to strike from anydirection.”
I felt my eyes widening. “You think she’d attack us before theduel?”
“If she senses her chances of winning aren’t that great, then yeah. She wouldn’t do it herself, of course. She’d get someone else to do her dirtywork.”
“Like she sent her son to kill my cousin,” Isaid.
“We heard.” Zack exchanged a look with Sam. “Got anyone in the Creek Pack you trust, Ness? Nothin’ like an insider to get a clearerpicture.”
“I do, but she was a Pine before, so I doubt the Creeks will trust her withanything.”
“Yeah.” Zack rubbed his beard, picking a twig out of it. “I doubt her new wolves will be given any classifiedinformation.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “Will’s brother. He could help ’em. I can email himtonight.”
Zack’s dirt-and-blood flecked hand stilled on his beard. “Avery hates Morgan, son. I doubt he’s privy to packintel.”
“It’s been four years. He must’ve learned something in fouryears.”
“Have you two kept in contact?” Zackasked.
“I think Ingriddid.”
“Ask her to message him to see what his thoughts are on hisAlpha.”
Samuel turned and scanned theroom.
“I believe she’s with Poppy and yourma.”
Once his son stalked away, Zack said, “Hopefully he’ll be able to helpus.”
It was strange to hear him say us and not you. Strange, but oddly comforting. I liked that our small pack wasn’t quite as alone, that we had allies. Sure, they were halfway across the country, but that didn’t mean their influence and backing couldn’t stretch over the thousands ofmiles.
“Ness, you mind if I take Liam aside for a bit? He and I need to discuss some personalmatters.”
“Of course not.” My gaze skipped between the two Alphas. “I’ll see you back at the cabin,Liam.”
“I’m not kicking you out of the grub hall,Ness.”
“I know, but it’s been a long and eventful night. Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m still covered in beargore.”
Zack grinned. “’Kay then. See you in a couple hours forbrunch.”
As I strode through the long building, I wondered what he and Liam were going to discuss—the selection stick, perhaps? I couldn’t imagine Zack, father of so many girls, wanted that thing anywhere near hispack.
A brief moonlit walk later, I was back at the guest cottage. I took a long shower, then put on my sleep shorts and a clean tank top. Before getting into bed, I checked my phone for a signal, but found none. I went into the living room and held up the device; I wasn’t sure why I thought elevating it could help snag anetwork.
The front door opened then, and Liam camein.
I yanked my arm back, hoping he hadn’t seen me acting like a human antenna. “What did Zackwant?”
He eyed my phone. “He wanted to know my stance on inter-packmarriage.”
I frowned. “He wanted to marry you off to one of hisdaughters?”
“Notexactly.”
