91—Wrong
Sage stood near the edge of the forest, trying to pick out what her family was saying. The jumbledruhiconversation between several of them, plus all their yipping made it impossible to pick out more than a word here and there. She headed around the glade instead, through the middle, then around the perimeter, with Canyon silent at her side. Inside the tree line, 15 or so foxes scrambled from tree to bush, keeping pace with them. Sage’s blood had cooled. She didn’t think the demon was going to come.
The rocky area was about the size of two football fields, with thick forest lining surrounding it. Thinking back, she couldn’t remember ever coming to this glade before. The bluff was her turf, but she’d never been here. The place felt bad—and the feeling seemed to be concentrated directly in the center of the glade, where there was a ravine big enough to fit a dump truck inside.
I want to get dressed,she told her mate.
He took her to his truck and they leapt into the back seat. Canyon climbed over the seat, then shifted into a man to sit naked behind the wheel. He twisted the key so he could roll all the windows up.
Sage, hidden by the tinted windows, shifted into a woman, then she shifted back into a fox again, missing it already. She laughed at herself and shifted into a woman again, digging in her bag for her clothes. Within a few minutes she was dressed and had brushed her hair and fixed her face, wearing jeans with burgundy booties, a black blouse, and a burgundy trucker jacket.
Want me to dress?Canyon said.
Sage shook her head, touching his beautiful face, feeling the soft texture of his fur. “I’ve got a plan, and I need you to be a wolf.”
He snuggled her and she hugged his warm fur, taking in his masculine scent. Outside, another vehicle drove into the area and parked near them. Sage opened the back door and slid out, seeing Trevor driving, Ella in the passenger seat, the two babies strapped in car seats in back. A big male with dark skin, short black hair, and a commanding presence, sat next to them. His eyes roved the glade and he didn’t look at her.
Who’s in back?she asked.
That’s Burton Risson.
Oh.She looked at Canyon, nervous.The chief.
He winked at her.He’s cool. He’s practically my dad.
Oh!That made Sage even more nervous.
Trevor spotted her. He got out of the truck and came over to them.
“Sage,” he said. “Yesterday—I’m sorry for my assumptions. I was wrong.”
“Thanks,” Sage said simply. She liked Trevor. He seemed like a good leader.
Ella came close with a baby dressed all in yellow in her arms and Burton Risson also walked over with an identical baby dressed all in purple. The baby in yellow babbled non-stop, while the one in purple only watched them.
Burton Risson locked eyes with her. Sage wound her fingers in Canyon’s fur.
“Burton, meet Sage White,” Ella said with a smile. “The newest One True Mate.”
Burton bowed his head and shook her hand. His skin was warm and dry and his hand swallowed hers. “Pleased to meet you, Sage,” he said, his voice rumbling pleasantly. “It’s good to see you’ve joined our team.”
Sage looked down at Canyon. He gave her an I-told-you-so head nod. Sage smiled. “Thank you.”
Across the glade, someone left the tree line, attracting their attention.
“It’s Slinger Van Crimson,” Sage said. “He’s a Citlali.” She bit her tongue against sharing anything about the Vvyndicate, which was not her secret to tell.
Here’s your proof,Canyon said inruhiand Sage looked to see who he was talking to—Burton.
We told Burton last week there werefoxenCitlali.He wanted proof,Canyon told her.
Sage raised her hand in greeting, calling out, “Slinger, over here.” He smiled and walked faster. He was wearing a camouflage suit and tie, with snakeskin boots, and his red hair was impeccably groomed.
Slinger arrived and the group opened up to admit him. Timber and Wulf also came close.
Sage ran over to Slinger, smiling. “I’m so glad you came. Is Dred with you?”
He shook his head. “The rest of the family is dealing with something, so I was sent to represent them.”
