He answers on the second ring. “Let me guess. You saw the email.”
“Tell me there’s a way to get her exempted.”
“There isn’t.” His voice is apologetic. “It’s mandatory. Besides, making an exception for her would draw more attention than just letting her participate.”
“She can’t shift, Ethan.”
“I know. But the exercises are mostly hand-to-hand anyway. She’ll be fine.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You don’t that she won’t.” He pauses. “Look. I’ll keep an eye on things, make sure no one gets too aggressive with the matches. But you need to stay calm tomorrow. Can you do that?”
No. Absolutely not. The thought of watching wolves spar with my mate makes violence surge through me so intensely, I have to put my pen down to keep from crushing it.
“I’ll try,” I manage.
“That’s not reassuring.”
“It’s the best I’ve got.”
He sighs. “Just don’t do anything that’ll make the situation worse, okay? We’re trying to build unity with Ravenhood. Attacking one of their wolves mid-training would be bad.”
“I won’t attack anyone,” I tell him.
The lie tastes familiar.
On Saturday afternoon,I arrive at the training grounds early to help Ethan set up equipment and mark off sparring areas.
In between tasks, my nails dig into my palms. Blood wells; I’ve broken skin. The scent of it is sharp in my nose, mixing with earth and sweat and the damp air.
“You look like shit,” Ethan observes as we drag training mats into position.
“Thanks.”
“Did you sleep at alllast night?”
“No.”
He studies me for a moment, concern etched in his features. “Maybe you should sit this one out. Let me run it.”
“Not a chance.”
“Darius—”
“I’m fine.” I throw the mat I’m holding to the ground altogether too forcefully. “I can handle this.”
“Can you?” He crosses his arms. “Because right now you look about two seconds from shifting, and I don’t even know why.”
I don’t answer. Don’t need to. He knows why. Ethan knows the things I’ve kept hidden from everyone else for six years.
Wolves start arriving. First in pairs, then groups. Moonvale and Ravenhood mixing, chatting and laughing as they stretch and warm up.
My eyes are tracking every Ravenhood wolf. Cataloging them. Assessing threat levels. Deciding which ones would be easiest to eliminate if they touch what’s mine.
Jesus. I need to get in control.
Then, she arrives.
