There was no shortage of compliments on my sister’s behalf. The werewolves adored her. She’d surprised them all with how quickly she rose within Silas’s ‘corporation’.
And for some reason, they assumed I’d be just as remarkable. Each one of them asked whether I would stay for their festival. Two lip-lickers were most eager for my answer. And when I declined, the lust in their eyes glowed hot.
I excused myself quickly after that, deciding the company of groupies was the lesser of evils.
“Brothers and sisters.” Silas’s thunderous voice stopped me in my tracks. “Please gather around.”
Marcus, Latoya, and I exchanged furtive glances from where we stood.
All the werewolves in the house congregated in the living room. Silas waited while twirling a… silver-tipped arrow between his fingers.
I swallowed hard. Shit.
His eyes locked with mine, and he smiled, halting the arrow between his fingers. He used it to point at me. “Joey, do me a favor and stand next to your sister.”
I nodded, forcing my mouth into a small smile.
Silas looked at Lamar. “Who’s missing?”
Lamar glanced about the room. “Just Brody, I think.”
Silas agreed with a bob of his head. “He’s heard this all before. Let’s start.” Silas rose from where he’d been leaning against the fireplace. “Thank you all for joining me. In a time ofstrife, family is the secret to survival. And each one of you in this room is my family.”
Vince gasped, and the werewolves all snickered.
Silas nodded. “As you’ve probably noticed, we have a few fresh faces tonight.” His eyes darted from the humans to Marcus before settling on me. “Welcome to our pack.”
The werewolves cheered, one of them patting me on my back.
Silas raised the hand holding the arrow in the air, and the shapeshifters quieted down. “I don’t know how many of you are aware,”—his eyes darted to Latoya—“but we lost many members of our family a few weeks ago. They were on a mission to help disseminate plans for the new order when they were murdered bycowards.”
Latoya played the role and covered her mouth in feigned surprise. She looked at Heather, who gave her head a solemn nod and took my sister’s hand in hers.
Silas snapped the arrow in two using one hand. “Humans afraid of learning their place beneath us murdered our kin. Humans who fear proving their worth to stand by our side slaughtered the ones we love.”
Lamar appeared behind the shaken humans and pushed them to the center of the room. I’m guessing talks of murder did something to their composure.
“But these humans,” Silas continued, beckoning Vince forward. “They’ve been fortunate enough to receive a chance… to prove their worth.” He looked around the room. “I think we’ve already decided that Joey can stay for the festival?”
Murmurs of consent filled the room. Latoya released a sigh of relief.
“What about our other new friends? Like handsome Vincent here? Does he stay for the festival? Or is he only invited… to dinner?”
I followed Silas’s gaze around the room, and my stomach tightened. There was no escaping the hunger burning in those eyes.
The werewolves took a vote. Only one of the men and one of the women would make it to the festival.
Vince was found to be too eager. He and the other two ladies would only make it to…
I pulled Latoya’s hand as the werewolves all crowded around dejected-looking Vince and the two crying women, giving them fake condolences. “Dinner? What’s for dinner?” I whispered.
Latoya glanced around the room, ensuring no one heard my question. “Joey, don’t—”
“I never said anything about staying, so you can forget that shit right now.”
“Are you sure, Joey?” Silas’s deep voice behind me made my heart plummet to my stomach. “I didn’t intend to pick favorites today, but you’re the only one I’m looking forward to spending time with. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your host, would you?”
“That depends. Why do I need the festival when this party has already been so wonderful?”
