So, he doesn’t have any real authority in his pack yet, does he? I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes.
“In other news, prepare for training. You can expect to see King Dax at Bloodhound more often. He will be here to train everyone to fight. Everyone is required to participate. That includes pups.”
The crowd explodes.
“Why should we have to train? It is your job to protect us.”
“Yeah! Alpha Jack would never have stood for this.”
“And where’s Luna Kathy? Shouldn’t she be here to deliver the news?”
“Uh—” Caleb scrambles for an answer. “You saw what happened last time. We need to learn to stand on our own.”
“Ain’t that the truth! I lost my babies because of them!”
Caleb tries to speak over the crowd, but he’s quickly drowned out by another.
“They can’t save us. We have to save ourselves.”
“Mm-hmm. I know that’s right,” a lady says, crossing her arms.
“Quite frankly, I don’t see the issue. Weshouldbe prepared in case it happens again.”
“Again? At this point, what is there left to take? They destroyed almost everything!”
“Well, I for one, am strongly against violence. It’s considered a sin.”
I tune out the unrest. My opinions on pups fighting are strong, but I remind myself they’re only being forced totrain, not turned into little soldiers.
“Enough!”
Caleb’s boom causes me to jump. Bloodhound bares their neck.
The crowd hushes.
I’ve never heard him use such a tone, and I’ve pushed a fair share of his buttons.
“The decision has been made. It’s an order of the crown. End of discussion.”
Caleb shifts on his feet. “Now, onto the annual reminder: All wolves are to participate in the Hunt their twenty-first year. No exceptions. The Hunt is coming in two months so makesure to register. There have been some changes to how things are done this year. A newsletter listing eligible bachelors and bachelorettes will be distributed. Also”—Caleb swallows hard— “we are slowly replenishing our supplies after the ransacking, but there will not be enough steaks for people to have multiple servings at this year’s feast.”
“How are we supposed to celebrate the Hunt without steaks?”
That’s privilege at its finest. And they reek of it.
I scoff. A little too loud, apparently because Caleb whips his head to look at me.
Aw, crap. Here we go.
I brace myself.
Caleb snatches me by the collar and drags me out of the room. Once in the hallway, he slams me against the mirror by my throat. I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter at the force. I wince from the impact.
“What was that?” he snaps, pointing at the direction we just came from.
“I’m sorry, it’s just... There are people starving, yet that guy’s biggest problem is whether there are going to be enough steaks for yourfeast. I mean, come on.” I laugh through my words, hoping he has a sense of humor, but the look on his face says otherwise.
“I see. You think we’re privileged.”
