Aurelia looked at Dani hopefully. “Please?”
Dani hesitated. Part of her wanted to say no, to retreat back to the quiet, controllable space of her room and pretend the outside world didn’t exist for one more day. The other part knew she couldn’t hide. Not here. Not now.
She thought of the witches who had already left. Of the ones who stayed. Of Arthur, somewhere in town or up in the mountains.
“Will the Nordan be there?”
Layla’s smile faltered slightly. “Some of them, I think. They are invited, but…well, Arthur’s made his opinion about this summit clear.”
Dani sighed. “All right,” she said quietly. “We’ll come.”
Aurelia grinned, sudden and bright.
“Good,” Layla said. “Sevenish. Come in the front like you’re just there for a drink. Let the wolves deal with it.”
“Thank you,” Dani said, catching her hand, “for everything. It’s nice to have a friendly face here. One who…understands.”
Layla clasped her hand, her pretty face almost melting. “Selfishly, I’m very glad you’re here, Dani. I’d love it if we could be friends. And one day, I’ll tell you the full history between Dominic and me. I guarantee it’ll make whatever happened with you and Arthur look like a rom-com!”
Dani laughed, “I doubt that, but I’d like to hear the story all the same.”
With a chuckle, Layla pushed herself carefully to her feet. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like. Read. Breathe. Hide, if you need to.”
“Reading sounds nice,” Dani said.
Layla squeezed her shoulder as she passed. “For what it’s worth,” she murmured, “I know you follow Gaia, but I really do believe that Lunarion has a plan. He’s a stubborn bastard, but he doesn’t waste power.”
Dani wasn’t sure she believed in any god’s kindness.
But as she settled back on the sofa, Aurelia curling against her side with her book, the fire burning steady and contained in the grate, she let herself breathe into the small, fragile moment.
Tonight, there would be The Anchor. Wolves and witches and strangers from the Severney.
For now, there was warmth. There were books. There was her daughter’s weight against her, solid and safe.
For now, that was enough.
Chapter 8 - Arthur
Arthur heard about the party before he heard about his mate.
He was in the training yard behind the Nordan compound, breath steaming, sweat cooling on his back as he watched two young wolves spar on hard-packed snow.
Matthew dropped his opponent with a neat sweep. Arthur grunted approval.
“Again.”
The lad groaned but got back up. Chase snorted from where he leaned against the fence.
“You’re driving them into the ground,” his brother said. “Half the pack’s in The Anchor already, and you’ve got them practicing footwork.”
“Hybrids aren’t going to ask if we want a night off,” Arthur replied.
Footsteps crunched in the snow. A runner skidded to a halt at the edge of the yard, chest heaving. Volkhov scent clung to his clothes, overlaid with beer.
“Alpha,” he said, bowing his head. “Layla sent me.”
Arthur’s shoulders tightened. “Is she all right?”
