“He said Morven is pissed.”
“Because of what Jasper did at New Year’s?”
“Sort of. I think it had more to do with the promises that had been made and broken. He feels humiliated. Morven is quite proud.”
“Do you think he’s going to turn on Jericho and the Elite Pack?”
There’s a pause and a muffled sound. Mason takes a long breath. “I don’t know.”
The sound of footsteps echo off the walls and I sit frozen for a moment, prepared to pull my feet up onto the toilet seat if whoever it is finds their way into the bathroom. But they pass by, the sound dwindling as the person moves away from the door.
“Sorry, thought my solitude was about to be interrupted.”
“It’s okay.” Another pause. “Look I shouldn’t tell you this but…”
My heart rate accelerates at the sound of Mason’s conspiratorial tone; I clutch my backpack tighter to my chest.
“Morven knows Jericho and Jasper have been visiting other packs. My dad said he’s worried your alpha is courting allies so he can turn on the Rocky Pack.”
“That’s nonsense,” I reply. “Jericho is just making sure we’re safe.”
“Maybe.” Mason doesn’t sound as convinced as I am. “Or maybe he’s trying to amass a contingent of packs so he has the advantage if things were to get…violent.”
A shiver passes through me from head to toe. My headache flares up just a little.
“You think things could get violent?”
Mason doesn’t respond but I picture him shrugging. “We’re wolves. Natural predators. Coveting territory is second nature to us. Violence is always a possibility.”
My head is swimming and not just because of the approaching migraine or the smell of toilet cleaner. Could the fracture between the Rocky and Elite Packs turn into something worse—something a lot worse? Could it turn intowar?
It’s too much for me to consider right now. Jericho is a proud alpha, he’s strong, he’s known for his stature, his power. He wouldn’t shy away from brutality. But would he instigate it?
“Max, you still there?”
“Huh?” I shake myself free of my dread-filled thoughts. “Yeah, I’m here. How is Mia doing in all this?” I haven’t heard from Mia since she went back to the mountains with Morven.
Mason gives another sigh in response. “She’s…not great. She misses Olivia obviously. Truth is I haven’t seen all that much of her. Morven’s had her on a pretty tight leash.”
Anger flares in me bright and hot. How can he keep his daughter from her mate? It’s diabolical.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “Will you tell her I was asking after her? And that she can call me if she likes.”
“Of course.”
“And you?” I ask. “How are you holding up?”
“It’s hard not to feel pretty hopeless sometimes,” he says, breaking my heart.
A small spike of pain pricks at my brain. I can’t stand my friends feeling this lost and alone. Suddenly I feel majorly whiney for complaining about not having enough people to talk to, when in actuality I think maybe I’m one of the lucky ones. If only I could pass on a little of my luck.
“I wish I could be there,” I say. “The next time I talk to Jasper I’ll see if there’s anything we can do.”
“Sure.” I can practically hear Mason rolling his eyes.
“Why do you sound like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
