“Riiiiight.”
“And sadly there is also discord within our own ranks. A division in the pack. I believe you’ve already had a taste of the divisive attitudes of our pack members.”
Does he mean the graffiti?
“I’m truly sorry you and your family have had to bear the consequences of our pack’s ambivalence.”
“That’s okay,” I say, rubbing my neck raw. “The garage needed a new coat of paint anyway.”
Jericho lowers his brow, and his fingers clench the chair a little tighter. “I’m afraid that could be just the tip of the iceberg. Changing long-held opinions and uprooting ancient traditions is an uphill climb.”
“Yes,” I say, well aware of just how tricky it can be to make a stubborn-ass wolf come around to logic. “It takes time.”
“Time and strong leadership.” His gaze focuses and he takes a breath. “A lot will be asked of you in the coming months and years, Max. But you’ve proven to me that you’re up to the task.”
“M-me?”
“Yes. You and Jasper. The two of you will be instrumental in showing our society that we are still a strong, united pack, with capable and unwavering leadership. Tonight’s event is just the first step. In the coming days it will be imperative that you are able to show up and prove to our pack members that we are still the pinnacle of power and the very example of prowess amongst wolves. We must accomplish this if we are to face the external forces who would wish us and you harm.”
Jericho’s words are a big swampy mess in my mind. Jasper and I are going to be instrumental to the pack, to keep everyone’s shit together in case we’re attacked by outside forces. Right. But what does that mean? How on earth am I supposed to do that? The responsibility feels too large and the actual task too vague. “That all sounds, um…sorry, what do you mean exactly?”
“The first step is introducing you to the pack. At the party tonight we start with the inner circle, the most influential of wolves. They will be the most discerning and the ones you’ll need to charm if we’re going to convince the rest of our people that you and Jasper are the right fit for future leadership. Win over the crowd tonight and you’ll have won the hearts of every Elite Pack wolf.”
Okay, so no pressure then.
“I’m counting on you, Max.”
“Of course,” I say, and nod obediently. “I’ll do my best.”
Another sinister grin. “I know you won’t disappoint.”
As I leave Jericho’s office, wandering slowly through the halls of the apartment, dazed and adrift, I can’t quite piece together what’s just happened and what’s been asked of me. Somehow it’s my job to prove to the crusty Elite Pack elite that I’m worth putting their support behind—that my and Jasper’s relationship is strong enough to raise the sprits of the entire pack. We’ve only been on one proper date, for moon gods’ sake!
And what if we fail? What if we can’t convince the pack to get behind us? Does the pack crumble? Will some sort of civil war break out? And what does that mean for our relationship? Will Jericho decide to find a new mate for Jasper and order him to reject me?
“You okay?” Jasper says, eyeing me as I meander back into the living room. He’s standing by the elevator, ready to go. “You’re white as a sheet.”
“Fine,” I say. “I think.”
He reaches out and takes my hand and a cool, reassuring wave crashes over me. Instantly, I feel better, less confused, less unsure.
“What did he say?”
“That the fate of the pack is on our shoulders.”
Jasper laughs. “He didn’t…did he?”
I try my best smile but I know it turns out all crooked and forced.
Jasper, furrowing his brow, takes my other hand and steps closer. “Don’t worry about him. He’s just got a lot going on. All you have to do is be yourself, everyone is going to love you.”
My lips are dry, my stomach is gurgling like I haven’t eaten in days, my knees are knocking against each other.
“If you say so.”
Jasper’s birthday bash is taking place at a trendy, upmarket bar and restaurant in Williamsburg—the sort of place up-and-coming pop stars would hang out to be seen in, and young tech entrepreneurs would spend too much on cocktails in for their staff. Just one drink at the place would pretty much wipe out my savings.
As we pull up outside, the dull, fuzzy feeling of encroaching voices presses in on all sides of my mind like storm clouds. I haven’t been around this many wolves since New Year’s and I guess I’d gotten used to lowering my guard. We’re still in the car and already I’m squinting and twitching trying to keep the noise at bay.
