I actually think I’ve heard of the Lykos family. They’re descended from a high-ranking gamma wolf who was instrumental in the formation of the Elite Pack. His battalion won a key victory in the Wolf Wars, which assured our then alpha, Jericho’s great-great(-great?) grandfather, success in claiming what’s now our territory.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
“A pleasure,” Maria says, holding her gloved hand out as if I’m supposed to kiss it. Gingerly, I take her hand and shake it. “How charming,” she says, with a lifted brow and a smug pout.
“How are things with the allied outreach program?” Stefan asks Jasper, not even acknowledging me.
“Progressing nicely,” Jasper says, all business. “I’ve recently met with Alphas Matteo, Carmine, and Meyers along the southern border and they’ve assured me we have their allegiance. As long as our pledge to provide military support should they be threatened by the southeastern contingent remains, they’re happy to stay aligned. In fact I wanted to ask your opinion on a matter…”
Jasper continues talking shop but I lose the thread, confounded by how complex and dense it all sounds. There are so many packs I never even think about, each with their own alphas and hierarchies, each wanting something different from us, so many names and complicated relationships to keep track of. I’m amazed watching how adept Jasper is at all this, how easily he is able to slip into his role of noble diplomat. I had no idea just how well versed he was in military strategy, trade, foreign affairs. It’s all over my head and while I’m no longer listening to a single word, as his mouth moves, I can’t help but puff out my chest with pride that this is my mate.
“And what about you, Max?” Maria asks, pulling me back into the room.
“Ex-excuse me?”
“Where do you stand on the issue of water supply between us and the Eastern Riverside Pack?”
Eastern Riverside Pack?I’ve never even heard of them. My mind races, trying to think of something not completely dumb or ignorant to say. If they’re based on a riverside then surely they have plenty of water, I assume. So I say the first thing that comes to mind: “It’s very generous of them to share their water supply and I think—”
The woman stifles a little laugh and Stefan makes a confused grunting sound.
Jasper leans into my ear. “The Eastern Riverside Pack has a contaminated water supply. We provide them with clean drinking water in return for their allegiance.”
“Oh, I see.” My face is a hot plate. “Then I think…if we have enough clean water we should share it with packs who need it.”
Stefan and Maria lean back and eye me cautiously.
“Interesting,” Stefan says. “And what should we expect in return?”
“Nothing,” I say, shrugging. “Isn’t the point of having all these resources so we can use them to help people?”
Stefan chortles like a bulldog. “Next you’ll be suggesting we share our resources with the local rogue contingents.”
“If they could use our help I don’t see why we wouldn’t give it,” I say, feeling less sure than ever but also gaining a little momentum. “Jasper and I have actually visited a rogue encampment and I think they could really use our assistance. With just a tiny portion of what we have—”
“They’d overrun us!” Stefan interjects.
Jasper’s cheeks have turned a rosy shade of pink and the muscles in his jaw are working overtime.Jeez, was it something I said?
“Give the rogues an inch and they’ll take a mile,” Stefan continues. “You best school your mate on the ways of the wolf world, Jasper. Before we become a hot spot for rogue incursions.”
“Yes, can you imagine?” Maria joins in, laughing like I’ve said something outrageous. “We’d all be frothing at the mouth!”
“I didn’t mean…we’d—”
“When is your father arriving?” Stefan says, turning to Jasper, done with me and my lofty ideals.
“He should be here shortly,” Jasper says, sounding a little choked. “I’ll tell him to look out for you.”
“Please do, my boy. And best of luck with your delegations. With any luck we won’t be dining with rogues in the next year.”
“Yes, very good,” Jasper says, a little too accommodatingly.
When the Lykoses have finally wandered off I’m practically steaming in my shoes.
“That was fun,” I say, too snarkily.
Jasper shoots me a sideways glance and for a minute I’m scared he’s about to take a bite out of me. His calm demeanor slips and I can tell how stressed he is by the tightness around his eyes, the way he swoops his hair back trying to smooth it into place.
