Aisha has put her fork down on the tablecloth and is looking between Jasper and me, like she’s trying to assess the situation. I’ve spoken to her in the past about not wanting to use my abilities for warfare, so she’s probably concerned Jasper’s stepped over a line. Katie is sipping a glass of orange juice and pretending not to be listening though she obviously is.
“Okay,” I say after a long pause.
“You’re not mad?” Jasper asks.
“Of course not. This isn’t just about our pack and it’s not about getting the upper hand. It’s about defending wolfkind against Walter and his extreme agenda. I’d be happy to help.”
Jasper’s cheeks flush a little. “That’s great. Thank you.”
To my right I sense Katie breathing a sigh of relief and putting her not-so-conspicuous juice glass down.
“We’ll be meeting in the conference room in fifteen.”
Jasper heads off and I turn back to my table, where Aisha is giving me a cool, concerned look.
“You don’t have to do this, you know?” she says. “Just because we’re in danger doesn’t mean you have to compromise.”
“I don’t feel like I’m compromising. The Axis Pack wants to destroy every wolf that disagrees with them, that goes beyond our pack. If I don’t do everything I can to make sure every wolf is free to live how they want, what are these powers even for.”
“Okay,” she says, glancing at Katie. “Just know we’ve got your back.”
“Amen,” Katie says, echoing Aisha’s sentiment.
The conference room is full when I arrive. Jasper, Salazar, Olivia, Morven, Mia, Mason and his dad, and a whole bunch of the other officers are there, taking their seats around an expansive pine table.
Every eye turns to me as I enter. Some looking like I’ve stumbled into the wrong room. And some like they’d rather I was anywhere else. But still Jasper’s eyes light up and he gestures to the seat next to him.
“Great,” he says, as I and the remaining officers sit. “We’re all here. Let’s begin. Salazar can you give us an update on the status of the Axis Pack and their movements.”
“Yes.” Salazar stands. “Thank you, Jasper. Our scouts have reported the Axis Pack and their troops are indeed on the move. It seems they’ve taken the bait and are due to arrive this evening sometime after sundown. Of course, with the blue moon full their energies will be boosted, but so will ours.”
“Thank you, Salazar,” Jasper says. “And what about their numbers?”
“The Axis Pack’s numbers have grown significantly in the last couple of weeks. Our reports indicate that they’ve amassed an army of over ten thousand wolves.”
A panicked wave passes through the room.
“How have they gotten so large?” a gamma wolf, a large man with gray stubble, says.
“It seems there’s been something of a snowball effect, with entire packs either feeling pressured into joining or glad to finally have leaders willing to make big moves on their behalf.”
“And what about our numbers?” Jasper asks, trying to take back control of the conversation.
“The Elite Pack’s army sits at just over three thousand,” Salazar says.
Jasper turns to address Alpha Morven. “And with the Rocky Pack?”
Morven stands as well, pressing his palm flat against the table. “We’ve brought just over two thousand soldiers.”
The room erupts into panicked chatter. Officers shake their heads, looking at each other with terrified or furious expressions.
“This is a suicide mission,” one says, a weedy-looking guy.
“How did we think we’d stand a chance?” a beefy-looking woman says.
The hubbub grows until finally Jasper snaps. “Quiet!”
Every mouth shut and all eyes turn to my mate.
