“This conflict isn’t just affecting you guys. At least for now your pack borders are safe. Out there ... it’s getting ugly.”
I lower my head, squeeze my knees together.
“It’s going to get uglier,” I say. “We’re preparing for war, and Jasper, he’s ...”
My chest feels heavy, I have to pause and take a breath.
“How is your man?”
I explain to Omar all about Jericho and how Jasper has had to step up and lead the pack during this crisis.
“That’s a shitty hand he’s been dealt,” Omar says.
The weight of our situation hangs in the air between us as we sit quietly. Omar keeps wincing as he breathes, as if his probably cracked rib is causing him pain.
“Why were you coming back anyway? It could still be dangerous for you to be here.”
“I came to tell you what was going on out there.”
“But why? Why risk”—I gesture at his messed-up body—“all this?”
Omar lowers his gaze, a shadow falling across his face.
“Because we need you, Max. Rogue Nation needs the blood wolf if it’s going to survive.”
When Omar finally drifts off, I decide it’s time to head home. Aisha walks me out into the hall, half closing the door behind her so we don’t disturb him.
“Don’t collapse on me this time,” she says.
“Hey,” I say. “Thanks for letting him crash here.”
“It’s no trouble. We’ve got to look out for everyone these days.”
She reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze.
“You okay?” she asks. “This is all pretty traumatic.”
I wipe my face with a hand and have to laugh. “Yeah, this is probably the most messed-up situation we’ve been in, and you’ve been literally kidnapped.”
“I’d take myself being kidnapped over an all-out war any day,” she says, making me chuckle. But I shake my head because I hate the idea of her thinking that way. She’s too important.
“I wouldn’t.”
This makes her smile and for a second, we let the moment linger. Aisha has been a solid friend since we met at the Blue Moon Festival. And she’s always been there with advice when I need it. I could really use a bit of direction right now.
“Can I ask you something?” I say, and she nods as if to sayOf course!“Omar thinks the blood wolf could help—I don’t even know—make things better for the rogues or fix this situation. But I don’t know how? I can’t change the minds of the people who want to hurt us and I can’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to. It’s not enough just to bring people comfort and I don’t want to use this gift to help fight a war. But I know I should do something. If we’re facing the biggest threat of our lives, I need to do something. I just don’t know what.”
Putting it all out in the open is actually refreshing, the tightness in my chest that’s been there since the attack on the packhouse feels a little less intense. Aisha scratches her cheek and thinks for a moment.
“The way you’ve described your powers to me, it seems like they open you up to what another wolf is thinking or feeling. It’s sort of like listening, only on a way higher frequency. Maybe right now, you don’t need to do anything, or at least you don’t need to decide what to do on your own. Maybe right now you just need to listen.”
Could it be that simple?
“Let the connection you have to the wolves around you lead your actions,” she says.
“Just listen,” I say, turning the idea over in my mind.
“Can’t hurt.”
