Page 33 of Plug and Claim

“Maybe you should be,” Susie suggested softly.

“Maybe,” she conceded. “But not today.”

Kira faced straight ahead. She wouldn’t let Nathaniel ruin things. Not when she had an invitation from the Poplarins.

Her chest was full of butterflies as she ran her fingers over the parchment in her pocket. Joining the Poplarin Pack would set her on the path to making a real difference to the wolf race, not just at the academy, but throughout the kingdom.

She linked arms with Susie, and as their long hair and skirts rustled in the winter breeze, Kira allowed herself a rare, girlish squeal of excitement.

Everything was falling into place.

Chapter 13

A Shopping Revelation

Kira

Volmasque Academy was in the centre of the Capital, and Kira and Susie only had to walk a few blocks along the cobblestone streets to reach the shopping district. The sun was beginning to travel low in the sky, its golden rays painting the stone façades of the shops and boutiques with an ethereal glow and casting elongated shadows across the narrow streets.

Shopping with Susie was the most fun she’d ever had. For two precious hours, she felt normal, forgetting all about the academy and her quest for revenge. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the earthy fragrance of books, and Susie laughed as Kira drew her into an antique bookshop that doubled as a café.

“You definitely need to join my pack,” Susie said. “But even if you don’t, you’re still welcome at our book club meetings.”

Kira gave her a sincere smile. “Thank you.”

“Now, come on. Let’s buy your essentials first. We can come back later.”

“Promise?” Kira asked, her mouth open as she stared at the coffee special—a tall concoction of cream and mint with wafers sticking out of it.

Using the bag of coins she’d brought from home, she purchased several sets of clothes to wear outside of school hours, a hooded cloak lined with fur for the colder nights, a hairbrush, a towel, and a set of satin pyjamas.

It was dark by the time they finished, but the streets were bathed in the golden glow of torches, and the soothing music of street musicians tempted them to stay longer. They sat on the concrete steps of Market Square, warming themselves by a burning brazier as they ate chocolate pudding.

It had never once occurred to Kira that she would make a genuine friend while she was at the academy, but as she and Susie chatted, she felt some of the empty loneliness inside of her ease, and she dared hope.

Their conversation took an ominous turn when she told Susie about the Poplarin’s invitation. Rather than be happy for her, as Kira had expected, Susie looked concerned.

“You’re not thinking of accepting it, are you?”

Kira glanced down guiltily. “I already have.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Don’t go.”

“Why not?”

“I think it’s too much. I don’t think you can handle it.”

Kira frowned and set her cup of dessert down. “What do you mean?”

“Do you have any idea what the initiation involves?”

“Of course,” Kira said as her stomach twisted unpleasantly. The initiation ceremony was something she’d purposefully avoided thinking about. “I appreciate your concern, Susie. But I know what I’m getting myself into.”

“Do you?” Susie peered at her apprehensively.

“I mean, I think so.” After a day of having male wolves drool after her and solicit her company, she’d pieced together what the initiation ceremony of each pack involved: submitting to the alpha. Which meant she would have to have sex with Mark. It was a strange concept, given she had no experience, but if it had to be someone, she was glad it would be him. She shot Susie a shy smile. “Mark doesn’t seem so bad. I’ll be fine.”

“Mark?” Susie groaned and put her face in her hands. “You think all you need to do is to have sex with Mark? Ugh…see, this is why I warned you stay away from the Populars.”