SEVENTY-FIVE | THE CALL

"Hello?" Blue answers, then his expression goes dark - eyes burning silvery. His eyes flick to the tree line, then to me, settling warily on my face. "It's for you." He finally pulls the phone from his ear and passes the glowing screen to me. I frown, knowing only a select few people who may want to talk to me, and even fewer I actually like, but take the phone anyway.

"Yeah," I mutter curtly, sure I know who's voice I'm about to hear. My suspicions are confirmed as the other end of the line comes to life.

"*Wisty, where* are *your manners*?" Paris sighs, her voice full of a sugary sweetness so false it makes my jaw ache.

"What do you want, Paris?" I growl, my free hand balling into a tight fist at my side as I fight to control my anger - now roiling on full heat in my chest. Blue takes my hand, gently smoothing the fist out and effectively bringing the raging anger down to a simmer.

"*Now, now*," Paris scolds. "It's nice to hear from you, too, dear cousin." She drops the sweet tone suddenly. "*Got a proposition for you and your*...allies." She sneers the last word, making Blue's eyes narrow. I'm sure he can hear her clear as day.

"We're listening." I mutter icily, staying calm as Blue continues to rub soothing circles into the back of my hand.

"*We're sick of loosing people on our side - so, Grandma's proposing a Treaty*." She gets straight to the point now, her now icy tone giving me whiplash.

"Bullshit." Blue growls, narrowing his eyes. I agree with him. It can't be this easy.

"*Honest to the Pack,*" Paris laughs. "*We're getting tired of hunting you, Wisty. And fighting. She's not getting any younger, you know, our dear Alpha.*" I raise an eyebrow at her borderline rude words.

"There's been a lot of bloodshed, Paris." I state coolly, listening carefully for any clues to deception from her as I continue. "How can I know this is real? What guarantee can you give me that this isn't some sort of trick?"

"*We're willing to make some*...allowances." Paris says carefully, and I get the feeling she's not alone. "*Craven's willing to pay to bring this thing to an end. I know your people have been struggling more because of him. Your people can take him as a prisoner of war or sacrifice. I know that was a stipulation they tried earlier.*"

"We want him cuffed with silver." Blue interjects before I can say anything. I glare at him incredulously, but he's not looking at me.

"We can't trust the-" I begin to him but am cut off.

"*Done*." Paris agrees. "*We'll meet on the border in Port Greene tomorrow morning. Six on the dot*." She rushes.

"Done." Blue growls, taking the phone from me. He blocks me from trying to listen as my cousin says something else. "Deal." He grumbles before hanging up.

"What did she say?" I ask him, annoyed he seems to be hiding so much from me.

"I need to get back and report-" He shoves his phone into his pocket, entire body tensed and eyes flinty.

"Blue-"

"You can't be asking about Pack business, Red. You chose the Coven for the time being and I'm bound by our laws. You know that." He grounds out. I wince at the cutting edge in his voice, but know what he means. He's right, but the reminder still stings a little.

"I'm coming to the meeting." I assert quickly, firmly.

"No, you're not-" Despite his own stiff tone, I respond over him.

"You can't stop me." Its the honest truth. He's not my Alpha, he literally can't stop me unless he knocks me out - but I won't give him the option. "If you don't take me with you, I'll just follow." I add, crossing my arms and straightening my back. Blue seems to consider this, pausing long enough to search my eyes before replying.

"I need to ask my father about it first." I'm immediately surprised by his allowance.

"Okay." I try to keep the excitement from my voice, but he seems to notice and scowls at me.

"I don't like the idea of you being anywhere near your psycho cousins, but if I know you - and I'm pretty sure I do - I know you'll just follow. Like you said. I can't stop you. So I'd much rather you be where I can see you and keep you safe." He bites out slowly. I nod, trying to keep my face blank as a ripple of smugness warms my stomach.

"See you tomorrow then." I tell him. His silvery-grey eyes narrow slightly, and it's almost like he can sense my smugness as he shakes his head and lets out a little chuckle. He pushes the door to the greenhouse open, pausing again before turning to face me.

"Get some sleep, Red. You're going to need it." Blue sighs and pulls me close, planting a lingering kiss on my forehead before releasing it and shifting. His giant Wolven form scampering off into the tree line before I can say anything else. Despite his order, I know for a fact I won't be getting any sleep now. My mind's back to it's usual muddled racing and I'm too afraid of my own imagination and the kind of fresh-hell it may concoct in light of the meeting.

Last thing I want to do is have some nightmare where I kill everyone who's going to be at the meeting tomorrow. Even though I've already decided my cousins deserve punishment for everything they've done, I really don't need the image of me ripping their hearts from their bodies or drinking their blood. So, instead, I fold up my blankets and head into the house to make myself a well deserved cup of coffee.