96
David
As I drove down the familiar streets towards my home, my mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Lucy. Her infectious laughter echoed in my ears, and I couldn't help but smile. It was just like it had been when we were kids but better. I didn’t have to tape or glue shoes together to give her something better to walk on.
I could just provide for her. My wolf growled with a deep sense of satisfaction at the thought. I was an alpha and I was providing for someone I cared about.
Someone I loved.
When I thought about how her eyes sparkled when she laughed, a wide grin stretched across my face. Things were going well between us. I still didn't have her phone number or any way to directly contact her outside of the school system. I couldn't help but wonder when she would finally share it with me, but I pushed that thought aside.
Lucy had been through a lot. She deserved the space to get her bearings before taking on any more stress.
Pulling into the driveway, I parked my car and made my way up the front steps. I handed off my keys to the awaiting attendant with thanks and walked through the front door of my house. Lost in my thoughts, I almost missed the sight of Trent coming down the hall with a beaming grin. His eyes sparkled with mischief and he looked on the edge of bursting with excitement.
“You’re in a good mood,” I smirked. “Something diabolical must be happening.”
He wiggled his eyebrows and nodded towards a study off the main hallway from where he’d come. I followed him aside. He turned to me as he closed the door and his grin turned almost manic.
“What is it?”
“You’ve been summoned,” he said. “They’ve sent representatives and everything. Wouldn’t even hand it off to me.”
A personal delivery from the council? I groaned and sank onto a couch.
"Alright, let's hear it," I said, crossing my arms leaning back against the couch.
"It seems that the council has taken notice of your recent activities," Trent said. “They use that word vaguely. They want to have a meeting with you to discuss the situation."
“About?” I scoffed. “The council's interest in my affairs is only a sign that they’re getting pushed by someone else and trying to save their skins. Is this about Lucy?”
"They haven't given me all the details, but what they did say is that they're concerned about your growing influence and want to ensure you're aligned with their objectives." He wiggled his eyebrows. “Including keeping peace among werewolves.”
I scoffed. “There is no such thing as peace among us… Not anymore.”
Not yet.
“What do you think they want?” I asked. “They’re not here to curb any of my actual behavior. We pay our taxes and make more allies for werewolves than the other two packs combined and without their intervention.”
He gestured vaguely. “Balance of power. Curiosity. Boredom. Pick something. That’s not what’s important.”
“If it puts Lucy in danger…”
Trent shook his head and sat across from me. “Focus, dear David, my favorite contagious menace. Who is coming back from beyond the hedges of polite society very, very soon?”
My eyes widened. Of course, their father. I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at him.
“What do you know?”
“Blue Moon wolves jumping ship. Lucy’s first disappearance was an inside job, and their father is a piece of work.” He smirked. “There’s going to be hell if he gets out and their little mate situation isn’t fixed. And by hell, I mean outright war.”
“Civil?”
“Probably.” He sat back. “You know certain parts of the Council are only pretending to be against the war that will come.”
I nodded. The factions of the Council that pushed for supernatural supremacy from the shadows were the same who made sure that the Blue Moon Pack’s foolishness and even Peter’s actions were swept under the rug.
They’d want to give the twins whatever they wanted even at Lucy’s expense.
“Hold that thought,” Trent said. “Put it away. Focus on the opportunity. War has to have a winner, but there are more than a few ways to win.”
I licked my lips and nodded. “There’s a way to avoid unnecessary bloodshed…”
“There is, but we won’t know what that is until we figure out how far the Council's interest in Lucy goes. It might not be just about reclaiming her Tweedle Dee and Dumber.”
I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
“Speculation, but whispers say that maybe she’s a bit more important than just a point of obsession."
“What else do these whispers say?”
“That… there’s a bit more to being a werewolf with magic than coincidence.” His eyes met mine. “Something you know well.”
I set my jaw and looked down at the cuffs on my sleeve. “Better soldiers.”
“Or a restoration of the werewolf’s real fighting force,” he said. “Some want it. Others want to avoid it as much as possible.”
I nodded, running my thumb along the underside of my Coven campus ring. No one else knew that I was getting magical training, but Lucy’s records were public record by force.
“I can’t protect her from the information that’s going to get out.”
“No, you can’t, but you can protect her.”
I met his gaze and for the first time since we started talking there was no glee on his face.
“Trust me,” he whispered. “Trust that I’m on your side.”
My lips twitched. “I never doubted.”
He nodded and stood. “Then, let’s go meet the Council’s stooges.”
“That’s the spirit!” He jumped up. “We’ll talk more about the details later, yeah?”
I nodded and followed him out of the room. I clenched my fists, feeling a wave of frustration building within me. Just when I thought today would bring nothing but good things this had to happen.
“I should have eaten more tacos,” I said.
Trent laughed. “Go get cleaned up if you like. It’s not like they showed up announced… and they’ve been rude to Blue.”
I scowled at him. “I hope they’ve enjoyed the amenities.”
He cackled as we parted at the staircase. I headed upstairs to my bedroom and loosened my tie. I sank into the armchair in the corner of the room, rubbing my head as I looked around the room. I had inherited this room from my father. I still couldn’t go into his study without being tossed back into my memories, but this room was really one of the only ones in the house that held no negative memories for me.
The room was spacious, adorned with dark wooden furniture. Old books lined the shelves, each one holding the knowledge and wisdom of generations past. A lot of them were hand-written journals from the time when we were one large pack.
Then, my eyes fell on the door that led to the luna’s suite. My thoughts turned to Lucy as I crossed the room. To my knowledge, my mother had never occupied the room. I didn’t know much about her. I didn’t even know her name or what pack she was from, but I’d seen a picture of her once. She’d been a beautiful woman with vibrant eyes, dressed in a gauzy white dress.
I thought once that it had been a photo from their mating ceremony, but I found out later that wasn’t the case.
My phone chimed before I could open the door.
The message was from Duke.
Duke: Hey. Small favor? Lucy's having a rough day. You free to come hang out? We're trying to cheer her up.
I winced and replied. What happened? Is she okay?
Duke: It’s a bit much to get into over text. I’ll try to explain later. Any chance you’re free?
I clenched my jaw thinking about the Council representatives downstairs.
I wish. I’m tied up for at least a few more hours. Do you plan to keep her out all night?
Duke: If Michelle has her way, yes, but I can’t promise part of it won’t be in custody.
I laughed and shook my head. I promise to bail you out if it comes to that. Could you keep me updated? I’ll do my best to get out of here as soon as I can.
Duke: Sure thing. We’ll get her in a better mood somehow. Good luck with whatever fire you’re putting out.
I laughed. How did he know? It was probably the best way to describe the situation brewing downstairs.
As I put my phone in my pocket, the anger and frustration seemed to grow. It felt like it was simmering. I took a deep breath and turned away from the luna’s door.
I would have to think about the future later. Right now, I needed to get downstairs and deal with the Council so maybe, just maybe, I could join Duke and everyone and find out what was going on.
If it had anything to do with the twins, I was probably going to lose it.
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