Chapter 48: A New Agreement is Forged

The bright white light seared into Willow’s eyes. She quickly pulled the blanket over her face, groaning. A sharp pain shot through her side. With a gasp, she pressed her hands to her side. She felt a thick bandage and the night came screaming back. She struggled to sit up, blinking in the morning sun that was streaming through the high window above her.
She was on a narrow wooden bed. The room lacked any personal touches and had the antiseptic smell of a hospital but she knew she wasn’t in one. The floor was made of wide pine planks. She sniffed slightly and smelled a curious mix of wolf and hunter.
Willow grasped the headboard and shoved herself to her feet, swaying a bit unsteadily. A wave of nausea hit her. She tasted bile in the back of her throat. If this was battle, she didn’t see the glory in it. She felt hungover more than anything. Teetering unsteadily, she made her way to the door. As her hand wrapped around the knob, it was opened slowly from the other side.
Garin’s blue eyes widened in surprise. “You’re awake! You’re up. You shouldn’t be up. You’re supposed to stay in bed,” he said quickly and made to move her back. She pulled her arm from his hand.
“No, I just spent the last ten minutes even getting up. I’m not laying back down now. I need water and…wait. What are you doing here?” her eyes widened in panic. She quickly shut the door behind him. It opened a second later and her grandmother’s face poked through.
“Good, you’re up. You need to eat. Do you feel well enough to eat out here?” her face lit with joy at seeing that Willow was okay. Willow nodded.
“Wonderful! Garin can escort you down. I have to go help with a few things before the meeting,” she said and disappeared. Willow’s head was spinning.
“Meeting?” she asked and looked up at Garin who had wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Apparently the Red Hoods want to call a meeting. Negotiate new terms,” he said with a shrug.
“Interesting,” she said wondering what this could mean. “How bad was the…fallout?” she asked. His face fell a bit.
“There were casualties on both sides. According to the wolves, many of the Red Hoods turned and left. They didn’t even fight. Just left. Only a fraction of them fought. Most of them…were killed. The wolves fared better.”
She laid her head against his shoulder. “What about your family?” He swallowed hard.
“My father and Silas are dead. My mother is missing and Miles is wounded but okay. Apparently, the alpha’s daughter saved him.” Willow drew back in surprise.
“Keena? Saved a Red Hood? I must be on some really good painkillers,” she replied, slightly aghast. He chuckled.
“Let’s get you some food. Your grandmother left this for you,” he said and handed her a folded dress. “Do you need help?” he asked as she winced trying to pull it over her head. She nodded and shook off the robe. She heard his sharp intake of breath.
“What?” she asked and followed his eyes to the bandage. “Oh, it’s fine,” she let him tug the dress down over her.
“It wasn’t fine. I thought I was going to lose you,” he said and wrapped his arms around her.
“You’ll never lose me. Wolves are pretty resilient,” she replied lightly and kissed his chin. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
####
Willow paced in front of the large oak doors. She pressed her ear to the door hoping to hear anything but the solid wood blocked out any sound. Frustrated, she sat down between Garin and Cole, her arms crossed.
“I can’t hear anything. They have been in there forever,” she complained, her foot tapping her irritation out on the floor. Garin placed his hand on her knee, stilling it. She glared at him.
“They will be out soon,” he replied reassuringly.
“How do you know?” she asked, annoyed. He held up his phone.
“Audrey just texted. She said they are wrapping it up now.”
“I didn’t even think to text her,” she said with a groan, feeling relieved that soon they would have answers. She could have gone in but she insisted that her grandmother go in her stead. She wasn’t in a position to speak for her clan just yet.
The doors opened and the three of them jumped to their feet, Willow pressing a hand into her side to dull the ache. A few smartly dressed humans strode out, all similarly clothed in grey suits. A man that strongly resembled Cole came out after them and he gave his son a nod. Cole smiled.
“Well, that is my cue to leave. It was nice to meet you although I wish it had been under better circumstances. Tell Audrey I said goodbye,” he said and followed the procession.
“What the hell was that about? What is going on?” Willow growled and her eyes began to flash. Garin pressed his hand onto her shoulder, his thumb rubbing a comforting arc against her skin.
“We will find out soon enough.” She grumbled but calmed. Her emotions seemed to be swinging wildly. She just wanted answers. And food. And sex. Not to mention a nap.
“Why weren’t you in there?” Willow inquired. Garin looked over at her, an incredulous look on his face.
“Well, I have zero to do with the Red Hoods. Also, Audrey is older.” He replied with a shrug. As if summoned, Audrey came bursting through the open doors.
She seemed to be glowing with happiness.
“What happened?” Willow demanded, her patience long gone.
“Well…there is no new treaty,” she began and Willow scowled. “Wait, there is better news.”
“Which is?”
“The Red Hoods is being restructured. They are now only going to be a response organization, to help with disputes and rogue wolves. No more hunting,” she beamed and threw her arms around Willow.