The Wolves and the Vipers

Chapter 25 - Half a Packmeet

Yes, I'm very late. Sorrrrry. I have this very important job to do, and it involves cuddling every cute animal that comes into the vet practice. It's hard work. Takes up a lot of time. I don't think you guys can expect me to pick writing over puppies and kittens. Like ?? Not much of a dilemma, is it? 😂

"Did he shout at you?" Luke asked as he opened the car door for me.

I made a face and climbed inside, tucking my legs neatly out of the way before the door closed again. I had to wait for Luke to get into the driver's seat before answering him.

"He didn't shout, but he did tell me off."

Luke nodded along "And then you slapped him?"

"No," I said, bemused. "I didn't slap him."

No need to mention the coffee incident.

"Well, that's what Alek said happened," he said in exasperation. "Did anyone get slapped? Or was it all lies?"

Zoe slapped his arm from the passenger seat. "Oh, come on. You don't need her to answer that. You shouldn't ever have listened to Alek in the first place."

"True. Very true," Luke sighed. "Sorry, Luna."

There was silence in the car. I used the time to crank my window down and get some air. From here, we had a good view of the fighters who were carrying a cage across the carpark, towards another of the pack's jeeps. The feral wolf was slumped inside it — well and truly out for the count, thanks to a hefty dose of sedatives. He was Riverside, so he was being returned to his pack as a 'gesture of goodwill.'

"Are you nervous?" Luke asked me. "I mean ... I would definitely be nervous, if I was in your shoes. He only wants you to come so he can threaten you."

Zoe didn't quite look at me, but her head turned a few degrees before she caught herself. I still had no idea where I stood with her. This was her third shift guarding me, and she had been quiet but unfalteringly polite every single time.

"Well, let's just say ... for the first time ever, I'm grateful for how paranoi— Um. I mean, how cautious Jace is when it comes to my safety," I told him.

When Jace had first asked for a meeting with the Riverside Alpha, he had never planned on me being there. And when the other Alpha had said he wouldn't come to the table unless I was there, Jace had heartily refused. He had refused the second time that offer had been made, too. And the third. But given the choice between bringing me to the peace talks and not having peace talks at all, he had finally given in, after eight days of them bickering. I hadn't been consulted once in all that time.

I knew it wasn't about me — not really. It was about getting Jace angry and riled up. I was willing to bet he was trying to make a point, too. His own Luna had been murdered by New Dawn, so having me sat with Jace while the chair beside him remained empty ... that was a statement.

"If it helps," Luke said, "he wants to kill Jace a lot more than he wants to kill you."

My eyebrows took a hike. "Why would that help?"

"I don't know. I guess it doesn't. I'm just having trouble coming up with reassuring things to say."

"It's nice of you to try," I replied, and I meant it. Luke had been warming up to me slowly but surely, but if push came to shove, I knew his loyalties lay with my mate — and probably always would. He could be a friend, but he would never be an ally.

The car door opened, and Jace climbed in beside me. He smelt faintly of sweat because he had been helping with the feral wolf. There was no smile for me, even though I hadn't seen him since he had rolled out of bed this morning. His eyes were constantly on the move, and the muscles around his jaw were tight, and I knew what that meant. He was nervous, too. If the peace talks didn't go well, it might be another six years before we got a second chance.