Unbound

Chapter 46

I found Emma's office directly at the front of the town hall, marked with a large sign that read MAYOR to the left side of the doorway. She waved me in when she saw me through the window. She was on the phone, so I sat in one of the armchairs quietly to wait. Though the dizziness had mostly subsided, I had to make a conscious effort to keep my hand from pressing against my stomach.

"How was the shop?" She asked after she'd finished her call.

"Hot." I laughed stiffly. "I don't know how she spends all day in there."

"Was she working on the blades today?"

I shook my head. "A ring. She said it was for someone's birthday."

A knowing smile crossed Emma's face. "Marcie. She's turning eighteen next week; I bet her parents commissioned it for her."

I was struck again by Emma's knowledge and love for her community. There were just over 100 people living in Trout Creek, and I would have put money on her knowing each of their birthdays, middle names, and favorite things. She was a great mayor, and an even better person.

Which is why, as I studied her face, I began to consider telling her the truth. Or, at least, parts of it.

"Harper told me that the blades have brought in a lot of money," I began carefully. "That she's made over fifty of them."

Emma nodded and gestured around her office. For the first time, I noticed a bucket in the corner that was collecting water as it dripped steadily from a crack in the ceiling. "It's pretty obvious that we've been struggling to keep up for awhile now. This has been a big deal for our economy."

I took a deep breath. "Emma, I think I need to explain why I thought this was a resistance group."

She put down the papers she'd been sorting through and sat forward in her chair, propping her chin on her hands. "I've been wondering that myself."

"The blades aren't being used for protection. They're being used in attacks. Rogues have been targeting packs that have otherwise been peaceful." I swallowed hard, thinking about the look on Dmitri's face. On Gabriel's face. Two strong, confident Alphas: afraid. "Wolves are being killed."

Emma frowned, considering my words, then shook her head. "I'm sure they've been going to a pack. The man who comes to commission them is no rogue."

"He might be a middleman," I posited. "Rogues couldn't afford weapons like those on their own. Not in that quantity, at least."

She loosed a deep sigh and rubbed her hands over her face, hard. When she looked back up, I thought she suddenly looked her age: no longer the youthful, hopeful mayor I'd met days ago. "It wasn't just about the money."

I kept my mouth shut and waited for her to speak on her own terms. I wanted her to feel that she could confide in me, not that I forced the details out of her.

She chewed on her lip for a moment. "They offered protection, too. It's been a while since we've had any problems that we couldn't handle on our own, but powerful allies are never a bad thing to keep."

"What did they tell you about the blades?" I asked when she again fell silent.

"They wanted to arm their soldiers with them. He told us about an ongoing conflict, a territory war that he feared was starting up. He said they'd been hit with several attacks already, and he was desperate to find a way to protect his pack members."

After thinking for a minute, considering her words, or perhaps recalling that conversation, Emma continued: "We were reluctant, at first. Peters especially. We've always tried to stay out of their conflicts. But between the money on the table and the promise of protection...it was too good to pass up."