Little Red

Chapter 34

The heavy door of Demitri's office creaks open as I enter.

I spot him sitting in his chair behind the massive oak desk.  He wears a thoughtful look on his face, not pausing his reading when Samuel & I walk closer.  He looked a lot different when I saw him earlier.  The sparkle in his eye has dulled, leaving a tired, nervous look instead.  His hair is still mussed, probably from his habit of running his hands through it.

Samuel and I approach the desk and sit in the small chairs across from him.  

"Demitri."  Samuel says after a prolonged silence. 

He hums in acknowledgement, gaze still glued down.  

Samuel and I share a worried glance. The air in the study is thick, and our combined apprehension swirls in the air like a heavy fog. 

"Demitri."  I softly try again. 

He runs a hand down his face before sighing.  

"Sorry, I'm just thinking."

"Penny for your thoughts?"  I ask in an attempt to lift the mood.

He sends a soft smile my way before looking at us both. 

"I keep thinking about these attacks.  I've been trying to figure out how it's all connected but I think there are still pieces we're missing." 

"Let's go over what we know right now."  Samuel suggests. 

"We know for certain that whoever this is, they murdered those wolves with the intent of a battle between Blood Moon and Dark Night.  Which didn't happen."  I supply. 

"Whoever it is, also knows that we have that information."  Demitri adds.

"And we know that they sent those other wolves to Dark Night."  Samuel finishes.  

"What for?"  Demitri asks.  "Those wolves were here for something."

"Or someone."  Samuel says, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.  

Demitri growls, and I shift in my seat.  

"Or someone."  I repeat firmly, although I don't like the idea.  "They knew me.  They called me by name and mentioned my title.  But why?  What would coming after me do?"  I ask.

"Taking you means Dark Night is weakened."  Demitri grits.

I nod along to his words, already catching on to his way of thinking.  "But that still doesn't add up, because it would enrage Blood Moon, and force both packs to work together under one cause.  I thought they wanted us to be weaker, not stronger."  I finish. 

"Unless..."  Samuel starts apprehensively.

"Unless they plan to take out two birds with one stone yet again."  Demitri adds. 

"Wait!  So what you're saying is that this pack, is planning on taking on both of us at the same time." 

Both men regard me curiously. 

"Which means...they're strong enough, or big enough to take on both."  I look between the two of them, excited by my discovery.

I can tell the moment understanding dawns on their features.  Demitri's brows lower, and his eyes darken.  Samuel's expression grows solemn.

"That narrows it down.  Only a few packs are that big."  Samuel states, looking to Demitri.

"But it doesn't mean it's one pack.  It could be several smaller ones joined together."  Demitri argues.