Hidden Wolf

10 I Don't Hate You

"Seriously, why?" I demand, glaring up defiantly. It's been a rough day and it's not even nine am. My nerves are shot and I'm already cranky as fuck.

"Because I never listen?" Sara says, taking a seat next to me and handing me a water. "Besides you've got the guys whipped."

"He didn't mean it the way it came across," she says softly when I say nothing. "Cyrus just doesn't have the tact Chris does and the Council showing up like that had him worked up dangerously."

"Yeah he did, but he's not wrong," I say bitterly. "The amount of shit I don't know about your world is mind-boggling."

"You're smarter than the average human, you can learn," she says with a smirk.

I can't help but scoff. "Only you can make something sound like an insult and a compliment at the same time," I grumble.

"Still not your cheerleader," she laughs.

"Clearly," I reply, rolling my eyes at her.

"I don't hate you though, you've grown on me," she mumbles.

"Aww like a flower? Told you you were my number one fan," I tease, pushing my luck.

"More like a fungus...don't make this weird."

"Awkward is kinda my thing," I reply with a shrug.

"Thought running into trouble was?"

"What can I say, I'm more than a one-trick pony," I say with a sigh.

We sit there in silence staring at the garden, the wolf fountain is beautiful and a favourite of mine.

"I should go," she whispers, nodding ahead to where Chris stands. "Try not to be too hard on him." With that, she turns and leaves.

"I'm sorry. I had no right to say that," Chris starts as he takes a seat next to me.

"Does Cyrus always think that I'm that helpless and stupid?" I ask not raising my gaze from the ground.

"No, it's not like that at all," the frustration and regret are clear in his voice. "The Council is dangerous, very dangerous. Them taking such a close interest in you is nothing I'd ever want."

"Are you ashamed of me?" I ask barely a whisper.

"Are you kidding me?! Baby I love you," he pauses to cup my cheek and make me face him. "You are everything to me, I can't ever lose you."

"But..." I prompt.

"But things can be more dangerous than you realize. This conference isn't like a couple's retreat. Every pack sends a party there for a week and things can turn bloody at times. It's only natural when you put that many high-ranking wolves in a small area."

I didn't get the impression it was summer camp or anything, but I have no idea what to expect.

"Every pack sends at least their alpha, beta and third along with mates. The more powerful the pack the larger the party. It's a political and social cesspool. This one time of year grievances are brought up, alliances are made and broken, and every problem facing the werewolf world is dealt with.

I had hoped to skip it this year and prepare you for next year, but that doesn't look like it will be the case. I'll be with you every step of the way and Jude too. Everyone really, but we have to be careful, someone may come at you to get to me."

"It sounds like extreme high school," I laugh bitterly.

He wraps his arm around me pulling me tightly against him. "It kind of is. We are in a good position in that we are not weak or seeking alliances, but that won't stop people from soliciting."