Wolfsfoot (Kingdom of Wolves #1)

“You are right Tati. Aurora won’t stand alongside anyoneunless she’s sure they are true allies. She was put in a bad position not longafter she became the Blood Pearl’s Alpha. I’ll not go into it because it’s not mystory to tell. But she took the pack and then was let down by someone she caredfor. When she took over the pack a lot of blood was spilled and Aurora’s nameis Aurora Pearl. The pack was renamed Blood Pearl Pack in honor of Aurora,saving the pack from the previous Alpha and his minions.”

Both Brod and I remain quiet, thinking about what Brod’sfather has told us. When he speaks again Ebony also jumps to attention.

“The shifter council is coming on Thursday, is what I’veheard. Be ready and whatever happens, stay calm. Make sure Ebony stays calmtoo, because they will test how much control you have over your wolf. I’ve seenthem do it numerous times.” Sitting next to me in the empty garden seat, I turnmy head to look at him. “They may not, Tati, because they’ll not want to makeyou wary of them. Be aware they always do what they want, not what is alwaysbest for the person. The packs to them always come first.”

Nodding, I take in what he’s telling me, and I mull over theconsequences of what could happen.

We can stay calm. We will listen and be careful. We saynothing that can get us into a position we don’t want to end up in.

‘Yes, I can stay calm if you can. I know you’ll be there ifI need you’. I respond, and I feel the warmth flow over me that Ebony sends,letting me know she’s calming the nerves that the council keeps evoking.

Brod jumps away from the seats and grins. “Come on, bestie,let’s go back to the farmhouse and we can practice our maneuvers. You can gothrough your wolf moves too, and I’ll watch. Make sure you do them well.”

Mr. Bowhunter laughs at Brod’s comment. “I like that you arebesties. Everyone needs someone they can rely and lean on.”

Walking through town, I get this itchy feeling I’m beingwatched, and I look around but see no one. Slowing down, I let Ebony use hersenses to see if we are in any danger.

Brod notices I’m not laughing anymore, and he settles nextto me in an easy stride. “What’s wrong?” he asks and I look at him with afrown.

“Something feels off. Ebony is trying to sense if we are indanger.”

“Okay, let me see if we have any strangers in town.”

With that comment, Brod starts acting the fool, but he’sturning this way and that and I can see his eyes are checking everywhere as heis. I play along and laugh with him, trying not to show anything has spookedme.

Someone from the last pack here. Two shifters. They arenot evil, but they are not good either. We need to get to the farm, or we needto confront them. You’re not ready yet, Tati, but you will be the next time.

“Ebony says two people from my last pack are here. She saidnot to do anything but get to the farm, and fast. Did you see anything?”

Brod laughs and I can tell it’s false. “Yeah, male andfemale shifters, by the flower shop. They are pretending they are looking inthe shop window. Their eyes are on us.”

I spin around to see but pretend to play fight with Brod,who quickly falls into the ruse. Evangeline and Bellamy, holy hell, why wouldthey be trying to find me?

“I know them. Let’s get moving, and we don’t lead them tothe farm. I’ll follow you, Brod, and if they follow, we’ll know. Lead them amerry dance is what we’ll need to do.”

“Okay, are you ready?”

“Yes,” I respond and jog after Brod as he jogs away from themain street. I follow wherever he goes and I don’t look back. Brod, however,keeps turning and jogging backwards so he can see if we have them following usor not.

“Are they following?”

“Yes. But we’re about to lose them. Get ready to run.”

When Brod takes off in a full-out sprint, I’m right on hisheels. I don’t look back, and when we fly around a corner and behind a largebush, Brod slams his hand over my mouth before pointing to a shed behind us.The shed has a stable door and Brod pulls the bottom half open and we slinkinside. Keeping quiet and listening.

My eyes round when I hear hard footsteps run past, but theystop and are pacing around. Brod points to the back of the shed, which has aslat of wood missing. Whispering to me, I lean towards him to hear what he’ssaying.

“Where the wood is missing, we can lift the panel next toit, slide out, and get away. But not unless we need to, because it squeaks abit, which will warn them. If we have to run directly to my house, I’ll have myparents get rid of them.”

Nodding, I wait quietly, and both Brod and I are looking ateach other as we listen.

“Where do you think they went?” Evangeline asks.

“Don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. We tell the Alpha we sawher, and she’s going to be caught and dragged back to the pack. He wants herfor her blue blood and her money when she is eighteen.” Bellamy snarls, thencontinues. “Come on, I’ve had enough of this stinking rogue town.”

We listen as they walk away and sigh with some relief. Brodlooks fit to burst and when he grabs me and hugs me, he kisses the top of myhead, taking me by surprise with this show.

“They’ll not get you, Tati, and if they ever do, I’ll lead acharge and get you back. I’ll never leave you bestie in the hands of that pack.I’ll gather every rogue in the town and lead them right to you.”