Page 14 of Mated to the Wolves

Panting I grip the edge of the table. Struggling to control myself I close my eyes.”

“You don’t believe in divination?” There’s condescension in the Alpha’s voice.

“I think it can be twisted to fit many agendas,” I flirt with insult as I deliver carefully chosen words.

He grunts. “Not this time.” Alpha turns to my uncle. “Stoke the fire. Tonight, we burn the sacred

herbs, and honor the old ways. We’ll speak with the Volva. She’ll show you like she

did to me.” Alpha nods. “Then you will believe and understand.”

My aunt and uncle preen, proud peacocks. They eat up every word.

You’d think they were the chosen ones. Disgusted, I scowl at them. Our witch practices the Norse magic, seidr. Part magic, clairvoyance, they have connections with the lands and their spirit. The ancient practice has served us well.

Why does it matter? No one’s ever cared one way or another what I wanted.

“I want to speak with the youngling alone.”

I sit up straight in my chair, pressing against the cool wood.

“The girl’s been gone for so long, Alpha. She might not remember the proper way to interact

with you.”

Aunt Gerda is a simpering fool as she speaks in a sugary sweet tone.

“I remember her family. She knows.”

His sharp words silence my aunt.

“Come, wife. Let us prepare.” They exit, leaving me along with the enforcer and the Alpha with an unhealthy interest in me.

“We’ve not done right by you.”

I blink, feeling like the world’s glitched. “Pardon?”

“We allowed you to get lost in the shuffle after your family perished. It was a dishonor to your father. He was a faithful pack member, always ready and willing to help those who needed it. I know that’s colored your view of the pack.” He steeples his fingers together.

“We’re living in trying times. The majority of my energy has gone to keeping us afloat and forging new alliances. I can admit that’s left things to be desired here at home.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I don’t trust his sudden benevolence. It doesn’t fit who he is.

“Because I need you to understand what it looks like to do things for the whole of the pack.”

Warning bells clang loudly in my head like a church steeple at the start of an hour. He’s prepping

me for bad news. I remain silent, still focused on the lines in his brow.

“You hold the pack’s future in your hands?—”

Hysterical laughter bursts free. Had the universe come back and bitch slapped the Alpha like that?

The ignored and mistreated one of the pack now has the ultimate say. I cover my mouth with my hands, eyes wide.

“I-I’m sorry. This is just ridiculous.”

His eyebrows hike. I know he hears me just fine.

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