Page 113 of In the Mouth of the Wolf

I kept glancing at the clock on the wall, and I swore the seconds were moving at half speed.

When Mrs. Silvano, my retired high school English teacher, stepped up to the podium, I bit back my growl.

“Good evening, Nolan. Good evening, Council. I’ll make this quick.”

It was never quick.

“I know you all have ‘real issues’ to discuss, but this town is facing a serious problem that no one has done anything about and I’m fed up.”

Oh Moon, not this again…

“The cats here are out of control. Just yesterday, I saw one snatch a goldfinch right out of the air in my yard. They’re a menace, and if you don’t start getting those beasts under control, I will.”

A middle-aged female jumped up from the back. “If you ever lay a finger on Milo, I will gut you myself.”

“Order!” I yelled, waiting for the crowd to quiet down. Thankfully most of the shifters in attendance were regulars, and were as sick of this shit as I was. We probably went over the “cat” problem at least three or four times a year. “Michelle, no one is killing Milo.”

“I just might!” cried Mrs. Silvano. “Why do we even tolerate cats here? We’re wolves!”

Michelle laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry. When’s the last timeyoushifted, Janice?”

I lowered my head to the table and banged it slowly.Moon, take me now.

Terror pierced me straight through the heart, and I gasped, sitting straight back. Arthur, the Council Chair, put his hand over his mic and leaned over. “Nolan, you feeling alright?”

Sweat poured down my face, and my tie felt too tight as I began to pant. No, I wasn’t feeling alright. Marlowe was in danger, and my pack was calling for me. They needed helpnow.

My wolf howled to escape, and I knew that was the quickest way back to them. I couldn’t hold him back anymore, and he exploded out of me.

57

MARLOWE

Ilocked the door to my nest and rushed towards the landline on my nightstand. I had laughed at Cam insisting I have one, but with my cell phone downstairs, I made a mental note to thank him for his foresight.

I dialed 911 but nothing happened. The line was dead.

Well, never mind, Cam, my thanks has been rescinded.Of course, if they cut power they would have cut the phone lines, too.

My wolf was ramming herself into the gate in my mind, demanding to be released so she could join the battle raging downstairs, but I denied her. I was just as likely to get myself killed or distract my pack as I was to make any difference. I couldn’t trust myself or her instincts.

Dammit!I was more than useless up here.

Every snarl, every scream, every thump of bodies caused me to flinch, and I held back the tears and my own whimpers from giving away my location. If Elias had sent me up here to be safe and away from the fray, I was going to listen.

I ran into the walk-in closet and closed the door, backing up into the corner and curling up into a ball on the floor. The only way I could help was to bring back Nolan. I channeled all of my thoughts towards him, begging him to come back quickly.

We’re under attack! Nolan, please…

Heavy, familiar footsteps came down the hall and stopped in front of my nest.

“Marlowe…”

His voice ran its nails down my spine, and my blood froze in my veins. The sound of my name from his lips had once brought me joy and comfort, but now it was simply terrifying. The door knob jiggled for a moment until the whole thing came crashing down.

His footsteps came closer to where I hid, my heart beating so loudly there was no way he couldn’t hear it.

“Marlowe, why are you hiding from me? After everything we’ve been through, do you really doubt my love for you? Do you have any idea what I’ve sacrificed to get you back?”

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