Page 96 of In the Mouth of the Wolf

“Since today,” he replied. “It wasn’t even a serious idea, just an option if it came down to it. But now that we know for certain this other wolf is serious about taking Marlowe, and with Archer being hurt, we could really use some extra muscle. We have no idea how big this other shifter’s pack is, and I’d like to be prepared.”

I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. Not a single day since I’d arrived here had been normal. Was this really going to be the rest of my life? Riding one crisis straight into the next?

“I’m loathe to say it,” Archer started, “but I think Cam has a point. The dark wolf shifter pulled my car door clean off. He was strong.Reallystrong. And until my ribs are healed, I’m a weak link. I dislike the idea of bringing in a wild card, but not more than the thought of being the reason Marlowe gets taken from us. So I vote yes.”

“Oh, this is an election now?” Nolan sneered. “Because I vote hell no. I’m not trusting one of Cam’s buddies in our pack or around our omega. I barely trust her with you assholes.”

“Same,” Elias responded. “I vote no. These commune shifters might be strong, they might have full access to their wolves, but we still have guns. The four of us… or… five? Marlowe, can you shoot?”

“What do you think?” I snapped.

“Okay, so the four of us with Cam’s arsenal can easily pick off a pack of shifters. Let’s start stocking up on silver ammo, too, while we’re at it.”

“Silver?” I asked. “Wait, that’s a real thing?” So far, the myths about shifters had all been wrong. When we could shift, we didn’t rely on the full moon. And we were born, not made from a bite. We also weren’t mindless killing machines, either.

Well, at leastmostof us weren’t. Who knew about this mysterious shifter who for some reason thought he had some sort of claim over me?

“Yes,” Archer replied. “Silver works for shifters and vampyrs.”

Vampyrs? A memory made its way to the forefront of my mind – I had gotten Mike a silver ring for his birthday last year, and he’d been super awkward about it, saying he had a silver allergy and apologizing for having to return it.

“Regardless, it’s two against two. Marlowe, you’re the tie breaker. Vote no now so we can put this stupid idea to bed,” Elias said.

I didn’t necessarily want to bring another alpha into our group. Even taking sex out of the equation, it was hard enough balancing the oversized emotions of the four of them. Did I really have the bandwidth to add another?

But Cam’s sanity was on a razor’s edge, and Archer would feel better knowing there was another set of eyes on me.

“I want to meet him first.”

It was past midnight by the time we got home, and while everyone else was exhausted, a thought kept me awake, and I was curious to see if it would work.

I hadn’t packed anything sexy, because why would I have, but I did find it interesting that some short, silky nightgowns had been waiting for me in my drawers when Cam first showed me my nest.

I put one on and then wrapped a robe on top to cover myself.

Archer’s room was down the hall. I tiptoed my way over, knocked on the door, and he told me to come in.

He was laying in an elevated position, plenty of pillows piled behind him while he iced his chest with one hand, a book in the other. He took off his glasses and looked up. “Everything okay?”

I nodded and sat down next to him. “What are you reading?” I asked. He showed me the spine and I read the title out loud. “Fur and Fangs: A New History of the Great War. Wow, don’t you ever read anything fun?”

He tilted his head in confusion and smiled. “What do you mean? This is fun.”

“Hmm,” I replied, taking his book out of his hand and putting it on his nightstand. “You and I have very different definitions of fun, then.”

His pupils dilated and he moved slightly towards me, then winced. “The heart is willing, but the flesh is weak. I never thought I’d ever say no to you, but…”

“Shhh…” I placed my finger on his lips. “You’re in luck, because I’ve been doing some reading as well, and I think I know how you might heal faster.”

“Not the way I want to do it,” he replied longingly. “I’m pretty sure the doctor told me ‘no strenuous activity.’”

I crossed my arms and huffed. “Oh my god, will you shut up for a second and let me talk?”

He chuckled and dramatically closed his mouth, gesturing for me to continue.

“Damn, finally. Anyway, do you know why shifters were such feared warriors in the past?”

Archer looked at me expectantly but didn’t reply.

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