Page 123 of Wicked Witch of the Wolf

“Believe me, I understand.”

“I know. But I still feel like a failure for not doing anything to help.”

“What could you have done to stop him? Challenge him?”

“No. He’s too strong. He’d have killed me.”

“Exactly,” I said. “There’s no sense feeling like a failure for not doing something you couldn’t have done.”

“I guess so.”

I peered out the front window for another glimpse of Betty, butafter stopping at Red’s grave, she’d moved on. I didn’t like her being out of my sight. I didn’t like Rory being far away. Hell, there were at least a dozen things outside my control that I didn’t like, and they were all coming down on my head. I’d have to watch myself and my wolf. We tended to get controlling at times like this.

“Should I come back to La Paloma?” Aurora asked.

“Absolutely not,” I said. “I want you to stay put. I’ve got a contact on the east coast who works with an agency that does security for some pretty high-profile shifters. I’ve got someone already on their way to Boston. I’ll email you with the details.”

“Personal security? Is that really necessary? Floyd doesn’t even know that I know what’s going on.”

“He knows how much I love you, kid. He’ll use you against me if he can. Don’t let him.Please.”

“Okay. I’ll do what I can.” She went silent again, a sure sign that the wheels were turning. Aurora was frighteningly smart, and her “wheels” turned much faster than most people’s, including mine.

“What are you thinking, Rory?”

“You said Floyd forswore you from the pack. Are you sure he didn’t just censure you?”

Gods, the kid was smart. Too smart.

“Because I’m still pack. I should’ve felt it. I can’t sense you through the pack bonds anymore, and yet I didn’t have the usual kickback.” Her voice lowered in volume, as if she were afraid of being overheard. “I’ve been through this a bunch of times over the years, Ronan. I know how awful it is for a pack when a powerful member is forsworn. You’re the third alpha—or you were, rather—and I should’ve been hit hard when you were cast out.”

“I was forsworn. Human me. But my wolf … he won’t let go of the pack.”

The line went dead silent.

“Rory?”

"Yourwolfwon’t let go? Is something like that even possible?"

"To be perfectly honest, I don’t know.”

There wasn’t much more to add. I offered to put her up in a safehouse, but that was where she put her foot down.

“I have a huge exam coming up and I’m not letting anything get in my way. Not even our father.”

“I understand, but?—”

“Ronan, I worked my ass off to get here and I’m not blowing it now. I promise to stick close to your security person and not take any chances. It’ll be dorm, library, class. That’s it. I swear.”

It wasn’t as if I could force her, so I let it go. I’d try again later.

We ended the call, and I plugged the phone into Betty’s charger. Sat on the sofa and stared at the cold, empty fireplace for a full minute before bounding to my feet and heading for the door. My wolf was distressed, and I needed to show him that Betty was safe.

Maybe I needed to show both of us.

I was across the threshold and closing the front door when Betty’s phone rang. The regular one, not the burner. I went back inside and picked it up, noting the number.

Karen Zurka, my assistant manager. I tapped the screen.

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