Page 66 of Nearly Dead

Sully doesn’t answer immediately.He holds open the door to let me pass.When we’re away from the others, he appears resigned.“I seek what’s best for the pack.If that means taking power, then yes, I’ll take it.But not for its own sake.”

I nod, believing him.I absently trace the handle of his motorcycle.Whatever else Sully might be, he’s not driven by ego or ambition alone.I mean, sure, he has plenty of both, but that’s not all he is.

“You’ll pass tomorrow,” I say.It’s not a question.

“Probably.”There’s no arrogance in his tone, just certainty.“You realize since you’ve proven yourself, I’m required to name you as a member of my Chosen Guard.You’re not done with us.”

I arch a brow.“I’m not looking for a job.”

“You can’t refuse your Alpha.”He grins.“Think of it as being part of my brain trust.”

I grumble even as I understand the politics at play.“I meant what I said.I don’t want your job, but I will stand with the pack if needed.”

“I know.”Sully’s expression turns serious.“That goes both ways.The necromancer’s interest in you concerns us all.”

“Leviathan is my problem,” I say.

“Your problems became pack problems the moment Thane’s blood entered your veins,” Sully continues.“Besides, I have no love for necromancers.They disturb the natural order.”

I nod.“Let me handle Leviathan my way.I’ll call on you if I need you.”

“And what way is that?”He raises a skeptical eyebrow.

I bristle at the question.“I’m still figuring it out.”

“Figure it out quickly.You should be preparing for the transformation, not distracted by everything else.”His tone softens slightly.He looks toward the broken windows.“The full moon waits for no one, Tamara.And neither will your enemies.”

Before I can respond, the door opens, and Rhea approaches.Although her wounds are already healing, she still moves with a slight limp.She stops a few paces away, her expression guarded.

“The pups want to know if you’re staying for the hunt,” she says to me, though her eyes slide to Sully as if seeking his approval.

I blink in surprise.“Hunt?”

“It’s tradition after the trials,” Sully explains.“A way to bond as pack, and to release the tension built up during competition.”

“I wasn’t planning to?—”

“You should come,” Rhea interrupts, surprising me further.“If you meant what you said about standing with us, even if not leading us.”

I look between them, sensing there’s more to this invitation than simple inclusion.“What exactly does this hunt involve?”

“Nothing you can’t handle,” Sully says with a hint of challenge in his voice.“Unless you’re afraid your vampire side won’t let you embrace your wolf nature.”

It’s a transparent attempt to provoke me, but it works, nonetheless.The wolf in me bristles at the suggestion of cowardice.“I’m not afraid.”

A smile spreads across Sully’s face.“Good.Then you’ll join us.”

Part of me wants to refuse on principle, to show I can’t be manipulated so easily.But the wolf part is curious.What would it be like to run with a pack, to let that side of myself free?

“What are you hunting?”I ask, stalling for time to think.

“Nothing sentient,” Sully assures me.“We’re not monsters.The thrill is in the chase, not the kill.”

I glance at his motorcycle.I could probably steal it when he’s not looking and ride back to the safety of the estate.Going back means more potions from Astrid, more endlesstalk-talk-talkabout control and balance.It means safety, but also constraint.Joining the hunt means risk, but also the chance to understand a part of myself I’ve been fighting against.

“I’m not killing anything,” I say by way of a decision.

“Fair enough,” Sully agrees.“Just run with us.Feel what it means to be in a pack, even if only for one night.”

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