Page 79 of Broken Wolf Heart
“Severin couldn’t help us,” I say, defeat creeping in. “Or wouldn’t help us. Unless there’s another gene expert in the city, I’m not sure where that leaves us.”
“Unfortunately, there isn’t.”
“You say that like you’ve checked already,” I half-joke. The look she gives me says it all. I lean forward. “You have?”
“Of course. We don’t have time to waste.”
“But you didn’t find anyone?”
“Not in Indigo Hills.” She sounds just as deflated as I feel. “I’m going to do some research and see if I can find any other packs who’ve done gene research or have a pack doctor that might be able to help shed some light.”
“How can I help?”
“You can start by leading this meeting,” she says pointedly.
“Actually,” I say slowly, “I was thinking you should do that.”
“Me?”
“You’re the strategist,” I point out.
She shakes her head. “But they’re not my pack. They aren’t going to listen to me, much less trust me.”
“And they never will if we don’t show them what it looks like.”
She meets my gaze, and I can see her considering it from all angles that I’m sure even I haven’t thought of yet.
“Okay,” she says finally. “But be warned, I’m not taking anyone’s shit.”
“I would never expect you to.”
Pack members beginto arrive within the hour. Grey still hasn’t come down, though when I go up to check on him, he seems much better. He reassures me he’s feeling more like himself again and will be down soon.
I take my place in the foyer just like Andy and Elena did when I first arrived as alpha. Beside me, Andy is a steady presence, greeting our visitors with me while whispering the names of pack members as they arrive. Donahue and Camila, two top lieutenants who also happen to be mates, are the friendliest and actually offer their help “in any capacity you need.” It’s a pleasant surprise and one that makes me hope today’s meeting topic won’t be met with resistance after all.
As the last few pack members find their seats, Dutch saunters in, hair damp from a shower, rolling his shoulder like he’s trying to shake off tension. His shirt says Ask Me About Real Estate.
“Nice shirt,” I say.
He glares. “I don’t know why Mia got you nice clothes but sent me thrift-store cast-offs.”
My smirk fades. When Grey’s pack pledged themselves tohim, they lost their homes, their belongings, and their families in one swoop. It sucks.
“Hey, how are the ribs?” he asks, standing against the wall with me. It’s more comfortable than sitting for my aching body.
“I’ll live,” I tell him.
“And your wolf?”
“She’s pissed I didn’t let her participate.”
“Can’t say I disagree. Maybe next time let her participate a little more, okay? You gave me a fucking heart attack, you know.”
I glance over and find his expression more serious than I’ve seen. No humor. Only genuine concern.
I nod. “Okay.” I turn to face the room again.
“Shouldn’t you be up there?” He nods at the table in the center of the room where Mia sits at the head.
