Page 84 of Triumph of the Wolf
“Lorenzo said she was content in the end, that what she’d wanted to see pass had come to pass.”
I met Duncan’s gaze. “Yes, I think that’s true.”
He came over and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and I leaned against him.
“My mom says you’re the heir to your mother’s property too,” Jasmine added. “You’ll inherit all those lush acres, including the hot springs.”
“You mean the lukewarm mud holes?”
“They were enough to entice those developers.”
“Those guys were kind of weird.”
“I won’t disagree with that. Anyway, you’ll be able to go up there anytime you want to hunt. Speaking of that, the elders are planning to invite you two out for that.” Jasmine waved to include Duncan. “It’ll be a chance for Duncan to meet the whole pack and for everyone to celebrate your mom’s life and memory. They also want to get to know Duncan better. Some of the pack have been pushing, on account of the medallions and the artifact protecting everyone, for you two to lead the Savagers.”
“I…” I didn’t know what to say. Even though Mom had implied that when she’d given me the medallion—an artifact that usually passed down from one alpha female to the next—I hadn’t thought anything about it. What did I know about leading a pack of wolves? I leaned even more heavily against Duncan.
Fortunately, he was unfazed and unflappable, and accepted my weight without shifting.
I felt daunted and sad, still regretting that I’d spent so much of my life away from the pack and my mother, and hadn’t gotten to know her as well as I should have as an adult. But if she’d been satisfied in the end… that was something. Maybe that was more than most people got.
“Thanks for letting me know, Jasmine,” I finally managed to say.
“Of course.”
“And your news?” Bolin prompted her.
“Oh, I got a job in Kirkland at a real estate start-up that’s doing these cool, modern tiny homes in cottage communities. They managed to snag some land by the waterfront near Saint Edward State Park and get the zoning and everything approved for sixteen of them. I was originally just asking about purchasing one because they looksomuch cooler than the dingy sixty-year condos that are on the market and all that I might otherwise have been able to afford, but it turned out they needed someonewith my qualifications. It helped that I had an impeccable résumé with great references.” She gestured toward me.
“I hopeIwasn’t your best reference.”
“No, I put Ivan MacGregor down too. His sister said I could also add her. Even though we were wolves the whole time, we kind of bonded over being tortured prisoners.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” I wished we’d gotten there sooner.
“I’m not. With references like that, I’ll have whatever jobs I wish for the rest of my life.” Jasmine sipped from her mocha, leaving whipped cream smearing her upper lip, and looked satisfied, if not smug.
I forced a smile onto my face, though it wasn’t easy for me to put aside the news of my mother’s passing. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’ll have a house-warming party and invite you all when I get my new home.”
“Will we all fit?” Bolin asked. “In a tiny home? Aren’t they under five-hundred square feet?”
“Yeah, but to some people here, that has to be palatial.” Jasmine smirked at Duncan. “No offense, Duncan, but the shower in your bathroom looks like it hits the toilet seat.”
“It does,” he said. “You can have a seat while you bathe. I believe in this country that makes my bathroom handicap accessible.”
“The correct term these days isaccessibleorbarrier-free,” Bolin said.
“Palatial,” Jasmine said again, smiling as she no doubt envisioned her future home.
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it,” I told her. “That’s a much trendier location for a young person than the alley- and freeway-adjacent condo you were musing about in Everett.”
“Tell me about it.” Jasmine pointed at Bolin. “You’ve got news for Luna too, right?”
I stood straight and took a breath to brace myself. I didn’t know if I could handle any more news this morning.
“Yes.” Bolin cocked his head as he looked at me. In curiosity? Puzzlement? His expression was hard to read. “It’s about someone buying Sylvan Serenity.”
