Page 59 of Shifting Fate
“Do not underestimate her power,” Harper murmured, glancing around the room. “That goes for all of you. Her magic might be stretched thin, but she’s still a mighty foe. My sister and I are from one of the strongest witch covens in North America, and we will need to practice caution, when the moment arises.” He sat back down.
“Noted.” Merrick nodded. “We need to formulate a plan in case of future attacks—and therewillbe future attacks. Which means we must be ready. I believe Rhine has a few ideas?”
“We need to teach our packs how to shoot,” Rhine announced. “Not only that, but we should be carrying weapons on us at all times. Silver bullets have stopped Dreadwolves before. At the very least, it should slow them down.”
Espen held up a finger. “Well, it just so happens that our dear Jonas West hadquitethe impressive gun collection. We can make this work.”
“And what about the pups?” Bastien spoke up. “Or those of us who aren’t physically strong enough to handle a gun?”
Espen and Merrick exchanged a glance. “We figured it would be wise to assign the more vulnerable wolves someone who can keep them safe. A guardian. The buddy system, reimagined, if you will,” Merrick explained. “This way, no one will be left behind in case of an emergency. We’ll work in teams of three.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my Alpha nod in silent agreement.
Wiz jumped to her feet, waving both hands in the air emphatically. “Ah! Speaking of weapons, I came up with a special enchantment just for the occasion. I can affix it to a holster that will adapt to your magic. This way, even when you guys shift, you’ll have your guns when you become human again.” She giggled. “Can’t exactly shoot a gun with paws.”
Harper was quick to chime in. “I can help with that. I will do anything within my power to aid you. From here on out, anything your packs need? Ask and I will do my best, I swear it.”
The meeting continued on.
I zoned out for a bit. All of this information was making my head and my heart ache. I didn’t want to go to war. I didn’t want to lose anyone else. Deep at the pit of my gut, sadness lurked. I placed my hand on my chest and closed my eyes, drawing in a slow breath.
When I opened them again, I saw something that surprised me. Van was perched on the very edge of the couch, staring intently at something across the room. No, not something—someone. I followed his gaze to Colby, who stared back at Van with a wary expression on his face.
Colby caught me watching him and sneered, baring his teeth before flopping back in his seat. He crossed both arms over his chest and ignored us. Van wilted like a flower. He worried his lip between his teeth and stared down at his shoes.
What was that all about?
“So we’ve got Bastien, Rhine, Cutter and Ambrose teaching gun safety and how to properly use a weapon,” Espen announced. “Merrick, Dr. Rose and Van will go over CPR and emergency first-aid. I understand that we have healers among us, but in the case of a bloodbath, a single Omni can’t possibly heal everyone. Van, Kaeger and Rory will be there to heal only the gravest wounds.”
“Understood,” Rhine and Tristram said in unison. Van squeaked his agreement.
I waited until the meeting had calmed to a buzz before excusing myself. My focus was on Colby, who’d quietly stood and left the room. Following his lead, I found him in the large galley kitchen with one hip propped against the cabinets, drinking a glass of water.
It was now or never.
My inner-beast growled at me, but I took a deep breath and stuffed him down. Now was not the time for jealousy. Dallon was mine. There had never been any competition, not from Colby or from anyone else.
As I drew nearer, the Westwind wolf froze. I raised my hands in front of me in a show of peace, but the deer-in-the-headlights expression didn’t leave his face.
“Hey. I know I’m probably the last person you want to see, but can we talk?”
His silvery eyes glinted like cold steel. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“Please? Five minutes, that’s all I’m asking. Let me say my peace.”
“Why?” he retorted, his voice rising. “So you can apologize and feel better about yourself? I already knowexactlyhow you feel towards me, clear as crystal. I don’t want your apology.”
I flinched, but he was right. I’d been horrible to him. “You don’t understand. I wasn’t…myself. You might not believe it, but Iamsorry. Truly.”
“And what about Dallon? Will you turn on him the next time you ‘aren’t yourself’?”
His words struck me like a whip, but I deserved them. I deserved the ice glittering in his eyes, the frost that coated his voice. What I’d done was unforgivable, driven out of jealousy and spite.
“No,” I uttered. “I have no intentions of hurting Dallon, not now, not ever. I promise you that.”
He sneered at me. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” he warned. “Dallon is someone I consider a friend and I don’t want anything to happen to him, do I make myself clear? I don’t give a single fuck if you’re my Alpha’s brother. If any harm comes to Dallon, Iwillcome after you.”
I dropped my gaze. My hands fell to rest at my sides. “It won’t come to that.”
“I hope not, for your sake.” Turning on his heel, he breezed off in the opposite direction to disappear down the winding halls of the West Manor. I was left staring after him, my heart feeling heavier than ever before.
