Page 28 of Curses and Casualties
Georgia’s grip tightens on my arm, surveying the scene. Nervous energy skitters through our bond, and I lean in close, my lips brushing against her ear.
“Don’t worry, love,” I murmur. “They’re just big teddy bears with a penchant for raw meat.”
She snorts, a sound that sends warmth through me. “Teddy bears shouldn’t have fangs.”
“Details, details.” I grin, leading her toward the nearest table where Scarlett and Ethan are already seated beside Amara and Darius.
Scarlett waves as we approach, her cheeks flushed and smile wide from the warmth of the hall and perhaps too much mead. “About time you two lovebirds joined the party. I was starting to think you got lost making out in the woods.”
Georgia’s cheeks flush crimson, and I shoot Scarlett a warning glare. “Quit teasing her,” I growl, pulling out a chair for Georgia.
“Oh, relax, Ryan. She can handle a little ribbing.” Scarlett winks at Georgia. “Besides, it’s good to sneak in the occasional bang. You’ve been carrying the weight of the world on those pretty shoulders.”
“It’s hard not to when the world is literally depending on them,” Ethan retorts, but there’s a playful lilt to his voice. “Can’t be much of a picnic being responsible for saving all of supernaturalkind.”
“We try not to think about it too much, but thanks for the reminder, guys,” I say, taking the beer Ethan hands me and knocking back a long swig.
“Be careful with that. It’s far stronger than anything we’re used to. Might actually get us drunk.”
“I think I’d be thinking about it all the time,” Scarlett adds in. “This whole ‘chosen one’ thing is a lot, sure. But it’s also hella cool. Just think, Georgia, once you and Ryan complete the bond, you’ll be like… supernatural royalty. You’ll be so powerful that every wolf with a set of ears will have no choice to bow down to Ryan’s alpha howl. And as his mate, you’ll have just as much power. You could literally reshape the world to be whatever you want it to be. No more of this born wolves are the elite nonsense. You could create a system that’s much fairer and based more on merit than it is on birth status.”
“You’re talking down a system that literally places you on top,” Ethan reminds her.
“Yeah. And it puts my friends—especially you, my half-human friend—below me. That’s not fair.”
I catch the flicker in Ethan’s eyes. The one he always tries to hide when someone brings up his bloodline. He plays it off well, but the sting runs deep. And Scarlett, whether she realizes it or not, just pressed on the bruise. He never likes bringing up the fact that his father is human. It’s been a sore point from themoment the other pups in the pack found out and started calling him a mongrel.
Scarlett senses the shift in Ethan’s mood and nudges him with her shoulder, the movement softer than her words. “Hey. I overstepped. I’m sorry. It’s just that I think you’re super badass and should have been made a general by now.”
“Didn’t want the job anyway,” he says, eyes flicking up to hers and softening. “Not unless you were my second.”
Scarlett lets out a sharp laugh, nearly snorting beer through her nose.
“Keep dreaming, soldier boy,” she says, wiping beer from her chin. “Though I’ll admit, we make a hell of a team.”
“The scariest,” Ethan agrees with a grin.
Scarlett turns back to Georgia, her expression growing more serious. “But really, Georgia, think about it. Once you and Ryan complete the bond, you could literally rewrite the rules. No more of this archaic bullshit. You could build something better for all of us.”
Georgia gives a small, apprehensive smile, her gaze flitting around the boisterous hall. “Reshaping the world sounds great and all, Scarlett, but right now, I’d settle for a long, hot shower and a good night’s sleep.”
Amara, who’s been observing quietly, leans in. “Oh, Georgia, you’re in for a treat then. The Úlfhéðnar have the most luxurious bathing chambers carved right into the heartwood of these ancient trees. You’ll be soaking in moonlit spring water before you know it.”
Georgia’s eyes widen. “Seriously? That sounds amazing.”
“And as for a good night’s sleep…” Darius adds with a slight chuckle. “I’m not sure that one’s on the cards. Let’s just say the Úlfhéðnar are known for their...enthusiastic celebrations. You might want to drink until sleep is your only option. Or…invest in some earplugs.”
Scarlett laughs heartily, clinking her glass against Ethan’s. “Sounds like my kind of night! But seriously, a little partying might be just what the doctor ordered.” She downs the rest of her drink then wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “Beer that’s strong enough to get a shifter drunk? Tonight is going to be epic.”
I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips. Despite the underlying tension, the camaraderie around the table is a welcome balm. It’s been a long time since I felt this sense of belonging and ease among my own kind.
“Well,” I say, raising my cup. “If we’re going to party like the Úlfhéðnar, I think we ought to make a toast.”
Georgia raises her glass, and the rest of the table follows suit. “What should we toast to?”
I pause for a moment, considering. Then, with a grin, I say, “To new alliances. To the friends who stand with us. And to whatever the gods have in store.”
We all clink our glasses together then drink, and as we lower our glasses, a hush falls over the hall.
