Page 12 of Moonlight and Mischief
Pulling out the hair tie, my fingers unravel the braid into loose waves. “Honestly, really good. I didn’trealize how poorly I was sleeping at my grandmother’s.”
“Good,” he says. For once he doesn’t seem quite so sure of himself. With an odd smile, he steps around me.
As Jasper disappears into his room, I shudder, trying to shake off all the tension from our encounter. I didn’t realize having a male roommate would involve quite so much bare skin and bulging muscles.
Today feels like a day to look cute. A few swipes of makeup, and my favorite sweater with strawberries stitched down the sleeves paired with black leggings, and I’m ready to go.
Jasper’s already left when I come out of my room. I’ll have to learn more about his work schedule, now that we are roommates.
The cabin is further from the school building than my grandmother’s cottage. I keep to the trees instead of cutting into the meadow. It’d be too easy for someone to spot me walking up from the south instead of my usual route.
Today will be busy. The children have a book report to finish and after lunch, we are taking a nature walk to look for insects. Science is a close second to my favorite subject after art.
I can’t help but scan for my friends as I pause at the doorway. A few pack members walk in various directions, but no Jasper. Not that I’m looking for him specifically. I’m sure he’s busy today too.
JASPER
The Alpha of Ironcrest arrives in a gray SUV. As he steps out and adjusts his jacket, the sunlight glints on his short silver hair. Zephyr has sharp features and dark eyes. Everything about him reminds me of a blade - polished, sharp, and as likely to help as harm depending on the situation.
His pack’s Gamma trails behind him, dark hair falling over his eyes. He’s noticeably shorter and wider but has laugh lines that suggest he’s friendly.
Zephyr’s Beta is conspicuously absent. But likely she was left at home as de facto leader.
Hawthorne greets them, walking across the gravel lot to shake the Alpha’s hand. Apprehension skitters across my skin. Ironcrest’s request to meet before the Counsel could be for any number of reasons, but I don’t trust Zephyr.
Spying from the hallway window, I watch the trio walk around the side of the office, where a door leads straight into our largest meeting room.
Heath strides toward me, followed by Slate and Hazel. “Go ahead and wait in the room, Jasper. We’ll be in after they’re settled.” Entering last is a power play.
My breathing is slow and even as I pull a calm mask over my anxiety. This is the first time I’ve seen anyone from another pack since defecting from Granite Ridge and joining Bracken Creek. An heir leaving their pack is unheard of, and I’m not sure what reactions to expect. Hopefully none. This meeting isn’t about me.
A live-edge conference table stretches the length of the room, surrounded by heavy, cushioned chairs fora dozen people. Zephyr lounges in a seat toward the center, facing the door. His cold eyes flick over me and stop on my face. I hold his gaze for a moment before looking away. Long enough that he knows I am not afraid of him nor am I ashamed of myself. Any longer, and it would be a challenge.
Muscles coiled tight, I take my place against the wall, off to one side. Hawthorne sits across from Zephyr but down two seats.
“Alpha Zephyr, you remember Jasper. He is a Zeta in our pack now,” Hawthorne says. Zeta, a guard. A respectable ranking, though it’s not an accurate description of my position. But Zephyr doesn’t need to know I was the one pulling the strings to arrange the Alpha Counsel.
“A Zeta? How ambitious of you,” Zephyr says with a cruel smile. A flush crawls up my neck and my hands ache to clench into fists, but I don’t give him another sign of my discomfort. His opinion doesn’t matter. He doesn’t need to respect me, as long as he respects our Alpha and Betas.
Finally, the door opens and Heath fills the entire frame, Hazel and Slate hidden behind him. He’s taller than I am, and wider too, so he dwarfs everyone seated. The three wolves rise, and Zephyr reaches out to shake his hand.
“Good to see you again, Zephyr,” Heath says.
“Likewise.” Zephyr sits at the same moment as Heath. Hazel and Slate sit on either side of him, and Hawthorne is at Hazel’s left hand. I take the seat beside my brother.
“Hello, Dell,” Heath says.
“Alpha Heath,” the Ironcrest Gamma tips his head respectfully.
“I hope your pack has been well,” Zephyr says.
Heath folds his hands, resting his forearms on the table. “It’s been a good winter for us. And yours?”
Zephyr picks lint off his sleeve. “Successful. We have two newly mated pairs and welcomed a set of twins.”
I’ve only visited Ironcrest once, but I know it’s one of the larger packs. Close to Bracken Creek’s size, but smaller than Granite Ridge. But I don’t remember many teenagers or young adults. Perhaps they have been recruiting. The idea prickles like pins and needles through my body.
“Congratulations,” Heath says warmly.
