Page 135 of Wolf Roulette

Nathan tapped his pen on the table. “It may be worth hiring consultants from outside the area to guide us.”

“I believe that cost would be warranted,” Stanley interrupted.

I considered their ideas. “Let’s roll with all of the above. Is there anything else to report?”

The head team turned as one to look at Roderick.

He grimaced. “The new equipment hasn’t arrived.”

I stilled. “That’s days overdue.”

“The company assures me it will be here tomorrow morning.”

Wednesday. The day of the fucking game. “That’s not ideal.”

“No,” he agreed, “Gerry is prepped to hold a last-minute practice tomorrow afternoon.”

I dragged a hand over my face. This wasn’t a simple manoeuvre. Without ample practice, there was a high chance the stewards wouldn’t pull it off. “We’ve worked on the two back-up operations, right?”

“Yes. Those are ready to go.”

But would they be enough to win? “There’s nothing to do but hope the equipment arrives on time. Let’s not use that company again.”

“I considered telling them werewolves existed to hurry them along,” he said.

The others chuckled.

In the wake, Wade said, “What are everyone’s plans for the ball?”

The event was the weekend after next and my bestie was in full stress mode at this point. But he’d caused a stir already—I’d give him that.

“What are you wearing to it?” Trixie asked me.

“No idea.” Tickets to the balls in my last years of high school were too expensive—especially with the outfit to consider on top. I’d never been to something like this.

“I’m sure some of your mother’s things are around. She had beautiful style.”

Which mother?“Savannah?”

“Yes.”

I absorbed that. “That wouldn’t sit right with Rhona. I’ll figure something out.”

“She was your mother too. A mother’s dresses are heirlooms for their daughters.”

Were they?

Wade leaned in. “Cam is already making your dress. And my suit.”

She was? “Cam can do that?”

“You’ll never hear her speaking about it, but yep. She’s got serious talent.”

The meeting ended, and I slowly walked to my office thinking over Trixie’s words.

Savannah was a literal stranger to me. In another world, she could have been a mother I loved.

How crazy was it that I didn’t feel like I had a claim to her things? Or even any feelings ofwantingto see her stuff.