Page 79 of Wolf Roulette

The two teams ceased fire and went their separate ways without a blink. Why was it so damn hard to do between times?

Pascal waved from the observation tower and held her thumb up. She must be certain of the win to do that.

I allowed relief to crash over me.

The weight crushing my chest didn’t lighten—today was just about staying in the game.

For whatever reason Sascha was keeping his distance.

And that meant I had work to do.

13

The gardeners shrieked when Booker trotted into view. The stewards started early, and our run ran overtime today.

Taking over, I sat back on our haunches and lifted a paw, waving slightly.

One laughed, and the others relaxed.

Resuming our trot, I relinquished control to Booker again as we entered the manor.

Let’s change. I have a meeting soon,I thought at her.Wait. Where are you going?

She beelined for the kitchen.

The cooks screamed, scrambling back.

Booker inhaled the scent of bacon and nudged a plate of it with our nose. One of the younger staff members inched forward and dangled a few slices near our mouth.

Don’t bite off his fingers,I told her firmly.

She took the bacon offering gingerly and chomped it back. Activity in the kitchen resumed as the boy gradually fed us the entire plate full.

You about done?I asked.

That will suffice.

Gerry yelped as we loped down the hall. We trotted up the stairs and entered the bedroom door that I made sure to leave open before shifting.

After shifting, showering, and changing, I jogged to my office.

“Chantel just arrived,” Tip-Toe Eleanor said from behind.

I jumped.Jesus.

Even with my ears, she was fucking quiet. “Please send her in.”

Wade’s mother entered soon after. My friend inherited his father’s height and his mother’s looks.

“Chantel. Thanks for coming.”

She sat opposite me. “Wade said that you wanted to know more about the council. I’m happy to help however I can.”

Truth.

“I appreciate that. When I took over this role the first time, I was learning the ropes. I have a handle on the day-to-day things now and I’d like to be more active on the council.”

“Of course. That’s your right. You hold the tenth seat on council.”