“How bad is it?” she asks before we can sit down.
“Bad. It seems Oak Fur is determined to meet you,” I answer as Kaylee sits on the sofa while Royce and I sit across from Amelia. “Spies have been found around the borders before, but this is the first time we’ve seen any on our land since your initiation,” I continue, feeling anger radiate from my alpha.
“Have Ramos’ men injured anyone?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“Not yet. It seems the training you and Kaylee have been giving is helping our wolves. We were able to beat them. Unfortunately,one wolf did manage to escape when we tried to capture and question them,” I explain, and Amelia nods.
“I will have Alexander send a legal warning to Ramos. If he continues to have his men spy on us, then I must have the Council step in.” She sighs, turning to look at Kaylee. “How are war preparations going?”
Kaylee stands from her seat and walks to Amelia’s desk. After asking if she could use her computer, Kaylee pulls up a few files and turns the screen to face us.
“Alexander has told us that our first two shelters will be done within three weeks, food preparations with the omegas have steadily increased our stores, and our training schedule has only had a few hiccups due to the spies trying to get in,” she explains, her calm composure drawing me in.
She affects everyone that way because she was supposed to be a Luna and lead a pack. It’s what draws me in and makes me want to court her—even if her Goddess-given mate is now in our pack.
“Good. I have a feeling my brother will somehow sneak someone into the pack, and our identities will be exposed,” Amelia says, her voice low as she takes in the report Kaylee shared.
I can sense her unease and worry and watch as Kaylee reassures Amelia that Ivory Fangs is growing stronger daily and that Oak Fur is weaker than ever. If a war breaks out, we can deal with them.
“What did you do with the bodies of Ramos’ spies?” Kaylee asks, and I grin.
“I threw them over the pack borders into no man’s land and burned them. It’s why I took a while to come to talk to you after what Lucas did.”
Amelia stiffens, and Kaylee glares at me. I guess Amelia didn’t know about Lucas carrying Kaylee away mid-training.
[I am so going to kick your ass later,] Kaylee links me, her voice a low growl. I shudder, realizing that I might have gone a little far.
Amelia excuses me, asking for Royce and Kaylee to stay back. Already dreading the beating I will receive later, I quickly leave the office—with Kaylee’s glare following me out the door.
4
Kurt
While helping Maya pack up the remaining items in the kitchen, I catch sight of a few pups helping to bring boxes and bags to the charter bus, where Ash and Eddison are helping to load the storage compartments.
It’s been six days since we arrived here. David and I called Amelia on the second day of our arrival, asking if we could delay our return to Ivory Fangs to sort through what Maya and the others would bring with us on our return trip. Luckily, Amelia had agreed that our stay would benefit the Harvest Willow wolves and just asked that we call her before we set out.
“This should be the last of it,” Maya says as she stands, smiling.
“So we should be ready to move out soon?” I ask my niece.
She looks around, taking her time to answer as her smile falls. I know she’s sad about leaving the farm. It’s the only safe placeshe’s known since Ramos attacked Harvest Willow, and it makes sense that she would be reluctant to leave.
“After packing, we should be able to leave. It sucks we can’t bring furniture with us.” Maya’s voice is filled with sadness, and my heart clenches for my niece. She has had to give up so much, living as a rogue for the last seven years.
“Amelia already said you and everyone can go shopping for furniture after we return to the pack,” I reassure her, watching Maya smile again. Unfortunately, this smile doesn’t reach her eyes, and I can’t help but reach out and pull my niece in for a hug.
“I know. I can’t wait to meet your alpha and thank her for everything she’s doing for us. She should have been the alpha instead of that monster Ramos.”
I smile in agreement, pulling away to poke her nose.
“When we get back to Ivory Fangs, I will show you around and introduce you to our beta, Kaylee. I think you will get along with her.”
I can already see Kaylee and Maya becoming close friends, the she-wolf showing my niece the ropes and helping her come into herself. Maybe—just maybe—Maya won’t need to feel so guarded around others once she has a friend she can confide in.
“From what you and the others have told us about her, Beta Kaylee seems like a good she-wolf—even if she is younger than me.” Maya chuckles, stepping toward one of the many boxes in the room.
We begin bringing boxes to Eddison and Ash, placing them next to the growing pile and returning inside to continue emptying the farmhouse.
