Page 14

To celebrate Jenny’s first transformation, Colson and I thought it would be a nice gesture to give her something special to remember her day, so I left her and Colson at home and snuck into town to do a little shopping. There was a small jewelry store that I hadn’t been inside yet, and I had a feeling I would find exactly what I was looking for there.

I felt a sense of peace as I walked down the street toward the town center. The sun was still shining brightly in the blue sky as puffy clouds floated across the blue expanse above my head. The weather was warm, and there was a slight breeze. Children were playing in their yards and homes as I passed by the residential area of town.

It’s been the perfect day , I thought to myself.

There had never been a doubt in my mind that Jenny would get her wolf eventually, but I knew she was starting to feel upset about how long it was taking. I was so glad that it had happened for her, especially because she got to share the moment with both her parents.

It does seem like things are working out, Cassia agreed. But you seem to have forgotten about something.

What’s that? I asked.

We still need to get home. To Sparkle Hollow, she pointed out.

I haven’t forgotten, I replied. It’s just that things have been… complicated.

Because of Colson.

Because of everything. Colson, Jenny, the Dark Alphas blocking our path. Not to mention the fact that we don’t have much of a home to go to. It’s not like Jenny has a bright future, being relegated to the outskirts of pack society because of what I did, I said ruefully.

It was still the right thing to do, my wolf said gently.

Maybe, I hedged. But I still need some time to think about what to do next.

We’ll figure it out, Cassia agreed.

I arrived at the jewelry shop and headed inside. It was quaint, as most things were in this town, but there were a few people browsing the display cases. An older woman with bejeweled glasses dangling from a chain around her neck stood behind the register. She smiled at me as I came inside and greeted me warmly.

“Good afternoon,” she said. “Can I help you find anything?”

“I’m just looking for a gift for my daughter,” I told her.

“Let me know if you need any recommendations. We have some great pieces I’m sure she’ll love,” the woman replied cheerfully.

“Do you have any gold necklaces?” I asked.

She came out from behind the counter and walked toward a display case behind the picture window, indicating a section of dainty necklaces all made of gold.

“These are beautiful,” I told her.

“Anything in particular strike your eye?”

Many of the chains had pendants that seemed rather large for Jenny’s size, but there was one emblem dangling from a dainty golden chain that looked perfect. I pointed toward the rectangular charm, and the woman smiled.

“Excellent choice,” she said, pulling it from underneath the glass. “This one was an etching done by an artist in the region. She doesn’t usually work with metal, but I managed to snag this one before it went to auction.”

She passed it to me, and I admired the intricate details that had been fit onto such a small surface: a wolf, howling at a crescent moon. I could practically feel the power of the wolf inside the picture. It may be a bit literal, but for the occasion, I couldn’t think of anything more suitable. I hoped that when Jenny wore it, she would feel more connected with herself.

“It’s perfect. I’ll take it,” I said, passing it back to her.

The woman headed toward the register to ring it up and package it. I followed, lost in my own thoughts. It felt like yesterday when I had been a little girl and my own mother had given me a necklace of my own. My parents hadn’t been rich, but they had been loving and kind. Their bravery and willingness to help others had elevated them within the ranks of the pack, but it was also why they had died before Jenny was born. Life wasn’t always kind to warriors of the pack. Of all the regrets I had in life, my parents not having the chance to meet their granddaughter was one of the biggest.

After paying for my purchase, I left the store and turned toward Colson’s house, but a familiar face across the street made me stop in my tracks. Alpha Gage Desmond.

We made eye contact, and I could see that he had recognized me as well. With a tight-lipped smile, I nodded at him, hoping my expression came across as both nonconfrontational and dismissive. After our first two run-ins, he didn’t need any more cause to accost me.

I turned my head and continued my walk, but from the corner of my eye, I saw that my attempt to disappear had been foiled. He strode across the street and stood directly in my path, his arms folded as he looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“I’ve been wondering when I would run into you again,” he said.

“Alpha Desmond,” I said, bowing my head and attempting to appear demure enough that he would let me pass.

“You can cut your bullshit,” he said, his expression and tone oddly congenial for the content of his words. I looked around and realized he was putting on an act so as not to look suspicious to any passersby.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” I said.

“You and Colson think you have everyone fooled, but I know the truth about you two,” he continued. “You’re a spy for Sparkle Hollow.”

“I’m still not sure what you’re talking about,” I said, uncomfortable with the accusations he was making. Despite being untrue, they were also dangerous. If the rest of the alphas believed Desmond, we would be in serious trouble. “There is no conspiracy here.”

“You can lie all you want, but my pack knows that you two will eventually betray the rest of the alphas. I’m watching you,” he warned.

“It sounds like you’re projecting,” I snapped. “Colson is more loyal than anyone I’ve ever known. He doesn’t have it in him to turn his back on his pack or the alliances he’s made to keep them safe. In fact, he has more loyalty in his little finger than you have in your entire body.”

Desmond snarled quietly at me, and I knew I had made a mistake. I had gotten angry at the way he was speaking about Colson, but I shouldn’t have attacked his character—even if what I’d said was true. But the words had already been spoken. I couldn’t take them back now.

Even if I could, I realized I wouldn’t. Every word I had said about Colson was true. He was an excellent leader to Pack Marsden. There had never been a time when he had put his own interests over those of his people. He always took care of them, and he was willing to risk his own life and happiness to keep them safe.

“You should be careful how you speak to me,” Desmond warned. “We may be in Colson’s territory now, but you won’t always be. Have some respect for your superiors.”

“I will speak respectfully to people who deserve it,” I said, doubling down on my stance. “Colson doesn’t deserve your vicious diatribe, and I won’t stand here while you belittle him and his accomplishments as alpha.”

“You little bitch,” he hissed quietly.

“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind him.

Desmond turned aside, revealing Colson. His dark eyes burned with pent-up rage and fire, but his stance was casual.

“How are you, Gage? I’m surprised to see you here. Considering this town isn’t a part of your territory, I mean.”

“I was visiting an acquaintance and happened to see your… mate … walking about the town. I wanted to check and make sure she had all the information she needed,” Desmond said.

“I guess I should have been more clear in my greeting. I don’t actually care what you were doing, or why you’re here. What I meant to say was that Miss Lionel doesn’t need you harassing her on the street,” Colson said, checking his fingernails in a blatant display of being unaffected by Desmond’s presence. “And I don’t need another member of the alphas to be making trouble in my territory. Do we understand one another?”

“Perfectly,” Desmond responded through gritted teeth.

“Wonderful,” Colson said, clapping his hands together. “Then I’ll see you at the next meet-up.”

Desmond looked like he wanted to say more, but with the clear dismissal and a street full of witnesses, there wasn’t much he could do without looking like a fool. He turned and crossed the street, heading in the direction he had come from.

As he left, I breathed out a sigh of relief. My hands were cold, and I realized my fight-or-flight response had been activated by the confrontation. I rubbed them together and rolled my neck, trying to release the tension that had built up in my shoulders. When I looked back at Colson, I realized he was staring at me with a hint of concern.

“You look like you could use a drink,” he said.

I laughed at the unexpected segue. “Only if it’s a strong one,” I admitted.