Page 93 of Bad Wolf's Nanny

“We can’t let him win,” Felix said, voice suddenly loud in the silence. “He wants to bring the old guard back. Wants us to play his game. But this is our territory. Our home. And those women areourpack.”

Everyone stilled.

“We move tonight,” Felix said.

And just like that, the room changed.

The feral energy found a focus. Orders were issued, calls made, weapons unlocked. The Iron Walkers were going to war.

Dane turned toward the door before anyone else could stop him. He needed air. He neededher.

He didn’t care if it was a trap.

He was walking straight into it.

Because that was where Lola was.

And nothing, not Red Teeth, not a pack of rogue alphas, not even Felix himself, was going to keep him from her.

Dane stood just behind Felix, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. His fists ached. His pulse was a violent rhythm in his ears. And yet he stood still, because Felix had just turned toward John Heath, and what came next might determine the outcome of this war.

The Green Mountain Pack Alpha stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable beneath the long shadows cast by the dying sun. Watching them, Dane realized, watching and waiting.

“We need your alphas,” Felix said. His voice carried the weight of command, but also something more dangerous.Need.“Not just for numbers. For the message it sends. Unity.”

Rick shifted, his jaw working, his eyes flinty as he watched the exchange. No doubt he was seething at the loss of face. Dane didn’t give a shit. Whatever it took to get their people out.

Heath didn’t speak right away. He tilted his head, like he was mulling over whether unity was worth the cost.

Then, finally, “We’ll fight.”

Dane’s shoulders sagged with silent relief, but Heath hadn’t finished.

“In exchange, I want a boon.”

Felix’s head lifted, sharp and still, “What kind of boon?”

“To be named and claimed later,” Heath replied smoothly, “in accordance with inter-pack tradition. One call. One favor. No refusals.”

The silence that followed felt like it stretched for miles.

The wording was deliberate, ancient, and binding. A promise that couldn’t be broken once accepted. Dane felt every wolf in the clearing stiffen. Even the air went quiet.

Heath’s eyes flicked to Rick, and something cunning passed over his face.

Rick stood motionless, arms loose at his sides, but Dane saw the tension lock into his spine. Something old passed between the two of them, and it wasn’t friendly.

Dane took a step forward, voice low, “He’s trying to corner us. You know that.”

“We don’t have a choice,” Felix murmured back. His eyes were still locked with Heath’s. “Not tonight.”

Rick’s voice cut through, quiet but razor-edged, “Let him take his boon. If he tries anything unwise with it, I’ll deal with him myself.”

Heath’s mouth lifted in a small, dry smile. He didn’t reply.

Felix nodded once. “Done.”

There was no handshake. Just silence. Pact made. Line crossed.