Page 56 of In the Mouth of the Wolf (Of Wolves and Kings #1)

56

NOLAN

“M oving on to the approval of the minutes from our last meeting. Do I have a motion?”

“I motion to approve the minutes.”

“I second.”

“All in favor?” I looked around to the council members with their hands raised in the air. “The minutes are approved.”

Normally I loved these meetings. There was something so inspiring about watching people engage with their local government. People who felt passionate enough about a topic that they took the time to research and write down their thoughts, overcoming any fears over public speaking to address us and their neighbors.

Even if those topics were stupid or petty, it was still a privilege to be a part of it.

But tonight, I just wanted them all to shut up so I could leave.

I kept glancing at the clock on the wall, and I swore the seconds were moving at half speed.

When Mrs. Silvano, my retired high school English teacher, stepped up to the podium, I bit back my growl.

“Good evening, Nolan. Good evening, Council. I’ll make this quick.”

It was never quick.

“I know you all have ‘real issues’ to discuss, but this town is facing a serious problem that no one has done anything about and I’m fed up.”

Oh Moon, not this again…

“The cats here are out of control. Just yesterday, I saw one snatch a goldfinch right out of the air in my yard. They’re a menace, and if you don’t start getting those beasts under control, I will.”

A middle-aged female jumped up from the back. “If you ever lay a finger on Milo, I will gut you myself.”

“Order!” I yelled, waiting for the crowd to quiet down. Thankfully most of the shifters in attendance were regulars, and were as sick of this shit as I was. We probably went over the “cat” problem at least three or four times a year. “Michelle, no one is killing Milo.”

“I just might!” cried Mrs. Silvano. “Why do we even tolerate cats here? We’re wolves!”

Michelle laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry. When’s the last time you shifted, Janice?”

I lowered my head to the table and banged it slowly. Moon, take me now.

Terror pierced me straight through the heart, and I gasped, sitting straight back. Arthur, the Council Chair, put his hand over his mic and leaned over. “Nolan, you feeling alright?”

Sweat poured down my face, and my tie felt too tight as I began to pant. No, I wasn’t feeling alright. Marlowe was in danger, and my pack was calling for me. They needed help now .

My wolf howled to escape, and I knew that was the quickest way back to them. I couldn’t hold him back anymore, and he exploded out of me.