Chapter 12

The woman feltright in my arms but knew nothing of my world.

My wolf preened at how she turned to us for protection.

"Always wait for a wolf to approach you. They are looking for aggression," I told her. "Most that are housed in the manor are friendly."

"Like the people, right?" She was trying to make a joke.

"How do you like it here?"

"It's interesting."

It was not a ringing endorsement.

When I said nothing, she continued. "I like my work. Talia is amazingly talented, and what she chooses to photograph is always interesting." She began to walk and didn't avoid my hand when it took hers. "I won't pretend that I understand what's going on here. However, I'm not paid to live with you all. I'm being paid to get her files in order."

"Go on. I like listening to your impressions," I urged gently.

She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. "There is a sense of fear here." She glanced at me to see how I was reacting.

"Why do you say that?"

She sighed. "For one example, the staff… They are so worried about doing things as instructed. I gave up trying to lessen their load by rehanging my towels. I mean, I don't need a fresh towel for every shower. That seems like a waste of water."

"I promise that not everyone here is treated that way." As the guest of the Packleader's Ward, she was an esteemed guest.

"I don't want to get anyone in trouble. The staff works very hard."

I was surprised that she'd noticed.

"Secondly, Talia gets intense when she goes over the list of rules with me. Her eyes get a little wild, and her body stays very still. It's eerie."

"Anton is not known to be understanding when errors are made," I told her gravely.

"I don't get the limited technology or the idea that parts of this manor don't use electricity. I feel like I've been dumped in a fantasy world or on a TV show where they force you to live in earlier times to see if you can hack it."

"Sections of the house are very old," I began, "and Anton doesn't like change."

"Is he one of those who doesn't like learning the updates to his phone? My friends, whom I consider my second parents, are like that."

"That plays a part."

"I want to believe that more than he keeps everybody dumb and fearful so that he can stay in power."

"You can't say that," my tone sharp. I stopped and turned her toward me. "Don't ever say anything like that again."

Sage didn't look scared by the intensity of my words. Instead, she stared into my gaze for a long moment. "I get it."

"You make no sense." She was frustrating me.

"I'll be more careful." She turned and continued to walk back toward our wing.

It took me three steps to catch up with her. I grabbed her hand, and we stayed silent as we continued walking.

Once inside, I helped her remove her coat. "You need a warm drink."

She gave me a slow smile. "Are you claiming that you know your way around a kitchen?"

"No." I did not add that the staff would be thrown into upheaval if I attempted to enter their domain.

"If somebody is around, then yes. But I don't want to make somebody get out of bed to wait on me." She crossed her arms under her full breasts.

"Someone is always around. You'd best remember that," I warned.

She rolled her eyes at me again. "Why do I feel like I've fallen into a Game of Thrones episode?"

I had no idea what she was talking about.

She must have realized that because she let out another sigh. "You should start a list of things you need to Google if you keep hanging out with me."

I liked that idea. "You want me to…hang with you again?"

"Sure." She shrugged her shoulders and looked away. "You're charming in an uptight way."

"Thank you, but I am not uptight," I corrected her.

"Keep telling yourself that." Her mischievous grin made me want to kiss her. "My feet are still cold, so let's find a warm drink and a roaring fire," she suggested, ending the moment.

"As you wish." I took her hand and led her to my sitting room.

The next morning, Sig was in my office going over a few reports.

While he was searching through the file, I stared out the window, replaying last night.

"You're smiling." Sig's rough voice pulled me away from my imaginings.

"Was I?"

"You've been in a good mood all morning," he accused.

"Things are reasonably quiet." I met his gaze.

"I think it is the human." He raised his chin a little higher as if pleased with himself.

"I'm happy that Talia found someone well-qualified to do the job," I answered slowly.

"There's talk that you were with her last night."

"We went for a walk for some fresh air," I said, keeping my voice cool.

"You cannot reveal yourself without Anton's permission," he reminded me.

"Why would I need to do that?" He was getting way ahead of me.

"If you keep her close, she will see something. People here are not always careful."

"We will deal with it if it happens. I don't think Miss Isaacs is one who gives into hysterics."

"You learned that last night?"

"She's…steady. She is aware that things here are odd. She also understands that pressing for more information would cause problems for Talia."

"You have great faith in someone you barely know."

He was right, and yet he was wrong. My wolf and I knew a great deal about our mate.

I'd endured a three-hour meeting with Anton and a handful of his advisors. I wanted to bang my head against the wall when we adjourned. They refused to comprehend that we had little money in our accounts.

Anton wanted to use this ball to show the packs that recognized us that we were still a force. He wanted to spare no expense.

Sig followed me to our wing and into my private rooms. After securing the door, he did not sit. He knew that I would have a task.

"We need to move the gold," I spoke softly.

"Agreed."

"I can send you on a job," I offered.

"You fear that someone would track me?"

"Now is not the time to act rashly." I had to protect Talia, Sig, and now, Sage. "I think we should be overly cautious."

"The Burke male is a problem. I mean, while he is housed here. He believes this is a vacation. His list of demands is ridiculous."

"Novus has offered a reward for information and for him to be turned over to them."

"At some point, greed will tip the scales," Sig said quietly. "Anton will get fed up with Travis not paying for his room and board, and he will send Charles to Novus."

"That will not grant us forgiveness or goodwill from them. Black will wait as long as needed, then he will strike." I frowned. I could only hope that Talia would be away when that happened.

"He could send The Lore, and we would all be dead by morning." Sig widened his eyes.

Everyone knew the tale of the Lycans' boogeyman. He was a notorious mass murderer who had sought revenge for his mother's death.

I didn't like any of this.

"Can you convince your new pet to pressure Talia to relocate?" Sig began to pace.

"Come on, you know the only one who can make Talia do anything is Talia."

"She is frustrating." He frowned.

"Take her to L.A. She'll need a gown for the ball. While you're gone, talk to her."

He opened his mouth and then closed it quickly.

"Don't order her. You know she hates that. Ask her about upcoming shows," I advised.

"If that doesn't work, perhaps Miss Isaacs has connections, and we can be rid of them both."

"I like the plan. I will bring it up at dinner," he glanced at his watch, "which will be served in ten minutes."

"Keep your phone close. Sage speaks in riddles, and you will need to look up her idioms."

His chuckle was low. "You always did like a challenge."

"She is entertaining." I grinned and then sobered as I started to plan for tomorrow.