God. I was such a crank when I was tired. I was glad I hadn’t snapped at her about the Ciara stuff. I needed a friend. I’d clear Ciara’s name eventually, but not today. “Totally. It’s been a little crazy.”

She nodded. “Don’t worry. It’ll get easier.”

“I hope so.” It honestly couldn’t get much worse.

“This pack can be right assholes, but your run-in with Vivian…” She started laughing. “That was the best thing I’ve seen in years. Good on you for taking her down a notch.”

She hated Vivian. I hated Vivian. It was a match made in heaven. And now I could possibly get some actual information about rumblings in the pack. “Does everyone realize she’s a mad wolf?”

“No. That’s the sad bit. Not everyone knows. Wait here. I’ll grab you a plate and then I can fill you in on some of the pack drama.” She disappeared back into the kitchens, and I relaxed into the chair.

Getting some intel on pack drama was going to be key. And I’d actually made a friend. A little food and a nap and I’d be set.

For the first time, I felt like joining this pack wasn’t going to be all bad.

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

At a pack run, most Weres shifted together, but I didn’t want to get naked in front of anyone I didn’t know. Instead, I opted to shift in Donovan’s rooms and head down to the lawn as a wolf.

Sure, maybe they’d think that was lame, but I didn’t care. They were already judging me enough without seeing me in my birthday suit.

I moved through the hallways beside Donovan. He was in a robe, bare feet not making a whisper of noise against the stone. Years of hunting and fighting had honed his skill. I’d always tried, but even my brothers were quieter than me.

When we reached the castle’s main exit, Donovan laid a hand on my back. Stay by me. If you want to turn back at any time, just let me know and I’ll join you.

I huffed a wolfy agreement.

We stepped outside and stopped at the top of the stairs leading down to the massive driveway. Two pyres holding cloth-wrapped bodies were placed in the middle of the gravel entranceway. There hadn’t been much left of John or Thomas, so I assumed they’d made it seem like there was a body under the wrapping. I wasn’t sure whose job it was to make the pyres, but whoever it was had done a good job considering the time constraints.