Chapter 41: Lines Are Drawn

Dex would have loved to spend his day thinking about the ceremony and the night after with Emma, but he had business to attend to and most likely a war on his doorstep. The intelligence reports he'd been given the day before were not surprising, but they were still troubling.

He looked up as Brutus entered his office. "Lugo is here to see you."

"From Maverick Woods Pack. Send him in and close the door behind you."

Lugo appeared and Brutus left. Dex rose and they shook hands. "What brings you here?"

"Not good news."

"Sit." When they were settled, Dex continued. "I have had a lot of bad news lately."

"I'm sorry to bring more."

"It's fine, Lugo. I appreciate the courtesy back when my Luna and I were in your territory."

"You didn't know you were intruding. I can understand that. We are a newly formed pack. We hadn't even been invited to the Council."

"I'm sure it was an oversight."

"Maybe, but I refuse to see it as a slight. I have more important things to worry about," Lugo said. "That b