Visitors In the Woods

Chapter 4

Visitors in the Woods

Devin knew something was wrong the moment he walked into the council room.

Not dangerous wrong.

Political wrong.

Which, in his experience, was usually worse.

Around the large oak table sat Alpha Rowan Hunter, Luna Eleanor Hunter, Gamma Marcus Carter, several pack elders, and Todd, who looked about as thrilled as Devin felt.

"Good," Rowan said when Devin entered. "You're late."

"I arrived exactly on time."

"Then you're late in spirit."

Todd snorted.

Devin took the empty chair beside him.

"What's happening?"

Rowan exchanged a glance with the elders.

"We've received confirmation from Blackthorn Pack."

That got Devin's attention.

Blackthorn Pack was one of Silverwood's largest neighboring packs. Their territory bordered the northern forests, and while relations were stable, the two packs were never particularly close.

"They're attending the Full Moon Festival?" Devin asked.

"Yes."

Gamma Marcus folded his arms.

"Not only attending. They're bringing nearly forty wolves."

A murmur spread among the elders.

Devin leaned back in his chair.

That was unusual.

Festival invitations were extended every year, but most neighboring packs only sent a handful of representatives.

Forty wolves felt like a statement.

Or an inspection.

Luna Eleanor spoke before anyone else could.

"They've suffered several harsh winters. Their Alpha may simply wish to strengthen alliances."

Marcus looked unconvinced.

"Or assess our weaknesses."

"Tactful as always," Eleanor replied dryly.

Todd coughed to hide a laugh.

Beside him, Devin smirked.

His mother was one of the few wolves willing to challenge Marcus openly.

Rowan drummed his fingers against the table.

"Regardless of their reasons, they are our guests."

The room fell silent.

That was the end of the debate.

When Rowan made a decision, everyone listened.

Even Marcus.

"Devin," Rowan continued.

"You'll oversee their welcome."

Devin frowned.

"Me?"

"You're the Alpha heir."

The title still made him uncomfortable.

"You need to learn diplomacy."

Todd immediately looked entertained.

"Oh, this is going to be fun."

"You'll help."

Todd's grin vanished.

"Damn."

---

The meeting finally ended near midday.

As Devin and Todd headed toward the training grounds, neither said much at first.

"Forty wolves," Todd muttered.

"Apparently."

"Think they're scouting us?"

Devin shrugged.

"Does it matter?"

Todd considered that.

"Not really."

They reached the field where younger warriors were running sparring drills.

Several greeted Devin as he passed.

A few nodded respectfully.

Others called out, "Morning, Alpha."

Devin acknowledged them with a wave.

Being Alpha Rowan's heir meant that most pack members already treated him as a leader.

Most days he didn't think much about it.

Today he was distracted.

His responsibilities kept growing.

Patrols.

Diplomacy.

Festival preparations.

Leadership.

It never stopped.

"You look thoughtful," Todd observed.

"You look nosy."

"Also true."

The sound of raised voices interrupted them.

Both men turned.

Near the edge of the field, three young wolves stood surrounding someone.

Devin recognized them immediately.

Young warriors barely older than eighteen.

Generally harmless.

Occasionally idiots.

Today appeared to be one of those days.

At their center stood Jade Sullivan.

Her arms were crossed.

Her posture rigid.

One of the wolves laughed.

The sound wasn't friendly.

Todd sighed.

"Oh, for the love of..."

Devin was already moving.

The group noticed him approaching and immediately straightened.

Interesting.

Apparently they weren't brave enough to continue with an audience.

"Problem?" Devin asked.

"No, Alpha."

The answer came too quickly.

Definitely a problem.

The wolf beside him nodded eagerly.

"We were just talking."

Jade's expression suggested otherwise.

Devin looked between them.

The tension was obvious.

Eventually he fixed the young warriors with a stare.

"Then the conversation is over."

The three wolves practically fled.

Silence followed.

Jade looked annoyed.

Not relieved.

Annoyed.

Which was unexpected.

"You didn't need to do that."

Devin blinked.

"What?"

"Interfere."

Most wolves would have thanked him.

Jade looked mildly irritated that he'd shown up at all.

"Looked like they were bothering you."

"I can handle myself."

For some reason, he believed her.

Jade wasn't particularly large.

But there was a stubbornness about her that reminded him of a wolf twice her size.

"I wasn't suggesting otherwise."

A brief flash of surprise crossed her face.

Then it disappeared.

"Well."

She adjusted the sack slung over her shoulder.

"Thanks, I guess."

Before Devin could reply, she walked away.

Leaving him standing there.

Todd appeared beside him moments later.

"What was that?"

"I have no idea."

Todd stared after Jade.

"You know, most people try not to argue with you."

"She wasn't arguing."

"She absolutely was."

Devin found himself smiling.

The strange thing was...

He didn't mind.

---

That evening, Rowan summoned Devin to the Alpha House balcony.

The sun was beginning to set.

Below them, the pack bustled with activity.

Lanterns were being hung between trees.

Decorations lined the paths.

Festival preparations filled every corner of Silverwood.

Rowan leaned against the railing.

For several moments neither spoke.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

It rarely was between them.

Finally, Rowan nodded toward the forest.

"What do you see?"

Devin followed his gaze.

"The pack."

"What else?"

"The festival preparations."

"What else?"

Devin sighed.

"You always do this."

A smile tugged at Rowan's lips.

"Humor me."

Devin looked again.

Long shadows stretched through the trees.

Wolves worked together below.

Children chased each other between cabins.

Smoke rose from chimneys.

A home.

A community.

A future.

"I see people relying on us."

Rowan's expression softened.

"Good."

The answer seemed to satisfy him.

After a moment, Rowan spoke again.

"Leadership isn't about power, Devin."

His voice was quieter now.

"It's about responsibility."

Devin listened carefully.

"When wolves look at you, they'll see authority."

Rowan folded his arms.

"But your duty is to see them."

The words settled heavily between them.

"You can't lead a pack if you only notice its strongest members."

For some reason, Devin thought of Jade.

Standing alone.

Refusing his help.

Walking away without fear.

The thought appeared unexpectedly.

Why had that stuck with him?

Rowan continued.

"Every wolf matters."

His gaze remained on the territory below.

"Even the ones everyone else overlooks."

For a moment, Devin wondered if his father was thinking about Jade too.

Then Rowan straightened.

"The Blackthorn delegation arrives in four days."

The moment ended.

"Four days?"

"Try not to start a war before then."

Devin groaned.

"No promises."

For the first time all evening, Rowan laughed.

Then his expression grew thoughtful.

"I knew Alpha Gideon years ago."

"Blackthorn's Alpha?"

Rowan nodded.

"He was a fair leader."

The pause that followed made Devin glance toward him.

"Was?"

"I haven't seen him in nearly two decades."

Rowan looked toward the darkening forest.

"A great deal can change in twenty years."

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the pines, Silverwood Pack glowed with hundreds of lanterns.

Workers hurried to finish preparations.

Children ran laughing through the paths.

The Full Moon Festival was almost here.

So were their guests.