"What do you want to say?" Myrtle sits on the couch across from me and takes a good minute to stare at her nails. For an old lady, she's conscious of her looks, and it's one of the things I like about her. A dangerous woman takes care that she looks dangerous, which is why when she looks up at me, I wait for her to assess her current situation before speaking. "I'm going to say something that will anger you, Alpha Roman. Can I go on?" She's a wise old lady, but also my mother's best friend. "I wouldn't hurt a member of my pack, more so a member of my council. You can speak freely." "You're being fooled." The words stop me from taking my next breath and I cock an eyebrow up all at once. "What?" "You're being deceived, Alpha Roman. We all are. Something bigger is going on in the background and there's nothing you or I can do about it for now." Myrtle looks away and I see the way she clenches her jaw. Myrtle is an old lady, a wise lady. Werewolves don't age as much as humans

I square my shoulders and take a deep breath before settling into my seat."The power plant will help both our communities flourish, Mr. Bruce. There's no reason not to invest and this way, I can ensure the safety of any other enterprise you might decide to establish near us later. The Ironclaw pack has always been professional in its dealing with others, we are loyal and we won't go back on our word."The human male in front of me nods and gives one of his good-natured smiles."I don't doubt it, Alpha Roman. I'm only hesitant because another one of my associates has reached out to me on this project. A power plant will provide a basic day-to-day commodity for the inhabitants of the town and secure standing for us there, I'm all in for that. I just don't believe these associates of mine would be too happy with me pulling back all of a sudden."The other members of the board of investors all murmur, trading opinions back and forth with each other.Guion is present, one of my council me

Scarlett's pov “About the Alpha Conference….”I look at the mirror and let Roman carry on with the task of brushing my hair. The dye is sitting on the table waiting to be applied and I know it’s something he might also offer to help me do.I let my eyes wander and soon they’re traveling up on the length of the mirror.He’s quiet. His brushes are soft, and for such a huge man he’s gentle. My hair is tangly, but he takes his time working the brush through it.He’s lost in thought, which must mean this is something hard for him to do.I let my eyes roam the perfect planes of his face. Alpha Roman of the Ironclaw pack is tall. His arms are well-built and his shoulders are broad. His black button-down stretches across the plain of his chest, and lord have mercy.“Scarlett?”Oh my god.“Yes, Alpha Roman?”“I asked if you’re sure you want to go on with this?”My shame at the possibility of having been caught dissipates and I look directly at him through the mirror.“What wouldn’t I?”Roman

I wait until it’s midnight before heading into the woods. My door is firmly locked when I leave the room and I let Fenrir confirm the presence of every wolf in the packhouse. All the wolves in my pack are linked to me in one way or the other. The proximity between us makes it easier to sense them, and since I am the Alpha, accounting for their presence is also my job. The small ripple of power flows out from me and in one brief moment, I see the bonds that link us all together. They stretch out from my heart like strange tentacles, little threads packed at one compact point in my chest and going out into the distance. Each thread has an iron like sheen to it. That is what makes me the Alpha of the Ironclaw pack and them wolves of the Ironclaw pack. This connection that we have, the way I am linked to them, and they are linked to me. Each wolf is accounted for before I slip out through a window in the art room. Scarlett’s scent invades my nostrils and the fact that she’s in here

“What do you think I did?”Scarlett is a ball of fury right now and I'm trying to keep my temper in check too but it’s hard. Why does she always assume the worst of me? How does she assume on a whim that I did something? I look down at the woman who has me backed up against a wall. I let her pull me. I let her put me in this position. I reckoned that there would be no way she would do anything to hurt me but now I'm not so sure. My eyes dart to the tattoo now on the nape of her neck and the anger that flares through me is unnatural. I push her off me and she yelps as she stumbles backward, but before she can regain her footing and scream a thousand and one questions at me, I slip my hand around her waist and steady her. She is still in my arms and we stay like that for a while. Her taking deep breaths and me looking at the crescent moon with roses growing out of it. “I’m sorry for screaming at you Alpha Roman.” The words come out as barely a whisper but I nod all the same bec