Heartsong (Green Creek 3)

“Sorry,” I muttered as I closed the door behind me. “Got tackled by a bunch of cubs.”

Ezra chuckled. “They do seem fond of you.”

I patted him on the shoulder as I stood next to his chair. “Thanks for waiting for me.”

He arched an eyebrow at me. “I told you to get up. It’s not my fault you’re lazy.”

“And it’s not my fault your idea of morning consists of getting up before the sun rises. There’s something seriously wrong with you.”

“Cute,” Ezra said. “Ageism at its finest.” He looked at Michelle. “You see what I have to put up with?” He smiled at her.

She didn’t smile back.

Ezra had been her witch for years. When she’d taken over as Alpha of all, he’d come along with her. He was the one who’d come to fetch me last year per her request and brought me back to Caswell. Their relationship confused me. All the witches to wolves I’d met before had an almost symbiotic relationship with their Alpha. Ezra and Michelle seemed to be on good terms, but they had a history I wasn’t privy to. I’d thought about asking after it, but I never did. Part of it was not wanting to ruin what I had by dredging up memories they obviously didn’t want to talk about.

“Come here,” Michelle said. She added, “Please,” almost as an afterthought.

I walked around the desk and stood next to an old bookcase filled with texts and tomes that held the history of the wolves. I didn’t want to seem too eager. We were still learning about each other, but we had time. When I first met her, I’d thought her cold and calculating. It took me a long time to see through it. It wasn’t a front exactly, but more the byproduct of being in her position. Once you got through the façade, she was a good Alpha.

And she trusted me.

Gave me a home.

I owed her.

She stood, and I tilted my head in deference, exposing my neck. Her eyes flashed red, and she trailed a finger along my throat. Her scent was spicy and sharp.

“Ezra tells me you were dreaming again,” she said quietly.

I glanced at him before looking back down at her. She was a short woman, slight and pale. But I wasn’t fooled, nor had I been when I’d first met her. She was stronger than any Alpha I’d ever come across. Part of it was being the Alpha of all. Part of it was from her lineage. If it came down to it, it wouldn’t be a fair fight. She could take me down with ease.

“It wasn’t….” I shook my head. “It wasn’t anything. Just a dream.”

“The same one, though.” She tapped her fingernails on the desk.

“I guess,” I said begrudgingly.

“And what do you make of it?”

“It’s nothing. Just… probably something from before.”

Her expression softened. “He can’t hurt you anymore. He’s been dead a long time, Robbie. The wolves that found you saw to that. Those hunters are gone.”

“I know,” I said honestly. “It’s why you shouldn’t worry about it. I’m fine.” I smiled to reassure her.

She looked dubious. “You’ll tell me if it happens again.”

“Of course.”

“Good. Thank you, Robbie. You’re a good wolf. You may have a seat.”

I felt warm at the praise from my Alpha. I went back around the desk, shooting a glare at Ezra for opening his mouth when he shouldn’t have. He’d hear from me later. I couldn’t have Michelle doubting me.

Ezra ignored me, as was his way.

I sat down next to him, slumping in my chair. Ezra kicked my foot, and I sighed as I straightened my back, hands folded in my lap.

Michelle sat back down across from us. She lifted her tablet from the desk and started typing on the screen. “I have an assignment for you. Out of town.” She glanced at me before looking back down at the tablet. “Out of state, actually.”