“But it did,” Zander said, giving me a pointed look.
“Yes. Listen, I can prove this isn’t Ash or anyone else’s fault if I can just go into the city.”
&nb
sp; “Jo,” Ash scolded.
“The longer we wait on this, the more suspicion will rise.”
“She’s right,” Zander agreed, “and as much as I hate the idea of a new wolf going into such a populated area, it would appear this is your only choice.”
Ash released a sigh of defeat. “Could her scars be the proof that you need?”
As much as I hated the idea of showing them off, they were the one thing my wolf could never seem to heal. They were a constant mark, one of which Fallen told me was a sign of strength and the journey taken just to get here.
Unfortunately, whenever I looked at them, all I could do was cringe.
“Jo, you don’t have—”
“If it can keep me from going into the city, I will.”
Zander looked to the other wolves that had slowly made their way from under the trees, including Coren.
“Those scars could’ve been from a completely unrelated event,” Coren snarled. “She could’ve had it before she was turned.”
Zander looked at me with a sigh. “As much as I’d hate to admit it, Coren’s right. The scars will only prove that you had the transplant, not where the heart was from.”
“And medical records can be altered,” Coren cut in. “They can be changed and rewritten.”
“Enough.” Zander glared in his direction. “Remember, you’re only here as a guest.”
Defeated, Coren slowly fell back into rank, his eyes never leaving me.
It seemed as though no matter what we did, there’d always be an argument against it. Knowing that, I said the only thing that came to mind.
“There are two mysteries here,” I said to Zander as well as the other wolves now standing behind him. “One regarding my first shift and the other regarding the death of a previous wolf.”
“Jo, please,” Ash begged.
“I’m sorry, Alpha.” Stepping forward, I walked with Zander toward the other wolves. “Months ago, Dani passed away. Her body was brought to my hospital where I was having my own surgery. I have no idea how or why I ended up with her heart, but I survived. Ash was never informed of Dani’s passing until it was too late.” Ash might not have said as much, but the fact I ended up with Dani’s heart without her knowing until much later was explanation enough.
“No one called her next-of-kin,” I went on when they didn’t say anything. “They just acted. I can’t explain why it happened, and I can’t say what killed Dani in the first place.
However, if I go to the hospital and look into our medical records, I might find an answer for both. Please, before you
judge this pack, let me do this. If you still aren’t convinced or if I fail, you can do whatever you want with me.”
“You are a very brave and wise wolf,” Zander said gently.
“You could’ve made a wonderful Alpha if you’d been born among the pack.”
I smiled my thanks, then looked back at Ash. “Our pack could never follow a better wolf.”
Zander nodded in agreement. “You never meant to come across as a threat. However, accusations like this must be taken seriously and with haste.”
“I understand. So, will you let me do this?” I asked, looking from him to Ash. “Will you join me in the city?”
“We both will,” Zander said, his eyes on Ash once she joined me again. “The other packs won’t believe the truth if it comes from your pack, but if it comes from me, they’ll have no choice.”