Page 35 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

I just wish my Mom was still around to see that Artemis eventually came back. Mom had always liked her. Had teased me endlessly about the blonde who had captured my heart even then.

Finally, the rest of the Pack arrives, and Nero starts the meeting by stepping into the center of the room. "Good evening, Pack. We gather tonight with grievous news." Despite his gruff demeanor, Nero is a soft-spoken wolf, and he compliments my father well in that regard.

A murmur goes through the crowd, a cold stillness settling over everyone.

"Mark Williams was found. Well, most of him was." Gasps ripple through the crowd, and the whispering begins. "Hunters, as you know, are in the area. It seems they are just looking for trophies. Only Mark's head was taken. The body was left to rot in the forest." Nero delivers the news succinctly, in as little detail as possible. I respect his ability to do it without sounding… detached or unaffected. I've watched my father and Nero run this Pack my entire life, and I think the most valuable lessons always came out of meetings like this.

Always tell the Pack the truth with kindness and respect; you'll have their loyalty.

Because you can hear the quiet rage in his voice. I can see it in how tension holds Nero's spine ramrod straight, his fists curled tight at his sides.

Then, everyone starts talking at once, concerned shouts echoing around the room.

"Are the kids safe?" Someone shouts from the back of the room while someone else yells, "Do we know why he was targeted?" and "Are you sure he wasn't caught by a farmer?" That question comes from a young voice.

Nero answers the questions as they come. "The kids are safe so long as they stay within the town limits. No deep forest excursions. We don't know why Mark was targeted, but I can guess. And no farmer around here would kill a Coyote of his size and only take the head."

"What do you mean you can guess?" The same person who asked if the kids were safe speaks up again.

This time, Magnus speaks. "As you probably know, Mark was unique among the coyotes here. His coat was much darker, almost entirely black. Twenty years ago, so-calledsportinghunters were in the area, and a member of the Pack was killed,alsowith a black coat. I can't help but find that a little too coincidental."

My father's conclusions don't surprise me. But I do wish he had the decency to tell Artemis or even me before everyone else so I could have warned her. The look on her face guts me. Artemis's beautiful brown eyes are wide with shock, and her hands strangle Saint's hand in a white-knuckle grip.

"Miss Hunt, did you shift on your journey to the Hollow?" Nero asks gently, and Artemis' brown eyes meet mine for one second.

Even across the room, I can see her throat muscles working when she gulps and then answers. "Yes. But I was careful."

"You can never be too careful," Nero replies simply.

"I was always on shifter land, after dark, and never in the same place twice." Artemis reasserts, crossing her arms protectively over her middle.

I hate myself for being the catalyst that made her leave the Hollow. She'd always talked about visiting the old forests of the world. She must have done that while she was away, but I stillhate how it all played out. And I hate how shepunishedherself all those years by staying away and never joining a pack. Even if I am grateful for it because she never would have come back if she had a home somewhere else.

"I still believe the timing is too convenient," Magus replies, rubbing his chin. "You shouldn't go out by yourself until they are gone, at least."

"She won't," I confirm for Artemis, giving her a tight nod. Saint meets my eyes over her head, dipping his chin in agreement.

"No one is to go out alone without telling a ranking Pack member. I will not risk another of you. Until we know how long these hunters will be in the area, I'm afraid I will have to cancel the Cold Moon run. I will not lead this Pack into the deep forest when it is as good as a death sentence. When I know more, I will call another meeting."

"Pack dismissed," Nero orders in a booming voice. Everyone gathered begins thinning, exiting the building at the same speed they'd all entered.

Slowly.

Saint

"So, how's living with Marcus?" I ask Sam, sitting next to Artemis at the bar end of the gathering room. She slipped into the room just as everyone else began filtering out. Until the new espresso machine gets delivered, there will be nothing but juice and sodas, but it is the best place to sit. You're high enough to see the whole room without standing the entire time.

"Marcus is actually really nice. He keeps his shit picked up despite it being his house." Sam remarks, folding her hands under her chin.

"Oh, a bonus." Artemis snorts, taking a sip of her lemonade. I can't help the small smile that pulls the corner of my mouth up.

"Yeah, but I guess some other people are moving into your guys' rooms soon, so we'll see how that goes," Sam responds, rolling her eyes as she nods toward Dante and me.

"Do you know who?" I ask, leaning my elbow on the bar, feeling Artemis' eyes on me like a brand.

"Nope, just that there are a few candidates interested."

"Wow." Artemis laughs before saying, "I didn't realize that the Old Grimes place is that much of a hot commodity."