We arrived at our destination sooner than I would have liked; never would have been preferable. I was surprised when the location for the meeting was a hotel. I looked at Cody with a question in my eyes.

He answered with a smile, “Wolves don’t like to meet in another wolf’s seat of power. The council would not want to meet on Austin’s home base or a council member’s territory because it would be too much under someone else’s control.”

Austin nodded. “It’s better for the pack as well. Having strange wolves on our land and trying to assert their authority over us while in our home can cause a lot of tension and aggression that is better avoided.”

I nodded. I would not really want the council in our house either. Well, technically, it was Austin’s house, I reminded myself. I was just a guest there, and I could only stay as long as he wanted me there. I tried to push that thought away because I needed to be strong and confident, not sad and depressed.

We were met at the entrance by several men who gave off a ‘bodyguard’ vibe. They ushered us into a comfortable meeting room with refreshments on a table in the back corner of the room.

I stared at the selection of fruit and pastries. My stomach was churning, and I felt nauseated, but I also did not want to show weakness in front of these guys. I’m certain that if they heard my stomach growling, it would ruin the strong and confident vibe I was going for.

Austin noticed me eying the snacks and gave me an encouraging nod. “Better get something to hold you over until we get back home.”

I sighed and walked over to pick up a pastry. I hoped I had enough time to digest it; having it come back up mid-interview would be even worse than my stomach growling. Austin and Cody had not sat down in any of the chairs and remained standing, but my shoes were uncomfortable to stand in, so I had a seat and nibbled on my pastry. The guys were both casually working on their phones. I hoped I was pulling off a similar casual look, but I doubted it.

I finished my pastry and started eyeing the drinks next. I already had way too much anxiety to be able to handle any coffee right now, but a bottle of water would be a good choice.

I could sip on the water if the interview got too intense, and I needed a second to gather my thoughts. I had just made it back to my chair with a bottle when the door opened and a man entered.

Right away, I could tell he was related to Austin. They looked so much alike, but upon closer inspection I realized that he did not look old enough to be Austin’s father. Maybe a brother?

Austin shook his hand and greeted him warmly. “Father, good to see you.”

So, this was Austin’s father? I was confused. This man only looked a few years older than Austin; he was certainly not in his forties or fifties.

“I wish it was under better circumstances. Cody, good to see you.” He shook Cody’s hand as well and then turned to me. “And this must be Anna.”

I stood and smoothed my skirt down before stepping over to them. I walked very carefully so I would not trip and fall; that was the last thing I needed right now. I tried to hold my chin up and shoulders back so I would not slouch and attempted to appear graceful.

Hopefully, I came off as being confident and not creepy. I beamed at him. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Zilker.”

“Likewise. I have to admit, I am very curious about you. You are the talk of the community right now. Austin had not mentioned how stunning you were, though.”

I turned bright red and looked down at the floor. “Thanks.” I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to react to comments like that; they just made me feel uncomfortable. It didn’t seem possible that he meant it genuinely, unless wolves had different beauty standards than humans did.

“And she’s modest.” He turned to Austin. “You really have found a unicorn.”

All of us were saved from replying as three more men entered the room. None of them was as friendly as Austin’s father, but they all greeted us politely.

I was introduced to Mr. Phillips, who was in control of the territory which bordered ours on the North Carolina border and extended to Georgia. He looked to be in his mid-thirties and very stern with dark hair and a beard.

Mr. Richardson had a huge chunk of territory that included a large part of the Midwest. He looked about forty, had a red face, and I got a whiff of alcohol on his breath when he insisted on pulling me close to air kiss both my cheeks.

Mr. Morgan had a territory that included California and Oregon. He was only here because he had been in negotiations with Mr. Zilker when the news of me had reached both of them. He was young and looked to be around his mid-twenties with highlighted blond hair and a surfer vibe. He made me feel uncomfortable when he looked me over, but Austin quickly directed his attention elsewhere by asking how the negotiations were going.

I was grateful to have both Cody and Austin by my side. We were still waiting for one more person to round out the council I was going to be questioned by today.

A man with dark hair and similar coloring to James entered the room. This had to be James’ cousin, Mr. Reed. I was really hoping he had a more pleasant disposition than James did, but my hopes were quickly dashed when he looked at me derisively and said. “Are we ready to get this over with?”

The council members all took seats on one side of a conference table. I guess that meant we were supposed to sit on the other side. I followed Austin and Cody to that side of the table, but Mr. Reed stopped them. “We just need Anna for this, thank you.”

I looked at Austin in a panic. Austin’s attention was on his father. “She would like the support of her pack during this event.”

“Sorry, Austin,” Mr. Zilker said. “We haven’t decided if she is going to be part of your pack. Right now, she is a lone wolf without representation.”

Austin and Cody frowned. This did not look like it was going well, and my interview had not even started yet. My heart started to beat faster with apprehension.

“She’ll be fine,” Mr. Morgan told them. “You can wait right outside, and we will return her to you in the same condition she is in now.”

Austin and Cody exchanged glances. It did not look like they had any choice but to leave me here by myself without disobeying the council. From what they told me earlier, that would be a huge faux pas and could negatively affect the council’s judgement.

Austin reached out and gave my hand a squeeze. Cody gave me a supportive smile, and then they both headed out the door and left me alone with the five big bad wolves sitting at the table in front of me.

“Please have a seat, Anna,” Mr. Zilker said.

I pulled out a chair and tried to sit gracefully while trying to hide my shaking hands.

“I believe all of us should have had enough time to look through the information that the Seaside pack submitted on Anna?” Mr. Morgan asked the rest of the council.

Everyone nodded except Mr. Reed. Of course, it had to be James’ cousin who was going to be giving me a hard time. “I had a few questions about the material that was submitted on Anna.”

Mr. Zilker waved at him to continue. It appeared that he was going to be playing mediator today.

Mr. Reed gave me a hard look. “How did you escape the notice of any packs while you were growing up?”

“I grew up in Western New York in a small town in the suburbs of Buffalo. It was my understanding that is an undesirable area for most wolves because of the large amounts of snow that cover the ground for months at a time.”

“But it wasn’t a problem for you?” asked Mr. Morgan curiously.

“Even if it was a problem for me, I would not have been able to leave,” I told him. “As a minor, it was the decision of my human family as to where we would live.”

Mr. Morgan nodded. “And they were completely unaware of what you were?”

“Yes,” I told him. “I was adopted, so I was afraid that if they found out what I was, they would have thrown me out of the house.”

“It never occurred to you to try to find your own kind?” Mr. Reed asked incredulously.

I looked at him, trying to hide my annoyance. “I tried finding my birth parents through the resources that I had available to me through the Internet, but I didn’t have knowledge of the wolf community as a child.”

Mr. Zilker and Mr. Morgan nodded in understanding. Mr. Reed wouldn’t let it go. “But didn’t you try to find anyone else who was like you?”

“I was too afraid of exposing what I was to humans,” I told him.

That seemed to satisfy him because he nodded. I sighed in relief.

“How did you learn to shift without any guidance?” Mr. Morgan asked gently.

“I accidentally changed once when I was around ten. I realized what had happened and practiced while I was alone so that I could control the change.”

Mr. Phillips raised an eyebrow. “That must have taken a lot of dedication and discipline. Would you consider yourself to be a disciplined person?”

I took a deep breath. “Yes, I would. I put myself through college and spent my nights and weekends working or studying when most of my classmates would be partying. I’ve always been hard working and dedicated to my goals.”

Mr. Phillips nodded in approval. I guess I had said something right.

“Where did you get the money to go to school?” asked Mr. Reed suspiciously.

I was irritated at what he was implying but tried to keep a pleasant demeanor. “I was ineligible for financial assistance because of how much income my adopted parents had. However, I was able to get work-study funds and student loans. I worked full-time in the summer, sometimes with more than one job if I was able to find enough work, and part-time in the school year. I also had several scholarships that were based solely on academic achievements when I could find one that didn’t have restrictions based on my adopted parents’ income.”

“Your adopted parents didn’t give you any assistance?” Mr. Reed asked.

I had to try hard to keep a pleasant expression on my face and sound sympathetic to them. “They had three children of their own to take care of.”

“Why would they adopt you, then, if they had children of their own?” Mr. Reed asked callously.

“The couple who originally adopted me passed away when I was a child. They had named my adopted aunt and uncle as my guardians in case of their death.”

“Hmmm,” was Mr. Reed’s only response. “I’m satisfied with the explanation of her childhood,” he announced.

“Anyone else need clarification?” Mr. Zilker asked.

All the council members shook their heads no. I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding; it seemed like we were moving in the right direction.

“Let’s move on to her current pack status,” Mr. Zilker suggested.

Several of them tried to speak at the same time. “Why don’t we start at the right and work our way to the left?” Mr. Zilker suggested. “We have a second round if anyone still has questions after their initial turn passes.”

Everyone seemed satisfied except Mr. Reed. He scowled but did not argue, surprisingly.

“Mr. Richardson, would you like to start?” Mr. Zilker prompted.

Mr. Richardson looked like he was falling asleep and was propping his head up on one hand. “Do you want to stay with the Seaside Pack?” he asked.

“Yes,” I answered simply.

“That’s all I need,” he stated. “I vote we end the meeting and leave her to her pack.”

I was shocked but hopeful. Could it be that easy? Mr. Reed raised a hand to speak. I held back an eye roll; of course not.

“I object,” Mr. Reed stated.

I just sighed. I would have been surprised if he had agreed.

“Mr. Phillips, do you have any questions?” Mr. Zilker prompted the next council member.

“Do you understand that Austin’s pack is not well established, Anna?” Mr. Phillips asked gruffly.

I nodded. “I understand that they are a new pack and that Austin is still working on making it better,” I replied.

“But do you understand the potential consequences?” Mr. Phillips asked shortly.

I swallowed. “I’m not sure of what consequences you mean, sir,” I stated politely.

“If another pack-master manages to take over the pack, or if the Seaside pack is absorbed into a larger pack, you can lose your status as the pack-master’s mate and any pups you may have had with him may no longer be permitted in the pack.”

My jaw dropped. I hadn’t realized that was a possible consequence, but I did not want to admit that in front of these men. “I have every confidence in Austin and the rest of the pack to keep me, and any children I might have, safe.”

Mr. Phillips nodded. “Don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

“Anything else, Mr. Phillips?” Mr. Zilker asked.

“No. I am going to support Anna’s decision to stay with the Seaside pack, but I would like to have my reservations documented. I would also like the council to put a plan in place to protect Anna’s interests if the pack falls.”

“That’s highly unusual.” Mr. Reed frowned. “Why would we care to do that?”

“I believe we should protect our future generations, and Anna is one of the few purebred wolves left who are even capable of providing us with a future.”

“We should not allow her to breed with wolves who are not deserving of her,” Mr. Reed stated angrily. “I don’t see how putting a plan in place for the eventual collapse of her pack is more efficient than simply putting her with an appropriate pack to begin with.”

“I’m going to note your reservations, Mr. Phillips. I suggest working out a contingency plan for Anna at a later date, when we decide where we wish to place her. Do you find that acceptable?”

“I do,” Mr. Phillips replied and sat back in his chair, apparently satisfied with that resolution.

I was still nervous but hopeful. So far, I had two votes for me to stay with the Seaside pack. I was fairly confident that Mr. Zilker would also agree to let me stay. That meant I would have three votes to overrule Mr. Reed.

“That makes it my turn, Anna.” Mr. Zilker smiled at me.

I smiled back at him. I didn’t know what to say, so I just stayed quiet and waited for his questions to start.

“What is your plan if we let you stay with the Seaside pack?” Mr. Zilker asked.

I had been dreading this question, but I remembered Austin’s words. If Mr. Zilker thought that I was going to mate with Austin, he would probably approve me staying with the pack.

“Austin and I have talked about mating,” I told him honestly. Technically, we had talked about it on the way here. I had to be careful with what I said, though.

“I was hesitant to make definite plans with him, though, because I was afraid of how this meeting would go,” I told him sadly. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up and plan for my future if I wasn’t going to be able to make it happen. It makes me nervous that my whole future is up in the air.”

Mr. Zilker nodded in understanding. “But if we gave you a choice?”

“I would definitely stay with Austin and the Seaside pack,” I told him confidently.

“Very well. Mr. Reed, I withhold my statement of my intent until after you are finished with your questions.”

Mr. Reed snorted. “I think we all know how you are leaning, but I will continue with the meeting regardless,” he said arrogantly.

“Anna, have you ever met with a pack other than the Seaside Pack?”

I frowned. “No -”

“Had you ever met any other wolves before the Seaside Pack?”

“Well, no -”

“We are the first wolves you have met outside the Seaside Pack?”

“Yes -”

“So, how do you know that the Seaside pack is your best option?”

I saw the point he was trying to make, and I thought about how to counter it. “I have found that I can rely on my instincts. When I was welcomed into the Seaside pack, I felt as though I was coming home.”

“But that was the first time you met any wolves at all. How do you know that wasn’t just a reaction to meeting your own kind? After all, you have only interacted with humans before.”

My jaw dropped, and I hesitated, trying to think of a response. I glanced down the table, and to my horror I found the other council members thoughtfully considering what Mr. Reed was saying.

“I trust my instincts,” I replied lamely. I had a feeling that answer was not going to be sufficient, and Mr. Reed’s smug face confirmed that feeling.

Mr. Zilker looked like he was deep in contemplation. “Mr. Reed has a point.”

“I agree,” Mr. Phillips stated. “I think it would be a reasonable request to ask that Anna meet other wolves outside of the Seaside Pack before she makes a final decision.”

“Anna, are you agreeable?” Mr. Zilker asked.

“I would really prefer not to,” I replied.

Mr. Reed chuckled. “I’m sure the Seaside Pack has you quite convinced that they are your only option, but you need to realize that we are doing this for your own good.”

I couldn’t help it. I glared at him for a moment before I remembered that I needed to keep a pleasant look on my face.

Mr. Phillips chuckled. “I would like to change my vote to require that Anna meets with a minimum of three other packs that meet this council’s requirements before we have a follow-up meeting with Anna to determine our next steps.”

“Does anyone disagree?” Mr. Zilker asked.

All the council members shook their heads. Mr. Reed looked at me smugly, and I really wanted to wipe that smug look off his face, preferably with my claws.

I was dismissed and asked to send Cody and Austin in. I didn’t have time to do anything other than give them a sad look as they passed by me into the conference room. I was left outside with the bodyguards.

Time passed, and I agonized over every answer I gave to the council and what I should have said. The worst was my final answer, “I trust my instincts,” which had sealed my fate. I thought of everything else I could have said instead, everything I should have said.

Aaaahhhhhh! Why did my brain have to freeze up during the most pivotal moments of my life? I thought about everything that I had to lose. I had finally found somewhere I could belong, and now I was at risk of losing it all. I spent the next hour just replaying everything that had happened in the room.