Autumn Feast - Charlie Richards Page 0,55

of Martin’s men had moved the captured wolf inside to tend his wound. He’d been shot in the shoulder. The sight of him patched up and sleeping in their birthing stall made Donner want to growl—something deer never did. It was a complete invasion of their most personal spaces. Bastard wolves!

“Where’s Martin?” He checked his phone again. It’d been too long since he’d received the text stating Martin was on his way.

His men gave each other looks of frustration. “He’ll be here,” one said.

Donner grunted at them and walked outside to wait. Staring at the wolf would only get him more worked up. He pressed his shoulders against the side of the building and crossed his arms over his chest. There was no sign of Martin, but Rory stalking toward him across the backfield was a welcome sight. “Hey. How’re the kids?”

“Fine. Emma’s starting them on new lessons today. That’ll distract them.”

“Good.”

“If you say so.”

Donner had nothing else to say about it. The situation frustrated him beyond belief, but it was also scary. He grabbed Rory and pulled him into his arms as much to comfort Rory as himself.

Before long, a huge animal crawled from the woods—a wolverine with a band of light fur running across its body between the spot on its back, feet, and stomach which were black as night. His snout was the same black with a halo of the lighter fur around its ears. Unlike a natural wolverine, this one wore a satchel tied to its neck. When it got close enough, it shifted into the human form of Martin.

Rory groaned and hid his eyes, then darted into the barn.

“Donner.” Martin nodded in greeting. “I have news.”

“Here.” Rory came out with a towel and handed it to Martin.

“Thanks.” Martin wrapped the towel around his waist. Nakedness never bothered Donner. It was part of who they were as shifters, but the weather was turning colder. With the leaves falling from the trees, winter would be coming soon. Martin might have been a little chilly, but he suspected Rory had other motivations for wanting the older man to cover up. Once Martin fastened the towel securely, he continued. “As I was saying...we have news.”

“I hope it’s a sanction against the wolves.”

“Yes and no.”

Donner jerked forward. “What?” He wanted to strangle the no out of him.

Rory grabbed his arm, holding him back. “Let the man speak.”

Donner huffed, then held his hand out in acquiescence.

“Donner, we have to meet as a full council to make it official. You must be there, but we also do not want to pull you away from your home and family at a time like this.”

“I don’t want to delay things.”

“You won’t. If we can meet here, that is.”

Donner was about to agree quickly, but Martin looked too sheepish at the moment. “What aren’t you telling us?”

“The council, particularly the predators, don’t want to sanction all the wolves.” Martin actually cringed.

Rory huffed. “What’s the proposal?”

Martin looked around, then sighed. “They want to sanction Prichard and name a new wolf to the council.”

“That won’t dispel him as king.” Donner paced the floor. It wasn’t enough.

“No, but if someone else represents the wolves, maybe they can influence the others away from Prichard. Might even choose to challenge him.”

“If this new guy lost a challenge, we’d be right back where we began.” Donner’s patience was nearly at an end.

Martin touched his arm. “We have to take it one step at a time. If the councilman lost a challenge, it still wouldn’t bring Prichard back as representative. But we’re playing what-if games. The only thing we can do right now is bring them here and agree Prichard is out. It’s the first step. We take the rest as it comes.”

Donner wanted to argue, but Rory rubbed against his side. “Donner. Martin’s right. Let’s bring them here. Have the meeting. Then we’ll move forward. Maybe a new wolf will help change things.”

Donner gave a curt nod. They were right, but he didn’t want them to be. “Call them. Bring them here.” They needed to move forward quickly.

Martin fiddled with his satchel, pulling out his phone, then made a call. Donner turned away and walked back across the field. The kids were dying to get out and play as deer, but with this threat, they’d been kept inside. If his vulture associate could take Prichard out, though, maybe a new wolf might change things for the better. It would have to be someone brave. He considered the wolf who’d let them