were now being given so much attention. There was a chance this had nothing to do with me but learning that would come too late. The accusations were already apparent.
Did I get two werecats killed by doing whatever I wanted?
The idea plagued me as I left my living room and went upstairs to my home office. I never worked in it, instead slowly letting it become a small library and relaxation room with a computer to play games and a few large bookshelves to read. There was a small desk, a recliner, and even a couch if I just wanted to have a nap. I never got to use it often enough. I had so much house, no one in it, and no time to enjoy it.
Could solve that by hiring people for the bar…
I shook my head. The last thing I needed was more people in my life bothering me, up in my space, trying to learn my secrets.
Half my problems were because I didn’t want to deal with more people than necessary, even at the expense of my own ability to have a life. I knew that. It didn’t mean I was going to change any time soon, but I knew it.
Except, normally, my lack of involvement only affected me. It didn’t seem like that was the case anymore.
“Fuck. Where do I even start with this?” I fell onto the recliner and curled my legs in. I contemplated calling Hasan but decided against it. If he honestly wanted to yell at me, he would have already. Unless he was waiting for me to go to him with my proverbial tail between my legs. He hadn’t been very angry with the wolves moving into my territory, so I was at a loss. With him, I didn’t know.
“I can’t deal with this,” I finally mumbled to myself, shaking my head. Why was it anyone’s business I let two wolves live in my territory? What was the problem with fighting to protect and save someone I was charged with? Why did this have to be a mess? “I shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
I had the strong urge to stomp my foot and say anyone could live in my territory if I wanted them to. That nothing else outside my territory was my business, and they could all shove it. They could deal with their own wolves and werecats, and that was that.
But if I got two werecats killed…
I sighed, rubbing my face. I played with my phone and finally decided to call Hasan. He picked up halfway through the first ring.
“Jacqueline. How are you this evening?” he asked gently.
“Jabari called me. I got my ass chewed by not only him but Lani as well. When were you going to tell me how much trouble I’ve given you?”
“I wasn’t going to. I knew what trouble I was asking for when I walked in front of the Tribunal that day.” He sounded bland like the conversation bored him. That wasn’t a good sign, actually. It meant something had annoyed him by whatever I said.
“Are you mad I let the werewolves live in my territory?” I asked softly. “I know that’s given you even more—”
“I despise werewolves, but you like Carey, who is very human. The wolves are just an extension of her, and it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. You have something to cling to in the real world while they have a built-in guardian. They aren’t giving you a hard time, correct?”
“No, and other wolves don’t come visit them. I just…heard things recently.”
“The two up in Washington. Yes…that’s concerning. It could very well be a reactionary attack from me stepping into the limelight and the small evolution of the Laws. I’ve already taken that well into account.”
“Will you keep me updated on what’s going on?”
“I can do that. Are you worried?” I could see him mentally perking up. I was so known for staying out of everything and not wanting to know. This was a big change.
“I am. I don’t…want to be the cause of werecats dying and another war starting.”
“I’ll do my best for that not to happen, daughter. So, how was talking to Jabari?”
I groaned and replayed the conversation for him. Jabari was Hasan’s biological son, and their relationship was close, very close. Hasan didn’t make the distinction between biological and Changed when it came to those he considered his family, but Jabari was considered his heir. There was no denying that bond.
“They did tell me about how they would