Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,30

around all the time. It’s affecting my focus. I can’t sustain a healthy balance this way, so I have to alter something. I’ll be at the manor from dawn until dusk each day, and available at all hours of the day by phone. But for me, living away from the manor creates a clear line in my mind that will allow me to switch off in the evening. I’m not sleeping. What sleep I do get isn’t restful. My mind isn’t leaving work, so to speak.”

“That’s why you’re not sleeping?” Rhona asked.

She didn’t believe me. “I’d be lying if I said the events of the last two months aren’t affecting me too. I lost my mother—or the woman I assumed was her. Then the father I thought was my uncle. I’m processing their deaths and their lies, but I need space to do that.”

The others fell silent.

My move didn’t look good—Nathan was right, for once. But I couldn’t transform into a Luther in the damn manor.

If this compromise was made, then I could stay.

If it wasn’t, I’d leave tonight.

I held Rhona’s gaze, clinging to my invisible forest. Please understand.

“I don’t like it,” she said. “You’re too vulnerable out there.”

Fuck.

She straightened. “I’ll live out there with you.”

“We can’t put both of us at risk.”

“Just you, right?” she drawled.

Fury slammed into my chest. I stood and turned from the head team. Inhale. Exhale. When the ache receded from my throat and teeth, I answered, “That’s right, Rhona. If you needed this, then I would support you. I know your disagreement stems from your fear for my life, but I won’t live in fear.” Opening my eyes, I looked into the reflection of a picture to check them.

No black.

I faced them again. “I will live my life for this tribe, but it’s with this caveat. And it’s for the tribe. I know my own limits. I know how to manage them.”

Stanley rumbled, “I don’t see the issue of you moving out myself. Couldn’t stand people milling around at every hour of the day. If the stewards take issue, it’s because they’re too damn nosy.”

My lips twitched. “Thank you, Stanley.”

“I’m against it, but then, I don’t believe you were asking for our permission,” Valerie said, glancing at my sister.

Yeah, Valerie didn’t like me one bit. I addressed her. “The head team are representatives of the tribe. Concerns you have will be shared by other stewards. Of course, we must be united in how this is presented.”

Pascal leaned forward. “You know your limits. You’re a strong believer in maintaining your wellbeing for the betterment of the tribe. Even if that baffles some, they’ll respect it. Some will talk.” Her eyes slid to Nathan and Valerie. On purpose?

I couldn’t figure that woman out.

“I’m in agreement. If you need this to balance the stresses of head stewardship, then we’ll support you,” Roderick said.

The others murmured their assent.

Mostly.

“If you can’t handle the stresses of head stewardship, you should delegate more tasks to others,” Rhona exploded.

When I played this through in my head, Rhona didn’t kick up the most fuss. I should have known better, but my heightened temper really wanted to forget that she cared about me.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.” I tilted my head when she glared at me. “Will you join me on a walk outside? I’ve been cooped inside all day.”

My skin literally itched with the need to be outside—another Luther trait, I could assume.

Rhona stormed for the door, and I followed her out, halting in the doorway. “You’re dismissed. Please return to me for individual reports on strategy developments by the end of today.”

Timber was next, and I’d passed my ideas on to the teams.

We had to win this grid. I needed a damn good thing to happen.

Rhona was waiting for me in the herb garden. I should be happy she didn’t make me run to prove my love.

We fell into step.

“Why are you really doing it?” she burst out.

This required quick thinking and another fucking lie. It was true what they said—telling one lie led to another and another.

I slid a look at her. “You were right about Sascha Greyson.”

Her eyes widened. “That he’s obsessed with you? How do you know?”

“I watched him when we went to pack lands. There’s something to your theory. And I’ve thought of a way to use it to our advantage.”

Rhona stopped. “You want to lure him to the cabin.”

“Yes. Any unwilling touch between Luther and steward outside of Grids will result in