Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,57

finished, 8:00 a.m. loomed. I took a minute to ensure I had a hold of my forest calm, then dragged my ass to the meeting.

This was it for sure.

“Sorry, I got caught up.” I entered the room.

The team didn’t turn as one to glare at me. There were no ropes or burning pyres. Hope twinged in my gut. Did Rhona really put her feelings towards me aside for the good of the tribe?

Or did she think things through and see my side?

That seemed impossible after our argument last night, but what other explanation was there?

I scanned the head team, finding her in my chair, legs kicked up on the desk.

Stanley frowned at her. “You’re in Andie’s chair.”

She shrugged.

I stared, and she stared right back. She hadn’t told the stewards… but sitting there was a pretty clear declaration of her view of me. To everyone.

Whatever. I could handle a few petty jabs—I deserved no less.

“It’s disrespectful is what it is,” Stanley boomed.

Rhona didn’t answer.

Put her in her place.

My wolf hadn’t spoken since the grid last night. Ignoring her was harder when she spoke, but I’d fucking manage.

“It’s okay, Stanley.” I smiled. “I don’t need a particular chair to get the job done.”

I took the seat next to Rhona and glanced into mostly shocked faces. Pascal’s was blank. Valerie appeared to love the show. Under my attention, she schooled her features.

I said to the table, “Personally, I’m here because I want to win another grid. If everyone is in agreement, I suggest we move on.”

Dissent between the Thana sisters was a huge deal. It would confuse the head team and that would trickle down to the stewards. Rhona held my future in her hands. At any moment, she could tell all. Did she want to make me sweat? Was that it?

Regardless, by challenging my authority, she wasn’t putting the tribe first as I’d expected.

“Personal problems have no space in this room,” Pascal said to Rhona. “We can’t expect to do our best for the tribe if we don’t put our differences aside.”

My sister leaned forward. “So we have Clay and Water to choose from.”

The command in her voice was clear.

My mouth dried as I realised what her angle was. She was trying to lead the meeting. Rhona wanted my spot. She might not have outed me for my part in Herc’s death and the mating call yet. She could have told the stewards everything and simply stepped into the top spot. Instead, Rhona planned to tear me down to become head steward.

Ouch.

“Clay is the obvious choice,” I took over. “Even with our new plans for Water, revealing operations there before the time is right would be a mistake. In contrast, Clay is a more even footing. Operations there aren’t as versatile, but they carry less cost to carry out. Plus, the tunnelling strategies we’ve considered will take time to put in place.”

“I disagree,” Rhona announced.

Roderick, who’d been about to speak, closed his mouth and gaped at her.

Yep, I was right. “Is there a reasoning behind your disagreement, Rhona?”

“The stewards are high on a win. That means something. We should use it to tackle Water again. See if we can chance a victory.”

“I hardly think that’s a solid plan. We can’t rely on luck to win,” Nathan said.

His words seemed to shock her.

She studied the other head team members, her mountain air scent pulsing. Weird. What did that mean?

“What are the other thoughts on Clay versus Water?” I asked.

Pascal replied, “Clay is the logical choice.”

“We’re not ready for Water,” Stanley grumbled.

Roderick quirked a smile. “Your stewards are eager to return to Clay after your debut there.”

They wouldn’t be so eager to take my side if they knew what Rhona knew. “Clay it is. Moving on, we have Timber back. This is the first time I’ve been here for a grid turnover. What happens with the businesses?”

Trixie leaned forward. “That’s my role. I put all Timber employees on standby before the game. They should be heading to their desks and jobs for a smooth takeover as we speak. Luthers are required to leave everything in acceptable order.”

“Good. Thank you. Out of interest, where do the Timber stewards work when we didn’t have that grid?”

“We absorb some of that number in Sandstone and Iron. The Timber crew rotate shifts in those grids and otherwise use their accumulated holiday leave. At that point, caring for them comes out of the tribe funds.”

“I see. If we were to win Water and Clay, would we have enough staff