Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,7
They respected her ability in Grids. They knew her.
I wanted that so much.
Ignoring their adoration, I moved to the front and stood at ease beside Pascal. She slid me a look, but I didn’t allow my mask to waver.
“Is she coming?” the grey-haired marshal asked.
I cracked my neck. “She wouldn’t miss it.”
Shame swirled in my gut for an instant before I banished it. Seriously, how much shit could someone take?
Just this once I wanted someone else to do the hard stuff.
There had to be some perks to having an almost twin.
The crowd quietened, and I watched Rhona walk out of the manor. She smiled at those gathered, stopping to talk with a few on the way. Shaking hands and touching shoulders, she moved through the crowds.
I mean, yes, I probably would do that…
But creepy.
What if we’d actually grown up together?
Oh, and I had to play my part. “Three cheers for our new head steward! Hip-hip!”
The first hooray was carried by those closest to me, but the second was triple the volume, and the third was a boom that rivalled the starting cannon in Grids.
Rhona reached me and we hugged.
“Did you just give yourself three cheers?” she whispered.
“Couldn’t pass up the opportunity.” I held her tight. What would I do without her? “Thank you.”
“Always, remember?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “Always.”
Without a care in the world, my sister continued to the stage and microphone, and no one batted an eyelash.
She tapped the mic. “Stewards of the Ni Tiaki. Welcome to our tribal lands. Welcome. In the last two weeks, we have faced the loss of a much-loved leader. We lost a man who dedicated his life to this cause. Before we go further tonight, I’d like to lead a minute’s silence for Hercules Thana. Please, link hands and join me.”
Rhona deserved to say these words, not me.
I held Pascal’s hand and turned to find Wade on the other side.
The minute was a slight breeze and a rustle of trees set against the last notes of bird song. Exactly what Herc deserved.
But Sascha’s voice edged into my mind. He was dangerous for you.
Lie.
Herc wouldn’t have killed me. He wasn’t a killer.
“He’s with us in the air and in the trees.” Rhona’s voice broke. She cleared her throat. “He remains with us in the company of our ancestors for all time. To my father, Hercules Thana.”
I murmured his name with the other stewards, wondering if the horrible shame filling me would ever ebb.
Wade ran his thumb over the pads of my palm, and I yanked free, shooting him a glare.
“To this week’s game.” Rhona’s voice boomed across the manicured lawn.
Was this how she saw me? How everyone saw me? If not, they wouldn’t just stand there, hanging on her every word, right?
Seeing myself through another person was weird. Humbling. And I felt stupid for freaking out. My tribe didn’t want to see me fail.
How easily I’d forgotten that we were all linked.
The stewards were my community.
My people.
“The Luthers expected us to choose Timber,” Rhona said. “As you know, I chose Water. There’s a wealth of knowledge within the head and strategy teams that I must adjunct with my own learning to truly serve you as a leader. That learning starts with Water. I can’t deny that there has been massive change in our tribe. The wolves are circling, wondering if my father’s death has weakened us. This week, I have an unusual request. This week, we won’t focus on winning the grid.”
Murmurs broke out.
Her voice swelled. “Instead, we will show the Luthers that we are one. That we are not shaken. That their vile actions in Sandstone have only brought us closer. Made us more determined. This week, we win by showing the Luthers we are united and strong.”
She beamed at the cheering audience, and I watched on, heart stuck in my throat.
Valerie and Nathan took her place on the stage to run through the final strategies, and I released a breath, forcing myself to remain relaxed under Wade’s rapt attention.
Bastard suspected a switch.
Behind Rhona, I strode back to the manor.
Closing the door, I turned to find her already stripping off. I tore off the red hat.
I nodded. Oddly, now she’d been me, my fear had dissipated. I was more than capable of addressing the stewards. “I just had a moment. It won’t happen again.”
Pulling up my jumpsuit, I waited for her to shove the cap