Wolf Ways (The Madison Wolves Book 9) Read Free

single invitation that comes your way.”
    “What?”
    I looked up at her, and the corners of her mouth were curled upwards slightly.
    “You thought the worst, didn’t you? You thought I’d kill you just for not talking to me.”
    “You’re the one who threatened, Alpha.”
    “Yes, and I believe my threat is sufficiently amusing but intimidating enough you’re going to engage in this conversation, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, Alpha.”
    “Good. Now, why don’t you accept any of the other invitations?”
    “You know why.”
    “Tell me anyway.”
    “Because I’m afraid. Because I don’t know what to believe. Because I don’t believe a single one of you really wants to be my friend. I don’t know why any of you want me around, but I presume it’s to keep an eye on me. Or something along those lines.”
    “All right,” she said. “I believe that all stems from distrust in our motives, and that’s probably our fault for initially misleading you.”
    I nodded. “I’m sorry,” I said.
    “I don’t blame you,” she said. “Zoe, are you willing to admit the situation was strained for all of us?”
    “Of course.”
    “Has anyone said or done a thing since to suggest there is any continued subterfuge?”
    “No.” But I looked around. “But I wish Lara would have admitted the truth about this apartment.”
    “What truth?”
    “Oh please. We both know it’s bugged to the rafters.”
    “Have you found bugs?”
    “No, but they could be embedded in the walls or the lamps or something. I presume my phone and computer are both still bugged as well.”
    “Has Gia stopped by and run a scan?”
    “She did once. I held a GreEN meeting here. She was by the next day.”
    “Did she find anything?”
    “She said she didn’t, but I wouldn’t expect her to tell me about her own bugs.”
    “Well, you’re wrong. The pack has not bugged you. There is a location trace on your phone and laptop, but nothing to tell how you’re using them. And for the record, there are the same traces on my computer and phone to go along with whatever the hell it is Elisabeth keeps sewing into my clothing.”
    I wasn’t sure I believed her. In fact, I was sure I didn’t.
    “Zoe, I know all this is intimidating. But you’re safe .” She really stressed the last word. “Now, speaking as your alpha, I expect you at every pack play night and every Wednesday dinner unless you’re specifically told not to come.”
    I looked down yet again. “Yes, Alpha.”
    “I want you to think about what I said. And I want you to try to give us an honest second chance, Zoe.”
    I nodded slowly.
    “Now, speaking as your friend, I want you to please accept the other offers you receive. That is not a command.”
    I looked up but didn’t respond.
    “Speaking both as your friend and your alpha, I want you to fit in. You aren’t going to fit in if you don’t start trying.”
    I nodded again.
    “This is important, Zoe.”
    “I understand, Michaela.” It was, by and large, a lie. I didn’t understand why she professed to care, but I presumed it was all part of keeping an eye on me.
    “Good. Now, as for matchmaking… Do you find Elisabeth attractive or not?”
    “She’s stunning!”
    “That she is,” Michaela agreed. “All the wolves are, but she and Lara are the best. I could watch them for hours. Sometimes, when we’re running…” she trailed off. “I’m not going to tell you whom to date. Should I tell Elisabeth to stop asking?”
    Yet again I looked away, considering my words carefully. “I don’t know what to do,” I admitted finally. “I was falling for her, Michaela. But it was all a lie.”
    “You were lying to her?”
    “She was lying to me.”
    “Actually, she wasn’t.”
    I looked back. “Of course she was.”
    “Not about how she felt about you.”
    “Michaela, the only reason she asked me out was so you could spy on me.”
    “The first date, that’s true, and it continued to be true to a lesser extent. But