Page 66 of The Wolf Queen’s Curse

“How much more?”

They negotiate a price. Hamish grumbles, but it’s his own fault, really. The controller’s presence signaled that Hamish was prepared for a financial angle to any negotiations. He ends up paying a tidy sum, and we get to take some small vindictive pleasure in that.

We return to our rooms to pack. I haven’t seen Kenric since yesterday. I’m concerned, but Bishop obviously is not, and so I let it go, though I do breathe a sigh of relief when Kenric joins us in the front hall.

“Where’s your bag?” Bishop asks.

“I’m not going with you,” Kenric says.

Bishop goes very still. “I beg your pardon?”

“I appreciate what you’re doing for the Pack, Bishop, but I can’t be part of this.”

“What the hell?” Rufus rumbles, lurching forward.

Bishop puts up a hand to stop Rufus and turns to Kenric. “Can’t be part of what?”

“I…” Kenric straightens. “I’ve decided to stay with my cousin. I’ve spoken to Hamish’s controller, and he’s said I’m welcome to join the Caledonians.”

“You little—” Rufus begins, but Julius pulls him back.

“I see,” Bishop says, his voice frosty. “I have always said that I will not keep any wolf who doesn’t wish to be part of my Pack. Good day then.”

With that, he turns and leads us out, and we all try very hard not to see the smirks of the two wolves who help with our bags.

TWENTY-THREE

We’re on the train to Glasgow, settled into our compartment, which is again first-class because we now have an extra few hundred pounds in our pocket. Oh, most of that money will go to the Pack, of course. Or, more accurately, it will go to Oliver and Felix and Ann, who are in charge of managing expenses, and they will use it to buy extras for the wolves in our absence, while the majority of it will go into savings because it is indeed a lot of money.

While second-class tickets would have sufficed for the shorter journey, first-class allows us to discuss everything in the privacy of our compartment before we reach our destination.

Bishop starts with explaining our theory on Hamish’s potential long-term plan.

“Fuck me,” Rufus says, thumping back in his seat. “I’d never have thought of that, but it does make sense. He has three sons, none his obvious successor.”

“And this is the perfect solution,” Julius says. “He won’t step down, of course. Not until he has to. He’ll simply unload more work on Edwin and reap the benefits as de facto ruler of three Packs. Silas wanted to build a legacy. Hamish wants a dynasty.”

“He always was the smartest Alpha,” Rufus says. “Nicely done, seeing through his scheme.”

“It was Cordelia’s idea,” Bishop says.

“And it might not be his actual plan,” I say.

“But if it isn’t now,” Bishop says, “it would be once I brought him Doyle’s head.”

“Which you don’t plan to do,” Rufus says.

“No, my hope is to forge an alliance with Doyle instead. While the Caledonian Pack is much bigger and a more formidable ally, the Cambrians are young, hungry, and significantly closer to London. I can use that.”

Julius nods slowly. “They want a home and recognition. We have the funds to help with a home, as a loan of course. And if we grant them legitimacy, Hamish can do nothing about it.”

“Particularly if the Hibernian Pack grants the Cambrians legitimacy as well. They might be too far away to join us in a fight, but an envoy could secure their agreement with recognizing the Cambrian Pack.”

Rufus slaps his thighs. “That’s where you boys shine—and you, too, lass. Thinking it through. All right then. We have a plan. Align with the Cambrians and tell Hamish where to stuff his haggis. That’ll serve Kenric right, the little shit, turning his back on us.”

Julius gives Bishop a sidelong glance. “He didn’t turn his back, did he.”

Bishop arches his brows. “Whatever makes you think that?”