Ford
orrugated metal facility owned by the Newman Pack, humming with the sound of machinery. The air
d like my
an operations manager for three years, pouring my blood and sweat into the pack's business. I had do
d, unexplained absence and demonstrated mental instability." It was Darius's work, a nea
when he saw me. He was a kind, older wolf with a limp from
hed with concern. "Are you... are you okay? W
e, just Ciara," I said, giving him a small,
n't know, Ciara. He's... he wasn't happy a
my tone leaving n
raight for the administrative offices. Gus
ked right up to the door of the plant sup
ff, impatient voice
door open a
d. He was sitting behind a cluttered desk, a half-eaten donut on a napkin beside
he demanded, his jowls quivering.
is desk, his fat fingers alre
is desk and sat down. I reached into my bag, pulled out the folded d
n for my wrongful termination, Mr. P
s he read the words "mentally sound." But he recovere
ermination came directly from the Alpha's office.
"Oh, I fully intend to speak with the Alpha. But I tho
sheet on his desk, its columns filled wi
wasn't Darius.
of a massive internal investigation by the Pack Elders. He was caught falsifyi
right now. I just needed
nt lately," I said, my tone conversational, as if discussing the weather. "Aud
he phone, tightened. His
what? The books for t
a formal wrongful termination grievance with the Council, the very first thing the Elders do-standard procedure-is
y placed stone, building
n his brow. He stared at me, his little eyes searching my fac
ders found out Walter was stealing pack funds, he wouldn't
n was a placid lake, hiding the
ched, thick and heavy. The only sound was the
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