Hunted (Pack of Dawn and Destiny, #1)(91)

“Revered?” I couldn’t help the snort that escaped me. “Now I know this is a mistake. I’m not revered. I’m squeezed tightly for Pomeranian Puppy Power-ups, and chased through the forest in the middle of the night for fun.”

“Our version of revered isn’t quite the human definition,” Ember said.

“Quite right,” Hector agreed. “To us wolves, the Pack’s respect for you is obvious. You’re the only one—besides Alpha Greyson—who is able to settle a Pack dispute. The others listen to what you say and go with it.”

“Because I’m a hunter and exist outside the Pack,” I argued.

“No. Because you are a Wolf’s Kiss.” Hector steadily met my gaze. “That’s why Remy and Forrest backed down after you broke Amos Fletching’s nose. Because to them, you’re an existence that’s next to an Alpha. They’ll stand back when you take action and accept what you decide—just as the humans do.”

“The humans don’t even like me!”

“And yet they listen to what you say.” Ember’s voice was soft, but lined with power. “Teresa told us everything, Pip. Jack, Young Jack, and Amelia all looked to you when the Fletchings attacked.”

“Because I was the only one with combat experience,” I said.

“Because although they aren’t wolves, they can recognize the power you hold,” Hector gently said. “That’s why they are so conflicted over your presence. You command respect, when most of them are just simply adored.”

I pushed off my porch railing, not quite sure what to think.

It’s not that I hate the idea of being…whatever this is. It’s just…this will complicate life so much. And I can’t help but think they’re looking to me when I’m not the right answer, and they’re going to be disappointed.

Pre-Dominant Harka watched me for a few moments. “A Wolf’s Kiss exists in an odd space—not Pack, but so important and crucial to the wolves, it’s said that the hunter is physically incapable of leaving the Pack once the bond is cemented.”

I jerked my head up, my heartbeat increasing.

That’s happened to me. College was when I first experienced it. But…how?

“It’s also why we’ve been so careful to guard the existence of your magic,” she continued. “Because if other Packs knew of your existence, it could spark a war. Regions would fight to possess someone capable of increasing their Pack size.”

Pre-Dominant Harka glanced at Rafe. “Which is why we will continue to keep your abilities a secret outside the Northern Lakes Pack—though the rest of the Pack will be informed—for now.”

Rafe ducked his head in a sign of submission.

“How can you know I have this magic?” I asked. “Is there some kind of test?”

Greyson stiffened—the first movement he’d made since I settled down into place. (I wasn’t sure if this meant he didn’t like the fact that I could be a Wolf’s Kiss, or something else.)

Pre-Dominant Harka nodded. “A fair question. In reality, we’ve known since approximately your last year in high school and first year in college.”

I scratched my cheek as I tried to remember those years. Nothing special stood out. “Really? How?”

“Pre-Dominant Harka,” Greyson said. “There has to be another example.”

She waved her hand at him. “It’s the best one.”

“It’s not,” Greyson said, his voice taking on the sharpness he didn’t ever use in front of the Pack.

“We know, Phillipa, that you are a Wolf’s Kiss,” Pre-Dominant Harka continued, “because of your effect on the Pack. That was why Hudson had to re—”

“Enough!” Greyson snapped. “She doesn’t have to know this part!”

His power so thickly flooded the air, it was like breathing electricity.

Pre-Dominant Harka snapped her jaw shut, falling silent, while Ember and Hector stared at Greyson with wide eyes.

Wow. I also gaped at Greyson, shocked. Double wow. He just told off the Pre-Dominant, and she listened? That means he’s got to be stronger than her already? How is that possible?

I gawked at Harka, but she still was silent, pressed deep into her seat by Greyson’s oppressive presence.

This is real. He’s really keeping her silent. He’s more powerful than I ever thought—how can he do this? Wait…

Harka’s words finally caught up with me.

That was why Hudson had to re…? Why he had to what?

“Retire?” It wasn’t until I said the word out loud that the full force hit me. “Wait…Hudson retired…because of me?”

I turned my whole body in Pre-Dominant Harka’s direction, but she was silent.

“I have to be wrong,” I said. “There’s no way. Hudson left because Greyson needed a high position so he could be promoted to leadership within the community earlier. Everyone was talking about it.”

Greyson started pacing, and the death grip he had on the other wolves must have lessened a little.

Rafe was still choking, and Hector and Ember were a mixture of shock and awe—over Greyson, not me.

Pre-Dominant Harka actually had to move her lips twice before she could speak despite Greyson’s powers. “You were eighteen,” she said. “And your hold on the Pack was rivaling Hudson’s. Another few years…and the Pack would be entirely under your influence, and you wouldn’t know what to do with them, nor would they operate as well without proper wolf leadership.”