Chapter 1 - Lola #2
She didn’t want to join the pack, and she knew that would be written all over her face.
The woman closed the ledger with a definitive thump, a sympathetic yet satisfied smile curling over her face. “I’m very sorry, dear. If you don’t intend to join the Iron Walkers, then I’m afraid we’re done here.”
“But, but—” Lola stammered, tears pricking her eyes. She had waited months for an opportunity like this. Her research had ground to a halt; she’d run out of sources. Shifters were so notoriously secretive, she needed this.
“It’s as you said, dearie,” the woman said, “certain documents that you would be working with are highly sensitive in nature and require a good deal of collaboration with higher members of the pack. For that level of access, I couldn’t ask Felix to trust an outsider.”
“I’ll join the pack!” Lola said suddenly, her voice cracking. “I’ll do anything. I need this research. Please.”
Sighing, the woman sat down, massaging her temples. “Well, you’re persistent, I’ll give you that. And Professor Conrad did write you a glowing letter of recommendation…”
She tapped her chin a few times, looking Lola up and down. Lola stood in agonizing silence, her hands clasped together, desperately hoping, praying…
“Alright,” the woman said at last, “I’ll make you a deal.
It’s clear that you’d prefer not to join the pack, but I simply cannot allow you access to the more sensitive material unless you are a member.
So you will work for me for the next three months without joining the pack, during which time you will take every opportunity to embrace the Iron Walkers.
You will go to pack events, you will contribute to fundraisers, you will spend time with our people. ”
Lola’s throat went dry. “You mean like…like socializing with them?”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “Yes, of course, what else would you be doing?”
Lola swallowed, and she laughed nervously, “See, here’s the thing…I’m kind of…not the best with people. I prefer my own company most of the time. In social situations, I kind of…say the wrong thing.”
With a barely concealed smirk, the woman crossed her legs.
“I can see that. Nevertheless, you will prove to me that you are willing to involve yourself in the current pack culture, not just its history. You will give back to our community as well as take the knowledge you need from it. If, after three months, you accept the pack and we accept you, you may join, and I will give you access to the more sensitive materials you require. If not, you will go back to Yale without a fuss. Is that a deal?”
Lola cringed. Her thesis, her PhD, her whole academic career were now reliant on her ability to make friends.
She was doomed.
Still. She was never one to shy away from a challenge, and she would hardly go running away with her tail tucked between her legs now.
Whatever it takes.
She could do this. She would do this. The Iron Walkers were unlikely to be anything like her pack growing up. Or her fellow students at Yale. Or most of the faculty. She had to be optimistic.
“Deal,” she said, setting her chin and jutting her hand out. After a beat, the woman reached across to take it, an amused glint in her eyes as she shook it up and down.
“My name is Ethel, by the by. Ethel Peabody. I sit on the Elder Council of the Iron Walkers. We give advice when the young cocksure alphas in charge start thinking with their brains instead of their balls and actually come to request our input.”
“That sounds…important,” Lola said, wiping her palms on the plaid of her skirt.
Ethel huffed out a laugh. “Some of my peers would certainly think so. Now come on, let’s go to the Pine Shadow Club so that you can meet Felix and swear allegiance as a non-pack shifter living in Silvermist.”
Lola’s eyes widened. “What…now? I thought that maybe I should find my apartment first, unpack, maybe get to know the town a little—”
“No, we’re going now,” Ethel said, pulling on a smartly tailored cream coat. “Chop cop, get yourself together.”
“But…but I have no idea what I need to do! Can’t I at least have a moment to research how to pledge allegiance—”
“Dear Lord, girl, it’s not that complicated,” Ethel said, sliding on some gloves. “I’ll present you to the Alpha, you’ll swear loyalty and fidelity, and that’s all there is to it. There’s no need for histrionics!”
“But won’t the whole pack be there?” Lola said, desperate now, her hands wringing. “Surely it would be better to go when it’s slightly quieter, maybe after I’ve read the pack charter—”
“Miss Devereaux,” Ethel said, turning smartly on her heel, any ounce of amusement gone, “if I hear one more word of complaint from you, I shall send you back to Yale here and now. Is that understood?”
Lola gulped, bowing her head. “Understood.”
“Excellent.” Ethel pulled open the door before hesitating and looking back. “I know this must seem intimidating. But if you have any hope of understanding the culture and history of the Iron Walkers, you have to be willing to put yourself outside of your comfort zone.”
“I know,” said Lola, trying her hardest to smile. It came out more like a grimace.
“Felix is a very reasonable alpha,” Ethel continued. “You show him respect, and he will return the favor. And if some of the other alphas get boisterous, well, you can just ignore them.”
Boisterous alphas. Lola’s heart sank in dread. What had she gotten herself into?