He was still frustrated. Not with the china doll, of course, as that wasn’t even capable of happening, no matter the situation. Their friendship was much stronger than that.
No—the ghost was frustrated with the older Baranski. She was no longer a member of his pack and she was still throwing sticks into the mix. It also showed him that she still did not understand why she had been punished, and was using her emotions as an excuse in order to pit others against him. He hoped that, in her time alone, she would reflect on her past mistakes and look to move forward. Dwelling on them, and Lachesis’ ”wrongfully assigned punishments”, wasn’t going to do her any good.
I know, I’m sorry. His tail thumped against the ground, the irritation he felt still written clearly across his pale features. She… she just refuses to believe she did anything wrong. That I wasn’t in the right for punishing her. Any other leader would have kicked her out immediately once they discovered she had bred. That was our first mistake. After that, she felt as though she could do no wrong. And that the punishments were unwarranted. He couldn’t keep allowing her to slide by. He didn’t want to be seen as the leader who let their subordinates do whatever they pleased. The Stark had grown tired of being a doormat.
His brows immediately snapped together at Anastasia’s suggestion. Let Inna visit? It appeared the dove was taking a page out of his mate’s book, as the sparrow had wanted Lachesis to allow Inna to re-join after her time away. I can’t promise that, he answered quickly, his tone level as he struggled to keep the venom in the back of his throat. I will not stop Oksana from seeing her mother—I will not drive a wedge between them. But I do not want Inna visiting the Surge. Again—what kind of leader would he be? Allowing the wolf he’d half kicked out, half left behind walk along the border as she pleased? Even stepping past it? No—he wouldn’t allow that. I promised Inna I would keep her daughter safe. I intend on keeping that promise. But that also means keeping her safe from her. Another sigh caused his chest to heave. I do value your opinion; thank you. It is a topic we can revisit again in the future, once the dust has settled. Maybe.
stick with those who stick with you