Sleepy Fox Hollow Run, run lost boy

The monarch presumptuously declared Nemisis about to leave, and Finley became keenly aware that she’d been noticed. Good. With her focus laser-pointed on the encounter between leaders, Finley was only barely aware of Colin’s scent drifting down the hillside. Excellent. More backup.

But despite (or perhaps because of) the additional presence, Nemisis’ growl sounded more like frustration than the precursor of attack. And then, to Finley’s shock, the volatile overseer backed down—albeit not without warning. Of even more surprise to Finley were the words Nemisis left; had the foreign monarch assaulted the Saints’ leader? But surely it would have been before the journey to the Canyons, and if either of the leads appeared out of sorts it was Nemisis.

Still, the retreat was not in full; Nemisis still had the full attention of the unfamiliar male. Finley’s own attention turned to the golden-eyed wolf. Just what was she doing here, and had she come for Donovan? The reasoning could be determined later. Finley would not let her guard down until Nemisis left in full—and even so, she wouldn’t dare turn her own back on the white wolves. The premature declaration of Nemisis’ leave suggested they might not have wanted a fight, either. Smart, if they didn’t; they were outnumbered.