Turning to one of the warriors who had also exited the car, I told them, “Take Nova back to the pack house. Spare one of the cars.”
“I’m going with you!” Nova shouted, scrambling out of the trunk. “I don’t care what you say!”
“You are not,” I told her flatly. “You are going to be a good little girl, go back to the pack house, and wait.”
“No!”
“Yes,” I insisted.
Tear welled in her eyes. Her body seemed to shake with emotion. “I hate you…” she grumbled.
She’d said it very softly, but it had been enough to strike through my heart. “You don’t mean that,” I said, but the damage had been done.
She turned away from me in a huff. “I’m walking back!” she announced and started her trek.
I looked to one of the warriors.
“I’ll go with her,” they told me then jogged to follow along behind Nova
