Redemption: Montana Wolves, Book Three (Montana Wolves series 3) by Chloe Cole Page B

anymore. It used to be that we talked about things and how they would affect the family before we did them. Now all of a sudden it's a free for all."
    Amber shrugged away from him with a shuddering breath and took a step forward. “I’m so sorry, Maggie. I didn’t meant to-”
    “Don’t speak to me, woman,” Maggie said, without even sparing Amber a glance as she spoke. “You’re a very small pawn in a very big game. You wouldn’t have the power you do if the men in this pack hadn’t given it to you.” She turned to Liam and swiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. "You are to blame. You started this. I love Amalie, and I wouldn't change it, but your actions are what made everyone think they could do whatever they wanted no matter who it hurts. It has to end somewhere, and it’s your job to see that it does.”
    Liam's jaw went tight and his eyes went flinty in a way that had them all shifting restlessly, except for Maggie, who was oblivious in her anger and hurt.
    "Here's what's going to happen,” Liam said, his voice deceptively soft. “I'm going to give you twenty-four hours to think about this all, and then we're going to meet again, just you and I. At that time, you will tell me whether or not you will stand with us."
    She glared at him as she backed away. “Yeah, well, don't hold your breath. And don’t say I didn’t warn you." She stalked toward the front door and stormed out into the night.
    They all watched her go, but no one made a move to follow.
    "It's been a rough few weeks for her,” Amalie said softly. “The kidnapping, and then we found out Chandra is pregnant and moving out, and now this. Things are changing so fast and she hates change. None of this is easy on her."
    "I feel terrible that I’m adding to the burden. Is there anything I can do to fix it?" Amber asked, the miserable look on her face making Billy's gut clench.
    "It's not on you, it's on her,” he said, vowing to talk to Maggie again when she had time to cool off.
    "As for the rest of you, if anyone would rather not fight, or has any other objections to add?" Liam asked to the rest of the room at large.
    To Billy’s everlasting relief, the room was silent for a long moment before Liam continued.
    "All right. If the Kotke and the Big Sky Canyon packs already know she’s here, we probably have only a few days to prepare for battle, maybe a week on the outside, while they work out a plan of attack. It's going to get ugly. Let's remember that we're not just doing this for Billy and Amber today. We're doing this to make a positive change among our people. For our generation but also for other weres who live under iron rule and can look to us as a beacon of hope for the future. If they want to come on our lands and try to stop us, they’re going to have a hell of a fight on their hands.”
    Amber looked up at Billy and he gave her a reassuring smile. For the first time since the night of Chandra’s kidnapping, he felt something close to whole again. He had the support of his pack—well, most of it—and he had Amber.
    Now, all they had to do was what they did best.
    Fight.

CHAPTER NINE
    A  mber snuggled closer to Billy’s sleeping form, letting out a low sigh. She never could've imagined becoming so entwined with another person so quickly. After only five days at the compound—five nights in his bed—she already felt like he was her whole world. If he were to change his mind and send her away now, it would leave a giant hole in her life and in her heart.
    And it seemed like he felt the same. He’d all but announced it to that pack that he loved her.
    It was terrifying. But it was also liberating and healing. She'd taken the leap, wholeheartedly. Thrown herself into something at a time when she'd never been so afraid to trust her instincts. So far, so good. The rest of the pack seemed to be warming up to her, with the exception of Maggie, who hadn’t been seen since her meeting with Liam. According to