The Rules of the Red - 2nd Edition |✓|

Chapter Two, Part Four - Welcome To Harbor Village

I sat with Adelle in the backseat of her stretch, admiring its cushioned, leather interior. She opened the console between our seats and produced a small baggy with a pink lighter and a pincher designed to look like a cigarette. Straightaway, the car was filled with the rich aroma of skunky oranges.

"Like that?" Adelle grinned. "It's called 'Hawaiian Fire.' It's got a hard kick with a smooth letdown and an orange-y aftertaste - grade-A product, I can assure you."

As part of smoker etiquette, Adelle handed me the bag and pincher. I loaded the tiny pipe and set the flame to its tip, inhaling deeply. I hadn't smoked in months so the waves came quick. I leaned back with a contented sigh, feeling relaxed and at peace. I handed the materials back to Adelle and she took a hit, blowing skillful rings.

"So, here's the thing..." she said slowly. Her eyes were still trained on the ceiling, watching the thick, white smoke as it rippled and then vanished. "I tell you something, and it makes me a traitor, because technically, you're still an outsider. But, on the other hand, if I don't tell you this... it'll make me ask myself questions that I seriously do not wanna answer.

"Hey, I get it." I said. Adelle passed me the pincher and the bag again. "Rock and a hard place, right?"

Adelle nodded.

"Look, I may not officially be Pack, but this entire town knows my name and I haven't even had to lift a finger yet." I paused after re-loading, inhaling deep and quick. I blew out the smoke and surveyed Adelle coolly through the haze. "Besides, if this has something to do with my family you might as well tell me. I'm probably more likeable than them anyway." Adelle didn't answer, nor did she smile at my dumb joke. "Either way, I won't hold this against you."

Adelle sighed. "Your grandfather asked me to be your friend and keep any eye on you, but I know what he really meant: he wants me to spy and report back to him. He threw around some bullshit about how my dad is such an asset, and how much the Leadership needs him, and how it would be such a shame if they were to lose him... And then he told me to take some time and get back to him."

"So basically, he's strong-arming you." I closed my eyes and shook my head. I felt sorry for Adelle and what her own Elder was putting her through, and at the same time I felt anger towards my grandfather for springing such a duplicitous attack against me before I'd even had the chance to raise my guard.

Bastard.

"Yep," Adelle tightly agreed. "And now my dad will lose the Leadership. But hey, on the upside I get to walk away with a clean conscience... awesome."

"Adelle, when did Charles ask you to do this?"

"A couple of days ago," she dully replied. "Why?"

"It's nothing. I'm just trying to figure out how long he's known that I was in town."

"Are you kidding?" Adelle gave a bitter laugh. "You live in that big house up on Marshall Hill. Everyone knew you were back the minute those lights went on because the manor's been dark ever since Paris moved out. But that's just one in a million things that are different in Harbor since Jack... since he..." Adelle looked away and cleared her throat a little. I gave her a moment or two to collect herself. "Listen," she said, once she was able to look at me again. "I knew your dad, and Charles is nothing like him. And I dunno if you already knew this, but Jack used to be the Elder of this Pack. Charles took over when he died, and I don't think he plans on stepping down anytime soon."

"And I take it this is bad?"

"Yeah, I think so," Adelle replied quietly. "I've known the Nobles my entire life, and I know for a fact that Jack would never have asked me to spy on his own family. Before this shit happened, if you asked me about the Leadership, I could've said everything was fine and dandy..."

"But now?"

"Well, now, that would be a lie. It just doesn't sit right with me - what your grandfather asked me to do." Her chin began to wobble and I knew that this girl was dangerously close to tears.

"Hey don't cry. Smoke." I soothed. "Adelle, I'm really sorry that my grandfather put you in this situation. But I think there might be a way we can fix this. Maybe we can use it to our advantage."

"Ok," Adelle still looked frazzled, but managed to take a quick hit. "How?"

"By refusing to let Charles use us. Now we both know what kind of man he really is. He used his power to threaten your family, which just makes him an extortionist - not an Elder. And I don't know about you, but I don't have time for that."

She looked at me and raised her eyebrows in silent question.

"I'm here looking for answers about my family. And now that I know about the Elder, I'm pretty sure I can't trust him to give me information - even if he has any."

"What answers? What are you looking for?"

I hesitated. Dare I tell her? "I don't think my father died from just a heart attack."

Adelle gasped. "Who else have you told this too?"

"My butler," I candidly replied. "I don't really have anyone else to tell. It's been made pretty obvious I can't go to my mother."

Briefly, I went on to explain my situation with Paris and the lawsuit.

"Jesus. Well, welcome to Harbor." Adelle looked just as lost and angry as me. "I hate to say it, babe, but your family is so fucked without Jack. And now I am too."

"Not necessarily," I replied. "Look, go back to Charles. Tell him you met his granddaughter, that she seemed nice, but she's a total idiot when it comes to Pack life. And then tell him you agree that he should keep an eye on me. After all, I'm so new and impressionable..."

"But then... that would mean -"

"That you'll do what the Elder wants - you'll be his lookout. Except you'll only tell him what he needs to know, not necessarily what he wants to know."

"Seriously?" said Adelle. "You would do that for me? A complete stranger?"

"You risked your father's job to tell me about the Elder - I'd be wrong not to recognize that. Besides, by keeping each other's secrets, we both have more to gain: you get to keep your family safe, and I get to keep my grandfather off my back."

"Wow, you know what? I like you so much better than I thought I would. Must be the resting bitch-face."

"Yeah. I hear that a lot."

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