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We are all of us, thought Rue, not exactly meant to exist It made her feel a kinship beyond blood with this acerbic Scotswoman

"Let us be candid, auntie Are you here to order us back to London?" de

That hen Rue realised that there was soair Pack or visit Scotland So sinister, before Rue’s birth

However, it didn’t stop her fro her relation "Order you to town, Lady Alpha? Why on earth would I do that? Everyone seeine the carnage should this pack and her father’s pack try to occupy the sa

"But you are here at your father’s behest?"

"Which father?" Rue could play this game happily until the sun caressive posture "I have alondered which one would have the most influence Well, if you aren’t here for us, why are you in Bombay, Prudence Maccon?"

"It’s Prudence Akeldaifted ht see a bit of the world I heard India was pleasant this tiair rolled her eyes "Double-talk, nothing but double-talk It’s like being back in finishing school"

"If I may be of service, Alpha?" said a se, kilted Scotslishman as cal the House of Coruous and as appealing as cheese in a pickle shop

Lady Kingair relaxed and glanced at the ing these kinds of things, aren’t you, Beta?"

Pri and stepped forward to engage one of the largest and best-looking of the kilts in conversation, clearly having decided that Rue had this encounter well in hand Quesnel stayed fixed at Rue’s elbow, although blessedly disinclined to open his ave Rue a little bow He had sandy hair and pleasing if uned under a s attire was perfectly appropriate to the place and venue but nothingabout him was simple, unadulterated, and proper Rue was not surprised that she hadn’t noticed him when the pack first entered the room He hadn’t wanted her to

"How do you do, Lady Akeldama?" said the man "Professor Randolph Lyall, at your service"

Rue had heard somewhat of Professor Lyall She knew he had been her father’s Beta but left when she was too young to reair Pack Beta, and Uncle Rabiffano, newly made olf at the time, had taken his place at Rue’s father’s side Professor Lyall wasn’t spoken of often by the London Pack, but when they did it ith a respectful wistfulness Even Uncle Channing, who didn’t really like anyone but himself, hadn’t a bad word to say about Professor Lyall

Rue sive hi would have unsettled her niece; Professor Lyall simply looked like he needed one "Uncle Lyall, how nice to meet you at last Please call me Rue"

Professor Lyall blinked at this instant acceptance, air, on the other hand, seemed to take it amiss "She is here for us It must be time, Lyall"

The Beta shook head "Don’t be hasty, Alpha I would have been warned"

"Oh, are you still so well connected to London you can sense their ave his Alpha a level stare "I knorite letters and so do they"

He turned his back on his Alpha, so Beta could do and stay alive