Fox Fate by Robin Roseau

you I'm going for a walk alone, and then when you try to stop me, I go for a walk alone." I glanced over at her. "We're going dancing. I'm not going anywhere alone. Do I even look crabby?"
    It took her a moment to answer. "No."
    "Serena, do what you think you must. Are you going to clutch my arm on the dance floor, too?"
    She didn't say anything. Several times we stopped outside this club or that, listening to the music that was wafting out. I didn't express a preference. I was a little surprised when it was Hanna that picked the club. We were listening to some zydeco when she leaned to James, and James in turn whispered to Lara. Lara turned to me and nodded her head towards the club. If there was dancing, I was happy with it.
    The club was small, but we carved out space along one side. The band was good, and the dance floor ample. We ordered drinks, and then I waited for Lara to ask me to dance.
    It was James and Hanna that broke the dancing ice for our group. Eric looked at Elisabeth and then at Joanna.
    "Four of us on duty at all times," Elisabeth declared. "We'll rotate who is dancing." She then nodded to Eric, and a moment later he was leading Joanna onto the dance floor.
    Three songs later, I still hadn't danced. And Serena hadn't released my arm. I finally leaned to her. "Will you dance with me?"
    "I'd love to," she said back, "but I value my life." She glanced at Lara, who had her back turned to me.
    "Fine," I said curtly. "I'll get one of the humans to dance."
    "I don't think it's fair to pull Carissa's humans into your tiff with Lara."
    "Who said anything about Carissa's humans?" I gestured with my head. "That guy over there looks like he knows how to dance, and he's been eyeing us. I don't think it would take much encouragement to receive an invitation."
    "You wouldn't," Serena replied.
    "It would be rude to turn him away if he's brave enough to ask me." I paused. "Huh. That would make him braver than you."
    She didn't rise to the bait.
    "I'm not trying to have a tiff with Lara," I said. "I complained about something. She told me I was wrong. I told her she was alpha, and if she said I was wrong, then I'm wrong. I've been trying to drop it ever since. I even apologized for my accusation. If she doesn't want to dance with me, I'll dance with someone else."
    Serena studied me carefully. "You're not telling me something."
    "I'm sure there's a great deal I'm not telling you," I said. "Are you going to dance with me, or should I smile at one of the men stealing glances at me?"
    "You're going to make it worse," she said. "And you know it. Is a little dancing worth it, Michaela?"
    "I'm not her property. If she doesn't want to dance with me, she shouldn't begrudge me if someone else does."
    "Michaela, you know she reacts emotionally around you. She's under a great deal of stress this week. Why can't you cut her some slack?"
    I considered a sharp retort, but I was able to tone down my reaction. "You're on her side," I accused, but I said it softly.
    "Right now I'm pointing out what will happen if you push this. Am I wrong?"
    "She's the one who cheated," I said hotly. "And now I'm getting punished for pointing it out."
    "What are you talking about?"
    I explained, very briefly.
    "Ah," Serena said. "I don't think Lara was expecting Elisabeth's wager. I don't think it's fair to blame her."
    "She could have put a stop to it."
    "You could have backed out once you heard about the rest of Lara's game," Serena pointed out. "You didn't."
    "It was a half hour later before I discovered the little cards weren't two points like everything else. We'd have won if they'd only been two points each."
    "It was just a game," Serena said. "Are you that upset we laughed at Lara's jokes?"
    "No. It was Elisabeth's wager on top of the joke."
    "I think I need to understand her wager."
    I gestured to the dress and explained.
    "You look really nice, Michaela."
    "I feel naked!" I complained.
    Serena pursed her lips. "You know, there are a lot of wolves