Chapter 181

IZZY POV

I have to admit, I was feeling a little cocky and self-righteous when I left my mates' office. I had completely worked myself up into a bit of a frenzy and was still contemplating what else I could throw at the Council when I walked into the foyer. My mother was standing there, completely still.

I stopped. Something was wrong and I could tell it immediately. She had gone back to Salt Lake to be with Elder Johan shortly after we had arrived back at the Packlands. She was here, now, without warning and without Johan. She was pale and looked like she was in excruciating pain. Her face was red and blotchy, as if she had been sobbing for hours. I ran to her with a cry.

"Mom! What's wrong?" I began running my hands over her body to check for injuries. She looked like she was physically hurting.

"I'm okay, Izzy," she said with a brave smile. Then her face broke again. "Johan rejected me."

"HE WHAT?" I was instantly angry and pulled out my cell phone. I was going to ca