“He’s freaking out. And I mean freaking. That guy who got killed last night—it just pushed him over the edge. He’s been ranting all morning about how the FHPA and the Protective Action Council were both supposed to be out patrolling, and it still happened. All of a sudden, he’s all action-hero about the situation. He keeps saying he’s the last line of defense, and he’s called in all of these other people for some big strategy meeting tomorrow. He’s making me crazy with his whole saving-the-world thing. It’s just about him getting into the stupid Lycanthropy Researchers International so that he can prove he’s worthy of his FHPA spot, anyway.”
Claire squeezed her eyes shut. If Matthew’s dad had decided to do something drastic, that put the whole pack in danger. She forced her shoulders to relax, focused on sounding normal.
“That’s really crappy. Do you want to go somewhere this afternoon? Get away from the insanity for a while?” Her mom and Lisbeth would be home. It would be hard to sneak out without them catching on, but she’d figure out a way.
Matthew laughed bitterly. “I’d like that more than anything in the world. But apparently, I’m picking up some tracking expert at the airport this afternoon. Dad’s orders.”
“Oh, Matthew, I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, me too. I guess we’re both at our parents’ mercy these days, huh?”
“Yep. But I’m glad it’s just your dad you’re frustrated with.” The words tumbled out of Claire’s mouth before she could stop them.
“What do you mean? Who else would I be frustrated with?”
“Um—I just thought … We haven’t talked much since Friday, and …” She sighed. “I’m not exactly as popular as you are. I don’t really go to that many big parties—I thought maybe you were wishing that I was more like the rest of your friends. That I liked that sort of stuff more.”
Not that you even know how different I really am from them, but still. God, I wish I could tell him everything.
The silence on the other end of the phone made her squirm in her chair, and she struggled to keep her mouth shut.
“Claire.”
Matthew’s voice was very, very quiet, and she could feel the first tingle of tears behind her eyelids.
“I cannot believe you even thought that for a single second.”
“Well—” Her throat closed up before she could say anything else.
“Spending time with you is so much better than getting blind drunk with a bunch of people who only care about how many goals I can score, or what my clothes look like—I can’t even tell you how much better it is. You’re more interesting than anyone at that party by a long shot.”
“I just don’t want to be taking you away from your friends or anything.”
“You’re not. Believe me, you’re really not. No more worrying about this kind of stuff, okay?” His voice was gentle.
“Okay.” Claire struggled to keep her voice even. His voice was so sincere—there was no doubt he meant every word. She struggled not to sniff into the phone. “Good luck this afternoon.”
“Thanks, I’ll need it. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
Claire hung up and flopped down onto the carpet. She’d gotten so used to the truth being the absolute wrong thing to say. But somehow with Matthew, it always seemed to be absolutely right.
I’d better not get too comfortable with that idea. She sighed and stood up. Sometimes it seemed like she’d never get all of this figured out.
*
As Claire and her mother made their way into the woods a few nights later, her mother laid a warning hand on Claire’s arm.
“You are allowed to come to the gathering this evening, but you must understand something. Until your transformation is complete, you will have no say in our proceedings. Beatrice always has the ultimate say in what course we take, but the rest of our pack are allowed to voice opinions. Except for you. As far as you are concerned, this is strictly a learning experience.” Anxiety tightened her mother’s voice like a guitar string.
“Yeah, okay.” Claire shifted from one foot to the other. It’s not like I have anything to add, anyway. Why is she freaking about this?
“Good.”
Claire could smell her mother’s relief, sharp and clean.
“What you do in our pack—it reflects on me as well. Your mistakes can affect my status. I do not wish to give my position in the pack to Zahlia. Am I making myself clear?”
Claire nodded and tried to ignore the headache that blossomed behind her eyes. So if I screw up, I hurt both of us. Yeah, no pressure there at all.
The shadows around them seemed darker than usual.
“Um, Mom?”
Her mother turned to look at her, her lack of patience pinching her lips.
“I was just wondering—Victoria said the other night that the seule wouldn’t be dangerous if we weren’t hunting her. Is that true?”
“I wouldn’t say that she’s not dangerous. But I think her desire to stay hidden, to be left alone, would prevent her from attacking a wolf who wasn’t tracking her. You don’t need to be concerned.”
Her mother stopped speaking as the clearing appeared before them. Beatrice squatted near the fire, watching as Victoria adjusted the logs.
“Claire, I greet you.” Beatrice’s eyes were bright with anticipation.
“Beatrice, I greet you,” Claire answered smoothly. She turned to Victoria, whose wide grin was infectious. “Victoria, I greet you,” she said, with genuine happiness. Claire’s mother put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it appreciatively.