Victoria, Katherine, and Judith got down on their knees, and Claire followed their lead instinctively. Through her lowered eyelashes, Claire peeked up at her mother. The surprise had left her face. Power and pride in equal portions flowed out of her. It made her look so wild and beautiful that Claire’s breath caught.
“You may stand.” Her mother’s strong, clear voice rang out across the clearing.
Everyone got to their feet, the others looking meek and a little bit nervous. A huge grin spread across Claire’s face.
“Leading a pack is an honor and a burden, both. I look forward to the challenge, and I will rely heavily on Beatrice for guidance in these first few months. She is La Sage Femme now, our voice of experience, the keeper of our history. I expect reverence for her position from all the members of our pack.”
The others lowered their heads, acknowledging Marie’s first instructions as the Alpha. When they looked up, Claire’s mother’s smile had gentled.
“Now, before we transform in preparation for a celebratory hunt, there is one more thing I would like to do.” She turned and gestured to the trees behind her.
Something rustled in the undergrowth and Matthew emerged from between two thin saplings. Claire gasped and then felt the heat rush into her cheeks when everyone turned to look at her. How could I not have smelled that he was there? She gave a tentative sniff and realized that she hadn’t given her mother enough credit. Claire hadn’t caught his scent because Matthew had been waiting upwind. Beatrice and Victoria were grinning at her like two kids at a surprise party. Judith and Katherine looked concerned.
Claire’s mom put a hand on Matthew’s broad shoulder, drawing him forward until he was part of the circle. “I’d like to introduce you to Matthew Engle, our new gardien. He has accepted this role and the difficulties that accompany it. He is under our protection now and you need not hide yourselves from him, though I would instruct everyone to use as much caution as possible.”
“Um, thanks, Marie.” Matthew shifted his weight. He seemed uncomfortable.
“Are you sure it’s safe, having Dr. Engle’s son as a secret-keeper?” The hesitation was thick in Judith’s voice.
“We do not get to pick all of our roles in this life.” Marie’s words were sharp as a thorn. “You should certainly know that. What matters is the loyalty he has expressed for our pack. You will show at least as much regard for our laws as he already has. Is that clear?”
Judith nodded, dropping her gaze.
“Good. Now, I suggest that Claire walk Matthew back to the path. When he is safely on his way home, we will begin.”
Matthew glanced over at Claire and grinned. Suddenly, he looked right at home.
Claire stared at him standing in the wavering glow of the fire, in the middle of a pack of werewolves, and felt the pieces of her world slide together. It wasn’t what most people would consider normal, but that was okay. She could be happy, and that was more than a lot of “normal” people got, anyway.
She jerked her head in the direction of the path and Matthew followed her, while everyone else gathered around her mother, congratulating her on her new status. When they were safely hidden by a thick wall of trees, Claire stopped walking. Matthew stopped too, peering at her curiously. Claire grinned, stretched up on her toes, and kissed him. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were coming here!” she whispered.
“Your mother told me to keep it a secret—she wanted it to be a surprise.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “You don’t always have to listen to my mom, you know.”
“Actually,” Matthew said soberly, “I think I do.” He squeezed her hand.
“Yeah, you’re probably right about that.” Claire sighed.
“Don’t be upset—I’m not.” He gazed back toward the hidden clearing. “You’d better get back, huh?”
“Yep. Can you find your way home from here?”
“Sure. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? We can figure out someplace to go eat or something. Oh, and I’ll drive you on Monday, too.”
“Drive me where?” Claire asked, confused.
“To school.” Matthew looked astonished. “You do know that school starts Monday, right?”
“Oh my Goddess, no.” She glanced up at him. “What? I’ve sort of had some other things going on, you know?”
Matthew shook his head. “Yeah, but still.”
“Claire?” Her mother’s impatient voice called softly.
“Coming!” Claire turned back to Matthew, who dropped a quick kiss on her lips.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” he whispered, and turned to walk down the path, back toward civilization. Claire watched him go, smiling as he disappeared between the trees.
In the clearing, her mother stood, waiting.
“Sorry,” Claire said automatically. “Where is everyone?”
“They are giving us a moment.”
“Oh.” Claire ducked her head. “Am I in trouble?”
“No, no. But I wanted to make sure you were okay before we begin the hunt. You looked … rather shocked, by everything.”
“Well, you looked pretty surprised yourself.” Claire tried to keep the accusation out of her voice, but failed miserably.