“Yes. We,” Thomas answered.
“Or maybe there’s another reason,” I said with an indifferent shrug. “You decide. However, if you go, you have thirty days to send back as many as you can. The day after you all return, Thomas will accept the new members. Oh, and you all go or none of you go. Make your time count.”
The men looked at Thomas. I glanced at him too. Sweat beaded his forehead. Then, he nodded and the men sprinted for the trees.
“Charlene, do you know what you’ve done?” Thomas said
“I gave you a reprieve for a month.”
“No, you’ve doomed the pack.” He ran his hands through his hair.
“Do you have a headache?” I’d thought sending his men away would have helped that.
“Yes. You gave me one.”
I shook my head at him and turned to walk inside.
“I don’t think I’ve doomed the pack, by the way,” I said over my shoulder.
“Oh?” He sounded close.
“I think I just gave it a real chance.” I opened the door and took a step inside before I stopped.
Gregory had Mary pinned against the wall, his face buried in the crook of her neck. Her jean-clad legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his shoulders. Her closed eyes and parted lips conveyed just how much she liked what he was doing to her.
My cheeks heated.
“Congratulations,” Thomas said behind me.
I gave him a startled look, but he remained focused on the couple across the room.
Mary opened her eyes, released her hold on Gregory, and gave Thomas a bright smile.
“Thank you.”
She stepped away from Gregory, who couldn’t seem to let go. He kept an arm around her shoulders.
Then, I saw the bite mark on her neck. My stomach dropped. I’d just lost my friend.
Thirteen
“Congratulations,” I said.
Thomas’ arms suddenly wrapped around me, pulling me back against his chest.
“Liar,” he said softly near my ear. My skin prickled.
Mary didn’t lose her happy smile.
“Don’t worry, Charlene. I’m not leaving. Thomas is staying so we’re staying.”
I nodded, shrugged out of Thomas’ embrace, and went to sit at the table with my cold oatmeal. Physically, I knew she wasn’t leaving, but I’d watched those two together enough to anticipate what would happen. She would be spending a lot more time with Gregory. I didn’t begrudge her that time; it just meant I’d be spending a lot more time alone.
“I was wondering if one of you could talk to Winifred for me. I’d like to know if she’d be willing to extend an invitation to families who might like to stay here. Maybe we’ll find a few Elder candidates that way or get a second pack in here that agrees with what we’re doing.”
“Packs typically don’t share territory,” Thomas said, coming to sit beside me.
“Oh.” When I’d had the thought that we needed to make this place a happy home, I’d counted on the support from other families and packs, a united front against those in Thomas’ pack who didn’t want me here. Had I really doomed his pack?
“Aren’t Leif and Ann their own pack?”
“They are. Small packs of two to three generally don’t hold a territory. It’s too dangerous in such a small group, not from our own kind, but humans.”
What he said made sense.
“Where is Ann?” I said, realizing we hadn’t yet seen her or Leif.
“She had her cub last night and is sleeping.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” I really wanted to see it. Would it be a baby or an actual puppy? Did it matter? Both were adorable, and I couldn’t wait to see.
Mary shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d be interested. She is really cute, though.”
“She?” Thomas said.
Mary nodded.
“They’re both excited. Winifred is, too. She said it might bring more families with young boys.”
I ate the last bite of my oatmeal and took the bowl to the sink.
“Thomas, can you call the rest in to eat? I’d hate to waste Gregory’s cooking,” I said.
Mary giggled, and Gregory leaned over to kiss her.
Over the course of the next several days, I caught Gregory and Mary kissing often, spent time with the new baby, and slept alone in my room despite Thomas’ protests.
The pack members who’d remained behind worked on window covers and wood splitting during the day. And, they joined us for each meal. We seemed to have developed a pattern, a boring one. I knew it was ridiculous to feel bored—bored was better than bitten—but after the excitement of the last few weeks, the quiet was unnatural.
Friday morning I woke feeling grumpy and not alone.
Thomas lay on his side next to me, watching me as I opened my eyes.
“I warned you,” I said a moment before I pushed him off the bed with my hands.
He hit the floor with a thud but immediately sat up and scowled at me.
“I didn’t sleep in your room. I came to wake you up.”
“You were in my bed without permission,” I said, getting out of bed.
He studied me while I straightened the sheets and blanket.