Cooking for the large group wasn’t difficult with so many helping hands. The vast quantities of food we consumed would have been concerning if not for the game that always appeared every day. The Mated men took turns going out with a few of the unMated to hunt larger game. Though we still had the occasional pheasant, we more often had deer, moose, or boar. The women worked together to butcher and cook whatever the men brought. However, when someone brought back a bear, I stepped out of the room to let Mary handle coordinating that meal. Thomas considerately brought me a jelly sandwich.
That Thursday, Grey returned to us as a new Elder. Thomas greeted him with an enthusiastic hug while I stood back. Grey didn’t seem to act any differently. When he finished hugging Thomas, he turned to me.
“Welcome to the family, Charlene.” Then he hugged me, too. It was much briefer than Thomas’ hug. “Will you introduce me to the families?”
His ever-present smile grew just a bit brighter when he saw the children, and Thomas’ words about what Grey had given up came back to me. Over the next few days, Grey mostly stayed near the families and children and left everything else to Thomas.
Tuesday marked the twenty-ninth day since Thomas had sent his pack out. Leif and Ann left with their daughter before lunch, and I couldn’t help the nervous worry that burrowed into my mind as I waved goodbye.
That night, it took hours before I fell asleep to the feel of Thomas’s fingers slowly running through my hair.
He woke me with a kiss to my cheek.
“I’m going downstairs now. I’d feel better if you came, too. The rest of the women will be with Winifred.”
“And Grey?”
“Outside, to keep an eye on things.”
“He won’t be able to help you, will he?”
Thomas shook his head.
“How many more do you think you can—”
He stopped my question with a kiss and shook his head again. It wasn’t something he ever wanted to talk about aloud. I understood why. Yet, it didn’t stop me from wanting to know. At what point tomorrow would I see him break?
He hadn’t pushed for anything more than I’d been willing to give, which I’d limited to kissing. Yet, I knew I could have helped ease his pack’s acceptance of me if I would have Mated him. I was still hoping there would be fewer who continued to oppose me, thus making Mating unnecessary.
He kissed my forehead, stood, and held out his hand to help me stand. Then, he waited outside while I dressed then walked downstairs with me.
“Good luck,” I whispered before we entered the main room. He nodded and pushed the door open.
Mary was already at the table with Winifred. They were cracking all twelve dozen eggs into two pots. Several of the older children read books at a table with their parents.
I watched Thomas walk outside then took up a knife and started slicing onions. No one minded my sniffles.
Rilla pushed through the door with her son in tow a minute later. Her husband walked with them.
“How can I help?” she said.
“Can you start the sausage links?” I asked quietly. There were several wrapped packages waiting on one of the longer tables. Rilla retrieved them and started separating the links at the stove.
I listened to the sizzle and tried not to worry. Thomas was out there acting as the official welcoming party. Last night, Thomas had talked with Winifred and Grey. They’d decided to welcome everyone by showing them that living here could offer safety and a sense of community. Hence, the big breakfast.
I focused on the wills of those around me. They were easy to feel. I also sensed several men outside. I tried to look further, stretching out into the woods, but wasn’t able to detect more. So I sliced as I waited and added what I cut to a hot pot. Rilla poured the grease from the sausages into the skillet to help brown the onions. Soon, the room smelled divine and distracted me from my concentration.
Mary cleaned up the eggshells while Winifred brought over the pot of eggs and poured half the mixture in with the onions. She set the other pot on the stovetop behind the sausage then went back to the table. I carefully stirred the eggs in both pots and glanced at Rilla. Instead of moving the sausages around, she was looking over her shoulder. I did the same and saw Winifred sitting at the table. Her complete motionlessness alarmed me.
“Winifred?” As I spoke, I concentrated on the wills around me. I gasped at what I found. Over eighty people waited outside.
“Thomas,” I whispered. A wave of reassurance washed over me, and I exhaled in relief.
I glanced at the food again. This would be enough to feed eighty humans but not eighty werewolves.
“Pull the sausages off,” I said nudging Rilla, “and start chopping them.” Rilla quickly brought the pot to the table. I opened the wood door and threw a few more pieces of wood in, bringing the bright bed of coals to flames that licked the metal stovetop. I moved the eggs to the far side.
“Mary, could you bring that water over here, please?” I said, closing the door. We’d set a pot on the hook in the fireplace in preparation of the dishes we’d need to do.
I went to the supply cabinet and pulled out a bag of rice as Mary carried the water over.
“Mary, can you chop some more onion. About two handfuls.”