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“Is something wrong?” I asked Silas as he handed me a cookie.
“No, just pack stuff, I think.”
“But I thought you weren’t part of the pack?”
“We’re not, but Rufus, the Alpha, likes to keep us in the loop. He calls on Tanner for some jobs his guys won’t handle.”
“What sort of jobs?”
“Messy ones.”
I had a feeling he wasn’t talking about shoveling shit, but Silas didn’t elaborate.
When we walked back in with a tray of coffees and cookies, the mood had lightened.
“Have the boys told you about the Full Moon parties?” Tom asked as he sipped his coffee.
I shook my head.
“They’re a social thing. Packs come together to shoot the shit, have a little fun, and for the single folk, look for a mate. We have a big party twice a year. Once in winter and again in the summer.” He threw a crafty look at the guys and then grinned. “Most of the single females come to try their luck with these boys.”
The thought of hordes of women throwing themselves at my guys made me want to vomit. The bite of cookie I’d just taken crumbled like ash in my mouth. I swallowed it with difficulty.
My imagination helpfully showed me images of sexy women making heart eyes and draping themselves over the guys while I watched. In my head, everyone laughed at me for believing I had a chance of keeping their attention. Some of the confidence I’d gained in the last week trickled away, leaving me with a deep sense of inadequacy.
Tanner snorted. “Then they’ll be disappointed this year,” he told Tom, clearly picking up on my distress.
Ignore Tom, Cole said in my head. He’s just shit stirring.
Silas looked at me, concerned. I tried to smile back, but I had a strong suspicion it was more of a grimace.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to pass the happy news on to Rufus and Cilla. I know Cilla will be delighted to hear you’ve found a mate at last. She was getting worried none of you would settle down and give her cubs.”
A small kernel of happiness flared deep inside. Having kids was not something I’d allowed myself to dream about. My priority had been staying alive. Other than the dark days when even that was beyond me.
The conversation moved away from the party to more mundane topics, none of which I had a clue about, so I tuned it out and pictured what our children would look like.
Would they be dark, like the guys, or have my blond hair? I imagined a little boy with tousled dark hair and green eyes playing with a small girl who had my pale hair and Tanner’s black eyes.
I caught Silas staring at me with a faint smile and realized I must have telegraphed my inner delight at the evocative picture painted by my vivid imagination.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Tom stood, murmuring about hunting together at some indeterminate point in the future, and then said his goodbyes. I wasn’t sorry to see him go. While he’d been perfectly polite, I had a sneaking suspicion he was a gossipy old fart and news of my status would spread far and wide by the end of tomorrow.
Unfortunately, it didn’t sound as if I could avoid this party. The guys had promised they would be there, and from the comment Tanner made about ensuring my safety, my attendance was compulsory.
Eva
“How far is it?” I asked, more than a bit dubious about the distance involved on this little trip. The day was clear and bright, but the snow was deep and I never had been much of a hiker. “I’m not sure I’m up for anything too strenuous.”
Silas grinned at me in the slow, easy-going way he had, soothing my nerves. “You don’t need to worry, sugar. I’ll be carrying you.”
“Carrying me how?”
“On my back, of course.” My jaw dropped. Was he really planning on giving me a piggyback for miles? That was crazy. I’d put on weight in the last few weeks. While carrying me for a mile or so was doable, it was going to be hard work if this valley they mentioned was like 10 fucking miles away.
Jesus. I hoped not. I was already nervous enough about spending a day and night at a shifter get-together. The thought of a long and arduous hike to get there did not fill me with joy.
Silas picked up a small rucksack. “You’ll carry this. It has some clothes and supplies in it for us all. We will travel as wolves and you can ride on my back.”
