“I trust you. Just let us know what you need,” Ryan says softly.
I glance at the clock on the wall; it’s already past 11pm. Too late to head over there now. Doc isn’t going to let us start questioning her so late when she’s recovering from surgery.
“Let’s go in the morning, yeah? I’ll meet you here first and we can go together.”
“Sounds good.” She turns to go, then glances back. “What size is she?”
“Um, tiny?” I say, looking to Ryan for help.
He chuckles. “She probably comes up to a little under your head, Fia. And she’s pretty skinny from what I saw. I don’t think she’s been eating properly.”
“Okay, thanks, guys. See you in the morning.” She flounces off towards her room, leaving me gaping at Ryan.
“She seems different.”
“She’s stepped up,” he says, gaze distant. “She’s been doing most of the Luna work lately. I’d be lost without her.”
He stares off absentmindedly, and I find myself wondering if something is going on with him. There’s something in his tone. Something heavy. But I don’t push.
One crisis at a time.
The following morning, I walk to Ryan’s place after warrior training, and Sofia’s waiting for me, carrying a bag. We walk towards the medical center. It’s only a ten-minute walk from Ryan’s place, so there is no need to shift into our wolves.
“You grew up; when the hell did that happen?”
“Well, it’s been a process, Jack,” she sighs. “But I’m twenty now. I’m not far off full maturity and I’ve been helping Ryan out with pack tasks for the past year and a half. He stopped treating me like a kid a long time ago, so I don’t see why youand Luca can’t.”
Fair point. Ryan, Luca and I have been best friends since we were in diapers, and we had very little interest in Sofia when she came along when we were nine. We didn’t want a baby slowing us down, especially when she wanted to follow us around from the moment she could walk. We’ve always seen her as the annoying little sister. Funnily enough, out of the three of us, it used to be Luca who was closest to her in the past, but that all changed after he returned from beta training in another pack. They have hated each other in recent years. Ever since she grew up, I guess.
“Sorry, Fia, it’s hard to forget the little girl who used to be our constant shadow,” I say while shuffling her hair.
She huffs out a breath. “I haven’t done that in years, Jack. It’s time to move on. I know I have.”
“I know, but it’s hard to move on from the past. You realize Luca and I have always seen you as a little sister, too.”
“I’m aware,” she grinds out.
“I’m sorry, I see it now,” I say and throw an arm around her shoulder. “You’re all grown up and not just when it comes to kicking unsuspecting warrior ass in training. I’m proud of you.” She smirks and gives me a side eye but leans into me, returning my embrace.
As we walk to the pack hospital, I tell Sofia about the information we have so far. As I say it out loud, I realize it isn’t very much at all. I send a silent plea to the Moon Goddess that Sofia can get some more information than we have so far.
Emily has obviously been through a lot, and I would like to help her, but I need to keep our pack safe first. It’s such an unnecessary risk taking a chance on a random she-wolf, no matter how vulnerable she seems. She’s simply too attractive, though. Her long blonde hair, her petite curves, her pouty lips, and dazzling green eyes fanned by long eyelashes. Plus, she’s an omega, so unmated male wolves are naturally drawn to her.
Sofia is an alpha female, but that’s really uncommon. Most females are unranked wolves, with only a small amount being warriors or omegas who all have some kind of gift or strength. They're in high demand among males. And why is that thought riling my wolf up so much?
“Maybe I should offer to train her. What do you think?” Sofia gives me a sidelong glance.
“Uh-huh. Sure. For… security reasons, right?”
“I want to monitor her. What better way?”
“Yeah, okay,” she says with a barely concealed chuckle. “I’ll see if she’s up to it.”
“What, you think it’s a bad idea?” I question. I thought getting close to Emily was a great idea for figuring out her intentions.
“No, it’s not a bad idea. I think you’re full of shit about your reasons, but it’s not a bad idea. But what would I know? I’m only a pack princess who only cares about girly shit and waiting for my mate,” she states with sarcasm dripping from her tone and fluttering her eyelashes in an obvious yet mocking way.
“He’s just being protective,” I offer tentatively.
