Page 32 of Red

We sit and chat about first experiences with humans and decide Lirea had the worst experience, yet it’s laughable. The day goes by faster than I expect, sitting and listening to their gossip about most of the girls in the pack. Some names I recognize from early high-school days. When they start talking about a mating ceremony for Nikki and Stark, I leave them to it.

By evening, Lirea abandons the two of us. Only a handful of people come for dinner—the younger wolf Hudry, Otis and Faira, and Jocko.

“How was it?” Stark pulls a roast from the oven, and I move to the other side of the island to grab a ready dish. I don’t respond. If he really wanted to know, he could ask his mate-slash-babysitter. Despite the fact that I didn’t mind all our conversations, the reason they were here is the issue.

I take a seat at the end of the table, letting Nikki take the place across from Stark again. It should be her spot. She smiles across the table at me. Not that it’s my business. Him being mated is not affecting me at all.

Jocko bumps his arm into mine and leans in. “You okay?”

“Totally.” I force a smile.

During dinner, I learn that the hunt for the camp down south was successful and now it’s getting a twenty-four-hour watch duty. Meaning Stark will be gone more. If Nikki moves in, I may accept the Elders’ punishment for leaving.

When I stand for my routine dinner cleanup, Stark rises to join and starts handing me plates to rinse.

“Red?”

“Hmm?” I don’t turn to look at him, instead focusing on our hands not touching.

“Did something happen while I was gone?”

I scrunch my eyes at him and shake my head.

“I know you’re pissed to be back here, but you know I can’t hear you. Am I wrong to guess that you might stab me with that knife you’re washing?”

“I’m over the moon.”

He drops it and leaves me to finish.

For once, Faira doesn’t budge or insult me while I do dishes. Jocko, Hudry, and Nikki stay after dinner, lounging in the pit. Stark takes a seat on the longest couch. Nikki moves from a chair to sit next to him; she even looks like she belongs there.

The temperature in the room changes and I know it’s me. I step down the two stairs and pause. How are they all not done with each other yet?

“Night, Jocko, Hudry,” I say before going back up the steps. “And good night, Nikki. Thanks for today.” I wave my hand behind me as I walk away.

I’d consider locking your door tonight, Stark, Jocko thinks.

She say something? Stark asks.

You’re an idiot.

Moonlight glows through the windows. The full moon is tomorrow night. I have no plan, and no way to prevent from turning. Pratt’s entire goal of keeping me safe is going to go up in smoke. The light never fades throughout the night, like the spirits are taunting me.

Smoke clouds around me, my body is on fire. Stark barges through the bedroom door, and I bolt past him, out to the back deck. The release across my body is ecstasy. Except . . . did he see me burning? The smoke isn’t normal—and neither was his face.

Behind me, screams start and twist into growls.

We hunt her tonight.

My chest heaves and the trees blur in the distance. Six wolves close in, their eyes narrowing in the dark. I scream—

A sound shakes me.

I jolt awake, heart racing, my eyes adjust to the partial moon taunting me out the window. My pillow is damp. I flip it over and stare at the ceiling. Nothing like a nightmare to remind me of what’s to come.

Pratt should’ve just let me be alone.

Stark doesn’t barge into my room the next morning before leaving, and when I move into the main area a little while later, Nikki smiles at me, cooking away at the stove.