Page 31 of New Blood

Her aunt was probably right. But that didn’t make it easier to do what she suggested. She needed a few days to think about it. A decision like this couldn’t be made on the spur of the moment.

19

The living room was packed with people, so many in fact that the pocket doors leading into the large dining room had been opened up so that there was enough space for everybody. The sun had long set, and the living and dining rooms were illuminated brightly with old chandeliers and wall sconces that sent shadows dancing on the ceiling. A fire burned in the large fireplace more for atmosphere than warmth since the body heat of dozens of werewolves was sufficient to turn the place into a sauna.

Normally, the oath ceremony was conducted first, followed by food and drinks, but given the fact that the pack members didn’t really know him and his men, Jude had decided to mingle with them first over drinks before making them swear an oath to him and the Werewolf Alliance. Just like the members of his team, Jude walked through the room, introducing himself to those he didn’t know yet. He shook hands with many of them, striking up conversations with them to get a sense of who they were and what they did within the pack. Most worked at one of the Gallagher businesses, often in managerial positions, supervising human workers at the vineyard, equestrian estate, shipping business, and the bail bonds offices across the Bay Area.

The impression he got from them was that they were decent men and women who were loyal to their pack and happy with their circumstances. Even though by now they all knew that their alpha had been removed and was about to stand trial before the Werewolf Alliance, they didn’t seem to be too concerned about the shift in power. In their minds, nothing would really change for them. It was different for the family of the deposed alpha. And perhaps also for those pack members who lived and worked on the estate.

Jude saw Heath getting himself a beer and taking a swig and approached him.

“Heath,” he said with an outstretched hand. “We haven’t really had a chance to talk yet.”

Heath shook his hand. “That’s alright. You’re a busy man.”

“Well, I’ve got time now. Tell me what you do on the property.”

“I’m in charge of the cars and any heavy machinery used on the estate. I’ll soon have to start cutting tree branches away from the powerlines. Fire danger is always high here. We haven’t had much rain this winter. Everything is bone-dry. So we gotta make sure there’s enough defensible space around the house and the garages. Chase helps me with it.”

“That must be a big job, cutting down vegetation around the house,” Jude replied. “I can’t imagine two people alone can do all that.”

Heath shrugged. “We manage.”

“I can assign an additional person to it, if you want.”

“I’m not complaining.”

“I didn’t say you were, but you’ve got a lot on your plate. I saw you with the cars earlier today.”

“The cars aren’t that much work. I make sure they run smoothly and fix what needs to be fixed. Most of it is just good maintenance.”

“How many cars are on the property?”

“A dozen. But Violet helps me when I’m swamped.”

“Violet? You mean she cleans them when you don’t have time?”

“Actually, she fixes them when it’s stuff like flat tires, timing belts, or the fuel pump is clogged. That kinda stuff.”

“I didn’t realize Violet knew how to do that.” It was quite a surprise. He hadn’t expected her to be well-versed in finance and accounting, and also in car mechanics.

“Oh, she’s quite a tinkerer,” Heath said with a smile.

“She’s multi-talented,” Flora suddenly said, inserting herself in their conversation.

“I’m impressed,” Jude said in reply to Flora’s words. “How did she learn all that?”

Flora smiled. “George, my late husband, taught her. He was a practical man who liked to work with his hands. Different from William.”

“How long has it been since your husband passed?” Jude asked politely. If he wanted to bring Flora to his side, he needed to show interest in her life and her position in the pack.

“Almost eight years. It feels like yesterday.” She sighed, then continued, “The boys miss him the most. But life goes on, right? At least I have them and Violet. She’s become such an accomplished young woman.”

“You must be very proud of her.”

“Violet is such a sweetheart. So bright and so warm. Any man would be lucky to mate with her. But I want the best for her. She deserves it. She will be a wonderful mate to any alpha she sets her sights on.”

It appeared that Flora had high ambitions for her daughter. No matter how he replied to her statement, it would get him into treacherous waters. Was she implying that she would offer Violet as his mate instead of Eve? Or was her comment simply the statement of a proud mother wanting the best for her daughter? In either case, it was best to change the topic.