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“Rules?”
“To keep the peace between our families,” Caleb answered, for once completely serious. “No one wants a war.”
Jess’s gaze darted to mine, catching my expression of doubt. War was inevitable. We were just delaying it temporarily.
“A war?” She laughed, the sound nervous. “Are you planning to fight for turf? Like gangs in a gang war.”
“That’s not a bad analogy,” I admitted, impressed. “We’ve been fighting them for years over our boundaries.”
“We don’t want a war,” Caleb interrupted firmly, glancing at me in warning. “That’s why my Dad and yours are speaking to them peacefully in a meeting.” My jaw tightened, but I didn’t dispute him.
“Over me,” she said flatly and we nodded. “You are aware none of this is normal, right?” I gave her a puzzled glance since this was par for course with the Hanleys. “Idahoan gangs. Meetings between families – and I use that term loosely – over my presence. Cops who are labeled bad because of their surname. Caleb, are you even a Navarre?” She questioned, exasperated.
“No,” he answered, watching her warily as he wondered what his last name had to do with any of this.
“The Hanleys all have the last name Hanley. It should tell you something about them and how they marry,” I interjected, bringing the conversation back to the point, as she frowned in distaste at my implication. “Navarre is my family name. Caleb is a Bradshaw. My family was one of the first to settle this land and so it’s always been known as Navarre lands. However, there are several families who live on the land in a small community,” I finished explaining to her.
She rubbed her forehead, asking tiredly, “So, this meeting is to tell them to back off and leave me alone?”
“Among other things,” I lied smoothly before Caleb could answer. She let it go as my expression turned stern, only speaking again when we reached the woods.
“Is this how you get home every day?”
“Mostly,” I replied and she snorted, causing me to give her a sidelong glance, but she kept walking. “I’ll drive if the weather is bad. Which it’s supposed to be tomorrow. So, we can pick you up,” I offered, expecting her to gratefully accept.
She slowed, glancing at me over her shoulder, no longer bothered by with me at her back. “Six should give us enough time to get to school,” I continued and she exhaled.
“I’m not sure who died and put you in charge, but that’s not gonna work for me,” she finally replied, turning back to face the path.
“Excuse me?” I choked, stunned by her refusal. Caleb started to laugh but one look had him coughing instead.
“I get up at six. There’s no reason for me to be at school that early.” She spun around, taking a few backwards stepped as she asked, “And has it ever occurred to you to ask instead of tell?”
Caleb answered her with a shake of his head as I said, “No.” Her expression didn’t change and I felt compelled to explain, “We have weight training in the mornings.”
“That sounds like your problem, not mine,” she retorted, spinning around and walking a few steps ahead.
“It’s not safe for you to be alone,” I called out, hating the reminder as she slowed. “Not even to drive yourself. Get a ride with someone. You can ride home with us.”
“What about Anna?” She asked, tempering her voice.
“No,” I answered as we passed where she’d stopped. “She can’t protect you.” I knew Anna would be pissed if she heard that, but we were safer together. If the Hanleys managed to get Anna and Jess all hell would break loose.
“They might not bother her after today,” Caleb reminded me and I barely kept from rolling my eyes. He might not get along with his father, but he was his staunchest defender, a fact the Alpha never seemed to realize. Jess hurried to catch up to our longer strides and I slowed my steps.
“I’m not willing to take that chance,” I dismissed, not bothering to repeat my opinion of the meeting. None of us spoke again until we came to the turn off for the village.
“Caleb, go straight home,” I ordered, startling Jess from her thoughts. Caleb waved goodbye, disappearing down the thickly lined path.
“I can get myself home,” Jess tried to tell me, giving a little wave to the path, almost like she was trying to shoo me down it. Instead, I used the opportunity to touch her, gripping her arm and ushering her forward.
“Not a chance,” I murmured. “I’m walking you home.” My tone dared her to argue, but she only gave me an exasperated sigh. We walked silently, or at least I walked silently, she seemed to step on every stick and leaf scattered on the ground.
She took a breath and then released it and a sideways glance revealed her chewing on her lip. Finally, she said, “Those guys, Hanleys?” I hummed to let her know I heard her. “They chased me and said something about my scent.” She hesitated, no doubt recognizing the tension suddenly radiating from me. “You mentioned it too,” she continued cautiously, her words almost delicate as I created a little more space between us. “Why didn’t it bother you like it bothered them?”
