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Chapter 14
Dorian
I set the table in preparation for New Year’s Day dinner with some of the people I cared about most. Margo arrived early. We made faces at each other while we helped Perdita and Nathan in the crowded kitchen.
“I hope I have enough food,” Perdita worried aloud. “We’ve gone through a lot this week.”
“We’re fine,” Nathan said breezily. “They can eat bread and butter if they’re bothered.”
She tapped him on the nose then carried on with her tasks. She looked a little pale, but we probably all did. There had been a lot of late nights recently.
In the evening, the pack had plans to set off fireworks, and even Margo’s parents were going to show up. I was looking forward to them being around the pack more often, to get them used to the people and the vibe. It still hadn’t snowed, but there was time for the weather to make Margo happy.
We lowkey flirted non-stop until Byron, Amelia, and Ryan arrived to eat with us. I wasn’t sure what Perdita was so worried about, but that strained look remained on her face.
“You sit down,” Nathan finally told her. “We’ll finish this up. You look exhausted.”
“It’s been a long week of fending off whole cooked turkeys. I’m sure the excitement will wear off soon.”
He pushed her in the direction of Byron and Ryan who immediately began coddling her. Perdita shot Nathan a wry glance over her shoulder before allowing herself to be swept up into the care of overly-involved werewolves. The women of the pack were definitely not the only problem.
It wasn’t long before dinner was ready and on the table.
“We’ve been through quite a year,” Byron said, raising his glass. “Let’s hope this coming year is entirely boring.”
The others laughed. I was too busy entwining my fingers with Margo’s under the table. We smirked at each other. We’d gotten so much closer lately.
“Are you planning any changes to the pack?” Amelia asked, picking at her food, looking more subdued than usual.
“Not yet,” Byron said. “They’ve had enough upheaval. Besides, Ryan’s girls will visit next year, so I’d prefer if things were stable. The teens are improving, so the fewer disruptions, the better.
I was glad to hear that. With Mara gone, I didn’t think any of us could handle more losses.
“Oh, I forgot to take out the stuffing.” Perdita abruptly jumped to her feet. She immediately bent over with a cry of pain. Every werewolf in the room lifted their head. It took me a second to register everything. Blood. I smelled blood.
Nathan gathered her into his arms. “Are you bleeding?”
“I… I don’t know.” The colour had drained from her face. “Am I?”
“I’ll warm up the car,” Ryan called out, moving first.
“Amelia, stay here,” Byron ordered. “I’ll take them to the hospital.”
I ran for Perdita’s bag. When I returned, she was crying. “I can’t do this again,” she was saying to Nathan. “If this doesn’t work out, I can’t try again. I just can’t.”
He froze for a second before gently saying, “Of course. I’m going to lift you, okay?”
She didn’t appear to hear him. He carefully lifted her into his arms, then winced. I glanced at his hand under her—it was bloody. I wanted to cry myself. He smoothed over his reaction and shook his head slightly at me. I couldn’t panic, couldn’t worry her more.
Amelia hadn’t moved. I helped Nathan manoeuvre Perdita as gently as possible outside. Byron covered her with his jacket, a helpless look in his eyes. We hurried to the car. Byron took over from Ryan in the driver seat.
In the back seat, Perdita shuddered between Nathan and me. Ryan jumped into the passenger seat then glanced back at Perdita. “It’s not over,” he told her.
She cried softly, holding on to Nathan’s hand. “I’m sorry,” she whimpered.
“Stop that,” he said. “All I care about is you. Don’t worry about anything else, okay? We’re heading to the right place.”
“Should I text your dad?” I asked her.
