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Xander came over to touch me but I took a step back and put my hands on my hips. “I want to go. We should be there to support the rest of the pack, if they want to go in search of their mates, they should!”
Xander, Kyle and Michael looked at each other as though they were having a silent conversation.
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously?” They were ganging up on me now?
Xander looked towards me, his eyes a brilliant sapphire blue. “We can go. But the moment I feel like your stress is too high, or we’re worried about the baby, we all leave. Okay?”
I pressed my lips together, tempted not to agree with him.
“Okay?” He pressed.
I sighed. “Yeah. Fine. But don’t go jumping the gun on me. I’m part of this pack too.”
Kyle chuckled. “Yes you are. So, let’s finish lunch and get going.”
I joined them in the impromptu picnic and managed to eat half a sandwich and a few bites of an apple before my stomach forced me to stop.
Then it was time to go, and this time I was filled with excitement rather than fear. Mikayla had convinced me that the pack were happier about my existence now, and I was confident they wouldn’t attack me this time.
Even so, my heart was pounding a little too fast as I walked into the town hall.
Xander’s mom Tania was up the front, like she always was, and waved us up to her.
We squashed into her pew and Tania took my hand, tugging me to sit next to her. “How are you feeling today?” She asked. “You’re pale.”
I smiled up at her, her concern warming my heart. “I’m still sick to my stomach most of the day, but I’ve been told that’s normal.”
Tania grinned. “It’s a good thing, actually. Means it’s a strong baby, and a strong pregnancy.”
“Is that really true?” I asked her, hope winging through me. I didn’t like to even think about the possibility of a miscarriage, but it was common, according to my research.
She nodded. “Some might say it’s an old wives tale, but it’s been true for so many of those I’ve known. And I know this is right for you.”
“Thank you,” I whispered to her as the alpha stepped up to the podium, demanding our attention.
“Hello everyone, thanks for coming today.” The alpha’s voice wasn’t the rusty ancient voice it had been when he first came back.
His tones were strong, but still deep. He’d filled out a lot in the face too. His cheeks were no longer sunken and he’d cut his hair as well. He finally looked like a man who should be leading a pack, and not a scraggly street urchin.
“I know a lot of you have been making plans to travel the state, but we want to re-iterate that it is not safe.”
“Bullshit.” Someone said from the audience.
I tried not to react, but a smile was close by.
“It’s not bullshit.” The alpha said, his voice a touch more growly now.
Xander’s father Max stepped up to the podium, beside his Alpha. “Xander’s new family have made it clear that there is a high warlock out there with a taste for our blood. The last thing we want is for anyone to be hurt.”
I nodded at this, because I agreed. I didn’t like the idea of the high warlock coming to hurt any of them either. He hadn’t yet, but he was still a threat. I could feel it.
A young guy behind us stood up and said, “None of us care. There are always dangers in travel. Other shifters. Vampires. Hell... hunters even. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’d rather die in my quest to find a mate, than die alone.”
There was a roar that went up in the crowd as the young guy sat down again.
I glanced up at my mother-in-law, who patted my hand and sighed.
Max held up his hand and silence descended over the crowd. “I know this is frustrating, but we have time, you all do. Most of you are under the age of twenty-nine, so there is no immediate need to find your mate.”
