Ellen stood. “You know I’m right—”
“I know you’re dead in a few weeks,” Mal cut her off. “If you say one more fucking word to me or Olivia, you’re dead tonight. Try me.”
Ellen glared at him, her lips pressed tight and her nostrils flaring.
“Food.” Jessa tugged Olivia’s arm. “Please,” she added, a little desperately.
Olivia went, hoping Mal would follow. She understood his rage. She felt it, too. But none of Finn’s pack had been through what they had—they couldn’t understand. She hoped they never would.
“See, mountains.” Jessa nodded at the stack of pancakes, massive tray of lasagna, and trays of muffins and breads. “Anders made a little bit of everyone’s favorite. There’s steak, chicken, and a turkey in the oven. You know, protein.”
“Wow.” Olivia took the plate Jessa offered. “But what about the rest of the pack?”
“They’ve been eating off and on all day. And tomorrow they’ll be exhausted and worn out.” Jessa smiled, piling pancakes onto Olivia’s plate. “And ravenous all over again.”
Mal, Finn, and Anders joined them. Thankfully, there was no sign of Ellen.
As she ate, Olivia focused on the dynamic, sorting through what had been said and left unsaid.
Jessa was calm, surprisingly so, considering her circumstances. Finn’s first child had lost its mother in childbirth—that had to be unnerving. Yes, she was the Alpha’s mate, someone to protect above all else. But she was also expecting a baby that was part werewolf. And since her pregnancy had more bumps that the average human nine months did, Jessa might need protecting. Questioning that never wasn’t an option—and clearly a wolf thing—but Olivia was okay with it.
Anders was curious. His frequent glances and quick smile assured her he was a friend. He just didn’t know where she fit.
Join the club. She smiled at him. He smiled back, winking.
Impatience rolled off Finn. Once they were sitting at the large wood plank table, he rested his elbow on it and stared at her. He wasn’t trying to be rude; he was trying to understand.
“How did you meet?” Finn asked, his gaze turning to Mal.
Mal’s attention remained on his plate. “She was in the cell next to mine.” Mal’s words were hard.
Finn winced. “They were keeping you prisoner?”
She nodded. “I’d been stabbed, and it was infected so I was sort of out of it. Mal carried me to safety.” She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until her first bite. The delightful mix of maple, butter, and pancake fluffiness was amazing. “It would have been easier if he’d let the bear eat me.”
“Bear?” Jessa repeated, startled.
“A bear tracked us, probably from my injury. It dragged me from camp, but Mal came after me.” She glanced at Mal. “By then, I was bleeding to death.”
Mal’s jaw clenched, his dark brown eyes crashing into her. He’d saved her again and again.
“We’re talking about Mal?” Anders’s confusion said it all.
Mal glared at Anders then shot a look at Olivia. She smiled in return, appreciating the way the corners of his mouth turned up in response.
She stared at her almost-empty plate. How had she eaten so much, so fast?
“Why were they holding you captive?” Finn asked, watching her.
“Bait?” It was the only theory that made sense. Finn would want to know about her brother, about her dealings with Cyrus—however small. But one look at Mal made her hesitate. He was concerned about Finn, about the safety of the pack. If Finn had been compromised in some way, she didn’t want to be the one to share the wrong thing. “I-I don’t know.”
“Who knows what motivates the Others?” Anders said, taking a long swig of beer.
Finn nodded.
“Where is Brown?” Mal asked.
“He’s with his daughter. She doesn’t do well when the moon is full.” Finn sat back, shaking his head.