Heartsong (Green Creek 3)

Ezra’s only reply was to nod. He stood with his hands clasped behind him, waiting for Shannon to take the lead.

“Upstairs is off-limits,” she said, and I couldn’t get over how young she was. “I don’t want you in our rooms. Malik has an office downstairs where he works, and we can use that after we eat.”

“Of course,” Ezra said. “Whatever you think is best, Alpha.” He looked over at me and smiled.

Dinner was, in a word, awkward.

Malik stayed silent, always watching.

Jimmy tried to keep the conversation going, but anytime I tried to answer him, John would tell his brother to be quiet.

Shannon didn’t look apologetic in the slightest. I didn’t blame her.

It wasn’t until Ezra spoke, halfway through the meal, that it took a turn.

He wiped his mouth almost daintily before spreading his napkin back on his lap. “John, was it?”

John tightened his grip on his fork. “Yeah? What about it?”

“Are you all right?”

“Fine.”

“You’re happy?”

“Yes.” He didn’t sound happy.

Ezra nodded, glancing at Jimmy. “And you take care of your brother, I see.”

John looked at Shannon, who jerked her chin in response. He said, “I do. But he takes care of me too. It’s what we do for each other. We’re pack.”

“He’s bigger,” Jimmy said, sounding proud.

“And he’s smarter,” John said, sounding pissed off, but not at his brother. All the venom in his voice was meant for us. I wondered what he’d been told. Why his animosity was so blatant.

“Good,” Ezra said. “Keeps things even. You depend on one another.”

“But we can take care of ourselves,” John retorted. “Jimmy may be small, but he can kick your asses if he needs to.”

“I’m hard-core,” Jimmy agreed.

Shannon sighed.

Malik didn’t say a word.

“I bet you are,” I said. “People make assumptions about things they shouldn’t. I bet you prove them wrong all the time.”

Jimmy grinned at me.

John did not.

“And you’re in school?” Ezra asked as if we were among friends.

They looked to Shannon again. She nodded.

“We’re almost done with our junior year,” John said begrudgingly. “We have a few weeks left until summer break.”

“And are there any other wolves at your school?”