The Challenge (The Pack 2)

Slow nods met my words and I relaxed slightly. I hadn’t really had a plan other than to prevent another war from breaking out. I wasn’t sure I trusted Caleb not to react if a bunch of Hanley women showed up on Pack land.

“I think we should have a little party,” I announced, surprising myself. Sam eyed me as I rolled with the idea. “We’ll have a party out back. A barbeque. We can invite some of the Navarre pack.” The women glanced at each other uncertainly. “We have to try,” I pushed, glancing at Sam meaningfully.

“She’s right,” Sam said loudly. “It’s a good first step.” She glanced at me. “You’ll let us plan it.” I nodded, completely okay with that. “It’ll be fun,” she added, and I winced. That sounded like famous last words to me. “We’ll go shopping and set up tables.”

“You want us to leave here?” I didn’t see who spoke but the voice was scared. “What if they capture us?”

“You’ll have protection,” I promised. “In fact, Trent will be at your disposal. Consider him your errand boy.”

I glanced over the railing in time to catch the dark look he shot me. I smiled as I turned back to the women. “Plus you can travel in groups.”

Nervous whispers ran through the women but slowly they nodded. “Great!” I clapped my hands. “It’s settled. Barbeque in the back on Friday.”

The women started to disperse as I made a beeline for Sam. “I wasn’t going to go through with it,” she exclaimed and I slowed.

“Huh?”

“The march. It was more to help motivate them,” she attempted to explain and I waved her off.

“Yeah, that’s not why I’m here.”

“It’s not?”

“No, I need someone to watch my little brother while I’m at school.”

“You have a brother?”

“Yes. He showed up today and he can be a bit of a handful,” I explained, glossing over the truth that he would give Dennis the Menace a run for his money. I smiled and she looked startled.

“Oh, no. I’m not taking care of him,” she denied, shaking her head adamantly. “You just dumped this party on my hands.”

“You took the party and come on, Nicky and,” I hesitated before mumbling really fast, “Monster, can play together.”

“What did you call him?” She asked suspiciously.

“Monster,” I answered with a sheepish grin. “Cute, huh?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Kind of terrifying actually.”

“He’s good. Just a little rambunctious.”

“Uh huh. Answer is still no. In fact, you can say it’s a hell no. I might owe you, but I am not babysitting a kid you call Monster.”

“Ah, come on, Sam. I’m desperate. He’s not welcome back at the school.”

She blinked. “Yeah, definitely no then.”

“I’m sure he’ll be good for you. I’ll even provide the cookies.”

“Cookies? I don’t even want to know what that means.” She waved her arm. “Why can’t your Dad take care of him?”

“He can. He just gets distracted.”

Sam crossed her arms. “Look, I get it, but I can’t do it.” I started to protest and she held up her hand. “But, I will offer you the name of someone who can.”

“I’ll take it,” I said happily, knowing it was the best offer I was getting. “Who is she?”

“Wren.”

“Wren,” I repeated, sure I’d somehow misunderstood her. “Wren? Quiet, little Wren?”

“It’s always the quiet ones you need to watch out for,” Sam said gleefully before shutting the door in my face.

“Wren,” I said again under my breath. “Of course, it would be Wren.” I headed for the stairs since Wren was one of the few women who had elected to stay on the ground floor. I’d never really spoken to her since she basically ducked out of sight whenever she saw me, but my first memory of her had been of a small, brown haired bird of a woman. In fact, I’d thought Sam had read my mind when she’d called her Wren the first time.

I hovered outside of her door for a minute before knocking firmly. The door creaked open and I could see she’d left the chain on.

“Hi, Wren. It’s Jess. Jess Carter?”

She nodded and I noticed her eyes were a light amber color, much lighter than I’d originally thought.

“Um, yeah, I was wondering if you could do me a favor? Actually, not really a favor, more like a job?” I paused, tilting my head as I considered my words. “A paid job.” I nodded firmly. “Yeah, a paid job.”

“I don’t really have any skills,” she whispered and I had to lean forward to catch her words.

“Um, Sam said you might be willing?” I took a shot at mentioning Sam. Wren had been part of my rescue squad when I’d escaped Hanley lands and she’d seemed to look up to Sam.

“What do you want me to do?” She asked as her voice grew a little stronger.

“Babysit my brother.”