The Challenge (The Pack 2)

“It was that bad?”

“The break wasn’t and if he’d shifted sooner it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but shifting with a bone that isn’t set….” Trent shook his head. “It would have healed as it was and probably left him with a limp.”

“So, she set the bone and he was able to shift, healing everything.”

“Yeah basically,” Trent agreed, lowering himself to the bench by the door. “Anna’s mom would normally be the one to doctor an injured wolf so he could shift back but she wasn’t there.”

“Why wasn’t she there?” I asked, baffled by that information. It seems like Anna’s mom would have been front and center, knowing the Alpha could potentially be hurt and her daughter at risk.

“She was doing something else,” Trent said evasively, his expression saying he was sorry he’d said anything. I narrowed my eyes but before I could say a word, Leah came out. She’d washed the blood off and straightened her ponytail.

“I’m ready,” she said to no one in particular, her stare unfocused.

“Great, let’s go,” Trent said hurriedly, taking her arm and steering her to the parking lot and away from my questioning gaze.

“I’ll talk to you later, Trent,” I called to his back and he waved behind him, not bothering to turn around.

I sighed, turning to go back into the apartment when I saw my Dad and Wren arguing. I moseyed closer, their intensity keeping them from noticing me.

“You put my son at risk,” Dad accused. “You put my entire family at risk and this Pack. These women. How do you think I can trust you with my son after that?”

“It’s not what you think,” Wren pleaded. “Please understand I would never let Theodore get hurt.” It took me a second since she used Monster’s given name but I couldn’t doubt her sincerity.

“Did you take him into the woods, intentionally avoiding the patrols put in place to keep you safe?” Dad asked, each word precise and cutting.

“Yes,” she admitted, her voice shaking. “I did, but he was never in danger.”

“Did you go to the Hanley border and met someone there?”

“Yes,” she cried, tears streaking down her face as my Dad stared at her coldly. I was actually starting to feel sympathetic toward her. It was rare for my Dad to get angry but finding out Wren had endangered Monster and possibly the rest of us had been too much for him.

“Then I don’t need to know anything else,” Dad informed her. “Your services are no longer needed and it might be best if you look for other lodging.” Dad spun on his heel, long strides taking him to his office and probably the bottle of whiskey he’d taken to stashing in his bottom drawer.

Wren stood there for a moment, sniffling, and right when I was about to offer a shoulder to cry on, she ran. Straight into the forest, disappearing within seconds as I stood watching.

“Why was Dad so mean to Wren?” Monster slipped his hand inside of mine as we stared at the edge of the dark forest.

“She shouldn’t have taken you into the woods without permission,” I explained to him. “It’s dangerous because of the Hanleys.”

“That wolf died just like the other Hanley person yesterday,” Monster said and I squeezed his hand. I wasn’t sure how to explain the violent deaths he’d witnessed but before I could try Monster added, “I’m glad I’m not a Hanley.” He glanced up at me. “They’re on the wrong team.”

I opened my mouth but I couldn’t refute his logic. “Yeah, they are,” I finally sighed as I guided him back to the little apartment. “It’s not a good day to be a Hanley.”

***

The next few days settled into a semi-normal routine except for the fact that I thought my Dad was going to go nuts with Monster at his side while I was at school. At one point, I thought he was going to cave on the Wren situation but he held strong.

I knew I needed to find out more, who she’d been meeting and why, but school was taking most of my focus. Finals were coming up and Anna had been distracted and snappish. Caleb hadn’t returned to school yet and I wondered if he’d have to repeat most of the semesters’ classes. Leah waved when she saw me but most of the time she appeared lost in thought and I couldn’t blame her. She’d witnessed something most people never would and it had to be messing with her view of the world.

Dom was the only stable thing I could rely on but that was mainly through the bond since he hadn’t returned to school either. He was determined to stay by Caleb’s side while he recovered and while I couldn’t blame him, I also missed him.

“Dad, Monster, I’m home,” I called, dropping my backpack on the counter as I went to the fridge. “Dad?” I called again, surprised there was no answer. Usually, he was waiting at the door for me to get home and take over Monster duty. I walked backwards, checking the parking lot and seeing the Range Rover was missing. “Huh,” I said to myself. “He must have taken him to the city.” I checked the message board I’d instituted, and actually found a note scrawled there in Dad’s terrible hand.