The Pack (The Pack 1)

“Maybe I should think about setting some traps,” Dad muttered. “That’s entirely too close.” My head snapped toward him as his words echoed Dominic’s from this morning.

“Maybe we should just put lights up in the back,” I suggested instead, still resisting the idea of traps. If what I was starting to believe was true, then traps would be the worst thing in the world for the people trying to protect me.

The next morning, I was unsurprised to see the Jeep sitting in its familiar spot, but when I went to the door, Caleb didn’t jump out to let me in. I yanked the door open myself and saw why.

Caleb was driving. Anna was in the backseat, and both of them looked exhausted.

“Is Dominic alright?” I couldn’t imagine a reason other than death for Dominic not to be here, and the thought made my blood run cold.

“He’s fine,” Caleb answered immediately, relieving my mind until he added, “Just a little banged up.”

I clambered my way into the Jeep, ignoring Caleb’s proffered hand, while managing not to analyze why too deeply. “What do you mean banged up?” My voice was low and a little dangerous as I asked and Caleb shifted uncomfortably.

“He’s got some bruises and a cut. Nothing major, but the elders wanted to talk to him,” Anna answered, her voice soothing, and I glanced back at her.

“Elders?”

“That’s what we call the older generation. The wiser ones.”

“The level-headed ones,” Caleb muttered next to me, putting the Jeep in gear. I clicked my seatbelt into place, eyeing them suspiciously. There was no longer any doubt in my mind that the fight last night outside my door had something to do with the Hanleys and possibly Dominic since he wasn’t here.

“He disagrees with them,” I mentioned casually and Caleb’s head jerked toward me along with the entire Jeep.

“Watch it!” Anna screeched and Caleb corrected the wheel.

“What do you know about it?” Caleb’s voice was surprisingly serious as he glanced at me quickly.

“I know what I’ve heard. He thinks war is coming. You disagree. The Hanleys want something and as flattering as it isn’t, I’m not the only reason they’re willing to trespass on what you claim is your land.” I didn’t bother to use air quotes, my tone sufficient in stressing what I thought.

“You pretty much have it in a nutshell,” Anna piped up from the backseat.

“Yeah, great. Except, I don’t know what the Hanley’s want, why they decided to harass me, or whatever else it is you’re hiding.”

My rant managed to silence them and we rode the rest of the way to school without a word. I jumped out as soon as we stopped, not bothering to wait for them since they wouldn’t say anything in front of me anyway.

I knew my anger and frustration were my own fault. They’d never indicated that I couldn’t know their secrets. I’d built that wall, but now found myself wanting to tear it down. Suddenly, my concern was for Dominic and the fact that he was hurt because of me. For his sister, whose bitter words, “He was right,” wouldn’t leave me even as she risked herself to protect me. I wasn’t necessarily sure knowledge was power, but it couldn’t hurt at this point. I was already in too deep. I cared about these people who so casually risked themselves for me, to keep me safe from a threat I didn’t truly understand, but was frightening enough to make me want their protection.

Chapter Eleven

The next morning, the Jeep was in its usual spot and this time Caleb jumped out to let me in. I peeked inside only to see Dominic’s hand reaching to yank me up. I tried to be surreptitious as I studied him, but he noticed and gave a disgruntled sigh as he met my eyes in the rearview mirror.

“I’m fine.” He told me and it was true, he looked fine. Not a bruise or scratch anywhere on him. At least that I could see. “Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated as you can clearly see.”

I snorted at his words and snipped back, “How disappointing.”

His lips twitched, but thankfully, my retort didn’t earn a full grin that might bare his teeth.

“We have a scrimmage this afternoon.”

“Good for you?”

“It’s at the school, but we’ll be late getting out. You and Anna can take the Jeep home. Caleb and I will walk.” I glanced at Anna in surprise and she widened her eyes, grinning.

“You trust us to drive?”

“I trust Anna to drive. You, not so much.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Do you even have an Idaho license?”

“The better question would be, ‘Do I have a license?’” I informed him loftily.

“In that case, I absolutely do not trust you to drive my Jeep.”

“Fine,” I grunted, not bothered in the least. I’d discovered I didn’t really love driving anyway, especially if there was a chance someone would be chasing us.