The Pack (The Pack 1)

“I only wish to keep her safe and see her happy,” Dominic told my dad, sincerity ringing in his voice and Dad nodded, unable to deny the truth of what Dominic said.

“Just don’t be the reason she cries and we’ll be alright,” Dad threatened and I flushed, but Dominic nodded seriously.

“I should have sent you with your mom,” Dad muttered under his breath and I swatted him with my good arm. “Kidding, Bunny,” Dad grumbled, a smile flickering at the edges of his lips. “You can’t live with your mom because now you’re old enough to be tried as an adult.” I blinked at him and he lifted his eyebrows. I shrugged, not denying it and Dominic choked. “Son, you have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

“You may be right, sir, but I also think she’s exactly what I need.” I tilted my head back so I could met his eyes and caught sight of something at the edge of the woods. I squinted, sitting straight up when I realized what it was I saw. I grabbed Dominic’s hand and pointed with it to the edge of the forest where a woman stood with a little boy in her arms. I heard Dominic’s breath catch as he murmured, “Sam?” And as we watched, more women stepped through the trees, lining it, children clinging to their hands.

“The plan,” I whispered in satisfaction, smiling at the sight of them.

“Good thing we have empty rooms,” Dad said, heaving a sigh. “Well, Bunny, maybe one of them will take the housekeeping job.”

One week later

“How’s your arm?” Anna asked quietly, gesturing to the cast.

“Broken,” I joked, and she gave me a brief smile, which faded too quickly. “It’s fine. Not as bad as it might have been,” I told her with a shrug.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” she added, leaning against the locker next to mine. It was the first day most of the Pack had been back to school following their alpha’s death and I could see she wasn’t really all there.

“How’s everything?” I asked, keeping my question vague. I’d stopped by the community a couple of times, but there never seemed to be an opportunity to talk.

“It’s okay,” she answered and I gave her a disbelieving glance. “It is,” she said, trying to convince me. “Dominic is backing Caleb a hundred percent and the elders are working with him. It’s not perfect, but it’s good.”

“And Caleb?” I asked, since he hadn’t returned yet and neither had Dominic. I’d questioned Dominic but he didn’t have the same insight into Caleb that Anna did.

“He’s struggling,” Anna admitted. “He never thought his dad would die this soon. He’s younger than us and yet expected to lead the pack. He also wants revenge for his father’s death. It’s not a good combination.”

I nodded, feeling her pain. Dominic had implied most of what she told me, but no one wanted to admit that Caleb might not be the best choice for alpha. At least not Dominic and Anna. There were others who didn’t mind stating their opinions and it was putting stress on the pack as a whole.

“He needs time to grieve and with your support and Dominic’s, I know Caleb will be okay.” I hid my crossed fingers behind my backpack, not wanting her to see my own doubts. Dominic was determined not to let this divide the Pack. He didn’t want to be alpha, but he’d do everything in his power to protect Caleb’s position.

“The Hanleys?” I asked to distract her.

“Nothing,” Anna answered, her eyes worried. “Not since most of their females showed up at your motel. I don’t think they expected that to happen and now they’re hesitant to start a fight…..”

“In case one of their females are killed,” I finished, zipping my bag up. “Or sons,” I added as an afterthought. Most of the children were male with a few girls in the group. It wasn’t unusual, according to Dominic since males were prized as the shifters. Females rarely carried the trait and the few females in the group would probably have the ability to breed. It was the only reason they’d been allowed to live.

“Yes, for now we’re at an impasse,” Anna stated, shrugging. “Sam saved us after all.”

“Yeah, she said she had a plan,” I said in admiration. “She wasn’t playing.” Sam had evacuated all the willing females and children when the Hanleys had come to attack. They’d waited in the forest until it was safe and their presence acted as ceasefire. We weren’t sure if or when the Hanleys would recoup since they’d taken a severe blow when they’d attacked. The sheriff hadn’t been the only one to lose his life that day, and his death had weakened the Hanley’s power.

“Dominic thinks it’ll be a long time before the Hanley’s try again,’ I continued, shrugging my backpack on. “For now, we’re safe.”