I sighed and returned to my beanbag chair. “Yep.”
Blue checked off her name from a list. “We’re almost done.”
Wyatt tore his bag into a flat square, poured two large fries in a pile, and then drizzled the cheese dip over them. If it weren’t for his Gravewalker DNA, he would have needed a quadruple bypass. “Viktor’s in a foul mood today,” he said, stating what we’d already noticed. “Anyone know what’s up?”
Blue coughed and reached for her drink. “He was supposed to go on a date with Miss Parrish tonight. But now he’s preoccupied with finding those kids a permanent home.”
Wyatt used a fork to shovel in some of the fries. “What about the packs you’ve visited?”
“Some are decent,” she said. “But none were up to snuff. Nobody had a house big enough to accommodate that many kids, and a few of the Packmasters were too strict. Unless they’re new, packs don’t keep adding and adding. They establish a number of packmates, and when someone leaves, they fill the opening.”
Wyatt spun his chair around, cheese on his chin. “Viktor was on the phone with Finn when we came in just now.”
I furrowed my brow. “I thought Viktor wasn’t involving anyone.”
“Finn works for the higher authority,” Wyatt explained.
“Why wouldn’t he just go to Lenore?”
Blue finished sipping her drink. “Finnegan’s a Shifter. I only met him once. He’s young but smart. At the end of the day, Shifters trust each other more, and that’s probably why Viktor called him.”
“Is he a representative or a Regulator?” I asked.
“Neither. I think he’s positioning himself for a seat, but those don’t come into play very often. You have to know someone or pay your dues. He has a lot of access to files. Don’t worry—we can trust him. He’s related to some HALO members, so he knows all about secrecy. You’re still pretty new, so you don’t know everyone yet. I bet Viktor was asking if he knew anyone who could take the kids.”
Niko removed a green throw pillow from behind his back and tossed it aside. “This home was built for children, but it’s no longer a place for them. Though, I admit, I enjoy the sound of laughter in the courtyard. It reminds me how carefree life can be.”
Blue wadded up her wrapper. “Life isn’t carefree. The minute you let your guard down, everything’s taken from you. Just remember why we’re all here. And I doubt you could convince any of those abused kids that life is carefree.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “But it’s an idyllic world we endeavor for. That’s why we’re all here—so one day our kind can enjoy the same life that many humans have.”
“Humans have their own set of problems,” I pointed out. “Granted, they’re not battling Vampires or rogue Shifters who want to slaughter their families, but it’s not always an easy life. I don’t think we can ever create a perfect world, but maybe we deserve more perfect moments.”
Gem raised her cup. “To perfect moments.”
We all silently toasted.
Viktor walked in, dark circles under his hooded eyes. “This room smells like a dirty hamper.”
Gem pointed at the floor beside him. “Wyatt took off his boots. I don’t think he’s cleaned those since the eighteenth century.”
I reached in my bag for extra fries. “Any luck placing the kids?”
Blue cleared up the napkins and bags. “Come sit down.” She fluffed an orange pillow just as he took a seat to her left. “Did you eat? I have an extra burger.”
“I cannot eat. I have too much on my mind.”
Holding my drink, I stretched my legs out and sighed. “We might have to split them apart.”
Viktor rubbed his bleary eyes. “I spoke to a trusted friend who has access to information on local packs. He will keep our secret because exposing us would be exposing himself for accessing files he should not. I cannot place them with just anyone who has room—they must be good men. No troubles, no criminal backgrounds, enough room. But he was not able to find a pack that fits the criteria.” Viktor rested his elbow on the couch arm and covered his eyes. “We have a moral obligation to these children.”
“We’ll come up with something,” Blue promised him. “Sometimes when you think about a problem too much, you can’t see the answer. Maybe if you just get some rest, the answer will come to you.”
“She’s right,” Niko agreed. “We all want what’s best for the children, and we’ll find a solution. Your light is stressed. You don’t want your wolf coming out at the wrong time.”
Viktor folded his arms and muttered something.
“InEnglish,” Gem said softly.
