“Is that so? Do you think he’ll say no to his dead son’s final request?” She plucked a pink petal from the flower and strolled toward the doors. “You already buttered him up by handing over his enemy.”
“Maybe you should call him first before landing on his doorstep with fifteen mouths to feed.”
“Are you serious? Those sweet faces are my backup plan in case he says no.”
“You’re cutthroat.”
Once inside, we ran into Viktor in the foyer.
“I guess I’m ready if they’re done eating lunch,” Blue said, slipping on a pair of shoes near the door. “If Sambah has plans for Graham, it won’t be until nightfall. Unless he took care of business already.”
“Perhaps we should keep the children one more night,” Viktor suggested. “Until such violent delights are complete.”
Blue shook her head. “They would never let the children watch. Besides, if that is going to be their new home, they’re going to have to get used to a new way of life. It’s not a wolf pack.”
Viktor stroked his beard. “I only wish we could have placed them all with wolves. But so many children.” He turned away and clapped his hands. “Come, little ones. It is time to go.”
The children came barreling out of the dining room, some still holding their sandwiches.
“Grab your dollies,” Viktor went on. “I have a special treat for each of you on your way out.”
They trampled each other to get to their rooms down the back hall.
Christian descended the stairs. “Are we ready?”
I glared up at him. “Why are you always the first to know, and I’m the last?”
He gave me a crooked grin. “I’m not the one who overslept.”
Switch and Kira looked exhausted, but I saw a wistful look in Switch’s eyes. He was used to teaching a pack, and I knew he’d miss them. Gem opened the front door and peered out before swinging the door wide. The van was already waiting.
“I’ll get the Jeep,” Christian said.
I tucked my hands in my pockets. “Let’s give Shepherd a break and take my truck instead. Besides, I think the Jeep has engine trouble, and I don’t want it breaking down.”
Christian turned on his heel and headed out the door. We kept spare keys in the garage, making it easy if someone needed to borrow a vehicle.
“Don’t you dare change the radio station!” I shouted through the open door.
When the kids finally dawdled back into the room, they were clutching stuffed animals, dolls, and the rolled-up clothes they’d arrived in.
Viktor called Kira with the crook of his finger. She handed him a basket filled with wrapped caramels—the fancy kind. He gave each child one piece and a gentle pat on the head before Claude and Gem took turns escorting them outside.
When it came to the last girl, Hunter bounded toward Viktor and snatched the only candy left, clutching it to his chest with his gloved hands.
“Hunter, you need to give that back,” Shepherd said sternly.
Hunter walked over to the front door and sulked. The little red-haired girl met up with him.
“I like your shoes,” she said, pointing to the butterflies on the side.
Poor kid, I thought. Just when he’d finally made some friends his own age.
He held out his hand to give her the candy, and when she took it, she gave him a quick hug, a kiss on the cheek, and flew out the door.
Shepherd looked flummoxed. “He’s onlysix,” he growled at Switch, who simply chuckled.
Hunter darted back to the dining room, and Switch followed, calling out, “Time for your lessons, kiddo.”
