Aaron closed his eyes and groaned. “Some days, joining this pack and taking the bite seem like the best decision I ever made.” He tapped his pile of papers. “Other days, not so much. There’s two who would fit Baker’s side, but I reckon neither of them are all that keen. Why can’t people just be allowed to say no? And not join any pack. Why isn’t that a thing?”
Logan shook his head. “I don’t know.” But Aaron was right. They should be allowed to choose. Shifters would never have been voted into power if people knew that this would be their reality. And it wasn’t just the humans who thought this was wrong. “We’ll just have to hope that another pack offers them a better deal.”
Aaron’s laugh sounded hollow. “Because that’s how McKillan rolls. You know as well as I do the alphas have probably worked out some deal already. They all want tight security, want to keep things as they are. If that means letting McKillan have the pick of the bunch, then that’s what will happen.”
Logan nudged Aaron’s knee with his. At times like this, he came so close to confiding in him, almost certain Aaron felt the same way he did, but he held his tongue. “Come on, let’s get this done. If we don’t, then someone else will, and at least we won’t be arseholes about it.” As with all groups of people, there were decent people in the McKillan pack and there were wankers. He liked to think that he and Aaron were on the decent side.
As Aaron sat forward and began to spread his papers over the coffee table, Logan studied the information listed under Cole’s photo, looking for an insight into what might convince him to join their pack.
Willingly.
He wanted to find some incentive that would appeal to him. It’d be an easier transition that way.
Unless he’s so set against the idea that he’d do anything not to join.
Now and again there were those that would rather die than join a shifter pack. The fear of being forced to take the bite too much to handle. For them, there was another option.
Logan stared at the paper and selfishly hoped Cole wouldn’t be one of them.
CHAPTER THREE
Cole lifted his face into the sun and sighed. “I wonder how many from our tutor group tested positive.” He’d had texts from a couple of them, but he wasn’t close with everyone. “We should’ve made a group chat.”
Nick snorted into his pint. “And wouldn’t that be a happy place. You’d have those pissed off that they weren’t compatible and those pissed off that they were. It’d devolve into chaos within minutes.”
“That’s true.” Cole glanced around the pub garden to see what company they had. Not that talking about this was bad or anything, but they might have to be careful what else they said. Apart from them, only an older couple occupied one of the picnic benches. Not surprising since most other people would either be at school or at work. Cole studied the couple for a moment, but they seemed far too interested in each other to pay him and Nick any mind.
Still he kept his voice low. Shifter senses were a pain in the arse; just because he couldn’t see anyone, didn’t mean no one was listening. “You had any packs contact you yet?”
Nick grinned, fingers drumming on his pint glass. “Jeez, Cole, we only found out on Friday.” His smile seemed to get even bigger, and Cole rolled his eyes. “Just tell me already.” At least someone was happy about this whole fucked up situation.
“Well, I’ve got a meeting arranged for later this week with the Stewart Pack. And I met with the Cox Pack this morning.”
“Wow, that was quick.” Cole let out a low whistle. “The Cox Pack are based in Greenwich, right?” He wasn’t quite sure where the other pack was.
Nick swallowed a mouthful of beer, nodding as he set his glass on the table. “Yeah. They’ve got a huge workshop where they work solely with wood: bespoke furniture, flooring, kitchens.” He shrugged. “I’m not all too fussed on the flooring or kitchen part, but making my own furniture sounds all right.”
As happy as he was that Nick seemed to be okay with how things had turned out, Cole still had to ask. “Did they mention anything about taking the bite?”
“Yeah, it was one of the first things I asked about.” He sighed. “I know you don’t want this and you think I’m mad for being excited—”
“I don’t think you’re mad.”
Nick raised his eyebrows, and Cole smiled.
“Well, maybe a little...”
“I’m not stupid though. Of course I’m going to ask about what’s involved with joining their pack. I’ll get it all in writing too, so they can’t go back on it. All this was in the information pack Professor Damien gave us.”
Cole flinched; he’d not even opened his. Nick caught his expression, but before he could say anything, Cole asked, “So what did they say, about the bite?”
“That they strongly encouraged it, for longevity and protection from illness if nothing else, but it wasn’t something they would ever enforce.”
“And you believed them? Do they have anyone in their pack who hasn’t taken the bite yet and has been there a while?” He didn’t want to piss all over Nick’s good mood, but this shit was important.
“I already said I’m not stupid, Cole.”
“I know that.”
