Zara’s lips twitched so quickly that Alina was not sure that she really saw it.
“I don’t really know how I’m doing,” Zara admitted. “Vampires exist, werewolves exist, and my life will never be the same. In some way that’s good because I honestly thought I was going to die down there with those monsters. So it’s great to know that I’m not going to die, but I have no idea what I’m supposed to do now.”
Alina rested her hand on the girl’s arm, hoping the touch would help ease her mind. “You don’t have to know what you need to do or want to do. All you have to do right now, in this moment, is survive. That’s step one. You eat, you drink, you rest, and you do whatever it is you need to do to survive.”
“What if I never get to step two?” Zara asked.
“Then you can remain at step one and live here, or at the Romania pack mansion, for as long as you want,” Alina assured her. She could tell that the girl wanted to heal; she just didn’t know where to begin. “You will soon find out that we are not like the vampires. We care for our own. I know it may seem overwhelming right now, but you are one of us. And, believe it or not, you’re safe here.”
Finally, she nodded. “Okay, I’ll do step one. But” —she paused— “I’m not ready to be around others. Not yet. I don’t know when I’ll be ready.”
Alina nodded. “Of course. Will you allow me to come visit you at least a few times a week? Nothing long, just a few minutes to say hello?”
“Sure, I can handle that.”
Alina closed the door behind her but she didn’t walk away. She felt as though she was abandoning Zara, even though the girl didn’t want her to stay.
“She’s safe, Mina. She’s sheltered, fed, and protected. That’s all she needs right now.”
Alina knew that what her mate said was true, but the mother in her wanted to wrap Zara in her arms and hold her. She wanted to give her all of the hugs that she had been deprived over the years. She wanted to sing to her all the songs a mother sings to her child. Alina wanted to give back to Zara everything that the vampires had taken from her.
Alina turned and placed her forehead against the door with one hand pressed against it as if she could reach through the barrier and offer comfort to the young woman. Maybe Zara didn’t want that comfort now, but there would come a day when she would not only want it but need it. Until then, Alina would be waiting.
“Whatever you’ve got for me, history boy, it had better be as awesome as that shirt,” Peri said as she pointed to the t-shirt Wadim was wearing.
Wadim looked down as if he didn’t even remember what he was wearing. That did not bode well for Peri.
“You’re the one that called this meeting,” Wadim pointed out. “Do you think if I had uncovered anything useful I wouldn’t have called you straightaway?”
Well that’s just peachy,Peri thought to herself.
Having decided that Peri’s bark wasn’t as big as her bite, Wadim was now attempting to read his shirt upside down and it looked painful. She decided to help him out. It says, ‘Freak out and stand still,’ she snapped. “Loving the play on words of the originalKeep Calmfad. Although I was around when that saying was more than just a cute phrase on a t-shirt or coffee mug.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Jen huffed as she entered the room. “You’re so old your panties are crusty and turn to dust at the slightest touch. We got it.”
Peri started to respond but stopped short as she watched the line of people follow the mouthy blonde into the archives. First came Decebel, cradling Thia closely to his chest, then followed Fane, Jacque, who was holding Slate, Alina, Vasile, Lilly, and finally Cypher.
“I think you forgot a few pack members, Jen. Perhaps, you should go back and gather them,” Peri said dryly.
Jen shrugged. “You said to meet you here, well, actually…” Jen smiled wickedly. “Your exact words were ‘Get your butt over to the Romania pack den and meet me in history wolf’s dungeon. I have news. Do not bring Costin. I do not have the patience to coddle his broken heart.’ That was a little harsh,” Jen pointed out. “You didn’t tell me not to bring anyone else. Not to mention” —Jen narrowed her eyes on the fae— “you could have flashed us instead of making us travel the old fashioned way.”
“I am not your damn taxi service. Besides, a little exercise might do you some good. Have you looked at your behind lately? That pregnancy weight isn’t going to lose itself.” Peri’s smile was positively wicked. She could almost hear Jen clenching her fists and grinding her teeth.
“What’s the news?” Vasile spoke up, getting down to business, as usual, and silencing the scathing retort Jen was formulating in her mind.
Peri had planned on telling Vasile her theory, but she’d wanted to first get Jen’s thoughts on the rumors she’d heard. Her suspicions weren’t something she was ready to share with the others—not yet.
“One of my loyal pixies has heard something of interest. You know that the high fae monitor the number of wolves alive at any given time. Obviously, a few of you might sometimes manage to slip through the cracks.”
Jen coughed and it sounded an awful lot likeColdspring.
Peri glanced at the female Alpha. “You should be thanking me that the rogue Coldspring pack went unnoticed. The events that transpired there led you to your very own fleabag. Your welcome.” She turned back to Vasile. “What are the known packs currently operating in the United States?”
“Thought you said,” Jacque began but Peri shut her up with a snap of her fingers.
“Denver, Colorado, Springfield, Missouri, and Coldspring, Texas,” he answered without having to think about it.
“And lone wolves?” Peri asked him.
