Even though my stomach lurches in revulsion, I let her kiss my cheek and smile warmly at her.
“Always lovely to see a woman as beautiful as you,” I say.
“Aw,” she splutters. “That’s so nice!”
“I mean every word.”
Melanie sits down as Jackson pours drinks for both of them, and she keeps sliding me looks and little winks.
Jesus. This family is so fucked up.
“So, Jackson,” I say casually. “What’s our first order of business, then? You seem to know what’s what around here.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing, boy,” he says, waving a hand. “Everything’s under control.”
Before I can push, Sara enters the room. Her tousled hair and damp eyes almost break my heart.
It’s obvious she’s been crying, and she’s walking in here like we’re a firing squad. I was hoping to get closer to her this evening, not put her through more trauma.
Even though I can see her discomfort, I’m relieved when she decides to cook us dinner and removes herself from the conversation. It doesn’t escape my notice that Melanie makes absolutely no effort to help.
I’d happily help, but I think if a man offers to cook in this town, it means he was gelded at a young age.
“Of course, I’ll defer to you,” I say, keeping my tone light as I draw Jackson back into conversation. “But I need to know what the town needs so I can be a good alpha. You’ll help, won’t you?”
“Of course I will,” Jackson says. “My father and I have always been close with the alpha, and no one knows this town better than I do.”
“Are the elder folk okay?” I ask, keeping my voice light. “They got home from the party without incident?”
“They did,” Melanie assures me, patting my arm. “I saw to it personally.”
Her smile and the cold look in her eye imply that she left them in the gutter, but I just smile and nod enthusiastically.
“Will I be able to talk to them soon? I’m very interested in your town’s history.”
“They are often very tired,” Jackson says. “It will be difficult to find a good time. Let me speak to them, and we can organize a meeting for you.”
“You’re too kind,” I reply, taking a sip of my drink. “I appreciate your help. Can you tell me what our main priority for the pack is at this time?”
“To welcome our new alpha and nurture the connection between us and the new packs,” Jackson says with an easy smile.
I let my face pull into a confused frown. “Some of the people at the gathering today looked awfully poor,” I say. “Do we need to run aid programs for them, or help them to improve their living conditions?”
“Of course,” Jackson says. “We need to make sure everyone in the pack is thriving. But I need you to understand, they may not accept our help.”
“Oh?”
“They are incredibly difficult,” Melanie says, her country drawl somewhat worse after a full tumbler of brandy. “We tryhard to bring them over to our side, but no, they want to listen to Leah.”
Jackson shoots Melanie a look, and there is a low thump under the table that makes her jump.
Did he just kick her?
“What my wife means is, some of the pack are more traditional. They prefer to live by the old ways. That’s all.”
“But surely they would accept help from you?” I ask. “You’ve been a trusted friend to the alpha for so long.”
“Talon’s death has them spooked,” Jackson says. “It’s confirmation of everything our legends have always told of. They think that because the alpha left and got killed, the holy fire is coming next.”
