Mallory chose her next words carefully; she sensed that the younger woman needed someone to talk to who wouldn’t judge her for her darker thoughts. If Hannah wanted to confide in someone, she was prepared to listen. ‘Do you wish things had turned out differently?’ she asked softly. ‘Do you wish you weren’t a MacTire wolf?’
Hannah took a long moment before answering. ‘Not really, but sometimes I wonder about the road less travelled, about what some of the MacTires were doing before we joined up and if you can rub away the stains of what’s gone before. I’m happy here but…’ Her eyes were sad. ‘What if everything changes again? Some of the things that happened here were truly despicable.’
‘I’ve seen nothing about the MacTire pack that suggests anything other than deep-seated camaraderie.’ Mallory hugged her briefly. ‘You can’t let the past steal your present, Hannah.’
The girl smiled faintly. ‘That sounds like something Alex would say.’
Something twanged deep in Mallory’s chest. ‘The easiest way to make sure your mother made the right decision for both of you is to make sure your voice is always heard.’
Hannah chewed a fingernail. ‘I thought about suggesting a monthly forum where the less powerful members of the pack could have their say.’
Mallory considered. ‘No, not monthly. For it to have substance, you need to meet more often than that. Make it weekly and divide it into two sections. Meet on your own first so everyone can talk freely, then for the last fifteen minutes invite Alex or Samantha or whoever so you can tell them your concerns.’
Her eyes widened. ‘That’s a good idea. Do you think he’d go for it?’
‘Why don’t you ask him and find out?’
Hannah had obviously takenher advice. When Mallory met Alexander later for another prep session, he told her Hannah had come by earlier with an idea for a forum to give the weaker members of the pack a chance to say what they were really thinking.
‘What do you think of it?’ Mallory asked.
‘It’s a great idea. I’ve been trying to think of ways to allow everyone’s voices to be heard and by coming to me with this proposal she’s already achieved that. Thank you for encouraging her,’ he said quietly.
It took some time before the glow inside her subsided, even when their conversation turned to the nitty-gritty of his forthcoming date. They discussed what topics of conversation should be avoided, namely any mention of werewolf politics or past relationships, and what he wanted to ask Cathy about. When he produced a list that included questions on her plans for the future, her strengths, weaknesses and how she would dealwith pack conflict, Mallory had to persuade him that it wasn’t a job interview. ‘Keep it light-hearted and fun. It’s a first date,’ she told him firmly.
‘These are things I need to know,’ he argued. ‘I’m not looking for a roll in the hay, I want a life partner. And how do I keep things light-hearted and fun whilst also showing her that I’m vulnerable?’
‘Don’t put on an alpha façade.’
‘It’s not a façade!’
Mallory sighed. ‘This is making me want to gouge my eyes out with a spoon.’
Alexander raised his eyebrows. ‘Don’t do that. You’ll need your sight later to critique my appearance.’
‘I’m not the person to do that, Alexander.’ She gestured to herself. ‘I have frizzy hair and I wear patchwork clothes in bright colours while you…’ Her voice trailed away.
His expression turned studiously blank. ‘Me, what?’
‘You’re … you.’
‘What does that mean?’
She drew in a breath. ‘You never have a hair out of place, your stubble is designer and your clothes are professionally tailored in shades that complement your skin tone.’
‘You don’t like the way I look?’
‘I didn’t say that.’
He reached up and mussed his hair. ‘How about now?’
Mallory gave him an exasperated look, though his ruffled hair gave him a raffish air that only highlighted his handsome face.
When she saw him next, he was wearing a brightly coloured T-shirt with a rainbow unicorn emblazoned on its front. ‘Andrea bought it for me as a present a few years ago,’ he said smugly.
‘She bought it as a joke, right?’
‘Or because sparkles suit me.’
