She went to the bathroom and took care of her business and then dressed for the day.She wasn’t sure what they were going to do, so she opted for a pair of jean shorts and a nice blouse just in case.She found everyone in Ryan’s study for the day.
“Good morning,” she chirped.
They all turned and smiled at her.She loved starting her day seeing all four of them together.
“El, we have something to run by you,” Ryan said.
“Oh no, I haven’t had my coffee yet, is this a good thing or am I going to be annoyed?”she asked, half-joking.
“I think it’ll be a good thing.We’ve extended an offer to Willow to come and stay here with us as a guest.We know how you feel about Claudia, and we will not allow her to be your healer.She is on the far West side of the Pride, currently helping a mother.As soon as she’s done, I will see that she leaves,” Ryan explained.
“How big is the Pride?”El asked.
“Like numbers of physical space?”Trip asked.
“Physically, how big is it?”
“Where she is right now is roughly ten miles from here, we also stretch out about five miles to the East and then twenty miles North, and we’re about as far South as the Pride goes.”
“So, there are ways that she could be here and not be around us correct?”El asked.
“Yes, I suppose so,” Ryan replied.
“Don’t make her leave then.Not just yet.If she can busy herself away from us, then leave her be.I would, however, love having Willow here,” El chirped.
She had instantly taken to Willow, and she looked forward to having a female friend.El also had her own ulterior motives for wanting Claudia to be close by while Willow was staying with them.Willow was the only person El had confided in that she believed Claudia knew more about El than she was letting on.If El and Willow could work together, they may be able to prove it.
“Then we’ll make it happen,” Shawn said with a smile.
“How’s mamma?I know she gets sad right after we leave?”El asked.
“She’s doing okay.I’m going to go call her now and ask her to have Willow get in touch with us,” Shawn said.
He moved toward El, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before leaving the office.
“Well, that was a nice way to start the day.I could think of better,” she said mischievously.
“El,” Ryan growled, while Trip and Marcus both glared at her.
She giggled.She shouldn’t love teasing them as much as she did.
“Just saying,” she laughed, putting her hands in the air.
“You’re poking not just one lion, but three,” Trip replied, standing up and making his way to her.
“I’m not scared,” she replied.
Trip stopped just in front of her and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“You should be, some of us bite.”
He nipped her neck, causing her to gasp.The teeth she felt touch her skin hadn’t felt like human teeth at all, but when she looked at him, he was smiling his normal ornery smile.She smacked him in the stomach and let out a small giggle.
“What else is on the agenda today?”she asked.
“I spoke with two of our elders, and they both have agreed that if you would like they would speak with you about the Pride.Anything you want to know, and I’m sure some stories you don’t want to know.They both like to talk, and they don’t get visited much, so I apologize now,” Ryan told her.
“I would love that.My grandfather used to tell me the most amazing stories.I bet they have some great ones!”El said with excitement.
