“If she’s welcome, she would love to stay. Not indefinitely, but until the war is over. Her parents are away traveling the world, so she’s been on her own for a few years.”
“What about the kingdom she’s from?” Hunter asked.
Jin shook her head. “Ciana isn’t from a kingdom. She grew up in one of the utopian villages. You know, the villages where all species gather neutrally. Her parents raised her there to keep her safe. She’s special, and they wanted to make sure she was raised away from anyone who might wish to abuse her powers.”
“You trust us with such a secret?” Sam asked with a wide grin.
Jin nodded. “Yes, you’re all nice people. I know you would never take advantage of her.”
“You trust us?” Chasen asked, and her eyes flickered up to meet his gaze. “Well then, I want to know about your past.”
“It isn’t that I don’t trust you. Honestly, I don’t know why I trust you all already. Is that weird?” Jin asked, but not really expecting an answer, she continued. “It’s just that my story isn’t an easy one to digest.”
“I trust you too, Jin. I don’t think it’s weird. It doesn’t matter what your past is. Not to me. And if you ever want to talk about it, I’m ready to listen.” Hunter leaned over and patted her shoulder.
She looked up at Chasen. “If you really feel like you want to know now, then I’ll tell you. But maybe we should leave that conversation for this evening. It’ll ruin everyone’s mood to hear it now.”
After hearing that, Chasen felt his chest squeeze uncomfortably. Was her past that bad? He felt the urge to wrap his arms around her and let her know she was safe with him.
Shit.Why was he feeling like this? There was just something about Jin. Something that made him irritated at the way his body was reacting. He turned and looked away from her, back out the window. “That’s fine,” he managed to reply. Meanwhile, he was waging a war within himself. A war that had him questioning everything.
Jin looked at the big building they pulled up to, which seemed to stretch far in the distance. She suddenly felt a bit nervous. There were so many people going in and out. A warm hand landed on her shoulder, and she turned to see Hunter’s bright smile.
“Time to get you some clothes.” Hunter scooted out of the vehicle and then turned, offering his hand to her. He pulled her up to his side and watched her eyes flicker around nervously. “I would stay with you if I could, but Sam and I have a meeting to attend. Renee and Susan will be with you, though.”
“That’s fine. I’ll be fine with them.” Jin smiled at Renee and Susan. She walked up toward the girls, who excitedly began to drag her into the building.
Hunter watched them until they disappeared. He had to go lead a roomful of alphas, who did not like to be told what to do or to be challenged by anyone. It wasn’t in their nature. This was his task, though. He had to get the alphas to fall in line under him. The red energy he’d felt inside of him this morning began to slightly swell again. It didn’t disappear this time but remained at the surface, quiet but present.
Chasen followed them over to the conference room inside the mall, where the meeting would take place.
“I guess this is where we leave you, Chase. Go raid the food court. We’ll see you shortly.” Hunter listened to his brother’s low growl before he and Sam entered the room.
They heard gentle murmuring as they walked into the room. The space was decorated in a red carpet that had many circular tables set up. Alphas and their betas were all seated at these tables, and dozens of different packs were represented. As Hunter entered the room, Luke from the Cedar Pack walked up to him. “Hunter. You definitely have your hands full here.” Luke chuckled and looked back over his shoulder. “I brought my son along with me instead of my beta. Kyle is taking over for me next year, so I want him to get used to these events.”
“Hunter!”
Hunter turned and smiled. “Uncle Drew … Ace. I’m glad you guys could make it.”
“Are you kidding? We have to be here. We need to show our support and get these demons taken care of when the time comes.” Drew, Alpha of the Red Grove Pack and his mother’s brother, was one of Hunter’s biggest supporters.
Hunter nodded his head and looked out at the crowd, seeing many unwelcoming stares, including one from Alpha Will from the Birchwood Pack. He listened as Blaze growled in his mind.
We should kill him.
It's alright, Blaze. We deserve better. A true luna would have been loyal.
It was a good thing Chasen wasn't here. He would have made a scene and gone on a rampage. If it was up to him, Alpha Will would be dead. It was in the past, though. No matter what happened, it was over.
He looked back at the raised platform behind him.Might as well get started.
“I guess this is a real case of getting fed to the wolves.” Sam snickered at his own joke. “Seriously, you’ve got this, Hunter.”
Hunter let out an airy laugh and sighed, taking authoritative steps up onto the platform, and walked toward the podium. He turned and looked out over the men sitting there, waiting for him to speak.
“I’d like to start out by thanking you all for coming. We are gathered here under grave circumstances. As many of you know from firsthand experience, demons have been assembling en masse. Our packs are continually colliding with them during patrols. Some of us have even experienced casualties.”
“It’s not our fault that other packs are weak,” a voice growled from the crowd.
