Jono shifted back to human, going through the grinding change of bodies once more. When he was human again, he straightened up and took the clothes with a quiet “Cheers.”
The tracksuit bottoms were a little short, hitting just above the ankles, and the T-shirt was tight across his shoulders, but Jono didn’t complain. He’d ruined his shoes during the first shift, but he’d packed an extra pair. Jono ran a hand through his hair before nodding at Wade.
“Let me have my mobile,” Jono said.
Wade handed it over only slightly reluctantly. His desire to steal and keep things that weren’t his for a hoard they had to clean out monthly was a habit Jono and Patrick still hadn’t gotten him to break.
The front door slammed shut and a few more Chicago god pack members came into the living room. They spread out to keep watch, but none were blocking exits.
“Weather is getting worse,” one of them said. “Doesn’t feel normal.”
“It’s not. It’s a reactionary storm,” Jono said.
Naomi frowned at him. “The news isn’t saying that.”
Jono smiled thinly. “The news doesn’t want to incite panic.”
“I’m hungry,” Wade announced.
Jono sighed. “We need to get back to the hotel. I know the weather is shit, but could one of your pack members give us a ride downtown? I lost my sunglasses in the crash, and getting a taxi with my eyes is difficult enough without a blizzard in the mix, as I’m sure you know.”
“Every god pack member knows. Will our people be safe if they take you back?” Alejandro asked.
“I can’t make that promise. I don’t know what’s out there in the storm.”
Alejandro and Naomi glanced at each other, having a silent conversation. Finally, Naomi nodded. “I’ll go. You stay.”
“Take Monica with you,” Alejandro said.
“Of course.”
“I’ll go start the car,” Monica said.
She was the only one who left. The rest of the Chicago god pack who were present in the home remained where they were. Naomi approached, absently braiding her long hair with quick fingers and tying it off at the end.
“Patrick offered pass-through rights for any pack coming from Chicago who wanted to go to New York,” she said.
“If that’s what he offered, then I’m in agreement,” Jono replied.
“And what of Estelle and Youssef?”
Jono gave Naomi a hard smile. “They want a fight, so we’re giving them one. Our pack might be small in numbers, but our alliances include the fae and every Night Court in New York City.”
“Every Night Court?” Alejandro asked sharply.
Jono nodded. “Yes.”
Naomi eyed him. “You smell like truth.”
“We’ve taken in the packs who’ve left Estelle and Youssef’s protection, and we’re doing our best to keep them safe. We’ll do the same for whoever comes throughourcity from yours.”
“There is a pack who settled here five years ago from New York. Fifteen people who uprooted their lives came to us and asked for permission to stay and for protection. They didn’t trust the god pack alphas they left behind,” Alejandro said.
“I wouldn’t have either. I came to the States about four years ago, and I didn’t care for how Estelle and Youssef handled things then or now.”
“But they let you stay as an independent?”
“They didn’t have a choice.” At Alejandro’s dubious look, Jono continued with “A seer brought me over from London. I got to stay because Estelle and Youssef couldn’t say no to the government.”
