I snickered. “Did you see how fast she whipped that gunout?”
He nodded, looking impressed. “She’s got spunk. Reminds me of youngerNadine.”
We walked over to the group of people hand in hand. Casey was giving Hemlock an ear rub and listening to Danny tell an extravagant story about trying to steal a pack of bubblegum when he wasnine.
I liked this life, having our little community up here on Isaac’s land. I didn’t like fearing the druids, but knowing we were offering a safe haven to Casey and those like her, put my mind at ease. It gave me a purpose in the world. I was taking up my mother’s work. And proudto.
Chapter 14
Keegan and Sophierolled in that night with a bus full of stone cold shifters, all bred to protect and slightly scary looking. They stared at Logan, Casey, Lynn’s family and me, like we were gods, mythical beings that shouldn’t exist. They brought another alpha with them, a female named Dee. A thirty-something woman with lean muscles and short-cropped blond hair, she had this look in her eye that said she didn’t take shit from anyone, but she also gave me a kind smile. When she shook my hand, I thought my fingers would break. She was like Keegan’s long-lost twin sister. The plan was that Dee would take half the pack and Keegan would command the other. In the grand scheme of things it didn’t really matter which pack we were in because we were sharing the land and would see each otherdaily.
Now, we all stood around the large bonfire as the sun set behind us. Keegan and Dee began to call off names, splitting up the teams into two. It felt a bit like middle school gym class and I was being picked for a soccerteam.
“Logan, Sloane, and my team will stay with me. We’ll also take Casey,” Keegan announced as we all made our way to his side. Geoff and Casey had already become fast friends, complaining there were no video games or cable TVhere.
Dee smiled. “Lynn, I’d love for you and your family to join us so that my shifters could protect youguys.”
Lynn cradled her belly, beaming. Tony and Geoff looked happy as well. How long had they struggled on their own? Now their family would forever have protection. They walked to Dee’s team, and everyone introduced themselves. I reached Keegan’s side, and when I spun around I noticed Nadine still standing with the group of newshifters.
Oh shit. I’d forgotten to tell Logan about her Gear drama. I’d been so overwhelmed with Casey’sarrival.
‘Logan, Nadine—’I didn’t even get the words through our bond before Nadine stepped forward and faced the newalpha.
“I’d like to switch groups for personal reasons,” she stated loudly. She held her chin high, and avoided meeting Keegan or Logan’sgaze.
“What?” Keegan stepped forward, but my arm snaked out and grabbed his bicep. He looked back at me with a venomousgaze.
I just shook myhead.
‘She loves Gear. Needs a break from seeing him every day,’ ItoldLogan.
Logan stepped forward, and met the blue-eyed gaze of his best friend andalpha.
He nodded. “Let hergo.”
I heard a strangled noise behind me and turned to see Gear, face pinched in anxiety. When he caught me looking, he turned quickly and took off running into theforest.
Oh lord. Lovers’ quarrels were not what we needed right now. We needed money; I needed to light shit on fire with my mind; and we had Lynn’s baby to worry about. But I couldn’t discount my friend’s heart. She was hurting and thatmattered.
“Alright, I’ll allow it,” Keegan said with a slight crack in hisvoice.
Dee had clearly picked up on the tension and drama but kept professional about it. “Alright, hun, you’re with me, then. Glad to have you.” She waved Nadineover.
Our tattooed shifter gave a tight smile and walked to stand behind her new alpha. Being on the opposite side of Nadine, even if we were all still on the same big team, feltwrong.
I stood on my tiptoes. “Your rules suck ass,” I whispered in Keegan’sear.
He growled lightly but didn’t turn around. I didn’t know anything about being an alpha of a pack, but I knew that his current way of doing things wasn’t working. After the pack was split in two, I stood around with Logan and Keegan. Neither wanted to talk aboutNadine.
“How much did that bus set us back?” Logan asked Keegan, pointing to the retired public transport bus he’d pulled upin.
“Twenty grand,” Keeganreplied.
Logan winced. “We need more cash. I’ve got aplan.”
* * *
Danny,Dominic, and Eva were following Logan, Keegan and I in my car. We’d driven about two hours away from our land, and were intending to shift and give scales to Danny and Eva, who would then sell them at a nearby supernatural black market in San Francisco. Casey had begged to come. Even bragged about her beautiful blue scales. Said she hadn’t shifted in years and was dying to let her dragon out and help the cause, but Logan refused. Told her to stay safe with Roxy and the others. Eva had tried to use the Eye to see what Ardan and Steven were up to and make sure they weren’t close, but it was now clear they’d caught on and had some sorcererprotection.
