“Partly. You have to admit, it’s a great way to meet shifters. Everyone heads over to Langdon’s at some point.”
“The pack already hates me. Putting me in a position where I have to say no to their requests won’t help.”
“It was just a thought. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Sadie Lynn and the kids.”
We change direction, instead of heading toward Tess’s house for coffee, which I don’t even drink, we follow a trail toward the lake. The snow-capped mountains in the distance rattle me because they remind me of home. I shake my head and try to focus on the sounds of kids. Happy sounds.
“Watch out!” someone yells, and Tess quickly pulls me under the cover of a tree as two young wolves charge past us, body slamming each other with no regard to how close to the trees they are or that we were walking on the trail.
“Sorry,” an out-of-breath woman with dark hair and darker eyes says as she catches up to us. The pile of clothes she drops lands with a thud. Quickly, she unties the fabric, which turns out to be a sweater dress, to reveal a pair of boots.
“Sadie Lynn, this is Angelina,” Tess introduces me as the woman dresses. “I’m showing her around so she can figure out where she might want to help.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says with a genuine smile. “I’m glad you heard me. I shifted as soon as I could so I could warn you, but Matt and Bethany are too fast for me.” Sadie Lynn looks me over quickly. “You have long legs. Are you fast? We have five teens who went through their first shift this past month, and they’re getting to be a handful.”
No pressure, but bringing me into the middle of shifter-training led by a woman who looks like she’s reaching her limits… “Tess, you play dirty.”
“I’ll leave you here, then, to get a feel for some of the teens and younger kids. Maybe run that berry idea by Sadie Lynn, give the kids a nice project to keep them busy for a while.” With nothing but a smile, Tess heads back up the path.
“Ooh, she’s sneaky,” I say to Sadie Lynn, a woman I don’t know.
“Tess has a way of seeing through people.”
“What’s her job around here? Pack counselor?”
“Hmm, I wouldn’t say she has a job, precisely. She does a littlebit of everything. Coordinating, organizing, sitting on Damien when needed…”
I can’t help myself. I laugh. “I can’t imagine anyone forcing your alpha to do anything.”
“I never used the word force. Have you seen how big he is compared to her? It takes several males to hold Damien down when he’s riled. I’ve seen it. But Tess… she has a way with him. I guess because they’re mates. I’m single myself. Don’t know what the mate bond is like, but, and I’m not joking here, I’ve literally seen her sitting on him. Don’t know the story behind that one, don’t want to know. Let’s just say they’re happy and leave it at that. Oh, and he’s more relaxed since she came here. Big plus for the pack.”
“So you trust her?”
“No reason not to.”
“Except she has a tendency towards manipulating people.”
Sadie Lynn’s eyes widen, and I realize I’ve overstepped. “Maybe I should stick with sneaky.”
“Yeah, that’s a better word. Especially when you have yet to realize just how sneaky she is. I’m not sure what she’s up to presently.”
“What aren’t you saying?”
“Her bringing you over to me.”
“I had an idea for decorations she thought you might like.”
“Oh, I’m sure you do, and she knows I need help, so I’m more than happy to have you, if you’re okay with being around me.”
If I had hackles, they’d be standing straight up. My wolf, on the other hand, is completely calm. She likes Sadie Lynn. I do, too. “Where did the kids learn to body slam each other like that? You?”
She laughs. “Heavens, no. The guards, most likely. Or maybe it comes naturally to those two. Given all the running they do, I suspect they’re destined to be guards.” She motions me to follow her along the trail. “Like I said, you’re welcome to hang out withme and the kids. It’s tiring work, but rewarding. Maybe we should clear the air first, so there’s no drama.”
I tense up, but nod. “I’d rather have the truth, whatever it is.”
“I hear you like Garrett, maybe even slept with him. Or are sleeping with him.”
Someone in my bunk must have noticed I never came back that first night and started talking.
