She’s already moving off with her mates before I can answer. I’m sure we’ll have time to catch up later. When I turn back around, I’m thrown so hard I do a double take at the next familiar face coming to speak with me.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Aisha says, pulling her suitcase behind her, looking more ready for a leisurewear fashion show than an all-out war. “You got room for me in the lodge too, Toby?”
Tobias instantly turns beet red and starts flapping his mouth like he can’t get words out.
“I always have this effect on him,” she says. “So, how about that room?”
“Yes ... well ... yes, of course,” Tobias says. “There’s one free room in the lodge, you are of course welcome to it.”
“Thank you,” she says, shooting him the most stunning, charming smile and sauntering past us.
“Aisha, wait.” I spin and she pauses.
“Are you sure?”
For a second, she stays where she is, pursing her lips, then she leaves her suitcase standing in a growing puddle and walks back to me.
“I did a lot of thinking,” she says. “And while the whole pack might not be on my side, you and Jasper are. You always have been. And in my eyes that makes you my pack and me yours. And I’dneverlet my pack down. You’re here to fight. So am I.”
I’m stunned. I don’t know what to say, so instead of saying anything I just wrap my arms around Aisha and give her the biggest hug.
“What about Troy?” I ask, pulling back.
“I sent him to stay with his family in Georgia. He’ll be safe if anything happens in the city.”
“Okay, good.”
She glances behind me. “You’ve got campers waiting. I’ll speak to you later.”
Behind me a new busload of wolves has arrived, they’re milling about awkwardly, unsure of where they should go. I give Aisha a nod and return to my position.
Soldiers continue to arrive late into the night. The drizzle is illuminated by the lights that dot the paths between cabins. Jasper, Omar, and I continue to shepherd waiting convoys and soldiers to their sleeping quarters.
At some point, Katie, Todd, Simon, Aisha, and Olivia all came out of the Alpha’s Lodge to help.
By the time the last of the vans has arrived for the night, we’re all drenched and exhausted.
We wave and try to smile as we say good night and head to our rooms.
“You want to take first shower?” I offer Jasper as I shut our door behind myself, watching him as he crosses the room, sits on the end of the bed, and kicks his shoes off.
“I think I’m too tired to shower,” he says and flops backward.
I move to the bed and lie down next to him. His rain-slick hair is stuck to his forehead, there’s dirt on his cheek.
“You should try,” I say. “Just to stay warm.”
He rolls onto his side and strokes a hand down the side of my face, looking into my eyes as if he’s seeing them for the first time.
“We’re really doing this,” he says.
“We are,” I reply. “But you’re no use to us if you get sick.”
He laughs and rolls his eyes. “Okay I’ll get in the shower, but you’re going next.”
“I’m right behind you.”
He rolls over and pushes off the bed, and I sit up.
