I should save my dignity and offer him another solution while I still can.
“You would do that?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“I would like to take you up on that offer, then,” he says, surprising me once more. “You are very strong.”
That’s one thing I can agree with. Despite all my shortcomings, I have one strong point, and it’s literally my strength. Still, hearing someone acknowledge it just feels like something deep inside me gets nourished a little. Martin said it so randomly, like it’s a fact.You are very strong.
“Send me your schedule,” I say. “I will work something out.”
Suddenly, the silence doesn’t feel as suffocating anymore. For a moment, I even contemplate asking him about Jordan, and why he looked so restrained when Lissa mentioned him in the car. But maybe that’s pushing it a bit too far.
I don’t know his stance on things, and I don’t want to inconvenience him by asking difficult questions.
Martin and I spent an hour together, drinking our beer, mostly in silence. When I return to the pack house, I feel like I was able to unwind a little. Silence, when being with someone, usually makes me freak out. I feel the constant need to break it and say something, but Martin didn’t look like he minded.
Or maybe he did, but was trying to be polite.
Whatever it was, it looks like he was trying to get to know me a little. Maybe his parents, or mine, pushed him to it, but I don’t mind either way. It’s good to know my beta a little better.
Most pack members are deep asleep by now; many houses are dark, and barely any sound can be heard aside from some cottages where younger wolves live. They still seem to be up and partying a little. I glance at the screen of my phone, noting that it’s 2 a.m. by now.
The packhouse itself is almost completely dark, though, which is not unusual for this time of the night. The offices and alpha suites are located there. My parents and I each have our own, fortunately, and then there are the suites of some elite warriors. Other than that, the packhouse only has official rooms and leisure rooms, which are either for work or for all pack members, like the dining hall, the kitchen, and several offices.
I am about to open the door to the separate staircase, which will lead me to the private area of the alpha family and then up to my own suite, when I notice some light coming through one of the doors. Odd. This area is solely for the alpha family, and guests when we host them. It consists of a private dining room and living room, and then further upstairs, our two suites. Usually, no one else enters, and so late into the night, my parents should be asleep.
Maybe someone forgot to switch off the light.
I decide to take a little detour to do that, reaching out my hand to open the door when I hear voices from inside. The deep voice of my father can be heard, and Mom’s. But there is a third voice, too.
Is that Lissa? I thought she went home to get some sleep?
I should probably just go inside to greet them and see if they are having any problems. Surely, something has to have happened if they are meeting so late. Maybe they tried to invite me too, but didn’t find me as I was still out.
I pause at my own thoughts.
Dad could have linked me, though. Why didn’t he?
I don’t know what it is or why, but just like with my talk with Jordan, I feel a tug in my stomach. It’s probably ridiculous, nothing, and I am just being silly… but the feeling remains, even when I try to tell myself that I am being completely paranoid.
Darien.
My wolf is with me in an instant, very much to my surprise. Usually, I need to poke him a little, as he doesn’t really like talking to me an awful lot.That was fast,I add.
Something feels off,he growls.
I feel the same,I say, glad that he shares my gut feeling. Maybe I should talk to him about Jordan, too. Certainly, he has an opinion on who to choose as our allies and who we make deals with.
Now, however, we have more urgent business.
I need your enhanced senses,I say.
That, and we need to be quiet,he mutters.Do you need me to come fully forward?
I should be okay if I don’t move too much,I say.But stay with me.
He nods.
