Avoiding Alpha

“They want you back?” Chris asked so softly, I could barely hear the words.



“They’re all mad that I’m a wolf,” I said back, my voice equally soft. “They want me here so badly that they’re planning on speaking against Dastien at the Tribunal.”



“Shit.”



“Yep.” Even if I was supposed to be their leader, I couldn’t imagine why they’d be so desperate to have me join. There had to be someone else in my generation with the gift of sight that could take it over. If I could find someone, then maybe they’d drop this whole vendetta against the pack.



Unless there was a bigger agenda. I thought back to the vision and the mention of a war.



Christ. There was no way I had time to worry about that right then. I shoved it to the back of my mind for another day.



In the short time it took to get to the fourth house, people of all ages—some in hippy gear, some in normal clothes—started to congregate on porches. Daniel stood in the middle of the road talking to a few others. They were all eyeballing us. Most stared at Chris like he was the enemy. Some looked at me like I was, too. Most seemed simply curious. Their eyes lingered on me a little longer.



Good thing I was used to being stared at. You didn’t get through seventeen years of visions by letting weird looks bother you.



I shoved everything out of my mind except finding answers about Meredith. I was here for a purpose, and losing sight of that wouldn’t be good for anyone.



The wooden stairs to my cousins’ doorstep creaked as I walked up.



“Let’s get in and out,” Chris said.



“My thoughts exactly.” I knocked once and before I could knock a second time, Claudia answered.



Her thick, pin-straight, black hair was split into two braids. She wore a pair of jean cut-offs and a T-shirt. “Prima. What’re you doing here?” Her eyes were wide.



“I need your help.”



She looked beyond Chris and me, taking in all the people gathered around. She pressed her lips together. “Let’s go inside,” she said after a second.



“Thanks. I think that’s best.”



Every inch of the living room was filled with tchotchkes. The place was a dust mite’s haven, but not a speck of dust tainted the decor. The walls were lined with shelves filled to the brim with figurines, and covered with cutesy plaques with proverbs and sayings. Little dishes of potpourri sat on almost every flat surface. The scent of rose, cinnamon, orange, clove, and at least a dozen other things filled the air. The effect was only slightly nauseating.



The back wall held an altar with lit candles in skinny, tall glass jars with images of the saints on them. A framed portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe hung above the candles.



Claudia motioned us to the cushy floral printed couch. “Can I get you something to drink?”



I sat down. “No. I’m fine.”



Chris shook his head and sat next to me. He took his sunglasses off, hanging them off the neck of his T-shirt. His eyes were finally back to their normal, non-glowing blue. I was glad his wolf was wrapped up, because mine wasn’t. Daniel’s comments plus missing the connection to Dastien was making my wolf uneasy. Not enough to make me shift, but it was more than enough to put me on edge.



Claudia settled on a blue velvet chair. She tugged on one of her braids before flipping it over her shoulder. “I’m glad you came. It’s been tense here.”



“I’m getting that. Loudly. I spoke with Daniel for a minute… I hope you all know that I’m not leaving my pack. I’m happy where I am.” Chris started to move, but I put my hand on his knee, stilling him.



“I get it, and for the record—we’re divided on that. The majority of us want you to stay where you are.”



I was too relieved to be insulted that they didn’t want me around. “Good. I’d rather not have this problem become bigger than it should be. Is there anything I can do to help sway the rest?”



“No, but I’ll let you know if I think of something.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Not to be rude, but why are you here?”



I was more than happy to focus in on my real goal. “You know my friend, Meredith?”



“Of course. A few of the coven members liked to hang out with the wolves a while back. Even though we’re not exactly friendly now, we still keep tabs on the pack members.”



I don’t know why it surprised me, but it did. And whatever ‘tabs’ La Aquelarre had on us, they must’ve been pretty damned accurate. The day I’d met my cousins, they’d shown up with backpacks filled with weapons made specifically for Meredith and me. “She started throwing up blood this morning.”