It didn’t take her long to find out what was going on. The camp was teeming with people who were looking for the same information she was and Chad was holding an impromptu meeting outside his cabin.
He was obviously trying to calm everyone down, his tone calm but firm as he stood on the porch, arms crossed and face stern with Da’rion to one side and his Beta, Blake to the other. “There’s no need for this kind of alarm. Just go about your business and take heed of what we’ve said. That’s pretty dang simple . . . don’t wander off alone and no going into the forest alone, or in fact, even in groups, without letting us know. We hope to have the situation dealt with soon, but until you hear from us that it has been, then these strict procedures will be adhered to. I don’t want to have to get heavy handed on this, but I will if I have to. This is for everyone’s safety and you all know that I take all of your protection very seriously. I don’t plan on doing updates every damn hour so don’t pester me, or my men. Leave us to do our jobs. That is all, people.”
Connie spied Cody, sighing at the sight of the sexy Shifter who ran Silvers. His tattoos causing her to shiver with delight as they rippled when he turned around and raised his arm to wave at her. “Hi, Connie. You coming by tomorrow?”
“Afraid not.” Connie shook her head. “Mom’s got herself all worked up so I promised to stay in camp until Chad says everything’s taken care of. Sometimes I wish I had a big brother, maybe then she wouldn’t worry so much. Jeez, you’d think I was still a kid the way she goes on.”
Cody was right beside her now, so close she could see his tatts up close and personal and she had to fight herself from reaching out and tracing her finger along his ink. Damn. She had the hots for him but she knew he looked on her as nothing more than just what she’d said . . . a kid sister.
“If you want to come out, I can get one of the guys to bring you and drop you back after. No problem, kiddo. Just say the word.” Cody gave her one of his smiles, his green eyes twinkling as he smiled down at her.
“Really?” She grinned up at him. “I might just take you up on that. It beats staying in and gorging on Mom’s cookies.”
“Cookies? Hey, you didn’t mention your mom’s cookies. If you decide to come, then the terms have changed.” Cody smirked. “I provide the bodyguard to bring you and drop you off and you provide me with cookies . . . deal?”
“Deal!” Connie giggled. “I’ll text you if I’m coming, but I need to try and talk Cyndi into it.”
“Okay. I gotta run. See ya later.” Cody turned and strode away, the sight glorious and she just stood and took it in for a few moments. His jeans tight and moulded on his ass and thick thighs. Dang, why couldn’t she meet someone like that who only had eyes for her?
“Connie . . . Connie!”
“Hmm, what?” she asked, her eyes still trained on Cody’s retreating perfection, a finger prodding her shoulder causing her to finally turn.
“Connie! Are you ogling Cody’s ass? Again?” Cyndi asked, shaking her head, causing her long dark hair to fly around.
“What? No, of course not.”
“Yes, you were,” Cyndi retorted. “The blush on your face tells another story, my friend.” Cyndi looped her arm through Connie’s. “Yes, he’s hot, but he’s out of our league.”
“I know,” Connie exhaled. “But I can dream and he’s offered to get us a bodyguard, his word not mine, and a ride to and from Silvers tomorrow night. What do you say? Wanna go out for a little while?”
Cyndi didn’t answer for long moments as they walked, and Connie’s heart sank, certain her friend was about to blow her off . . . again. She ran through their DVD collection, wondering what one they’d watch while stuffing their face with cookies when her friend finally spoke.
“Sure, why not. The tension in camp is getting to me so it’ll be nice to get away for a bit.”
Connie stopped dead, causing Cyndi to stumble as Connie squealed. “What? Really? Great! Come on, let’s go tell Mom she needs to bake cookies. Lots of cookies!”
Cyndi looked perplexed as Connie started dragging her home. “What the heck has your mom’s cookies to do with anything?”
“It’s part of the deal. Cody wants Mom’s cookies and I promised him I’d take him some in exchange for our ride.” Connie skipped along, her face beaming. “I’m so looking forward to this. It’s been ages since you’ve been out and I’ll get to watch Cody all night long!”
“Connie, sweetie, you know nothing is ever going to happen between you two, so why do you torture yourself.” Cyndi laughed as she allowed herself to be pulled along. “And, FYI I’m wearing jeans and a top, as usual, nothing sexy, so don’t even try to get me to wear anything like that. If you do, then I’m not going.”
“Oh, you are such a party pooper,” Connie whined. “But you’re definitely wearing some make-up. No arguments on that.”
“Some, not a lot,” Cyndi said firmly.
“All right.” Connie smirked. “But I’m wearing my red top and heels. Maybe there’ll be some new blood there and I’ll meet someone.”
“Maybe you will.” Cyndi laughed.
As they reached home, Connie rushed inside shouting. “Mom! Cody’s getting us a bodyguard for tomorrow! Our very own bodyguard and a ride to and from Silvers but he needs payment and that’s where you come in. I need you to get baking!”
Her mom walked through, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “What? A bodyguard?”
“Yes. I said you were worried with what’s going on and he’s offered to get us our very own ride with one of the guys to protect us! Isn’t that nice of him? But he wants your cookies as payment. So, Mom, please, please, can you make him a batch?”
Her dad joined them, his arm snaking around her mom’s waist as he winked at her. “That sounds like a very generous offer, Selah. Cody is being very responsible doing that for the girls. Don’t you think?”
Connie didn’t think she’d loved her father more than she did at that moment. Her mom looking at him before she turned back and gave a curt nod. “If you promise to keep to that, Connie. Don’t leave with anyone else. Okay?”
“I solemnly promise, Mom. So, will you do the cookies?”
“Of course I will. I guess I better do plenty, that Cody has a large appetite.”
Connie darted over, hugging her mom. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, just remember and not go wandering off, missy. I don’t want anything to happen to you, or Cyndi.”
“I’ll be careful, Mom, and Cody will make sure we’re safe.”
“Right then, that’s settled,” her dad said, patting her shoulder. “I’ll see you later, I’ve still got work to do.”
“Oh, wait.” Connie stopped him. “Chad was giving an update earlier, just said what we already knew, about staying in camp and all that. He said not to pester him or the guys and to leave them alone to do their jobs. That he’d tell us when things were safe and to not go wandering off alone. Other than that, nothing new.”
“Okay, honey, thanks.” Her dad, nodded. “We’ll just carry on then and we won’t get worried about anything because Chad has everything under control. Okay, Selah?”
Her mom still looked concerned, nibbling her lip as she nodded. “I guess.”
“You go bake and leave everything to the Alpha and his men, it’s his job, darling.” Her dad hugged her mom before leaving and Connie agreed.
“Mom, please don’t get upset, Chad’s got everything under control.”
“I’m sure he does.” Her mom gave her a small smile before disappearing back into the kitchen.
“She still looks worried,” Cyndi whispered.
“She’s always worried about something,” Connie mumbled back. “I hate that she’s upset about this though and hope that it’s sorted soon. I don’t like it when she’s like this.”
“Me too,” Cyndi agreed, patting her chest. “I can feel it, in here.”
“Yeah, I can too.” Connie shook her head. “Baking usually takes her mind off things so hopefully that’ll help. So, in the meantime, I’m going up to my room for a bit. I’ll see you later.”
“I’ve got some work to do for Caitrìona, well, more studying. I’ve got to revise what we were doing earlier. I know she’ll ask me about it tomorrow. I’m determined to be able to answer her without stammering like an idiot. I hate when I do that, even when I’ve been revising for hours. I’m not going to be like that this time. Nope, this time I’m going to get it right the first time.”
“Jeez, it’s like being back in school.”
“No, it’s worse,” Cyndi quipped as she sat down, getting comfortable on the sofa.
“Good luck,” Connie said, leaving her to it.