“But then they moved in with all of you.”
I continued to take everything in. “Yes.”
“Makes sense,” Bren said.
“Why?”
“Wolves are pack animals, Ceel. In becoming their girlfriends, you became part of their pack.”
I thought about us all living under one roof. How easily we’d grown accustomed to their presence and how we had depended on one another. “I guess you’re right.”
The trees cleared. Rows of beautiful, three-story lodges simulating a majestic ski resort occupied the clearing. Each building, while unique, was adorned with stone steps and railings leading to sweeping wraparound porches with stout granite pillars and outdoor fireplaces. The landscaping consisted of strategically placed shrubs, trees, and plants that intermingled with sculptures designed from boulders and petrified wood. The Den didn’t so much resemble a school, but rather a vacation spot that catered to the ridiculously wealthy and the power elite.
I stopped the car in front of one of the larger structures and jumped out. Bren and I wandered down the stone-paved road trying to figure out where to go. I feared the worst when I dialed Taran and my call went straight to voice mail.
“Hi, Celia. Aric is in the main building over there.” The little wolf who snagged my flag pointed to a building across the street.
I looked at the building, then back at him. “Hi, John. I’m not looking for Aric. I need to find my sister.”
“Oh, the little blonde who was hurt? She’s there, too. Follow me.”
The building John led us to was at least three times the size of the other lodges. He had us wait in the massive foyer while he jogged up the steps of a sprawling wooden staircase. Moments later, everyone, including Emme, appeared at the top of the stairs.
I sprinted up the stairs, grabbing Emme in a tight embrace when I reached her. “I’m okay, Celia, really. It just took me a little while to heal,” she said.
I released her slowly and hugged my other sisters before addressing their wolves. Worry and anger shadowed Liam’s boyish features. “She was knocked unconscious, Celia. I thought she was gone.”
Rage prickled my skin. My baby sister had almost died at the hands of those bastards. “Did you kill them, Liam?”
He turned back to Emme. “Of course I did. I—”
A ripple of strength and authority swept in, similar to the small waves before the tsunami hits. In the arched doorway, Aric stood with two men and a woman. My tigress recognized them as the pack Elders; their power was unmistakable.
Liam and Gemini took Emme and Taran and hurried toward them. Koda grabbed Shayna and me and followed them with Bren at our heels. Koda released me only when Aric came to stand by my side.
The larger and most commanding of the two male Elders examined me closely. He was a tall, African- American with broad shoulders and bulging muscles, despite his advanced age. Gray touched his short black hair, and deep-set wrinkles framed his eyes. His gaze didn’t appear challenging, yet he seemed to expect something of me.
Aric nodded slightly and moved close enough that I felt his body heat. The fondness he’d demonstrated to the Elder in that subtle gesture made me realize I’d just met Martin Lockwood, the pack Alpha.
I stepped away. It hurt too much to have Aric near and know we could no longer touch. Martin pursed his lips. A small motion, but I noticed it anyway.
Aric didn’t attempt to close the distance between us. Instead he mirrored his Warriors, who had bowed their heads.
The remaining male Elder stepped forward. He was Native American with waist-length black hair streaked with silver. Unlike Martin, whose expression I couldn’t read, this guy was clearly ticked. “Explain yourselves,” he snapped, unleashing a deep growl.
“Anara, calm,” said the Native American woman behind him. Her pure white hair flowed behind her like a veil. She was petite and slight of figure, but stood strong. And although I placed her at about eighty, her only wrinkles fell along her laugh lines, leaving me the impression she’d smiled a great deal throughout her life. She touched Anara’s shoulder, soothing him and silencing his growls. It was only then the wolves dared speak.
Gemini stepped forward. “Ladies, may I present our distinguished Elders, Martin Lockwood, Anara Running Bear, and Makawee Light-Feather. Honorable Elders, this is—”
“We know who they are,” Anara said tightly. “The question is, why are they here?”
“I allowed them to come, Anara,” Aric interrupted.
Anara’s thick brows appeared menacing enough to crawl off his face and slap me. “Aric, your lapse in judgment astounds me. First last night’s exploits and now this? They need to leave.” He trained his glare specifically at me. “You don’t need any more distractions.”
I glared right back. “We were just leaving.”
Aric stepped in front of me so fast the breeze from his speed pushed my hair back. Bren gave my arm a warning squeeze. Everyone tensed. I realized too late that mouthing off to a pack Elder was probably not the smartest thing to do.
“Then do so
The Warriors quickly escorted us outside. Someone had already parked our other car in front of the building, no doubt to expedite our departure. Emme and Taran drove off after some hurried encouragement from Liam and Gemini. Shayna chose to ride with me. She climbed into the back of our SUV. Bren took the front. I could feel the Elders continuing to watch us. I wanted to leave just as badly as they wanted me gone, but when I tried to open the driver’s-side door, Aric stopped me.
“Please, wait. I want to talk to you.”
Anara’s voice imitated that of a beast. “Aric. Let her go and return to my office
Makawee interrupted in a serene whisper. “Anara, allow him a moment with Celia.”
I turned to her, puzzled that she knew my name. She greeted me with a small smile. “Yes, child, I know who you are. I recognize your aroma from scenting it on Aric.”
Makawee’s smile widened at my blush. “Anara,” she continued, “you were young once. Let Aric say good- bye.”
Anara didn’t argue. He followed Makawee up the stone steps, stopping once to glare at Aric and me before entering the building. I didn’t see Martin. Yet I sensed his essence all around me.
I turned to Aric. It was the first time I’d allowed myself to really look at him since arriving at the Den. Deep shadows collected beneath his eyes, while lines bracketed the corners. His jaw bore heavy stubble. I couldn’t get over how hard he appeared; it was as if he no longer slept, and no longer cared about anything. He stepped closer to me. “Celia, may I hold your hands?”
Aric’s request aggravated the tension between us. It reminded me that I’d told him never to touch me again. My God, so much had changed. Just a few weeks prior we had slept in each other’s arms. And now . . .
Aric took my hands into his when I nodded. And just like that, the familiar feeling of warmth encompassed us. He let out a deep sigh. “Celia, things are so broken between us. I just wish I knew how to make them right.”
“You can’t, Aric.” My face cracked into a million pieces. “Look, I don’t like what you’re doing, but I realize you don’t have a choice.”
Aric didn’t say anything; instead he squeezed my hands tighter, regarding me with apparent sorrow. I allowed the heat we shared to comfort me one last time before pulling away. The moment we separated, loneliness consumed me. “Good-bye, Aric.”
I slipped into the SUV before I did something stupid. I wanted to kiss him, to beg him not to let me go, to tell
