This was going to be far more difficult than she’d thought. She was good at “putting on a front” but if the people she was trying to impress could see right through her, or rather, smell right through her, then she wasn’t quite sure how she’d get on.
The one thing she was certain of was the fact that she had to impress these people or she was up shit creek without a paddle. Taking a deep breath Kirsty straightened her back, stepping down and toward the nearest people she saw, hoping they were friendly.
They had their backs to her, which gave her a few more minutes to calm herself, but before she reached them, she heard a sound that lifted her heart. Leia’s excited barking had Kirsty turning toward the noise, her Shepherd barreling toward her at break-neck speed, tail wagging and Jimmy rushing after her.
“Leia, wait up, will ye?” Jimmy yelled, sliding to a stop breathlessly. “Sorry, Miss Kirsty, she musta scented ye and she just took off.”
Kirsty leaned down, grabbing Leia and shaking her by the fur around her neck. “You been having fun, girl?”
“Aye, she’s been chasing rabbits; she’s no too great at catching them yet. But I’ll keep teaching her and I’m sure when the Alpha takes her out hunting he’ll do it better than me.”
Jimmy looked adorable, his hair falling down over his forehead, his face lit up as he kept glancing at Leia. Kirsty could see how serious he was being though so maintained her tone in keeping with his. “I’m sure you’re right, Jimmy. Thank you for taking care of her for me this morning.”
“Of course.” Jimmy reached out, petting Leia. “She’s beautiful and really smart. She’ll pick it up in no time. I just wish I was a wee bit older and could transform so I could hunt properly wae her. Just another year or so and then I’ll be able to. Can I come and get her later? I’ll make sure she gets fed. Promise.”
“That would be great, Jimmy, thank you for your help. I’ll see you later.”
“Thank you, Miss Kirsty, for trusting me with her.”
His wee chest puffed up with pride as he turned to walk away, Kirsty patted Leia’s head as she nudged her hand with a wet nose. “You’ve made a friend for life there, puppy.”
“Aye, she has.”
The voice surprised Kirsty, so close to her that she jerked around. A large bear of a man standing with an axe lying over his shoulder, a woman by his side. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare ye.”
“Didn’t scare me,” Kirsty replied calmly, keeping her hand on Leia. “Just didn’t hear you coming up behind me. As I said to Skye earlier, I’ve not got that amazing Wolf hearing you all do.”
The man cocked his head to the side, obviously sizing her up. Kirsty was grateful to have Leia at her side, her Shepherd calming her in ways that only her pup could. She kept eye contact, raising an eyebrow when she thought his perusal had gone on a tad too long. The woman stepped forward, smiling. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, lass. This big oaf here is my mate, Muir, and my name is Fiona. I’m the Pack Healer, so if you need anything in that department just come find me. Muir, here, he’s usually building something or other and he also looks after the animal stocks on our land, but I’m sure you’ll soon learn everything there is to know about everyone.”
“I doubt that.” Kirsty smiled. “There’s an awful lot of people here.”
“Lass, if you need any help I’m always available. As the Pack Healer, I know everybody so I can help you anytime.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.” Kirsty gave the woman a smile, glancing at the imposing man, making eye contact and holding it. “I look forward to getting to know you better, both of you.”
Muir inclined his head, giving her the briefest of smiles. “I think you’ll do just fine.”
As they moved away Kirsty exhaled, mumbling to her Shepherd. “Stay close, girl. I think I’m going to need your support.”
Leia whined, nudging her thigh gently with her snout as if she knew exactly what her mistress needed from her. Staying right beside her as Kirsty set off to meet more of the Pack.
Kade’s beast tore through the trees, his earlier anger abating somewhat. His shock at finding evidence of rogues on his land had not been easy to process, especially when they’d found tracks very near to the camp.
The thought that any of his Pack could be in danger caused him to snarl at Isla who oversaw the Pack Guards and security of their lands and camp. She had taken everything he’d thrown at her, and not once had she defended herself, lowering her head and accepting his anger and admitting it was her fault.
That’s when the normally quiet Dara’s beast had prowled forward, butting in and reminding Kade that nobody had been any the wiser, Kade included.
Guilt had washed over Kade in great waves as he realized if he hadn’t been sneaking out to hunt, so overtaken with the Hunger that had consumed him that maybe, just maybe, he would’ve scented the rogues that had encroached onto his land. He had stormed away, ordering everyone to stay where they were. He needed some peace for a few minutes so he could think. Thing was, when his anger cleared and he did have the time to process what they’d found, he knew that Isla wasn’t the only person responsible. They all were, him included.
If rogues had made it so far onto their land, so close to camp, that
