Theo looked at me sadly, pointedly, like he was waiting for me to realize something.
“Caddy, what pack did you say did this?”
“I didn’t.” He looked down at his shaking hands. “One of the trackers said it was someone from the Forte Pack.”
“Theo,” I said hesitantly, wavering. “That’s Porter’s pack, isn’t it?” I took his silence as confirmation.
“Reed Porter?” Caddy perked up. I nodded. “I don’t know that we’ve ever had contact with his pack. I mean, even Dorian knew that guy is batshit crazy. He wouldn’t stick his nose in that.”
“Theo, please tell me this isn’t my fault,” I whispered. Theo stood up and maneuvered around Caddy to hold me.
“Margo, how could this be your fault,” Caddy said, grabbing my hand that was wound tightly around Theo’s waist.
“Reed Porter has been creating trouble around here lately,” Theo informed him. “He wanted me to approve his demand to take over a portion of Duncan Trissur’s land. I told him no. He seemed to take a special interest in the fact that Margo is human.”
“I mean, I know Porter hates humans, that common knowledge. What does that have to do with Dorian?”
“Your uncle took care of Margo, allowed her to stay in your pack. By killing Dorian, he not only sent every other Alpha a message that Alpha’s who protect humans are at risk for attack, but he also made a threat to Margo directly,” Theo said softly while pressing my head to his chest.
“Margo,” Caddy said lowly.
“Caddy, I am so sorry.” I fought my way out of Theo’s arms and flung myself on Caddy.
“Margo, this is not your fault.” Caddy ruffled my hair like he used to. “Reed Porter was looking for a target, it's not like you gave him the idea.”
“But Dorian never would have been killed if it weren’t for me.”
Caddy snorted and sucked his lips into his mouth, shaking his head. “Sooner or later,” he said spitefully. “He was cruel; he didn’t care about anyone else and he never listened to anyone but himself. I don’t even know why I’m so upset. He hated me. He only used me when he needed something.”
“He was still your uncle.”
“Yeah,” he nodded, blowing air out of his mouth. I squeezed him tightly and released him.
“So, what do we do now?” I asked Theo. We sat down at the table, now joined by Gemma and a sleeping Tansy on her shoulder.
“Reed Porter just made a declaration of war,” Cam stated. “Against Duncan, Caddy’s pack, us.”
“My pack,” Caddy said strangely and shook his head. “I guess it is my pack now.”
“Dorian trained you well.” I touched his forearm. “You’ll be a great Alpha.”
“I’m only twenty-four.”
“You’re not the youngest ever,” Theo said kindly, reminiscing. “You’ll have the support. This is probably the best time to learn.”
“Right in the middle of a war,” he snorted.
“You’re going t-to war?” Gemma asked Cam.
“Gem, there’s no need to worry yet,” Cam murmured, taking her hand in his.
“Yes, th-there is.” Gemma’s voice was loud, and it woke Tansy.
“Momma?” her tired voice asked.
“I’m right-t here, b-b-baby.” Gemma kissed her head and rocked her softly against her body.
“We should reconvene tomorrow, get the council together,” Theo suggested. Cam nodded in agreement and stood up. Gemma stood with him and passed Tansy to her father.
“Margo.” Gemma came and took my hands in her cold ones. “It-t was wond-derful meet-ting you. I’m sure we will b-be seeing a lot-t of each oth-ther.”
“Probably,” I sighed, giving her a small smile. “It was nice meeting you as well. Your daughter is beautiful.”
“Yeah, well, she t-takes aft-ter me.” Gemma laughed at Cam’s distraught face and kissed his cheek. They left quietly, sending their condolences to Caddy before exiting the house.
“Caddy’s more than welcome to stay,” Theo offered, tucking his hands in his front pockets.
“Thanks,” Caddy noted.
“I’ll make the guest room up for you,” I promised, quickly running down the hallway to find extra sheets and blankets and pillows. I found some in a closet, carrying the large pile in my arms, unable to see around them. I heard Theo and Caddy talking as I set up the room down the hall.
“She’s a really good friend,” Caddy said affectionately. “She’s always been there for me, especially when my dad died. You’re treating her right?”
I almost laughed at the protective tone in Caddy’s voice.
“She could ask me for my heart, and I’d carve it out of my own chest for her,” Theo told him, chuckling slightly.
“Good,” Caddy boasted. I blushed and tucked myself behind a corner, listening to the rest of their conversation. “You know she’s been through a lot?”
“She doesn’t talk about it,” Theo sighed, grabbing two beers from the fridge.
“She won’t,” Caddy warned. “She lost her parents young. My grandpa was a cruel son-ova-bitch. Killed them right in front of her.”
“How old was she?”
“Four.”
Theo cursed under his breath.
“That’s why she acts so,” Caddy struggled for the word.
“Guarded?” Theo offered. Caddy nodded, taking a sip of his drink.
“It’s not because she doesn’t like you, I can tell she does. She normally doesn’t touch anyone, let alone hug them, except for me. It’s self-preservation. She’s always had to look out for herself; she didn’t have anyone other than me to protect her, and I couldn’t always be there.”
“And the human thing?” Theo grimaced.
“The human thing." Caddy nodded. “I think she knows not all wolves are bad. She has to; she’s been my best friend for eighteen years now. She’s never seen the good side of wolves, though. I’m the only exception for her. Her parents were murdered in front of her, and for twenty-two years of her life, she’s been treated like absolute garbage. Would you want to become something that brought you so much pain?”
“I’m her mate, though,” Theo insisted. “How are we ever going to have a life together if she could die from a cold next week? We won’t ever have kids; we
