“Jeez, it’s colder than yesterday,” she moaned as they left the cabin. “Dad, we need to get our winter stuff here.”
“I know. I was thinking of going back and packing our things next week.”
“Maybe we should all go,” Eva suggested. “I think it’s time.”
“I’ll have to ask, Bass,” Zackary said. “I can’t just leave when things are so dangerous. The pack might need me.”
Their father patted his back. “You’re too young to be running off into war, Zac.”
“I’ll be staying to protect those left behind. Tyler’s been teaching us what’s expected. I’m not skipping out on my friends, Dad. It’s hard enough being accepted around here as it is.”
Eva frowned; she didn’t like the sudden, sullen tone. “Are you having trouble, Zac?”
“It’s fine. Okay. I guess some kids don’t think it’s right I’m getting extra training with Ty and Bass.”
“Do I need to speak to someone?” their father asked.
“No. No. Do not do anything, either of you.”
“Zac,” Eva warned.
His serious gaze met hers. “I mean it, Eva. Don’t you say a thing to John. I’ve gotta earn their trust, that’s all. Packs are built on loyalty, and I’m new. Just give it time.”
“If you’re sure,” she answered. “But tell me if it gets worse, okay?”
“I will,” he muttered. “Now, can we go eat?”
“Yes, yes, come on,” their father answered, slapping his back. “I’m so pleased I don’t have to cook for you anymore.”
“Hey!” Eva laughed, fake outrage on her face. “I was the one who cooked.”
Zackary pushed open the door to the pack kitchen with his back, mischief in his gaze. “Yeah, and not all that great either.”
“Oh! I’m going to hit you for that,” Eva grumbled, chasing after him as he ducked inside.
Their father followed, laughter on his lips. Looking back, Eva saw happiness in his eyes, and as her stupid brother danced around a table, his tongue out, she realized no one was paying them any attention.
You’re one of us now. John’s words whispered through her mind, and for the first time, she actually believed them. Dark Shadow was becoming home.
***
“Hi, Eva, do you have plans today?”
Looking up from her coffee mug, Eva answered Oliver, “No, why?”
“I just wondered if you were interested in helping me. I could show you a few things while it’s quiet.”
“Oh, sure. That sounds great.”
“Okay, well, come by the infirmary when you’re free.”
Smiling as Oliver left, Eva gulped the rest of her coffee and then picked up the half of her toast she hadn’t eaten. Her days had started to blur together, repeated day after day, and the prospect of helping and learning something excited Eva more than she would have expected. Clearly, she was more bored than she’d first thought.
“You enjoyed yourself yesterday then?” her father asked, studying her.
“As much as one can enjoy bullet wounds and blood, yes,” Eva replied. “It’s not exactly veterinary care, but close enough. Plus, it will keep me busy, and I think Oliver needs the help.”
“I think it’s great, Ev,” Zackary said, bumping her shoulder. “I’m outta here. I’ve got class. Catch you later.”
“Bye, Zac.”
“See you later, Zac. Bass has asked me to build a couple more small cabins, so I’ll be out all day,” their father replied.
Eva watched her brother leave. While he seemed settled enough, she couldn’t help worrying about him. To her, he seemed to have done a complete one-eighty, and gone from out of control, to totally fine.
“How is he getting on?” she asked her dad.
He glanced at her, seeming to debate his answer. “I heard him crying in the night the other day. I went in, but he told me to leave him alone. He’s all right. Far more all right than he was, but he’s still struggling.”
“How’s the homeschooling going?” Zackary had begun taking classes with the others his age in the pack. He’d wanted to enroll at the local school, but Bass didn’t think Zackary had enough control yet.
Her father shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not really homeschooling, is it? He’s got a teacher. She hasn’t complained, so that’s a start.”
“Maybe you should go talk to this teacher and see what she thinks, Dad. Just because he’s not causing trouble anymore doesn’t mean he’s doing well.”
Sighing, her father ran a hand through his graying hair. “I guess you’re right. I’ll find time this week.”
“When were you thinking of going back to the house?”
“Early next week. I need to run it by Bass.” Putting down his mug, he leaned back and tipped his head toward the ceiling. “It’s strange asking a kid if we can leave.”
Eva laughed. “I don’t think Bass has ever been a kid, but yeah, it’s weird. It’s like we’ve got one foot in this world and one in the other, and we’re not sure where we stand.”
“Both of Zac’s feet are here, Eva. Which means I need to catch up,” he said, his face sad, his eyes weary.
Eva reached for her father’s hand and clutched it tightly. “Don’t leave me behind, Dad.” It was her greatest fear, not belonging. Having her brother and father cross a line she would never fully be able to cross herself.
“Evaline, you’ll always be my little girl, even when you’re married and have children.”
A smile tugged up her lips. “Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. College and vet school, those are the things I need to figure out how to do.”
“That’s easy, Eva. Pack a bag and move back into the dorms. We’ll be here for the holidays. It will be no different from when you were there, and we lived at the house.”
Sucking in a breath, Eva wished it really was as simple as
