Gigi didn’t have plans to leave anytime soon, and I hoped it would be never. I’d missed her so much!
Samson didn’t enter into this equation at all. He would need to live on the pack lands, and he already had a big house. So…anyway. As long as Samson could not get his act together, however, that was irrelevant. And things were pretty happy at my house at the moment.
I somehow made it through another couple of weeks of classes, finished whatever was required in terms of papers and assignments, passed the pop and announced quizzes, and arrived on time for the Friday afternoon pack run. My wolf and I were ready to let our fur down and pound the ground with our paws.
Everything would’ve been perfect…if I hadn’t left Tris at home watching a movie. He wasn’t welcome to the party, and I didn’t know how much longer I could ride this line. My life was split down the middle.
Gigi, while not a member of the pack, was more than welcome, something Samson had made clear when he stopped by one day while I was at school. I didn’t know what else they’d said to one another, but when I arrived home, Gigi was uncharacteristically silent beyond sharing that one bit of helpful info. When I asked her if she was coming tonight, she’d just given a tight shake of her head and proceeded to make popcorn for her and Tris.
I’d wavered, considering staying with them, but as a member, not attending one of these events would be tantamount to defiance of the alpha’s orders. And while I was ready to bite his head off every time I saw him—or rip his clothes off—I wasn’t ready to defy official dictates. Yet. So much of my life was entwined with the pack.
Getting out of the car in the parking area, I hesitated, though. If Samson and Tris couldn’t get past their issues, would I have to quit the pack? Not that it was so easy. I’d have to go before the high council, but being mated to someone who’d been banished would make their permission almost guaranteed.
I almost climbed back in, but my wolf whined. She wasn’t ready to give up on our other mate, and she’d been desperate to run free for a while. With the kidnappings fresh in memory, and those behind it still out there, the last time I’d gone running on my own had been chancy. I wasn’t sure why Samson hadn’t said anything about it at the time. Dared I hope he was so glad to have been with me he didn’t want to spoil it?
Who knew? I couldn’t read his mind. And from his building grumpiness, I didn’t want to.
The evening was cooling quickly as the sun slipped over the horizon, but the crackling and scent of fire traveled to me from the gathering area, promising warmth and s’mores. Grilling meats made my mouth water, and light chatter and laughter reminded me pack was more than Samson. It was certainly more than just about me and my problems. I had friends here, dear friends, and others who, though I didn’t know them well, would have my back in any situation. Many I’d fought with over the past year, standing back-to-back with swords in hand. Or with claws and teeth. Others I’d prepared food with for various events. Some I’d known for most of my life. If I were to leave, I’d be shredding connections that would leave me raw and bleeding.
I’d been caught up in my thoughts as I moved from my car toward the gathering, so deep in thought, when Wendi ran up and stopped in front of me, I bumped right into her. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile so big, I couldn’t keep from hugging her. Not that there was any reason I shouldn’t.
“Christie, you’re here!”
I gave her another squeeze and stepped back. “Of course. Our leader demands our presence. Where else would I be?”
“Snarky much?” Her smile faded but only a little. How her mates still hadn’t figured out her secret when she broadcast so much joy I’d never know. “I’m sure Samson will come around. Otherwise, everything good?”
“Oh yeah. Tris and Gigi are watching a movie and eating popcorn, and here I am to run with the pack.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I get it. I have four mates, and though we all get along really well, we aren’t perfect, and when anyone is in a little spat with anyone else, it ripples through all of us. That’s why we try hard not to argue over anything except the most important things.”
“And it works?”
“Well, as it turned out, most of our tiffs were over stupid things. The big stuff, we sit down and discuss like adults. So…yes, more often than not, it works.”
I sighed as we turned toward the fire. “I’m so glad you and your mates have it together. Sometimes, I think I should just move away with Tris and Gigi and start fresh.”
“Good evening, Christie.” Oh crap. How much had Samson heard? Shifter hearing was fantastic.
“Samson.” I gave him a bob of the head and turned to walk away with Wendi.
“Would you mind waiting a moment?”
“Sure, as the alpha, you have the right to ask any pack member to remain in any location.” I glared at him. “You are the boss.”
“That’s not what this is about—”
“Uh.” We both jerked toward the sound of Wendi’s voice. “I think I hear one or more of my mate’s calling. Nice seeing you both.” She left so quickly, we didn’t have time to respond. One or more of her mates?
“She isn’t good at lying, is she?” Samson said.
“Nope, she’s open and honest and about the best friend anyone could have. Is that what you wanted to talk about?” Because really, I
