15
Pack meeting
Jay
T oday, I'm particularly thankful for the foresight I had while designing and building the house. Thanks to Dante's influence, even the showers are special—big and luxurious.
Saint and I had spent hours worshiping Artemis, plucking the strings of her body like a well-practiced orchestra. When we'd all collapsed in a heap, beyond spent, I'd carried her to the shower, Saint hot on my heels. Together, we'd cleaned her up, and then, well, I couldn't help myself. She just looked so perfect and fuckable, standing under the shower with Saint gently rinsing the suds from her hair. What else was I supposed to do besides drop to my knees, throw a leg over my shoulder, and worship her some more?
We stayed in that shower until the water ran icy cold.
Standing in the Packhouse with my arms crossed alongside my father, I do my best to steer my thoughts towards Pack business. Artemis is always a welcome distraction, but these people are my responsibility. The Coyote that disappeared on last night's run was discovered; unfortunately, the news is not good.
Magnus called for a pack meeting almost an hour ago, but we're still waiting for everyone to join us. The Coyote's immediate family has been informed, but the rest of the Pack does not yet know that Mark was killed or how.
Pack members trickle into the large hall of the Packhouse, settling into chairs around tables. The room is just about half full now. Saint and Dante are standing over to the side with Artemis, surveying the incoming Pack just as I, Nero, and Magnus do.
My Pack all knows the news, Artemis having read the message as it came through while she was lying on my chest. I would have told her even if she hadn't read the message for herself. Keeping secrets from Artemis is never a good choice, if my memory serves.
Saint is keeping the girls in a lighter mood; I can tell he's slinging jokes by the blush that rises to Artemis' cheeks and the startled giggles that make her hair bounce when she can't control them. What Sam's expression means is anyone's guess.
I'm beginning to feel… oddly grateful that Saint has feelings for her. I know she would never want to be front and center of the Pack like this with me… With Saint around her, she doesn't have to be in the spotlight. Dante and Saint have always mirrored Nero and Virgil in that regard. Nero has stepped into Virgil's role since his passing, becoming Magnus's shadow. He used to strictly be the Pack's lawyer. Now he's everything, all because Magnus couldn't find a suitable replacement for Virgil.
I just wish my Mom was still around to see that Artemis eventually came back. Mom had always liked her. Had teased me endlessly about the blonde who had captured my heart even then.
Finally, the rest of the Pack arrives, and Nero starts the meeting by stepping into the center of the room. "Good evening, Pack. We gather tonight with grievous news." Despite his gruff demeanor, Nero is a soft-spoken wolf, and he compliments my father well in that regard.
A murmur goes through the crowd, a cold stillness settling over everyone.
"Mark Williams was found. Well, most of him was." Gasps ripple through the crowd, and the whispering begins. "Hunters, as you know, are in the area. It seems they are just looking for trophies. Only Mark's head was taken. The body was left to rot in the forest." Nero delivers the news succinctly, in as little detail as possible. I respect his ability to do it without sounding… detached or unaffected. I've watched my father and Nero run this Pack my entire life, and I think the most valuable lessons always came out of meetings like this.
Always tell the Pack the truth with kindness and respect; you'll have their loyalty.
Because you can hear the quiet rage in his voice. I can see it in how tension holds Nero's spine ramrod straight, his fists curled tight at his sides.
Then, everyone starts talking at once, concerned shouts echoing around the room.
"Are the kids safe?" Someone shouts from the back of the room while someone else yells, "Do we know why he was targeted?" and "Are you sure he wasn't caught by a farmer?" That question comes from a young voice.
Nero answers the questions as they come. "The kids are safe so long as they stay within the town limits. No deep forest excursions. We don't know why Mark was targeted, but I can guess. And no farmer around here would kill a Coyote of his size and only take the head."
"What do you mean you can guess?" The same person who asked if the kids were safe speaks up again.
This time, Magnus speaks. "As you probably know, Mark was unique among the coyotes here. His coat was much darker, almost entirely black. Twenty years ago, so-called sporting hunters were in the area, and a member of the Pack was killed, also with a black coat. I can't help but find that a little too coincidental."
My father's conclusions don't surprise me. But I do wish he had the decency to tell Artemis or even me before everyone else so I could have warned her. The look on her face guts me. Artemis's beautiful brown eyes are wide with shock, and her hands strangle Saint's hand in a white-knuckle grip.
"Miss Hunt, did you shift on your journey to the Hollow?" Nero asks gently, and Artemis' brown eyes meet mine for one second.
Even across the room, I can see her throat muscles working when she gulps and then answers. "Yes. But I was careful."
"You can never be too careful," Nero replies simply.
"I was always on shifter land, after dark, and never in the same place twice." Artemis reasserts, crossing her arms protectively over her middle.
I hate myself for being the catalyst that made her leave the Hollow. She'd always talked about visiting the old forests of the world. She must have done that while she was away, but I still hate how it all played out. And I hate how she punished herself all those years by staying away and never joining a pack. Even if I am grateful for it because she never would have come back if she had a home somewhere else.
"I still believe the timing is too convenient," Magus replies, rubbing his chin. "You shouldn't go out by yourself until they are gone, at least."
"She won't," I confirm for Artemis, giving her a tight nod. Saint meets my eyes over her head, dipping his chin in agreement.
"No one is to go out alone without telling a ranking Pack member. I will not risk another of you. Until we know how long these hunters will be in the area, I'm afraid I will have to cancel the Cold Moon run. I will not lead this Pack into the deep forest when it is as good as a death sentence. When I know more, I will call another meeting."
"Pack dismissed," Nero orders in a booming voice. Everyone gathered begins thinning, exiting the building at the same speed they'd all entered.
Slowly.
Saint
"So, how's living with Marcus?" I ask Sam, sitting next to Artemis at the bar end of the gathering room. She slipped into the room just as everyone else began filtering out. Until the new espresso machine gets delivered, there will be nothing but juice and sodas, but it is the best place to sit. You're high enough to see the whole room without standing the entire time.
"Marcus is actually really nice. He keeps his shit picked up despite it being his house." Sam remarks, folding her hands under her chin.
"Oh, a bonus." Artemis snorts, taking a sip of her lemonade. I can't help the small smile that pulls the corner of my mouth up.
"Yeah, but I guess some other people are moving into your guys' rooms soon, so we'll see how that goes," Sam responds, rolling her eyes as she nods toward Dante and me.
"Do you know who?" I ask, leaning my elbow on the bar, feeling Artemis' eyes on me like a brand.
"Nope, just that there are a few candidates interested."
"Wow." Artemis laughs before saying, "I didn't realize that the Old Grimes place is that much of a hot commodity."
"Were you not listening when Aggie told you it's the best rental in the Hollow? I know she told you; she's told me at least like three times," Sam chortles, leaning into Artemis.
Artemis laughs again, tilting her beautiful head back towards the ceiling. The motion exposes the column of her throat and the scattering of freckles across her still barely tanned skin. There are ones just off the center of the hollow of her throat and to the side of her right nipple.
I'd never realized that mapping freckles would be so… entertaining.
"Guilty," the object of my existence says, her amber eyes flashing gold, indicating the rise of her wolf.
One thing about Humans is that they never see the shift, the flash in our eyes. They think they're so observant, the superior species, yet they can't see the evidence plainly in front of them.
I leave Artemis in Sam's capable hands when I spy Aggie coming this way through the side of the room. Artemis nods in confirmation when I give her a 'stay put' hand motion, jerking my head towards where Jay is on the opposite side of the room. The Pack is still filtering out of the room, so I have to step around people. It's only slightly annoying, but since I know that Jay will be busy for the remainder of the evening, I want to find out what he has in mind for the future.
"So now what?" When I get to his side, I ask my Alpha, referring to the situation with his girl, not the Hunters. He's staring at her, leaning against the bar. She's just wearing a dark green flannel and tight leggings, her usual boots on her feet. The tight tank top that hugs the line of her ribs, exposing a swath of skin at her hips, draws my eye. I would imagine that's what is drawing his attention, as well. The smile on her face is what keep s my attention, though.
Jay considers his answer for a moment before saying, "Just keep flirting with her. Making her happy will eventually make her realize she likes you."
I blink at him for a minute before a thought forms. "That's your grand plan?"
"Yep." Jay deadpans, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"That…" I hedge, cracking stiff metacarpal knuckles. "Doesn't seem like much of a plan."
" I told you, getting her to admit she has feelings at all is the hard part." Jay fires back, a smug smirk on his face now.
"And if she never does?"
"She will. I know her, Saint. She's guarded and careful with her words sometimes, but she's always been that way. She'll give you gray hair with her attitude and reckless streak, but that girl has a huge heart. Just trust me, be yourself, and let her come to the conclusion on her own."
It takes me a minute to answer, but I settle on saying, "Alright. I trust you, Alpha."
Jay claps me on the shoulder and says, "She doesn't need to be here for the rest of the day. Take her home. Don't let her disappear into her head, though, okay?" My Alpha, my brother , asks, and I nod.
"I will."
"And.. Unless she brings up her Dad, I wouldn't ask about it."
"Why?" The request seems out of place… Why would I ask about her Dad randomly?
"Just… Don't. Artemis will tell you the story when she's ready."
I furrow my brow, but I answer, "Alright. I won't. Otherwise, anything goes?" Most of my ideas to keep her entertained are respectable. Cozy, even. Only half are despicable. Obscene. Derogatory. Filthy . Okay, maybe more than half. Ninety percent?
"As long as she's asking, yeah." Jay snorts, then adds, "But, it's not my permission you need." He levels me with a look, one that speaks volumes.
"Well, when you put it that way. You got it, Sir ." Laughing, I give my Alpha a mock salute.
Jay laughs, then says, "fuck off," while pushing my shoulder. Still laughing, I march back towards the gathering of Artemis, Sam, Aggie, and several other people I can't say I know by name.
Aggie has her eyes on my approach, seemingly examining me from head to toe, waving goodbye to the group of people before her as they leave the Packhouse.
"What's new, Aggie?" I greet as I throw an arm across Artemis' shoulders, and she reaches up, holding onto my wrist. My stomach drops through the floor.
Aggie smiles, answering, "Nothing much, Saint; how are you these days, young man?"
Artemis' aunt has always been a sort of pillar of the Pack. She's entirely outside the Pack hierarchy, but the younger crowd looks to her for advice about shifting and managing a life outside the confines of the Hollow. Agnes Hunt had been an Enforcer at one point, but I don't know why her career ended.
"I'm doing great! Artemis here is a quantifiable, bodacious quality of life upgrade," I reply, grinning.
"Oh, is that so?" Aggie asks, hand propped on a hip. Artemis lets out an undignified snort underneath my arm.
"Absolutely. She appreciates my cooking, unlike those other brutes I live with." I flash the older woman a charming smile, tightening my arm on Artemis's shoulder.
Aggie chortles, lays a hand on my other arm, and says, "Yes, she will do that, won't she? Banana bread is off limits, though, young man; otherwise, she won't come and see me!"
" Hey! I would, too! And," Artemis pauses for dramatic effect, looking down her nose. "I am but a simple She-Wolf. I like not having to cook my food. What's so wrong with that?" Artemis's free hand swings around my back, and if her hand slips down my wrist anymore, she'll feel my pulse skyrocketing at the amount of contact we share. She's not only tolerating my touch, but she's initiating more contact.
If I were a cat, my beast would be purring. As it is, my wolf's cinnamon fur and green eyes glow with contentment from inside the confines of my mind.
Sam shoots me a knowing smirk that I can't help but return with a grin. Then the Snake chimes in with, " I say there's nothing wrong with that. She knows what she likes, right?"
"Right." I immediately agree.
"So, does that mean you're hosting the next family dinner now?" Aggie asks arms crossed in front of her middle.
Artemis makes a choking sound before she sputters, "Oh, uh, I don't know… I hadn't thought about it."
Looking down at her, I ask, "What's family dinner, Tiny?"
"She hasn't told you?" Aggie asks incredulously.
"It's not that big of a deal. My sister hosts dinners. Her wife is a good cook, from what I hear."
"Daisy likes to entertain. She makes different courses and sometimes multiple desserts." Aggie says, propping her hand back on her hip. Artemis rolls her big, beautiful brown eyes before her aunt continues. "Last time, it was a rack of lamb with potatoes and asparagus."
"Well, Then that settles it. We're hosting a family dinner."
Artemis swings those big beautiful eyes towards me, widened comically to show the whites all around." What?" She hisses at me, slender fingers tightening around my wrist, digging into my hip.
I grin. "I'd love to cook for your family, Tiny."
Her mouth flops open, and she makes a noise in her throat, but nothing comes out. It's like I've short-circuited her brain. It's a monumental effort not to laugh, bend down, thread my fingers through her hair, and kiss those plump lips. She smells like wild roses and the forest. Like she just stepped out from between the trees. Her hair always feels cool to the touch, like she'd just sprinted through the night, and it refuses to let go of her.
"Oh, I can't wait to tell your mother. She'll be so happy. Athena and Daisy will be, too! Can we bring anything?"
I grin at Aggie, replying before Artemis can. "Banana Bread."