“Who’s Joshua?” I asked.
“He’s the candidate for becoming an Elder.”
“Isn’t he the one you can’t read clearly?”
Nana and Sam both nodded. They were taking a risk bringing him over. If he wasn’t true with his intent to help the pack, taking the oath could kill him. But if he was, perhaps his unique ability could better protect Gabby.
“It’s time to expand,” Thomas said. “Tomorrow, you and your family can go back home. We’ll be sending six members with you, including Grey. With two elders and eight members, you’ll be as safe as here.”
I was torn. It felt like he was pushing us out. There’d just been attacks on the Compound, but he didn’t seem overly concerned about it. At least, not as much as I was. I wondered why.
“How many came when we were gone?” I asked.
“It was always a solitary man. He was quick to run when we spotted him.”
That explained why they thought it safe. One against ten did seem like safe enough odds.
“There are more than that. In the four years Blake kept me, I sat through dinner once a month with ten of his men. I don’t remember seeing the same face twice.” Charlene looked shocked. “I don’t think we should leave. I think this is the safest place, and I think we should get Gabby here, too.”
Nana Wini shook her head. “Sam’s afraid she’ll run if he presses her. She’s in denial right now. We’ll have to trust him and her Mate to keep her safe. Joshua is willing to move near her, too.”
“If you’re right about us being targets, wouldn’t it be better to split up? We have some money set aside that we can use to add security to the Montana Compound,” Charlene offered.
I felt like palm-smacking my forehead. We didn’t need to be trapped in one location for protection.
“You’re right about the security.” I stood up and met four puzzled sets of eyes. “Make plans for us to leave tomorrow. I have some calls to make. Emmitt, tell your parents the good news.”
I left the room after he smiled in understanding. His parents had plenty of money to access, and so did I. We wouldn’t be going back to a vulnerable home. Time to take the lawyer up on his offer.
* * * *
We left early the next morning. Emmitt drove the new SUV we’d picked up. Mary, Gregory, Paul, and Henry had packed their car overnight and now followed us. Nana Wini, Jim, Grey, and Carlos finished out the convoy. It looked like we’d have a full house when we got back. Except this time, the idea of more people excited me.
During the drive, the boys told us everything they planned to do with Paul and Henry once we got home. When they asked where the two older boys would sleep, I knew they were hinting for another sleepover.
Emmitt explained that Mary and Gregory where staying with Nana Wini while we all worked to get an apartment ready for them. Their boys would stay with Jim, and Carlos and Grey would stay in Emmitt’s place.
Emmitt gave me puppy eyes and asked if he could sleep on our couch.
I could feel Liam’s eyes on me. “What do you two think?” I asked, turning in my seat.
They both nodded without hesitation then started talking about Paul and Henry again. When they ran out of ideas to share, we spent the rest of the ride playing car games.
The familiar mailbox and the crunch of gravel under our tires filled me with as much anxiety as it did relief. But I didn’t need to worry. The house looked just the same as we’d left it. I opened my car door with a sigh. Home.
Nana and Jim stood close as the boys jumped out. Aden glanced at the swing set as Emmitt grabbed our bags. After such a long ride, I knew my brothers wanted to play. However, I didn’t feel as safe here as I once had. My eyes skimmed over the treeline, remembering how Frank and his friend had stepped out.
I was ready to suggest inside play, but Paul spoke before I said anything.
“Do you think you could show us around again, Liam?”
“Yeah, we didn’t spend that much time inside last time we were here,” Henry said. “Do you think we’ll get the apartment right below yours?”
Aden nodded eagerly and grabbed Henry’s hand to start tugging him toward the house, explaining that he wanted to show the two older boys Liam and his room so they could plan where to sleep in their new apartment. The four raced inside. Crisis diverted, I followed at a normal pace.
When I reached the apartment, I saw Emmitt already had blankets and a pillow on the couch. I walked into my bedroom, saw his bag at the bottom of my closet, and grinned. Since Paul and Henry had my brothers occupied, I went back downstairs to see if Grey and Carlos needed any help moving into Emmitt’s place.
That night, the boys and I said good night to Emmitt on the couch and went to our own rooms. After everything that happened, I had a hard time closing my eyes as I listened to the familiar sounds of the house.
My door silently opened, and I sat up with wide eyes.
“It’s just me,” Emmitt said softly.
I let out a sigh of relief and pulled back the covers. I should have known staying on the couch would only last until the boys fell asleep.
Before the boys woke, he was back on the couch.
* * * *
Within a week, the apartment building was fully equipped with state of the art security, including cameras outside each of the apartment doors. Floodlights, installed in the yard, turned on when triggered by any of the new sensors on the property or by a switch within the house. In addition to the latest technology, we also had our resident werewolves’ instincts. We wouldn’t be taken unaware. I just hoped we wouldn’t be outnumbered.
Saturday morning, I woke with a stretch and smiled at Emmitt. He leaned over to give me a kiss, and it dawned on me that I was overdue for a premonition. Pulling back from him, I stared in confusion and tried to think back. I hadn’t had one since I’d Claimed him.
“What is it?” he asked watching me.
“I haven’t had a stock market premonition since before the trip. Since I Claimed you.”
“Does that bother you?”
“I’m glad they’re gone, but I can’t help but wonder why.”
We talked about the different possibilities but really had no clear idea what it meant. I wished I knew how my premonitions worked, but I didn’t worry about it too much. I had other things on my mind.
“So, I was thinking...”
He leaned over me to kiss my neck. “About something good, I hope.”
“Depends. I was thinking about all this sneaking we’re doing. It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want the boys to catch us and start asking questions.”
Emmitt pulled back to look at me.
I tugged the hem of his shirt up to slip my hands underneath. “I was wondering if we could set a date.”
The wicked grin on his face spoke volumes. “Now’s good.”
I rolled my eyes, guessing what he’d been referring to.
“Not for that,” I said.
“You have me confused. Again.”
“That’s because you’re focused on the physical side of our relationship.” I grinned up at him.
“Is there something else?”
“How about a wedding?”
He crushed me in a hug while laughing loudly. “Is that what we’re waiting for? How soon can we get married?” He didn’t wait for me to answer but kissed me soundly.
“You’re still thinking about Mating,” I accused after I was breathless.
“No. I’m thinking about forever with you.”