Danica's POV
I narrowed my eyes and looked to the back of the car in confusion. How could someone bring so much stuff for their kids and leave this hazard inside. I looked to the empty spots where the cigarette lighter would have sat but it was filled with dust and bits of old food. Looks like it hadn't been used in years.
Mathew stood next to his car with an elderly lady in a wheelchair. He had a big grin on his face and the woman was looking at me intently with a thoughtful expression.
"Sorry it took me so long." He sighed and looked to the back of the car. "I would have given you a proper introduction, but that was Derick the Alpha." He rubbed his hands together, " Ok, I'll get the necessity's out and…" He looked as I held out the cigarette lighter. "Where was that?" I pointed.
"In her car seat while she was in it." He touched the metal and shot me a glance.
"It's hot..." I nodded.
"Yeah," I gave him the lighter. "It's strange that a guy would bring so much stuff for his kids and forget to take these out." Mathew nodded.
"That's odd…" He was interrupted as the old woman took the lighter from him and gave it a sniff.
"Can't get anything except burnt plastic…" She looked to the house. "We removed all the lighters from the back of this thing when the twins were born…" She gave Mathew a look and he slipped into the front of the car then hesitated and waved to me.
"I'll sort it out." He looked to where Derick stood inside like a statue by the window and sighed. "Just go and have fun Jenny can take Lilly from you." I nodded and wandered to the front door with the old lady following close behind me. I stood aside as two of the pack came and lifted the woman in the wheelchair up and over the front step. She wheeled inside giving them her thanks and headed to the center of the party. I followed her in then stopped as I caught sight of Derick standing awkwardly in the corner.
Jenny grinned as she looked to me and held her arms out to take Lilly. I tried to pass her over, but we encountered a problem. Lilly refused to leave me.
"She really won't let go of you." My hair was tugged again, and I relented as Lilly began to fuss and let out little sobs.
"Ok, I'll hold you longer." The little brown eyes looked up at me and her lip trembled, but she just buried her head on my shoulder. "We should take her to the bathroom in my room and see if she has any burns." I whispered to Jenny and explained what had happened as we walked to the stairs; the gaze of the old woman fully fixed on me.
As we entered my room Jenny sighed and rubbed at her neck then turned to inspect Lilly but again, she would not let go.
"I can't believe he'd be so stupid to put those dam things back in…" She muttered as I managed to flip Lilly around so Jenny could see her legs and bottom. With a grunt I frowned.
"She sure has a grip like steal. But the old lady that came with Mathew said they removed them when the twins were born. And I can believe it because the holders in the back are all gunked up." I said as Lilly was determined to not let go of me. "Are there any burns on her?" Jenny nodded.
"Two small burns but her diaper got the worst of it." I nodded in relief.
"I have cream in my wash bag that'll help. It's good for bug bights, burns and grazes." She nodded and quickly found the cream. After a few minutes of applying the cream to the burns, Lilly seemed to cheer up and even started to look around.
"The old lady… Was it the former Luna?" I gave a shrug.
"I guess so. Two of the guys downstairs brought her in as soon as she reached the steps to the cabin." She hesitated and nodded her eyes going dark for a few seconds.
"It's Mathew's and Derick's grandmother… She's downstairs…" Jenny seemed startled and worried as she replaced Lillys skirt. "Let's get back before Derick begins to think we kidnapped Lilly." I smirked.
"Just might have to if she doesn't let go." Jenny sighed and we re-joined the party. I went to the kitchen island and looked to the food then became aware of someone watching me intently. I glanced around and caught the reflection of the former Luna sitting in her chair with a group of she-wolves drinking a beer. Her eyes were following me around the room and she had a little smirk on her face.
Dean looked puzzled as he came over. He grinned as I held Lilly and nibbled on a few foods then offered her a taste of a pretzel. He came close and leant against the island and looked at me.
"You look so natural holding her." I looked up and shrugged.
"First time I've been allowed to look after someone so young." He shrugged.
"If you didn't tell me I would have thought you were a professional child-carer." He looked around and took a marshmallow from a bowl and waved it at Lilly. Her little eyes darted back and forth and she reached out to grab it. Dean smirked as she began to suck on the marshmallow.
"Is that yummy? Can I have some?" She turned away stuffing the marshmallow into her mouth.
"That was a defined no." He laughed and took another from the table.
"Yeah, I can get my own." He popped one into his mouth then held another pink one out towards Lilly. She looked around and reached for it then grabbed Dean and held onto his wrist. With an angry look she stared at him and opened her mouth. Slowly he raised his hand and put the marshmallow to her lips. She bit it and began to suck away.
"I think two is her max. Don't want her going crazy with sugar." He nodded and looked around.
"Well, she can have anything here… She's three and a half now." I nodded.
"Her mother died when she was born?" Dean shook his head.
"Little Lilly was three months old when her mother died in the car crash…" He trailed off and took a carrot stick from the table. Lilly grabbed it and began to gnaw on it.
"Is it just me or is the former Luna still watching me?" He stretched and looked around then grabbed a small handful of crisps from a bowl.
"She is… why do you have an issue with her?" I shook my head and sighed.
"It just feels odd." He smirked.
"She's probably trying to get a scope on you. It took her five seconds to reject Lisa." I stuffed a crisp into my mouth.
I heard a cry and looked around. Maggy was beginning to wail and wouldn't take her bottle. Jenny walked over and took her as Lisa seemed annoyed with Derick. I watched for a little longer and saw Jenny retreat to the bathroom with Maggy while Lisa turned her full attention to Derick. I caught the look the former Luna was giving them and turned away quickly.
"That's Lisa." Dean offered and I nodded.
"Does she always fawn over Derick?" He nodded.
"Just wait. She'll probably try to get him to go upstairs with her in a bit and…" He shrugged. "Get busy… or start a fight with any woman that goes near him. She's already began to growl at the teenaged girls." I nodded.
"Does she talk to anyone else?" He shook his head.
"I think she's staking a claim on him… until things are clearly marked out she'll most likely be the jealous girlfriend." I sighed.
"Guess if you want an Alpha you have to staking your claim or be his mate." Dean was about to speak when the music changed to some rap music. I raised an eyebrow and saw this was not a popular move.
"This isn't going to go well…" He muttered then reached out and took Lilly as she grabbed him. I stretched and swung my arm. It had begun to go to sleep holding one position for so long.
"This is her music?" He nodded then smirked as he pointed.
"Mathew is talking with her… She has a grudge against him because he's the Beta… and it was his idea that she train with the warriors when she's here." I nodded then saw the few looks she began to cast in my direction. I watched as she shifted uncomfortably then walked towards me.