You turn to him in surprise. "I didn't think you liked killing."
"I don't think it'll come to that," he says. "I think I can convince him to help us."
"Why?"
"Because, like I said, a vampire killed his family." He shrugs. "The enemy of my enemy, and all that."
hunthunthunthunt
"I don't like it," Vicky growls.
"Me either," the Alpha says. "We're not calling any hunters, Ed."
"But Alpha!"
"That's an order."
He bows his head but doesn't protest anymore.
"What about Roe's pack?" Ed asks suddenly. "Have you heard back from them?"
The Alpha shakes his head. "I've phoned Roe. They're not answering."
"Why the fuck wouldn't they answer?" Marco mutters. "I don't get it. We were cool with them. Now all of a sudden it's radio silence?"
hunthunthunthunt
"It's the full moon," you mutter. "They're back to their territory. You can't blame them." But, even as you say the words, you realise you do blame them.
It's stupid, petty even. Roe told you they were leaving. They did everything they were supposed to. But... still... the least they could do is pick up their damn phones.
killkillkillkillkill
Next
You put the other pack out of your mind as everyone moves back towards the door to get more wood.
"Gideon Mercer," Minjo calls. "Could you pass me that piece, please?"
"Sure," you mutter and pick up the plank she'd pointed to. She smiles as she takes it from you and promptly drills it into the wall, sealing off the window.
"Can I ask you something?" she says, voice pitched only for your ears.
"Yeah. Sure."
"Are we going to win?"
clawclawclawclaw
Her lips thin. "I want to help."
"You are helping."
"I want to help fight him."
"Min," you say softly. "You're pregnant." And human, but you don't say that part out loud. You don't need to. She knows it. She has no claws, no fangs, no accelerated healing.
"He killed my husband, Gideon Mercer. I want to help. Tell me how I can help."
bitebitebitebitebite
"You are helping," you remind her. "And we need someone to stay with the kids, keep them together, safe." You drop your voice. "And get them out if things really go to hell."
"Hm," she looks at her drill. "Do you think that will happen?"
"Not while I have teeth and claws."
She nods and drills another screw into the window frame. "I'm not abandoning the pack. I know I'm not a werewolf, but this is my family too. It's the only family that has ever felt real to me."
"Min—"
"No, listen Gideon Mercer. I'm not raising my boys alone. I'm going to keep the kids safe, and if shit really hits the fan, I'm going to fight."
"How?" you say.
She doesn't answer. She just drills another screw into the wall.
Next