Page 19 of Haunted By the Shadow of Death

She fell silent as we neared our destination. She stared ahead as if preparing to do battle and then blew out a breath.

“Let’s do it.” She opened the door, and all eyes landed on us, lit up like Evangeline had brought fresh meat to some hungry wolves.

“Piper!” Louise said, patting the chair next to her. “So happy you could join us.”

I took the seat like I was climbing into the electric chair. Just because Evangeline thought this was torture didn’t mean it truly was that bad. It was all about expectations.

Evangeline made introductions around the room. In addition to the people she’d mentioned, there was also Alexa, who helped with the wine, and Margaret, who was weaving. Then there was Chelsea, the bread maker. That was such a large job it was separated out on its own, apart from the cooking. There was also the butcher, the milker, and the cheesemaker. As the list of products provided from these women grew, the picture was clear: angering any one of them could cause a bit of discomfort. I mean, it wasn’t like not having cheese was life ending, but it did start chipping away at the overall picture.

They quickly launched into the recent gossip, about who at what pack had hooked up with who. Who didn’t sleep with their mate anymore. They covered every topic having to do with everyone else’s love life. I had too many problems of my own to worry about who was with who and when.

I’d zoned out completely when Louise turned to me and said, “You know, I wouldn’t worry if it takes you and Kicks some time to settle into mated life. I’m sure you’re both very tired after traveling and getting settled in together.”

I sat up a little taller. “I’m not sure I know what you mean. We’re settling in fine.”

“You know, mated life. But it’ll work out eventually.” She grinned. “It’s probably different for humans, is all.”

My cheeks were burning red. I took her meaning.

Margaret, who appeared a little older and a lot more motherly, jumped in. “Honey, it’s all right. We all have dry patches.”

“Well, not all of us,” Alexa said, giggling.

“You two are like a pair of bunnies, but it’s different,” Margaret said. “They were on the road. They need some time to settle in.”

“You can’t judge her by our standards. That’s not fair,” Fran said, giving each of them a scolding look and not realizing what she’d said was almost worse.

Did they assume because I was human I was a cold fish or something? Prudish and didn’t like sex? My skin grew even hotter, because I had been avoiding sex with him.

Had Kicks said something? Did the pack know we weren’t having sex? It didn’t seem like something he’d do, but I’d been wrong before.

I wanted to run out of the place but wouldn’t. It would just set their tongues to wagging even harder.

Evangeline, who I hadn’t noticed had stepped out, walked back in and took a seat beside me. She glanced around, taking in the silence then my bright red cheeks.

“What’s going on?” she said, scanning the group.

“Nothing.” I shook my head. The only thing that could make this worse was rehashing it.

She narrowed her eyes but let it drop.

I sat through the rest of the night, all guilt of Evangeline making Charlie a cake obliterated. This was, hands down, the worst outing I’d ever had, and that included having to scavenge evenings after Death Day.

I barely made it out of the gathering with any shred of pride intact.

“Sorry about that. I had no idea she’d be that bad,” Evangeline said.

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault, or hers either if she’s heard things.” I wanted to vomit and then kill Kicks. Maybe kill him and then vomit. I wasn’t sure which.

“Piper, not to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong, but she didn’t have to hear anything. There’s smells that shifters pick up on—and a commingling of smells, if you catch my drift. I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

I froze, not sure if this was better or worse. No, Kicks hadn’t betrayed me, which was a plus. But the whole pack knew if we were doing it? There went the last shred of dignity I had.

Chapter Eight

I’d gone from afraid of falling into bed with Kicks to wondering if he wanted to bed me at all. Once again I’d fallen asleep and woken alone. Did he have a girlfriend here? A side piece? Had he already picked up with her in the short time we’d been back? He wasn’t sleeping here at night, so what else could he be doing? Could I even get mad when I’d told him we were nothing more than business?

I eyed up Charlie, who was sitting in the living room and setting up the tracks of his train. I’d given it to him for his birthday this morning, and he’d insisted that it should run around the perimeter of the living room and spent a good chunk of the afternoon figuring out the best path.

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