I stop walking and face him. Chayton stops and runs a hand down his face.
“We got you. Your pack has your back. You focus on Luna. We will deal with the vamp and this feral. That’s what we do.”
“I need you to keep that promise, Enzo. If Liz is worried about her best friend being mistreated, she’s adding extra stress.” He looks away. “As much as I dislike their friendship, right now it’smaking my mate happy. The vampire has done nothing wrong. Maybe—”
“Don’t do that,” I stop him. “We know who they are. Never let your guard down around them.”
He takes in my words. His gaze locked in on mine. “You’re right.” He finally admits. “But until she proves us wrong, keep the peace.”
We go back to walking.
“Quiet down,” Chayton says to the room full of our pack members.
I keep my eyes on the two vamps. They are standing at the back of the meeting hall against the wall leading to the door. For the first time, I take in the sister's appearance. She’s usually chipper and smiling. However, I noticed it earlier but now it stands out much more. She doesn’t look the same. Her brown skin is dull. Her eyes aren’t as bright as usual and there are bags underneath. She’s even leaning up against the oldest vamp as if she can barely stand.
I’m not the only one to notice this. Alarick is staring at them, too. When he looks at me, our eyes connect.
“What’s wrong with her?”I ask through our link.
“Looks like she needs to feed,”he says with a frown.
“If that’s the case, why isn’t the oldest vamp looking the same?”
“Good question.”
“Are we sure it isn’t the creatures among us that aren’t killing the animals?” someone in the crowd shouts, pulling my attention back to the room.
I glance at the vamps just in time to see the oldest roll her eyes.
Chayton raises a hand beside me. “It is a feral. Enzo and I both checked.”
Scared murmurs go around the room.
“How do we know the vampire didn’t bring the ferals?” Rue asks. Which isn’t a bad question. I don’t think vampires hang with ferals, but they could have drawn them here. Their scent might have lured their interest.
Chayton looks at me for clarity. I shrug.
He turns back to the crowd. “Either way, they are here now,” he says in answer to Rue’s question. “We need to make sure we move together. I don’t want anyone out in those woods alone. Women, children, and the elderly do not go out at all after nightfall. During the day, you need to stick closer to town. Hopefully, we can hunt this feral down and get rid of it soon. Until then, those are my rules. You’re dismissed.”
The pack grumbles their displeasure at the new rules, but they all know it’s for the best. The room files out. I quickly make my way over to the vamps that have moved away from the door and everyone else. Before I could reach them, Nadia steps in front of me.
“I’m worried,” she says.
I glance over her head at the vamps. They are still in the same spot. I don’t want to rush Nadia, but I didn’t have time to talk.
“It will be okay. Just follow Alpha’s rules until we track this feral down.”
“I’m at home with my grandparents and little brother. I’m terrified. What if that feral comes to our cabin?”
I could point out to her she lived in one of the cabins closest to town. She is the safest from the feral. If anyone is in danger, it would be the vamps.
“You will be alright,” I say again, trying to walk around her.
“Can I stay with you tonight?”
I stop and look down into her green eyes. As much as I don’t want company, I can’t find it in my heart to say no.
“Sure,” I say.