Page 61 of A Wolf's Wound
“Hannah, sorry your introduction to Stonehaven has been so fraught with danger,” Michael says.
“Well, I did move here for new experiences,” I say lightly.
Michael smiles.“Adventurous, huh?”
“I like to think so,” I reply.
“Where did you live before this?”Evan asks.
“I was at Othercross University for undergrad,” I tell him.He nods, looking impressed.“That’s also where I got my doctorate in veterinary medicine.”
“Beautiful and brilliant,” Lori says admiringly.I blush, but I’m pleased by her compliment.The more time I spend with Lori, the more I find myself wanting her to like me.
“And you grew up in the Blackwood pack,” Gavin states.It’s not a question, but I nod anyway.
“I’ve met Mason a few times,” Michael says, mentioning my stepfather and how I became connected to a pack as a human.“I admire him.Everyone in the enforcer world does, actually.Some of his exploits are legendary.”
“He doesn’t talk about that a lot anymore,” I reply.“At least, not to my mom and me.But I don’t think he’ll ever really stop being an enforcer for the pack.”
“The best ones can’t just walk away,” Michael says.“They’d feel like they were letting down the pack, no matter who else is also there.”
“Is that dedication or arrogance, though?”Gavin muses.“I’m not talking about Mason here, Hannah.Just wondering.”
“Are you saying you want to put our own head enforcer out to pasture?”Evan asks mischievously.“After all, Michael here is next in line for the top job.”
“And I don’t want it until I’ve earned it,” Michael says forcefully.“You know that, Evan.”
“Hey, I was just kidding!”Evan protests.
“You’ll have to excuse my sons,” Lori says.“Some of them have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about their place in our pack.They feel that since they have the Stone name, others assume they don’t work hard.”
“I can relate to that,” I tell her.“There were plenty of times growing up that other kids thought I was getting special privileges because of who my stepfather was.I hated it.”
“See, Evan?”Michael says.“She gets it.”
“I get it too,” Evan says.“I just also think that hey, why not enjoy our place in the pack?”He gestures to the yard and the houses and buildings around us.“It’s a pretty nice life.”
“It is lovely out here,” I agree.“Although I have to admit that I am more of a city girl.”
“We kind of figured.”Gavin smiles.“Your reluctance to come out here spoke volumes.”
“I’m sorry if I offended any of you,” I say to Ryder’s family.
Lori shakes her head and takes one of my hands in hers.“Not at all, dear.If you don’t enter a new situation with an open mind and a willing heart, you might as well not enter it at all.”
Something in her voice makes me think she’s talking about more than just my presence here tonight.And that reminds me of what she said earlier, before Shadow freaked out.
Evan turns to his father, and Gavin pulls out his phone to show Michael something.Lori’s still holding my hand.This would be a perfect time to ask her what she meant, both earlier and now.
“I think you’re a fine addition to Stonehaven,” Lori tells me before I can say anything.“We’re all happy you’re here,” she adds with a knowing look in her eyes.
Before I can talk, though, Ryder is back.“Hey, hope you guys haven’t been giving Hannah the third degree,” he says.
His mother shakes her head and drops my hand.“Honey, we were just chatting.Don’t worry.”
“Although we were about to show her your baby pictures,” Evan says.Ryder playfully slaps him on the shoulder.
But when Ryder looks back at me, I can tell he’s not completely comfortable.Is it Shadow?I glance around and find Shadow happily eating a burger under a tree.And I don’t think that I’ve done anything to make Ryder uncomfortable.
