Page 42 of Running with Direwolves
“Alaska?”
“There’s another direwolf pack there, a bit bigger than this one. He’ll have to fit in or they’ll soon drive him out, they won’t have as much loyalty to him as Grady has.”
“You think Grady is loyal to him?”
“He didn’t kill him, did he?”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, alpha males do not like having their positions threatened, they’ll fight to the death to protect it. Grady spared Dresdon the night you arrived, and a few of us were surprised.”
“Were you?”
“No, I understand how important every direwolf is, there’s not many of us, even bad-tempered ones like Dresdon are important. He needs to find a mate and reproduce, that would be the most helpful thing he could do for his species.”
They reached Madeline’s cabin and Billie reached out to knock on the door.
“No,” Sienna said catching her wrist. “I’m guessing the baby is asleep, don’t wake him.”
“Good idea.” Billie lowered her hand and quietly opened the door. “Madeline?”
“Hey, yes, come in,” a soft voice called.
They stepped into the embrace of the warm cabin and quickly removed boots and coats.
“Hey, Sienna, Billie, it’s so nice to see you.” Madeline was sitting by the fire holding a sleeping baby. The room smelledsweet and powdery and a vase of winter jasmine stood on the windowsill.
“Is he sleeping?” Billie asked.
“Finally.” Madeline gently stroked the baby’s thick dark hair.
“Shall I make you a drink?” Sienna asked.
“Yes, please, and for yourselves. Hank has gone to town with the lists.”
“I’ll make the drinks.” Billie scooted to the kitchen area. “You give Madeline the present you made her.”
“Present?” Madeline smiled at Sienna.
She was very pretty, blonde with a soft face and blue eyes. She was also human, not a shifter, and there weren’t many in Kochi, so Sienna had felt an instant connection when she’d met Madeline a few weeks previously.
“I hope you like it, and I hope it comes in useful.” She held up the blanket, letting it unfold to reveal the elephants, rhinos, monkeys, and giraffe she’d carefully stitched on.
“Oh, I love it, thank you.” Madeline beamed.
“You’re welcome, though I haven’t had time to do anything like this for years. I’ve been so busy with work and…”
“Did you enjoy doing it?” Madeline asked.
“Very much so, I added some material and thread onto my list. It will be nice to do over the winter.”
“It snowed heavily in the night,” Billie said, setting down three steaming mugs on a small table.
“Yes, I know, but it’s so pretty.” Madeline nodded at the window.
“How long have you been here?” Sienna asked, reaching for a drink.
“This will be my second winter.” She paused. “I really like the winter, that feeling of hibernation. And this year, all we have to do is stay in and be warm and cozy together.” Again, shetouched a tuft of her baby’s hair. He didn’t stir. “I don’t have to worry about anything. Hank is such a great provider.”
