Page 84 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
“Jesus Christ. Take them back, Sloan. I can’t take any more of this.”
“Sorry, Stanton. All of them are due for long leave, and they’ve decided to put their feet up here—right in the biggest hotspot of anomaly activity in the States.”
“Sounds relaxing,” I quip.
“Sprinkle a little pack war on top, and it’s just plain boring,” Brad says, mock-yawning.
“Don’t make me kick you out,” Sloan says. “This meeting is over. All of you coordinate as instructed.”
“Sorry, ma’am, but I’m officially off-duty,” Brad says, taking off his hat and tossing it on the table.
Sloan waves her hand impatiently at us, then calls in her commanders for a meeting as we leave.
I don’t like this military presence hanging over my town. I know they’re spying on us. On the other hand, though, it wouldn’t hurt to have some firepower if the snake returns.
Or, rather, Anomaly Eight…
“What’s the first thing you do when you retire?” Brad asks as we jump into a Jeep.
“Party,” I state. “There’s a market fair on today, run by my wife and the guild leaders.”
“Sounds fancy,” Dan comments. “Should I put on my Sunday best?”
I laugh softly under my breath. “You got the wrong idea, Shadow. This isn’t a formal event. Both packs are coming together to heal old wounds—you better believe the liquor will be flowing. The distiller from Eccles met the brewer from Rose Hollow, and they hit it off. They invented this thing they’re calling rocket fuel—”
“Say no more,” Dan says. “Drive faster. I’m getting thirsty just hearing about it.”
“I can smell the ribs frying on the barbecue,” Luke says dreamily, sitting up in the back seat as he puts his nose to the wind.
We pull into the center of town and join the crowds of people walking up the main drive to the park. The air is filled with laughter, the happy screams of children playing, and the mixed scents from the food stalls.
I start looking for Scarlett, losing my crew along the way as they divert to the food and drink stalls. My senses are on alert,looking for any sign of trouble, but it looks like both packs have integrated together better than I expected.
It’s still early days yet. We have to be careful, just in case there are any left who followed Azarian—or his philosophy.
When I find Scarlett, she’s sitting in a big circle with the other women. Most of them have sewing baskets at their feet. I see Gen sitting next to Scarlett, and the sight warms my heart.
“You’re almost there,” Scarlett says, pointing at Gen’s stitches. “It just takes practice.”
“I never realized how difficult it was,” Gen moans. “I’m so sorry again, I didn’t take your skills seriously—among other things.”
“All forgotten,” Scarlett says, giving her old friend a hug.
I stand and watch for a few minutes, enjoying the happy look on Scarlett’s face as she chats with the other women, both Eccles and Rose Hollow.
When Scarlett finally looks up and notices me, she excuses herself and runs over to me, throwing her arms around my shoulders. I squeeze her against me, picking her up a little and spinning us around.
“How was your meeting?” she asks.
“Boring,” I answer. “Except for the fact that my squad is retiring, right here in town.”
“Wow, really? That’s great.”
“It is,” I agree. “But I think WS are keeping an eye on me.”
“Is that bad?”
“Not exactly,” I reply. “We just have to be careful.”
