Page 100 of Scarred Savages
Mara leans closer, a smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe she found love.”
“Headmistress Gray? In love?” I snort. “That woman’s heart is made of ice. I’m not sure she can feel anything except disappointment in her students.”
Mara nudges me gently, tilting her head toward Mrs. Hendricks, who’s been eyeing an older gentleman. The way she looks at him says everything.
I lean toward her. “On the other hand, who knows? Maybe. They say it’s never too late to find love. Wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Hendricks?” I raise my eyebrows towards the gentleman in question.
She scoffs, but a blush blooms across her weathered cheeks. When the gentleman waves her over, she smooths her dress. “Excuse me, dears,” she murmurs as she walks away with a new lightness to her step.
Mara and I both giggle.
“Wow, Luna, this is amazing!” Oli says, appearing at my side with that dimpled grin. His hair is slightly damp, curling around his ears.
“I didn’t do anything special,” I say.
“Are you kidding? Look at this.” He gestures to the gathering. “Hudson’s been trying to get everyone together for months. A few weeks of Luna Woods, and boom—community dinner.” He bumps my shoulder playfully. “You’re magic.”
I roll my eyes. “If I were magic, I’d conjure desserts. I dropped the ball on that one.”
“I brought s’mores. They are literally the food of the gods,” Oli declares solemnly. He pats his bag with a conspiratorial wink.
I smile. “Lifesaver.”
Across the clearing, Ethan moves between shifters, speaking with each tenant. He has a methodical way of engaging with the crowd, having conversations, and inspecting injuries and bandages.
The evening progresses, and I find myself drawn into countless conversations. Everyone wants to know about me, about how I’m settling in. Several women comment on how nice it is to “finally have a female touch around the place.” I don’t correct them when they refer to my arrangement with the pack as permanent.
As dinner winds down, Oli announces it’s bonfire time, and the crowd migrates to the large fire pit on the edge of the clearing. I’m helping carry dishes back to the main house when I overhear Hudson and Ethan speaking in low voices behind the cabin.
“—increased security along the south border,” Ethan is saying. “The scouts reported fresh tracks yesterday.”
“Human or shifter?” Hudson’s deep voice rumbles.
“Both. Same as before.”
Hudson curses softly. “Double the night patrols. I want everyone accounted for after dark. No exceptions.”
“And Luna?” Ethan asks, his voice dropping even lower.
There’s a pause. “Keep her close to the main house. She doesn’t go anywhere alone.”
By the time I rejoin the group, the bonfire is roaring, and Oli is distributing long skewers for marshmallows. He brightens when he sees me, patting the log beside him.
“Saved you a seat,” he says. “Prime marshmallow roasting real estate.”
“I’ve never actually done this before,” I admit.
“Never?”
“The Institute wasn’t big on campfire fun. More focus on ‘how to serve your future mate tea without looking like a clumsy idiot.’”
I settle beside him, and Oli’s arm slides around my shoulders, pulling me closer. “Well, we can’t have that. You’re about to experience one of life’s greatest pleasures.”
The weight of his arm feels good, secure. My wolf stirs inside me, a contented rumble vibrating through my chest. I find myself leaning into him.
“Is that a purr?” Oli whispers, delight dancing in his eyes.
“Shut up,” I mutter, but I don’t pull away. Instead, I burrow deeper against his side.
