Page 94 of Awakened
“Right. Please listen to any directives you receive, whether you agree with them or not. You’re too eager to play the hero, Les. That’ll get you killed.”
I hugged Marie. “I’ll be safe. I promise.”
Pulling away, Marie wiped away a tear, letting out a harsh breath. “Fine. Get going. Knowing you, you haven’t packed.”
She wasn’t wrong.
Zach and I drove to The Gathering. Wolves, by rule, were not good flyers. We joined up with the Blue Moon Pack and traveled in a long, black SUV convoy.
When we reached Wolf Pack territory, we were met by abarbed wire fence and a guard station. Before being allowed to enter, everyone had to present IDs and have their picture taken.
One guard sneered, “Have a nice stay, Beta,” and it took all the new-age bullshit in my arsenal to not shove my boot up his ass. He did me a favor though. He reminded me exactly where I was.
It was another thirty minutes to the pack house, where we joined a long line of SUVs and vans. Wolves stood around the entryway, handing out room assignments and giving directions. After a twenty-minute wait, we finally reached the front of the drop-off line.
Stepping out of the vehicle, a million scents assaulted my nose. There were too many people, too many perfumes, and too many colognes. It was odd. I never had this problem in the city, but suddenly, it was like my senses were magnified—or maybe the smells were.
Zach wrapped his arm around my waist to steady me. “You okay, Sunshine?”
“Fine. My nose is just burning.”
“It’s a bit much, isn’t it? Let’s get our room assignment and get out of here.” I nodded and followed Zach to a beefy dude with a clipboard. It was like we were at fucking summer camp. “Beta Cain, Beta Spencer.”
“Ah. Beta Cain, you’re in cabin three with two other unmated betas. Beta Spencer, you’re in cabin 20 alone. You appear to be the only non-participant.”
“There seems to be some confusion. Beta Spencer and I were to be roomed together. Neither of us is participating in the formal events.”
The guy clearly didn’t give a shit as he glanced behind us, not even bothering to make eye contact as he said, “I don’t know what to tell you, sir. The clipboard is law.”
The burner in my pocket buzzed.
SECRET DOUCHEBAG
Take the separate room. We need you alone. Your cabin is safe from prying eyes, but the same can’t be said for the rest of the territory.
Well, fuck. The Howlers had done this. I had to get Zach to drop it and let me out of his sight, something he had sworn he wouldn’t do.
“Zach, it’s fine. It’s only four days. I can bunk alone.”
“I’m not going through this circus by myself.”
I needed to approach this from an angle Zach could understand. “Just let this one slide. I have a cabin all to myself.” And then I gave him an exaggerated wink.
“Oh. Okay.” Turning back from our whispered conversation, Zach addressed the clipboard czar. “Can we have our keys?”
“Here you go. Head down that path, and you will hit the cabins. I hope you enjoy your stay with the Wolf Pack.”
“I’m sure we’ll have a blast,” Zach deadpanned.
Going down the gravel drive, we came to cabin three, and Zach stopped.
“Let me drop my bags, and I’ll walk you to your cabin.”
“Sounds good.”
Zach rushed inside, and I took the free time to text Big Brother back.
Done. Am I actually going to meet you, or will this be a voyeur thing for the whole week?
