Page 51 of Fighting For The Pack

“Violet said you need to speak to someone about construction,” Tavi said to me.

“Um, yeah.” It was hard to gauge how she felt about it. Her face was expressionless. “I didn’t want to go by myself, and I know that you’re pretty good with people. I want to make a good impression on this guy.”

Tavi laughed, but it sounded a little forced. “I don’t know about that, but I can try. Violet says you need the help.”

“Oh. Okay. Well, if you’re willing to come along—”

“I’m ready if you are.” Her smile seemed a bit too bright, too cheery.

Before I could say anything more, Tavi started toward the door. I glanced at Violet, who gave me a sad half-smile. That, too, was hard to gauge.

I rushed to catch up with Tavi, who was already opening the door.

“You don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to,” I said. “I know you’re recovering.”

“I know I don’t.” She was still speaking with that strange peppiness. “But I’m always willing to help, Bryn, you know that. It’s what I’m here for.”

I didn’t really understand what she meant, but it bothered me. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

“Yeah, I’m sure! Don’t worry, Bryn. I’ve got your back!”

“I know you do. I’ve got yours, too.” I looked at her, and felt like there was distance between us where there wasn’t before. Was she projecting this cheeriness because she felt forced to come with me? Was she hiding something from me? Or was this all part of her healing process somehow? I didn’t think I would get a straight answer out of her, but there was no talking her out of coming with me.

Tyrell’s cabin was similar to Violet’s, but his door was painted beet red, and the doorknob was brass instead of gunmetal gray. I heard voices on the other end, and they were all male. I cursed under my breath.

“I think he’s got other people with him,” I said. “I was hoping to catch him alone.”

She hesitated for about half a second, and then the peppy smile came back to her face. “Well, we’re already here, right?” she asked. “Let’s just do it now and get it over with.”

“Are you sure—”

“Yep! Violet said you were hoping to get this done today.”

I frowned, but she was right. I did want to handle this asap. I sighed and turned again to the door. I knocked a few times, and then waited.

I was nervous about speaking to these men, but unlike the Elders, where much of my nervousness came from uncertainty around my new role, my nervousness now came from a fear of being bullied. Tyrell and whoever was with him with might try to physically intimidate us. And if that happened, I didn’t know what we’d do.

Tyrell pulled open the door, still joking with someone behind him. “—didn’t know she’d hurt him like that.” When he turned to us, his smile faded, and surprise replaced it.

“Hi, Tyrell,” I said, hoping the expression on my face was neutral but not unfriendly but also not too casual. “I was hoping I could talk to you.”

“Oh. Um. Sure.” He blinked. “A-Alpha Hunter, right?”

“That’s right.” It still felt weird to hear.

“I have company over. Is that going to be a problem?”

I was glad to see that Tyrell didn’t seem to dislike me. Or, if he did, he hid it pretty well. He seemed nervous, too; I could see it in the slight twitch of his cheek before he spoke. He seemed almost as nervous as I felt.

“That’s fine,” I said. “I’ve brought someone along, too.” I gestured to Tavi. “This is Octavia.”

“Hello,” she said brightly.

He nodded to her, and then he led us inside. Unlike the Elders’ cabin or Violet and Tavi’s, Tyrell’s was very obviously lived in. There were clothes and dishes and candy wrappers in random corners of the cabin. It was messy and disorganized, but fortunately, it didn’t smell too bad.

Tyrell led us into his kitchen, where eight other men sat sipping beers. Their conversation stopped as they looked at Tavi and me.

Tyrell introduced each man, pointing to each one as he went around the table. The men said nothing as he did, all of them just staring at us with intense, unwelcoming eyes. At least Samson and Harlon aren’t with them…

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