Guarded

ALLIE

I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed dinner with the pack last night. Everyone—apart from Karen and her gang of followers—made me feel welcome.

I think I might actually make some new friends here.

I wake early and hurry to get washed and dressed so I can grab breakfast before I head out. I’m picking Danielle up and can’t wait to catch up on our ride to the university. I have so much to tell her.

I pick up my bag, but before I get to the door I hear a quiet knock. I know immediately who it is; I can sense James is outside. His intoxicating scent hits me even from behind the closed door.

I open the door to find him dressed smartly as usual, in a dark gray suit.

“Good morning, ready to go down for breakfast?” he asks.

“Yes, I thought I would leave early. I’ve arranged to catch up with Danielle.”

“And tell her all about what happened yesterday?”

“Yes, she’s my friend,” I say, feeling defensive.

“And a good person to confide in because she knows what life is like in a good pack.”

“Yes, but how do you know that?”

“I’ve run background checks on the wolves you shared a house with, to make sure none of them are a threat.”

“That’s creepy and completely unnecessary.” I’m angry that he’s invaded my friends’ privacy in that way.

“Someone is helping Ryan get close to you. Who is more likely to know where and when you go running than your housemates?”

“They wouldn’t betray me to him!” I insist.

“No, from what I’ve found out I don’t believe they would, but Ryan specializes in infiltrating packs.

“He’s very persuasive and good at telling wolves what they want to hear in order to convince them to betray their own family and friends.

“Was it so wrong of me to suspect the people you have known for only a few weeks when he has persuaded people to betray those they have known and cared for their whole lives?”

“I suppose not,” I admit grudgingly. I can see his point, but I could never believe any of my housemates would betray me like that.

“Does that mean you accept them, that you realize they’re good wolves?” I press him.

“It’s early days, but I knew Danielle’s alpha. I tried to find out what happened to them, if any of the wolves survived when Ryan took over their pack, but they hid too well.

“I would have offered them a place in my own pack,” he adds.

“Would you be prepared to offer Danielle a place here if she wants to join?” I ask excitedly.

“Yes. If she wants one.”

“You wouldn’t expect her to be an omega?”

“Not if she doesn’t want to be. Omegas are respected here, though. They provide a valued service and have their own special place in our pack.”

I can’t wait to tell her. Being part of this pack would be so much easier if Danielle was a member as well. I just hope she wants to join.

We go downstairs, and when we enter the dining room David is already there waiting for us.

“You’re up early,” James remarks. “I think this is the first time in five years I’ve seen you get out of your bed before ten a.m.”

“I didn’t want to miss breakfast with my new sister.” He shoots me a cheeky wink.

After breakfast, David turns to me and asks, “Ready to go?”

“Are you sure about joining us?” I ask, surprised he wants to spend so much time with me. I’m also a bit annoyed. If he’s there, I won’t be able to have a frank conversation with Danielle.

“Absolutely. I can’t wait to spend more time getting to know my new sister. Besides, who is better placed to help protect you from Ryan than another alpha.”

I can tell he means what he says, and I feel bad about not wanting him to accompany us. He must have better, more fun things to do than spending time with me.

“Well, let’s go then. Danielle will be waiting for me.”

As we walk out the door, Clara joins us. She’s dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and looks just like one of the students.

A white car is parked outside the pack house.

“This isn’t a car that the alpha’s family would normally travel in, but the alpha felt it would draw less attention if we drove this rather than one of his Mercedes,” Clara says apologetically.

It looks fine to me, I’m not used to traveling in any car. I’ve always walked everywhere or taken a bus.

I wonder how David will feel about it, though. I can’t imagine him driving anything other than a sports car.

“Okay with you?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “Yes, it’s just a car.”

“Have you ever driven in a car like this before?” I can’t help asking.

“No, of course not, but it isn’t a problem for me. It’s the company that counts,” he announces, pulling me into a hug. “Besides, it will be cozy.”

We cram ourselves into the car for the drive into the city. Clara is quiet as she concentrates on driving and scanning for threats.

David, on the other hand, keeps up a steady, entertaining stream of chatter, and the journey passes quickly.

As we pull up outside my former home, he falls silent.

“I’ll just go inside and get Danielle,” I tell him. “You can wait here.”

He agrees, and I’m relieved that he hasn’t insisted on coming with me.

I’m not sure what Danielle will think of him joining us on the journey to campus. They know each other but they don’t get along. I hope she won’t be upset that he’s traveling with us.

I need to explain to her why he’s here before she sees him.

I walk up the drive and knock on the door. It’s been less than a day since I left, but I feel uncomfortable about just walking in. It’s no longer my home.

It looks like Danielle has been waiting for me because she opens the door almost immediately, then drags me inside and closes the door.

“What is he doing here?” she hisses. “I can’t believe you brought David with you!”

I sigh. I had hoped she wouldn’t mind his company. “He insisted on coming to help protect me. He’s been really nice about me moving into the packhouse and being in a relationship with his brother.

“I know he’s caused you trouble in the past, but I genuinely think he’s trying to make up for it. Can you give him a chance?”

“Hmph. We’ll see. I’m making no promises, but I won’t make trouble for you.”

“I know you won’t. I would really like you all to get along. James has suggested that you could move into the packhouse. He’d like you to join his pack.

“He knows about what happened to your old pack, and he wants to help.”

“Really? He doesn’t see me as a rogue?” She sounds surprised.

“No. He knew your old alpha and respected your old pack. He tried to find the survivors after the attack to offer you all sanctuary, but he wasn’t able to track you down.”

“He was close to my old alpha,” Danielle allows. “I don’t know, Allie. It has been so long since I was part of a pack, and his pack isn’t especially welcoming to outsiders.”

“You don’t need to decide right away, but just know that the offer is genuine.

“I would love nothing more than for you to join the pack. We’d be able to see so much more of each other, and it would be great to have an ally.”

“So, you’ve decided to stay?”

Have I decided to stay? I think I have. When did that happen? I just nod at Danielle and walk out of the house. “We need to go,” I call over my shoulder, eager to change the subject.

When we both get into the car, David says hi to Danielle, but for once his mood is subdued and he stays silent for the rest of the journey.

Danielle barely spares him a glance.

~Great.~ The pair of them might not be at open war, but it’s going to take a lot for them to be civil to each other.

Hopefully, things will improve, because I don’t want the journey to be as uncomfortable as this every day.