Dime a Dozen

LAKE

The terrain is slippery and cold as the group makes its way back to camp. Most are shifted into their wolves, while others would rather walk in their human form.

Lynne has been itching for hours to be let out, so we’re in her form. Supplies are strapped to a sled behind us, and we’re wearing a large harness that was fitted before we left.

My wolf is exhausted but refuses to let anyone see her weak and vulnerable again. Her pride is too much sometimes.

Derrick’s wolf tracks behind Lynne closely. She catches him looking at us before snorting and looking forward again.

Lucy’s wolf leads at the front with supplies strapped to her as Lynne has.

The snow has been falling for an hour or so. It’s forced most members to shift, even if they don’t want to.

The trees are bare and stripped of bark by the local wildlife desperate to find food. The snow crunches under Lynne’s tired feet as we finally stop to rest.

When my wolf is released from the cargo sleigh, she walks over to a branch that has a large icicle and takes in the water that slowly drips from it.

The group is exhausted from the tough trail and the now heavy snowfall. Lucy and Derrick talk nearby about what to do.

“We’re setting up camp for the night!” Derrick orders. “Get some rest.”

As it gets darker, Lynne begins to give in to me and shifts back. Lucy happily gives me a pair of sweats, a heavy winter jacket, and boots.

“Hungry?” Lucy asks as I sit beside her at one of the many small fires dotted around the area.

“Starving,” I reply. Lucy hands me a piece of dried deer meat and a cup of hot chocolate fresh from the stove over the fire.

Derrick stomps past us and sits on the other side of the fire. He glares at me before looking to the side as if to escape my gaze.

Lucy laughs to herself at her brother’s actions. Of course she finds this funny—who wouldn’t?

“The area is secure, Alpha.” A young male wolf bows slightly. Derrick nods and dismisses him.

Silence grows between us for a few moments before Lucy stands and stretches. She lets out a long breath. I can see her breath travel up and disappear.

“We need to have someone out on watch tonight,” Lucy says. “Lake, I’ll show you to your—”

“She and I will be on watch.” Derrick stands, his stance more forceful than before. He’s showing his dominance. “She needs to learn.”

“Derrick, she needs to rest after everything today.”

“If she’s to stay, she’s to learn about the group,” Derrick states.

So much has happened today. Lynne and I are exhausted. Just sitting here is enough to make me pass out. The anger raging between these two isn’t helping anyone wind down for a good night’s sleep.

“I’ll go.” I struggle to stand. When Lucy stands to stop me, I simply push her aside. “For once since meeting me, your blockheaded brother is looking out for his people.”

That’s halfway the truth. Lucy and I both know Derrick is doing this in hopes of breaking me into doing nothing but obeying him. Not going to happen.

“This way.” Derrick starts to walk away. I slowly trail after him.

We come to a clearing over a cliff not far from the campsite. Derrick sits on an old tree stump, while I just stand and look at the night sky.

A sense of dread comes over me as my eyes come to the waning moon. I always hated to see her disappear after the full moon.

“So…” Derrick tries to strike up a conversation. “How did you end up out here?”

“Do you mean before or after you kidnapped me?” I reply coldly.

The fact that he’s trying to act normal and collected after everything… It’s enough to send me into a rage.

“Right…”

I look at Derrick. His gaze is already on me.

His dark eyes seem to reflect the stars in the sky.

His sharp jawline and thin lips are tight. His eyebrows are knit together, and his hands are looped together in his lap in a loose fist. A slight breeze picks up and sways Derrick’s hair to the side.

I roll my eyes and say, “Family issues.”

My arms are now crossed as Derrick shrugs. It seems we’re in the same boat. Not that I’m wanting to know his whole life story.

“Like…~family~ family issues…or ~pack~ family issues?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “What is this? Twenty questions?”

“Hey, I’m just trying to get to know you,” Derrick defends. I let out a frustrated groan.

“What is with you?!” I grit through my teeth. “One second, you’re ~big bad alpha~ and wanting complete control over my life. The next, you’re wanting to braid my hair and know my entire life story!”

Derrick says nothing for a moment. I seem to have caught him off guard.

~Goddess, people really need to start bashing his head against the wall. Maybe then some sense will be knocked into him.~

~

“What can I say?” Derrick simply smiles. “I’m a dime a dozen.”