Finding Our Way (Werewolf Wars) (5 page)

“Daniel already told me a lot. I mean, I know most of the people here turn into giant wolves. What more could there be?” Nora asked.

Lark grinned. “I think that’s the worst of it. And you seem to be taking it pretty well.” She walked to the door and opened it, motioning for someone to come in.

April walked in and rushed toward her. “Oh, Nora,” she gushed, enveloping her in a hug. “I’m so glad you are okay.”

“You too,” Nora sighed, relaxing into her friend's embrace.

1***

Nora picked at a piece of fuzz on the green comforter. Her mind whirled as she took in everything April had just told her.

“So, just to be clear,” Nora said, clearing her throat. “This Juarez guy ran your family out of their home. He wants to enslave all the females and breed them with certain men in his pack. There is a possibility that he could come after me now because of our connection and force me to breed too,” Nora said in one breath. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and bit her lip as she waited for her friend’s response.

“In a nutshell, yeah,” April whispered. “I had no idea when I enrolled at Ole Miss four years ago that this was going to happen. There was the issue with Juarez, but that’s why my family and I chose a school so far away. But things progressively got worse and Juarez’s stretch has grown. I would never have put you—or anyone else in danger.”

“I know,” Nora said, snapping her head up. “It’s not your fault, April. There are lots of loons in this world, and what’s happening to your family—pack—it’s not your fault.”

“I never meant to drag you into this mess, Nora. You’re my best friend, and I hate that I’ve put you in this position,” April said, blinking back tears.

“We all have the right to a normal life, April. This Juarez guy sounds like a real douche,” she said trying to soothe her friend.

“How are you so okay with this?” April laughed, wiping at her eyes. “I just told you I’m a werewolf, men tried to kill you, and you’re here in Texas when you should be in Mississippi.”

Nora shrugged and pulled her friend in for a hug. “April, you lost your parents, your grandparents. Despite what has happened I know your heart is broken. I can’t begin to imagine what you’re going through right now. You’re still my best friend—nothing is going to change that. I know what it’s like to have people look at you because you’re different. Some things are out of our control, April. Besides, I’ve already stared death in the face once and won. A near-death experience changes your perspective on everything. I want to live, and nobody is going to take that away from me, or tell me how I get to do it. And I’m certainly not going to sit back and let someone take that away from you either.”

April squeezed her tighter, sniffling loudly. “I’m so lucky to have found a friend like you, Nora.”

Nora grinned into April’s mousy brown hair. “We’re lucky to have each other.”

A sharp knock at the door drew both girls apart. Nora cleared her throat. “Come in.”

The knob twisted and the door creaked as it opened. Daniel gave them a small smile as he walked into the room, Nora’s floral bag in hand. “I brought this back for you.”

Nora bounced off the bed relieved, grimacing slightly when the stitches pulled across her belly. “Thank you,” she beamed, her fingers brushed against him as she took her bag. Butterflies erupted in her stomach and her face flushed with heat.

April stood up from the bed. “I’m going to go. I want to get settled into my room. But I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Bye,” Nora called as April squeezed past them and headed off down the hall.

“So, how are you doing? You look better,” Daniel started, running a hand through his hair.

“A little sore, but I’m okay. What about you? I hit you with my car and you’ve been in two fights. You shouldn’t even be standing,” Nora rambled, her eyes roamed over his toned frame, causing her breath to hitch as she took him all in. He wore a form fitting blue tee and dark wash jeans. He had a few light bruises on his face still, but he looked good—really good.

“I’m used to bumps and bruises. It’s no big deal,” he assured.

“So, do you stay here, or at the other home?” Nora asked changing the topic.

“I stay here. My room is actually a few doors down.” Daniel pointed out into the corridor.

“Nice. I haven’t really been around the place yet. I came from the infirmary and straight up to my room. I’m not even sure what the outside of the house looks like since I was unconscious when I arrived. Maybe you could show me around?” Nora stammered her heart racing against her chest.

Daniel shifted back and forth on his feet a moment.

“You’re okay to walk around, right?” Daniel questioned his brow furrowing as he stared her up and down.

Nora sighed. She knew she looked a mess. There was a large cut across her brow and bruises and nicks on her face and shoulders. “If there is one thing I can’t stand it’s lying around and having everybody wait on me hand and foot. I can walk.”

Daniel stepped back and out into the hall. “This is the guest wing. It’s a little overflowed right now, but we are working on building another housing development and it will clear out soon.” Nora followed him out into the corridor. Daniel turned to his left and led them down the narrow aisle. “This is the upstairs living room,” Daniel stated as they stopped in a large room. There were several couches and a big screen TV. A group of young men sat huddled around a video game console with the occasional jeer being yelled every few seconds. “Come on,” he motioned for her to follow.

Nora gripped the wooden handrail as they descended the stairs. She’d seen this part of the house earlier as she’d been taken to her room. “This is the main floor. Gene’s office and the infirmary are down that way,” Daniel pointed. “And the kitchen is in there along with another set of bedrooms for the alpha’s family.”

“Dinner smells good,” Nora commented, savoring the smell of beef. She glanced around the quaint sitting room. Oriental carpets lined the floor, a grandfather clock sat in the corner and there were two plush blue couches against the wall.

“My mom loves to cook. I think it's Salisbury steak.”

“I haven’t had a home cooked meal...” Nora trailed off with a sigh. Her eyes misted over as she recalled the tender woman who had raised her. “My grandma used to do all the cooking. But I had to put her into a home a few years ago. She had Alzheimer’s. I used to go home every weekend just so I could have some real food and not the cafeteria stuff at Ole Miss. I tried to do as much as I could for her, but her situation kept deteriorating. It got to the point where she needed someone with her twenty-four-seven. I wish I could have taken care of her, but it just wasn’t feasible with me being in school. She passed away just a few weeks ago.”

“That must have been hard,” Daniel commented as he pushed the screen door open. “What about your parents? Did they help you out?”

Nora shook her head. “My mom and dad were always in and out of my life. Dad left me and my mom for good when I was seven, and my mom’s been in and out ever since. We haven’t spoken in eight years and fifty-six days.”

“That’s rather specific,” Daniel said, lifting his brow at her.

Nora licked her lips as she followed him onto the wooden porch. “Wow.” She looked around at the homestead. Trees and bushes lined the front of the property. The large gravel driveway seemed to stretch for miles. A large barn and pasture with horses were to her left and open field was to her right. “This is incredible.”

Nora walked ahead of Daniel, moving down the creaky steps and out into the hot autumn sun. “I’ve never ridden a horse before.” A smile slipped across her face as she watched the black mare graze in the pasture.

“Me neither,” Daniel said from behind her.

“Really?” Nora questioned turning to him.

“I’ve actually only been here a few months.” Nora opened her mouth to question him, but he cut her off. “Come on, I’ll show you the stables.”

They walked across the gravel drive and into a large red barn. A few horses peered out of their pens at them as they moved across the straw covered floor.

“What kind of horses are they?” Nora asked stopping in front of a brown one with a stripe down its face.

“They’re racing horses. You can pet him if you want. They are very friendly,” a man with dark brown hair and warm brown eyes said as he approached. “We breed them, and then sell them. I’m Gene Harris it’s nice to officially meet you.”

“Nora Jamison,” she said, taking his hand. “You were one of the ones out there earlier.”

“The black wolf,” he grinned. “Glad to see the both of you are doing well. If you’ll excuse me, I was just on my way to check on Natalia and Adrian. Come by my office tomorrow morning, Daniel. I want a full report of everything that transpired. And don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything, Nora.”

“I’ll stop by first thing,” Daniel informed him.

“Good. See you two at dinner,” he called over his shoulder.

“So, he’s the alpha? And your brother?” Nora questioned, trying to remember who was who.

“He’s one of the alphas; you met my brother Devon earlier. Gene’s his cousin.”

“I’m not sure how I’ll keep everyone straight,” Nora mumbled.

Daniel shrugged. “There are a lot of people here. Even I don’t know everyone.”

“Are there a lot of refugees?” Nora asked, curiously.

“Just the ones from your friend April’s pack. All the new guys are here from packs along the east coast. Gene visited them a few weeks ago, and worked out a deal for them to send help.”

“To help prepare for the war,” Nora sighed. “I’m guessing with the attack this afternoon things are about to get heated here.”

“Probably. Gene and Dev are smart. You’ll be safe here,” Daniel promised.

***

“T
hanks for showing me around. I had fun,” Nora said, walking to the stairs. “I’m going to go wash up. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Daniel met her smile and gave her a nod as she started up the steps. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d just talked to someone. It had been nice.

“She was unconscious only a few hours ago and you have her outside traipsing around for over an hour?” Devon scoffed as he came out of the kitchen.

Daniel gritted his teeth. “She asked me to show her around.”

“And you just give a newcomer—someone we know nothing about the lay of the land here?” Devon ground out.

“This isn’t about her being shown around. It’s about you and me,” Daniel argued, glaring. The hairs on the back of his neck bristled as he met Devon’s cold glare.

The screen door squeaked as it opened, but neither drew their gaze from the other.

“Daniel?”

Daniel turned, some of his anger ebbing away as he recognized his sister’s voice. “Em,” he greeted. Marcus came in behind her giving him a simple nod.

“You’re back.” Emily walked forward and wrapped her arms around him. “And Vincent’s here too?”

“I haven’t seen him yet, but we’re both here,” Daniel acknowledged.

“He’s probably off chasing some poor girl around seeing as there are quite a few here now,” Marcus commented.

“One of these days he’s going to find a girl who takes his breath away. And I hope she gives him a run for his money,” Emily teased. She pulled back a wide grin still on her lips. “I am glad you are safe.”

“Thanks, Em.”

“Dinners ready,” his mom, Claire, said as she came out of the kitchen. She popped back into the kitchen and rang the bell. A loud chime echoed through the home. She came back out into the front room. “You ran off before I got to see you earlier, Daniel,” she said, gently patting his cheek. “I’m glad all my babies are back under one roof.”

Devon rolled his eyes at the same time as Daniel.

Daniel turned as feet thundered down the stairs and a group of men gave them curt hellos as they made their way into the kitchen. A glimpse of red caught his eye and he turned, watching as Nora made her way down the stairs. Her long waves were brushed out and loose around her round face.

“You guys don’t play around when it comes to food do you?” she smiled, tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear.

Claire stepped forward with a smile. “No, we don’t. I am glad to see you on your feet. I trust Dev took good care of you earlier. I’m Claire, by the way, Devon, Daniel, Vincent, and Emily’s mom,” she said, taking Nora’s hand in her own.

“It’s nice to meet you. Everyone here has been really friendly,” Nora said, her amber eyes drifting to Daniel.

“Come get a bite to eat before it gets cold,” Claire replied, pulling Nora toward the kitchen.

Daniel squeezed past his siblings as he followed behind his mom and Nora. A part of him wanted to get away from the awkward moment with his brother, the other needed to see Nora.

Nora walked into the large kitchen, her eyes widening as she took in the lavish room. The marble countertops stretched across the expanse of the room. Steam billowed from the large stockpots on the stove and the savory smell of beef and gravy met her nostrils.

The door across the room opened and Gene entered with a woman who carried a baby. The woman’s long brown hair was thrown back in a braid and her eyes quickly surveyed the kitchen. She clutched the child tighter to her as Gene wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Best to dive right in, sweetie,” Claire urged, handing her a plate.

“Thanks,” Nora said, taking the plate. Everyone here had been so kind to her thus far. Not to mention, the closet in her room was stocked full of shirts, shorts, pants, and everything else she would need. The generosity of the pack was heartwarming. Nora’s stomach growled and she picked up a plate off the end of the counter.

Nora worked her way through the buffet, helping herself to a generous portion of food. As she picked up a napkin and utensils, she searched around the room. Her feet shuffled across the floor, and butterflies fluttered through her stomach. Most of the men had left and the brunette woman with the baby was the only one at the table.

“You can come sit here if you’d like,” the woman said in an accented voice. Her brown eyes drifted from the baby boy to Nora.

“Thank you,” Nora said, relieved.