Finding Our Way (Werewolf Wars) (8 page)

Daniel shrugged, and she let out a breath glad he was leaving it be.

“So do you guys get sick? Like humans?” Nora asked, curiously.

“Yeah, we’re not as prone to things like the common cold and flu’s, but we can still get cancer and have heart disease.”

“Guess no one is immune to those things.”

“Unfortunately, no,” Daniel sighed.

Daniel turned on the car’s blinker and followed the Jeep in front of them into the shopping complex. He pulled into a parking spot and shut the car off. Nora unbuckled her belt and hopped out of the car. She walked to the front of the vehicle where everyone else had gathered.

“I figured it would go quicker if we broke off into two groups,” Claire started handing a list to her son. “Daniel, why don’t you and Nora take the meats and frozen foods. Jacob and I will take the dried goods and fresh fruits and vegetables. Then the two of you can go get the cake.”

“Sure,” Daniel said, taking a piece of paper from his mom.

“Cake?” Nora asked after Claire and Jacob started toward the store.

“It’s Sarah’s birthday today.”

“Am I actually going to get to meet her?” Nora wondered aloud. “Everyone always talks about her, but I’ve never met her,” she clarified, when Daniel glanced over at her.

“She’s been keeping to herself a lot. Her boyfriend died about a month ago. It’s been really hard on her, I guess.”

“Everyone deals with tragedy in their own way,” Nora commented quietly. She could relate. “I kind of withdrew from everything when my grandma passed away. But, then I realized school was starting up and she would come back to haunt me from the grave if I didn’t get my act together and live my life.”

“I don’t think school is going to work for Sarah. I heard Lark telling Gene that she’s deferred her first semester of college, not that I blame her. Vincent spent a lot of time with her boyfriend, Preston, before he died. He said that it was nauseating how much he talked about her,” Daniel replied as he pulled a cart out of the corral.

“No offense, but your brother is a womanizer. He might mock love, but he’s really terrified of it,” Nora teased. Daniel frowned giving her an unreadable expression. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d struck a nerve.

“Here,” Daniel said, handing the list over to her. “You’re probably better at finding this stuff than me.”

Nora met his emerald eyes and her breath caught. Their fingers momentarily entwined as she took the piece of paper from him. Heat sizzled through her digits and her pulse roared in her ears. Their hands lingered for a moment longer before Daniel abruptly pulled away. Maybe Vincent wasn’t the only one terrified of love—what if Daniel was too?

***

F
ernando Juarez pulled his SUV into the dreary parking lot. The motel left a lot to be desired. Large chips of white paint were missing from the siding. The shutters hung loose and were crooked, and long cracks splintered through a few of the windows. It would be a pleasure to return to his home and his own bed. Soon, he thought. The Harris’ were young and inexperienced. He wanted revenge for Luis’ death, but first he wanted to make them sweat. Then, he would send for his reinforcements and wipe them out with one deafening blow.

His grandson, Malakai, bounded down the walkway approaching the vehicle as he turned it off and climbed out.

“Papa,” Malakai greeted, with a bow of his head. “I didn’t think you’d be arriving until tomorrow. Is everything tied up in the bayou?”

“We got all the information we could out of the few men we captured alive. How are things progressing here?” Fernando asked, walking toward the crumbling building that would be his home. He did understand that finding a place suitable for a pack of their size wasn’t always feasible, he just hoped the inside was better than the outside.

“They seem to be sticking to a regular schedule. Monday’s and Thursdays they go to the store for groceries. They’re there now, and I have four of my men watching them. Devon and Gene Harris mostly keep to the ranch and homestead. Devon leaves more often though, mostly to visit Lark at her bakery, The Cookie Jar. Her schedule remains routine. The shop is closed on Sundays. The rest of the days she opens and arrives at the store around six in the morning and leaves for the day between three and four. I have yet to see Natalia,” Malakai said, clearing his throat.

“I don’t believe we’ll see your coward of a sister until we take the ranch. She will pay for murdering your father—my son. Do you have any other information?” Fernando asked his eyes wandering around the camp. Malakai had around two hundred men here with him, but he wasn’t sure that would be enough. He had left a large contingent of men to finish overseeing the cleanup of the Bayou pack. The outside world could not be allowed to find out about their species.

“They appear to be putting up some sort of fence around the property lines. Although, it doesn’t look to be anything useful, just a regular wooden fence,” Malakai shrugged. “We could get closer to get a better look, but if we do, we risk being seen.”

Fernando nodded. “I’m sure they already know we are here. However, I want any attacks on them to take them by surprise. You’ve done well, Malakai. Come, let’s talk indoors.”

“This way, Papa. I apologize for the state of this place. It is the only place I could find relatively close to the Harris’ that had enough accommodations for our men. This is the nicest room here though,” his grandson said as he led the way to the end of the building. He inserted a plastic card into the door and opened it.

Fernando’s eyes widened, he was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the room. The beige carpet was worn, but the bed was made to perfection and the white walls looked freshly painted.

“Please come in and close the door,” Fernando instructed.

Malakai stepped inside and shut the door. “What is it, Papa?”

Fernando clasped his hands behind his back, taking one last look around the room before letting his eyes land on Malakai. The boy looked so much like his father with his jet-black hair and chestnut eyes. His heart clenched in his chest at the thought of his dead son.

“Luis’ death has made me realize that it is time for me to officially name an heir. I know there are lots of alphas’ who want to be my replacement. However, this is my pack. I built this pack with my sweat and blood, and I’ll be damned if I let someone outside our family take the reins. I want to name you my heir, Malakai. But first, you must prove yourself. Not only to me, but to the other alpha’s who follow me,” Fernando said, narrowing his eyes.

Malakai’s mouth opened his dark eyes shining slightly. “I would be honored, Papa.”

Fernando grinned, glad to see the boy had kept his wits about him.
He will be a good alpha.
“Good! Continue as you have been. I wish to observe you a little more before I declare my intention's to the pack. You’ve done well, Malakai. You’re so much like your father.”

“Thank you, Papa. I won’t let you down.”

N
ora smiled and scrambled ahead of Daniel as he held the glass door for her. A bell chimed over her head as she entered The Cookie Jar and the heavenly smell of cinnamon greeted her.

“Hey,” Lark called as she looked up at them. She set the bowl and spatula she was using down and walked to the counter. “I was beginning to wonder if you all were coming.”

“Sorry, it took a bit longer at the grocery store than we expected,” Daniel said, running a hand through his hair.

“It’s my fault,” Nora sighed. “They messed up my meds and had to call the pharmacy back home.” It had been a fiasco. She was just thankful they had gotten everything worked out in the end. While she still had a few days left, it was imperative that she not miss any doses.

“It’s no problem. Let me just grab the cake,” Lark said, waving them off. The blonde scurried out of sight.

Daniel nodded toward two men who were sitting at a table with a few pastries, and it took her second to realize she recognized them.
They are from the ranch!
Goose bumps crept across her skin as she came to the hard truth that they were there to protect Lark. It was then she noticed two other guys sitting almost out of sight behind the counter.
Good grief, she has a whole security detail.
She shuddered, for the first time truly realizing the gravity of the situation they were in. They were not safe out and about.

“You want anything while we’re here?” Daniel asked pulling his wallet out.

“No thanks, I’m good. We’ll be having cake later.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, thanks anyway.”

“Please be really careful with this,” Lark said as she came out carrying a giant white box. “This is the biggest sheet cake I’ve ever made and the box is kind of awkward to hold.”

“I’ll take good care of it,” Daniel assured.

“Thanks,” Lark said, setting it on the counter. “You want something before you go?”

Daniel’s gaze drifted to the case in front of them. Nora noticed that he seemed to be hesitating and she shifted her eyes to Lark.

“I’ll take a blueberry muffin,” he said after a long moment.

Lark chuckled as she opened the case. “Here, have two. I know Devon steals all of them. I think he has an addiction to them.” Lark turned to Nora. “Do you want anything, Nora?”

“No, thanks. I’m looking forward to this cake, though,” she grinned, peering down into the box. The white frosting stretched across the length of the cake. In the center was a large bouquet of iced flowers. The red, yellow, and orange flowers were intricately woven together and she wondered how long it had taken Lark to design it. “It looks good.”

“Thanks, it’s vanilla almond. Sarah’s favorite.” Lark picked at the corner of the box with her thumb and forefinger. “I just hope she likes it.”

“I’m sure she will,” Nora replied.

“I can’t imagine what she’s going through right now. No nineteen year old should have so much heartache in their life. Not to mention, with the constant threat and her being abducted a few months ago...it’s all so overwhelming. I’m just worried about her,” Lark said quietly.

“She’ll come around in her own time,” Nora reassured, even though she knew nothing about the woman they were talking about. If Sarah were anything like Lark, then the girl would be just fine.

“I heard you are bringing pizza for everyone,” Daniel spoke up.

“Yeah,” Lark smiled, her blue eyes lighting up. “I think the guy at Luigi’s just about died when I called to place an order there the other day.”

“How many pizzas did you order?” Daniel questioned.

Lark bit her lip. “Fifty. Do you think that’s enough?”

“It should be fine,” Daniel nodded.

“Good.” Lark sighed, her eyes drifted to the black circular clock on the wall. “Anyway, Devon will be here soon. You don’t have any more stops before the ranch do you?”

“No, we’re heading straight back,” Daniel answered.

“Great! I’ll see you two in a little bit then.”

***

T
he drive back to the ranch was quiet. Nora seemed content to look out her window, seemingly taking in her surroundings. Daniel focused on the open road ahead of him.

He enjoyed the countryside. Trees lined the narrow country road, and the waist deep grass swayed gently in the breeze. A patch of wild flowers grew in the ditch, the sharp blue, pink, and purples a nice contrast to the green foliage.

“Do you mind if I ask you something?” Nora asked breaking the comfortable silence.

“I suppose not.”

“I couldn’t help but notice that there seems to be some tension between you and Devon. I don’t mean to pry, but I’m trying to make sense of it all. From what April tells me you guys should be close...” she trailed off.

“Devon and I don’t get along. My father trained me to be an alpha even though Devon was the rightful alpha. It’s complicated and a long story. There is a lot of hate between us—some of our own doing, most of it my father’s.” Daniel tapped his thumbs against the steering wheel and let out a long breath. He chanced a glance at Nora who only nodded in response.

“I’m sorry. My family is dysfunctional too. My mom didn’t come to my grandma’s funeral. I’m not sure she even knows her mother passed away. The last time I saw her was when I was sick eight years ago,” Nora said, her voice breaking slightly.

Daniel gritted his teeth. “My mom killed my dad.”

“What?” Nora gasped.

“He was going to kill Dev. Probably would have killed Vincent and me too. Then he would have sent Em off to be a breeder in Juarez’s pack. She did what was right by her children,” Daniel bit out as a flurry of emotions overtook him. He’d never really talked about that night with anyone. There wasn’t anyone to talk about it with. He knew it shouldn’t bother him, Emmett had been a horrible father, but he was still his dad.

“I...I...” Nora started, but stopped looking away.

“Sorry. I’ve probably freaked you out now,” Daniel said, punching the steering wheel. This was why his father had viewed humans as a weakness—they didn’t get their way of life.

“It’s just a lot to process. I keep hearing these horrible stories. April just lost her parents
and
grandparents. You lost your dad and here I am, my family sob story pales in comparison,” Nora laughed, shaking her head. “It’s not funny. I just...it’s so much.”

“You’re overwhelmed,” Daniel acknowledged.

“Yeah,” Nora’s voice cracked.

“This is our life. The cold hard truth of it. You know you can still back out and go home. I’m sure Juarez won’t chase you across the country back to Mississippi once he clears out down there,” Daniel reiterated.

“No. I’m not leaving April. She’s the only family I have left. Even if this is crazy and dangerous, I could never leave her. She’s my best friend—my sister,” Nora said, her voice growing stronger as she spoke.

Daniel turned to look at her, immediately recognizing her sincerity. His mother’s words earlier this afternoon rang in his head. Nora was loyal, loving, and caring. She was the kind of person you wanted in your corner. Her fear might make her appear weak, but her devotion made her a strong ally.
But she’s not your ally. She’s staying for her friend—not for you!
He reminded himself.
And if she ever sits down, talks to Devon, and finds out the entirety of your history, she’ll never be your friend or anything else.