“Well that sounds ominous.” I say to my wolf and she just purs a little in my chest.
“I’m just glad we’re back. We need to figure out what they used on you that kept us apart for so long. We normally can work off anything, even silver after a few hours. I want to know what Mike and his witches were doing that actually affected us.”
“I didn’t even think of that, you’re right. I forget that all the things Kaley did to me didn’t ever last that long, but we were gone a month and I could feel the wolfsbane and belladonna and whatever else they gave me working.”
“What’s your wolf thinking?” Jena asks, suddenly pulling me from my conversation.
“Oh, umm, she was asking about the stuff that Mike’s people gave us. I don’t usually have that big of a reaction. My body kind of just gets rid of stuff like wolfsbane with minor effects, but whatever Mike gave us, was enough to mess me up and separate me from my wolf the whole time we were there.”
“Really? How did you learn to not be affected?”
“I didn’t learn, just born like that and unfortunately I have had some experiences that let me find out the hard way what my body and my wolf can do.” I say vaguely. I know at some point I will have to explain to her that she isn’t alone when it comes to sh*tty experiences, she just happens to have the worst between the two of us.
“Well, that sounds like a story that needs drinks to get through.”
“Yep.” I say popping the ‘P.’ “Now let’s eat before everyone else gets back, lunch is worse than breakfast and I have a feeling people left us alone on orders, but I don’t know how long that will last. Warriors are worse than a group of middle school girls when it comes to gossip. And I just got back from a mission I should have been too young to go on and came back with a hot alpha female.”
She giggles. “Well I’m glad you were on it, because no one else would have been able to get me out of the hellhole. I wonder how long I’m going to have nightmares about it?”
“No idea, but I can’t even imagine what yours are, mine are bad enough.” I say as we get back into the cantina.
Some warriors are already in line waiting for the kitchen staff to set everything out. A few look at us, but they are older warriors so they don’t gawk and stare. I’m sure used to people coming and going at this point.
Just as I am about to move forward I am tackled in a hug from behind. “Omff! What the hell?”
“Oh my Goddess! I am so glad to see you!” Mina’s smell wafts around me before I even recognize her voice.
“Hey!” I turn around to return the hug. “I’m glad you’re here. I wasn’t sure what they had everyone doing after we got back. I’ve seen Wyatt, Lillian and Nathaniel but just real quick at breakfast. Where have you been?”
“I’ve been over at the castle. Since you have been gone, I guess the little vipers have been trying even harder to get to Xander and Luna Queen Anne had me there yesterday and today for some small meetings as Xander’s plus one. You must have made an impression at the Alpha conference, because all the Luna’s and all the daughters were there and some of them were actually paying attention and talking about relevant things.” She laughs and I join in.
“The Luna’s just realized that they do actually have a voice and are a part of the leadership of the pack. I didn’t do anything, but stand with Luna Anne and answer a couple questions.”
“First of all, that is NOT what you did. You put an Alpha in his place and it was classic. People were still talking about it and that was like ten months ago. Several of the Lunas asked to meet you too and you should have seen the look on Alpha King Reggie’s face when he told them you were on a mission and unavailable. You would have thought he was a proud dad talking about his daughter’s accomplishments. Even Xander made fun of him liking you better.”
I just roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous. Anyway, Mina, this is Jena. She was my cell mate and managed to make it out with me. She’s the Female Alpha of the Black Diamond Pack.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I don’t even know if I have a pack left to be an Alpha for.”
“You know we’ll search right? That’s part of the reason why you’re here and not somewhere else looking for them. We want to help and we have the best resources here.”
“I’m sure you really don’t want to talk about your pack being attacked, but was anyone else captured with you?” Mina asks as we fill out plates and head to our usual table. “I don’t know. Everything happened really fast.”
