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Chapter Six: Pack
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Megan hesitated on the threshold to the living room, gaze sweeping over its occupants. She could see the backs of two heads on the sofa in front of her. One of them she recognised as Allison while the other, with long, honey-coloured hair, she guessed was the woman who'd arrived with Peter and the alpha. Victoria was watching her from an armchair near the fireplace, and the alpha was standing beside her with an elbow on the mantel. His eyes were an uncanny blue that made Megan uncomfortable. Too perceptive.
"I, um…" She tightened her grip on the towels before remembering she still had them. "I couldn't find the laundry basket, and…" Her face grew hot with embarrassment as she indicated the claw marks. "I'm so sorry. I'll buy new ones."
Victoria rose and came towards her with the same not-quite-genuine smile as before. "Don't worry about it. Happens all the time." She took the torn bundle and left the room without another word.
"So…" said the alpha. He gestured for Megan to come sit. She took the armchair on the opposite side of the fireplace, perching herself tensely on its edge. "Allison's told me a little about you, Megan. Is there a last name that goes with that?"
She hesitated, catching Allison's eye. The girl smiled encouragingly.
"Pritchard."
"I'm Chris Argent," said the alpha amiably. "You've met my daughter Allison, and my wife Victoria." He jerked his head in the as-yet-unnamed woman's direction. She regarded Megan disdainfully. Sizing her up. "This is my sister, Kate."
"You're a family unit," concluded Megan out loud.
"With the exception of Peter," said Chris, but didn't elaborate. It seemed like a sore point. "Where are you from, Megan?"
She figured there was little harm in telling them some of her past. "I was born and raised in Wales, but then…" She swallowed thickly, skipping over the obvious. "I moved around a lot."
"By yourself?"
"On and off. When I craved company, I'd go back to a particular pack." Her thoughts strayed again to James. She could see him in her mind's eye. Tall, dark, and lithe, noble features, grey eyes. He'd been strict but never unkind, and had understood her like no other.
"The alpha," continued Megan, "he found me during my third full moon. Took me in and taught me everything I know."
"And where is this alpha now?" When Megan didn't answer save to swallow around the lump in her throat, Chris nodded in understanding. He even looked faintly sympathetic. "I see."
"Dad." Allison fixed her father with a pleading look. "Can she stay here? At least until she's ready to move on."
"Allison, honey." It was Kate who spoke. Her tone was sweet, but her smile was brittle. "We barely know her. No offence." She directed the last at Megan, and from the dangerous gleam in the other woman's eyes she knew every offence was meant. Kate wanted her gone.
"No offence taken," said Megan evenly. "Thank you for your help. I won't intrude on you any longer." Honestly, she'd rather deal with Derek's displeasure than stay. There was something off with the pack, and Megan wasn't so sure anymore that the alpha posed the biggest threat.
As she stood to leave she didn't miss the satisfied smirk creep over Kate's face. It disappeared when Allison suddenly came to Megan's side. There was a stubborn set to the girl's jaw.
"You can't let her leave. Not while Derek's so determined to hunt us down."
Kate was far from amused by her niece's outburst. "Allison-"
"She's right," said Chris on a sigh. His eyes searched Megan's. She clamped down on the urge to look away. "You've already been caught once. What happened?"
Easy does it, thought Megan. Just tell them the truth and leave out the details. "Derek thought we were connected. He questioned me about you and your pack. Got angry when I couldn't tell him anything."
"And how did you escape?" Kate rose and took a step closer, eyes narrowed in challenge.
"The young hunter." Megan inwardly congratulated herself for her quick thinking. "The blonde boy. I tricked him and stole his keys."
"Quite a feat." The voice came from the open doorway. Peter stood leaning against the frame, mouth quirked in the hint of a smile. "I mean, hunters don't usually let their guard down so easily."
Megan fought back a swell of panic. His expression was almost knowing.
"He's young," she defended. "Inexperienced."
Peter shrugged in response, pushing himself upright. "So, alpha. Do we take a vote?"
Chris scowled at the other were. "She stays."
Kate opened her mouth to protest but was cut across by Allison. "Are we done here?"
"For tonight." Chris had barely got the words out before Allison snatched up Megan's hand and practically dragged her out of the room.
"Sorry about that," said the girl as they made their way up the stairs. "Like I said before, trust issues. You okay?"
Megan released a tremulous breath. "Yeah. Fine." But she only half listened as Allison talked about the spare bedroom and other things. Downstairs, Kate was scolding her brother.
"Are you crazy? She was lying!"
"You're letting your feelings get in the way," replied the alpha. There was a meaningful pause before he spoke again, voice low and dangerous. "Keep your distance, Peter. One wrong move and I'll-"
"Rip my throat out," quoted Peter, sounding vaguely amused. "I know."
"You think I'm kidding?"
"Well," said Peter with sudden severity. "You didn't when I begged you all those years ago."
Megan's eavesdropping came to an end when Allison bade her goodnight and shut the door. After a moment's consideration Megan locked it. Hardly an obstacle for a werewolf, but at least it would extinguish the element of surprise.
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TBC.
