Page 116 of The Hunger
Jenna leaned in, draping an arm over Fenris’s shoulders while Willow snaked an arm around his waist.
“But we just got him to dance,” Jenna said, a slight whine in her voice.
“Your Alpha gave you a command,” Aubrey said, appearing from behind Raiden. “Obey.”
So many emotions erupted around us. Resentment and fear from the girls, but a lot more humor from the people we didn’t know.
I felt unnecessarily provoked.
“This is a lot of pointless drama, Raiden. Your son wasn’t breaking any rules to warrant you collecting the future leader of your pack away like an errant toddler. Fenris has been spending just as much time with Jenna, Willow, and Laurel as he has with me.”
“I didn’t think you were this selfish, Eliana. This isn’t about you. This is about what’s best for the pack.”
With my hunger pressing at me and demanding its due, I barely felt like myself.
“You’re right about one thing. This isn’t about me.” I turned and looked at Fenris. “It’s about you.”
“I’m sorry, Eliana,” Fenris said. “I don’t have a choice.”
I nodded as he released me.
“Raiden has threatened to send him away to other packs until he’s mated if he refuses to obey until Saturday,” Jenna said quietly.
It wasn’t quiet enough, though. Raiden’s attention snapped to her.
“It’s time for all of you to come home,” he said. “There’s nothing for you here.”
I wanted to laugh.
“There’s nothing for them in a club filled with males they’ve never met? Yeah, you’re absolutely acting in the best interest of the pack. I’m looking forward to Saturday, Raiden.”
His expression showed surprise while Aubrey’s, which had been hungrily focused on Fenris’s approach, twisted with anger.
“And you’re still welcome, Eliana. But until Saturday, please leave Fenris alone.” With that, Raiden turned and walked out the door, the rest following him.
“Always eventful with you around,” Eugene said beside me.
I took a deep, calming breath.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here before we make someone else mad.”
After dropping off Eugene and making sure he made it into the safety of his house, I tried calling Megan, but it went to voicemail. Rather than leaving a message, I sent a text.
Me: Please tell me you’re almost done.
She didn’t answer until I was in my room, checking for any lingering evidence of brownies. However, there was no additional mess and everything was neatly back in its place. Even the hamper was empty.
Megan: I wish. Apparently, being an asshole is a universal mermaid trait. But according to the last update, they’ve managed to waken the Kraken without causing a tsunami. Yeah, it’s that big and a lot of trouble if it decides to move around. I sent the messenger with the first question. Their little fishy brains can’t deal with more than that. And it takes hours to get an answer because of the depth. I’m so over this.
Me: Sorry your time in a warm tropical climate sucks. At least Oanen’s there, right?
It took an eternity for a reply. While I waited, I took a relaxing shower that did nothing to calm my hunger, raided the kitchen for chocolate, and chatted with Mrs. Quill as she made dinner for Mr. Quill.
“I can feel your hunger, Eliana,” she said. “Weren’t you able to spend time with Fenris?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Raiden is being a bigot and doing everything he can to keep us apart. Even going so far as to call me selfish.”
She studied me for a moment and started to smile.
