Page 196 of His White Moonlight
Her presence made the introductions more tolerable and less awkward since the number of people without clothes was increasing.
Bennett stayed next to Dad, chatting with anyone who approached them as Mom and I moved around the clearing.It was fully dark when Mom excused us, and we made our way back to Bennett and Dad.
Bennett’s gaze searched mine as we approached.I couldn’t tell what he was looking for, though.Nerves?Fear?He wouldn’t find those anymore.I’d already made peace with both and accepted the outcome of the night as soon as I got out of the car.And each stilted greeting and long look from the females Mom had introduced was enough to confirm what I’d suspected the moment Bennett told Olivia I was his mate: I wouldn’t hold the position of potential mate for long if they had anything to say about it.
“Before we begin, we have some welcome news to share,” Dad said.
He looked at Bennett.
“The mate I found twelve years ago has finally acknowledged me.”Bennett intertwined his fingers with mine before lifting our joined hands high.Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Mom and Dad beamed, either pretending or oblivious.
“On that happy note, let the pack run begin!”Dad said, unbuttoning his shirt.
Those already undressed started shifting.
Bennett turned me toward him.
“We’ll stay here while the others run,” he said.
“Why bother coming if you’re not going to run?”I asked.
“Baby steps.We’ll run next time.”
We?
The clearing slowly emptied.I looked around, grateful for the moonlight but not the location.
“What’s the point of staying?”I asked.
“Staying proves you have a place here.”
I snorted.“You’re as blind as Mom and Dad.If you had used your eyes, you would have seen that no one was happy about your announcement just now.Staying isn’t going to prove anything.”
But stayingwouldgive people the opportunity they needed.
“I did use my eyes.And you’re right.People weren’t happy.That doesn’t mean they want to hurt you, though, Wrenly.”
“Not the people here, maybe,” I said under my breath.
When going around with Mom, I’d noticed a few key people missing.Olivia and the office girls, along with Storm and her crew.The numbers weren’t in my favor.Having Miranda nearby would have helped, but I hadn’t seen her either.
Bennett caught my arms and gave them what he probably thought was a reassuring squeeze.
“We’re staying just in case Dad needs?—”
Harsh snarling broke out deeper in the trees.A yip followed.
Bennett’s attention immediately shifted in that direction.The way he tensed wasn’t reassuring.
I reached for his hand.He glanced at me.I could see his concern and hesitation as his gaze swept over my face.Whatever was happening wasn’t good.I opened my mouth to tell him I could run to the car, but I was up in his arms a second later.
He ran through the trees, and the sounds of snarls grew louder as we approached a pair of fighting wolves.It’d been so long since I’d seen Dad in his fur that I almost didn’t recognize him.His opponent darted in for a nip to his flank, but Dad spun around with a snarl and went for him instead.The other wolf pivoted, rolled, and sprang to his feet, dodging the attack fluidly.
Before I could worry that Dad was outmatched, one of the three wolves watching the pair shifted to his human form.
“No interfering in a challenge,” the man said.
