Page 17 of Echoes of Us
“Everyone’s,” Lois said, her eyes bright as she looked up at Talon. “Our Alpha decided it’s time this place felt like home again. It used to be that no one came here unless they were summoned by his father. Now Talon opens it up twice a month for the whole Pack with food, music, drinks, the works. He’s rebuilding what’s been broken.”
Willow looked up at Talon, her chest tightening with emotion. The firelight flickered over his face, catching in his dark eyes. She could see pride there, as well as a strength his father never had.
“Pretty awesome of him, isn’t it?” Lois added with a grin.
Willow nodded slowly, her throat tightening as she looked back at Lois. “Yeah,” she whispered, her heart swelling. “It really is.”
Lois stared at Willow for a long moment before finally grabbing her hand. “Come on, the women are over here.”
“Lois,” Talon’s voice came out low, carrying a warning that made a few heads turn.
“I’ve got her, Talon,” Lois said with a knowing smile. “We’re just going over there. Let her mingle without you glaring holes through everyone’s heads.”
Willow looked up at him, her heart softening at the protective fire burning in his eyes. “I’ll be fine,” she promised, though she wasn’t entirely sure she would be. But she’d fake it if she had to. He was trying, truly trying, to help her fit in. “Go help Cory before he burns the hot dogs.”
Cory cursed in the background, proving her point, and she laughed softly, letting Lois tug her away. She gave Talon one last glance over her shoulder. He looked ready to bolt after her, but she offered her brightest smile before turning back to where Lois was dragging her.
“You think this is a good idea?” Willow asked under her breath.
“I’ll make sure no one shifts and eats you,” Lois said, sounding dead serious before laughing when Willow shot her a glare. “Relax. You know most of these people. But them seeing you away from their Alpha will give them a real sense of who you are.”
“For someone who knows me really well, I’ll ask again... do youreallythink this is a good idea?” Willow muttered. “You know my mouth tends to get me in trouble sometimes.”
“Sometimes?” Lois snorted as they approached a group of women. “Why do you think I like you so damn much? Hey, ladies! Look who’s back!”
Willow smiled, relieved to see familiar faces. “It’s nice to see you all again.”
“Why in the world would you come back here?” Amanda Shinkle asked, brows furrowing.
Willow’s stomach sank, but she kept her polite smile. “I?—”
“New York!” Amanda interrupted with a dramatic sigh. “I’d give anything to live in the city instead of these damn mountains. Seriously, why the hell did you come back to this place?”
“Oh, well, I?—”
“Did you see who she came with?” Jazzy Tremble cut in, winking. “I’d say the mountains had nothing to do with it.”
Trisha laughed, walking forward to hug Willow tightly. “Doesn’t matter to me why she’s back. I’m just glad she is.”
The tears threatened again, stinging her eyes, but Willow blinked them away. Trisha McKay had been one of her few true friends here, along with Lois. Jazzy and Amanda had always been kind, but never close.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Trisha said, smiling warmly. “And ignore the whispers, Willow. Most of us want to see our Alpha happy. The rest, the ones still loyal to Arthur Wessex, can hit the road. We’ve got you, girl.”
“Thank you,” Willow whispered, clearing the lump from her throat. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
Jazzy frowned, shaking her head. “We all heard how Arthur forced you out of town. My father hated that man. I’m sorry, Willow. Poor Talon was wrecked after you left.”
“I was dating a human from town,” Amanda chimed in suddenly.
“Seriously?” Lois asked, eyes wide. “Who?”
“Frankie Milner,” Amanda said with a sigh. “Arthur found out and ran him off. Now, when I see him in town, he pretends I don’t exist.”
“Frankie Milner?” Lois grinned. “Damn, girl, he’s fine even for a human. You’ve got good taste.”
Willow managed a soft laugh, feeling more at ease, until her gaze drifted across the yard. That was when she sawher.
Sandra Roseman. It had always been well known around town that she wanted Talon for herself. The man beside her was tall, dark-haired, with an air of arrogance that practically reeked of trouble, and he was staring right at Willow. When Sandra whispered something, the man’s glare only deepened as he began striding toward them.
