Page 84 of Campfires & Canines
Inside, a dozen men are lifting weights or sparring. Weapons line the walls here too, but there are a lot of guns out in the open. The suspicious looks the pack members shoot at me make my stomach churn. I'm relieved when Jasper leads me outside again.
There's no school or store, only a few utility and storage buildings. Two or three dozen identical homes extend down the lane. It's odd that his family enjoys a sprawling luxurious manse while their entire pack lives in matching utilitarian housing.
"That one is mine." He points to the third house on the right.
"You guys don’t have a school?"
"Nope. Not a lot of kids right now," he says.
"That's kind of sad."
"I hadn't thought about it." He shrugs.
As he walks me around the perimeter of the compound, I try to spy out anything that might provide an opportunity to get away later,but I can't even tell which direction is north or south. I don't even know where Granite Ridge is in relation to Bracken Creek.
My wrist starts to ache with the motion of walking. I bite my cheek. There’s nothing I can do about it.
We ended up at the cafeteria for an early lunch. It's more like a school lunch line than the delicious buffets at Crickett’s.
I'm handed a tray with dry meatloaf, mashed potatoes I'm sure was made from potato starch and sawdust, and some corn and spinach devoid of any salt.
We sit at a folding table and I try to eat a few bites of the food, but it's so bland, and I have no appetite.
"Can I see more of your territory?" I ask. "Maybe a little hike?"
“Maybe next time."
His eyes are scanning around the room, reminding me of his brother again. I rub at my claim mark with my unbroken hand. As of this morning, it's nothing but shiny pale pink scars, far too light for my comfort.
Jasper stills. "Hazel, finish eating," he says quietly.
Four men amble across the space, taking up positions on either side of both of us.
Jasper's pose is casual, but every muscle is taut. I sit very still and grip my fork.
"Hey, Jasper," one of them croons.
"Flint," Jasper responds, "Aries."
Flint is rough and wiry and looks like he would like to eat me. Aries is a massive man with black hair in a ponytail. The other two are teenagers, following their role models, no doubt.
"Is this your little human slut?" Flint asks. His friends guffaw.
"Apologize." Jasper's voice is low.
"Why?" Flint challenges. "She's your brother's bitch and now-"
Jasper slams him down on the table so fast I didn’t even see him reach up. My tray bounces with the impact. His shoulder is inches from me and I cringe away as far as I can without touching the greasy kid next to me.
Aries pulls a switchblade and snaps it open next to Jasper’s head.
My heart accelerates. I fight to keep my breathing steady. Don’t show fear.
"Give me a good reason," Jasper growls, ignoring the blade.
"Jasper, please," I whisper. I’d prefer he doesn’t become a human pin cushion.
"Apologize to her," Jasper reiterates, his voice so low it vibrates in my bones.
