Animal Heart(30)

Lucas interrupted him with a look of deep concern. “What kind of accident? Is she okay?”

“Yes. She is now. But at the time she wasn't in a good way at all. In fact, it was a life or death situation.” He looked around at their curious and surprised faces and dropped his bombshell. “And I chose life for her.”

“You did what?” Mia spat out, her eyes wide and flaring bright orange as his meaning became clear. She drew her mouth into a nasty snarl. “No! Tell me you don't mean what I think you do...” He tried to ignore her hostile reaction and continued.

“I realise this might not be a popular decision for all of you. But you'll have to deal with it in your own way, because she's one of us now. She's here for good. This is her home as well as yours,” he announced, reinforcing his authority with a stern tone of voice.

“Well I think she's lovely. It's brilliant news, and I for one am very happy about it, Aden. It'll even up the numbers of men and women as well. How exciting! Go and fetch her now,” Samantha said impatiently, with a generous smile, play-acting so well that Aden could have kissed her he was so pleased with her performance.

“I will, in just a moment.”

“I agree entirely,” Shane added. “She's a great addition to our family and pretty cute too.” Samantha dug him in the ribs with her elbow playfully.

“You did this deliberately, to keep her around didn't you?” Mia carried on, with another shot of venom in her voice and eyes.

“I'm sure that's what you'd like to believe Mia. But no, I didn't. I was thinking of her first. I was convinced, given the choice, she wouldn't have wanted to die this morning. I made sure she didn't.”

“Excuse me, Mr High and Mighty, but aren't we all supposed to be present when someone is turned, like Charlene was? And how did you know it was life or death anyhow? Since when have you been a doctor?” She added with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

“As with Charlene's case, it didn't take much medical knowledge, I can assure you. Maddy'll tell you all how serious it was herself, if you ask her. She broke her neck, ankle, and had a bad head injury which was bleeding heavily. Her pulse and heartbeat were fading. If I hadn't found her when I had, I don't think she'd have made it,” he explained with a grave look on his rugged face as he looked across at everyone. “She took Storm out alone, against my wishes, and found the eagles' nest. I think he got spooked and threw her, but I don't know the full story yet.”

“You should have him put down, that horse is a damn menace,” Mia said spitefully, obviously wanting to hurt him, deeply. She knew he had a great affection for Storm. He kept calm. He wasn't going to let Mia's bitchiness rile him up. He had better things to occupy his mind with.

“It wasn't his fault. She shouldn't have sneaked him out like that. Anyway, what's done is done. She did it. She was hurt, directly or indirectly by ignoring me, and I did what I had to do. Despite all that, I expect you all to welcome her and help her adjust. Spend some time talking to her, pleasantly, no matter what your feelings are.”

“Oh, does that apply to me as well? I didn't imagine I'd get a look in,” Lucas said with more than a hint of sarcasm.

“Don't start again, please!” Aden said, rubbing his brow with vexation.

“Don't start? You've got a nerve. I believe I was there first.”

“This isn't about you and I, Lucas. It's about her needs and feelings right now.”

“Yeah well, we both know where that's headed, don't we? With your unsubtle encouragement? I've seen you both, remember?”

“What does he mean by 'seen you both'?” Charlene probed, looking down her pretty nose at him slyly. He was quite sure she knew exactly what Lucas was getting at.

“That's enough! What I do, as the alpha of this pack, is my business. It's not for open discussion!” Aden snapped, standing up. “I'll go and get her now and if there's any atmosphere at the table, or unpleasantness from any one of you, you'll be on midwinter hard duties, permanently, as a result.”

He stalked off to collect her, leaving the room in silence behind.

He knocked and she came to the door. She gave him a little smile and his face lit up in response. She seemed to be taking this all very well now, after the initial shock.

“Have you hidden all the knives?” she joked.

“I'm sure there's no need to think that way,” he sighed, completely agreeing with her.

“Well I'm sure there is,” she replied in a small anxious voice which tugged at his heart. He took her hand and led her down the corridor. As she turned the corner, all eyes were upon her, and there was a low mumbling of hello's and welcomes. Sammy and Shane stood up and gave her an enthusiastic hug and kiss and very warm words of welcome. She sat in the empty seat between Sammy and Lucas and he kissed her cheek and hugged her shoulder tightly.