“Eighteen.” I looked at Hunter as I said it, hoping I wasn’t saying anything wrong.
“He’s running from the parents. He’s got to get her away, because they are asking too many questions. That’s what happened to my brother when he settled with a human.”
“It was brave of you to disobey them.” Isaac turned to me. “You made the right decision. When you’re meant for so much more, it’s a waste to give it up for some short sighted reasons.”
I smiled tersely. I wasn’t very good at pretending, especially when my parents were being discussed. I was already missing them like crazy.
“No more of this glum talk. Let’s get some drinks in our guests.” Jocelyn took my arm and towed me down the hall. “Isaac, why don’t you call the rest of Hunter’s pack in? They’re all staying the night.”
“That’s not necessary.” Hunter said quickly. “We’re a large pack.”
“You’ve stayed here before. Or have you grown more?” Jocelyn said excitedly. “You found more Dires?”
I still wanted to know what these people were. Why did Hunter trust them so much?
“Not exactly.”
Isaac’s face darkened. “Oh no. You didn’t, Hunter.”
“I had to. He’s a friend of my mate’s and he would have died otherwise.”
Jocelyn looked at me. “Do you realize the sacrifice he made for you?”
I nodded. I didn’t know all of it, but I was beginning to understand how significant it was.
Jocelyn gritted her teeth, but then her face relaxed. “You can bring him in, but I’m holding you responsible for him.”
“He’s fine. We’re watching him closely.”
“How does the pack feel about him? Is Chet okay with him? There’s little worse than having a second in command who feels wronged. If you can’t trust him to have your back, you’re in trouble.”
“He has my back. He understands the situation.”
“Then invite the new Dire in. Any member of your pack is welcome in our home.” Jocelyn played with one of her dangling earrings.
“I’ll get the pack. Want to come with me, Hunter? They might not listen to me.” Isaac turned toward the door.
Hunter looked at me. “I’ll be right back.”
“Ok.” I wasn’t ok. I still had no clue who this woman was and now I was being left with her?
“Come on, honey. Let’s get you settled in.” She took my arm and led me further into the house.
The house wasn’t much to look at inside. A few bare rooms were all that I saw before she opened a door. “We’re going downstairs.”
Chapter Thirteen
Mary Anne
“Shouldn’t we wait for Hunter?” He trusted Jocelyn, but that didn’t mean I wanted to go down into some dark basement with her.
She flipped on a light and moved to the top step. “They’ll meet us.” She smiled in a way that let me know she wasn’t taking no for an answer. I figured this basement couldn’t be much worse than everything else I’d faced in the past few days.
With one last glance over my shoulder, I took the stairs slowly, hoping I’d hear Hunter’s voice before I reached the bottom. I didn’t, but I was too distracted to worry for long.
I looked all around me. “Whoa. This is a nice basement.” I could have been standing in a million dollar house. Lush carpets covered the large living room area, while hard wood floors covered the dining room and kitchen. I saw a long hallway with five doors that I assumed led to bedrooms or bathrooms.
“The upstairs is for human appearances. This is where we spend all of our time.”
“This is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “What can I get you to drink?”
“I’m fine right now, but thanks.”
“Do you have a favorite drink?” She strode over to a granite covered bar. “What do you order when you go out?”
“I don’t go out much to drink.” My social life at school consisted of watching movies with my friends, house parties, and the occasional open mic night.
“Oh yes. You’re underage by human standards.”
“Is there a different drinking age for you guys?” I wasn’t sure what term to use. Hunter hadn’t explained much of the community to me.
“We don’t have those kind of rules.” She turned her back to me and started pouring some liquids. She pulled a bottle of juice from a stainless steel mini-fridge. “I’m sure you’ll like this one. Almost all girls love a good Cosmo.”
“This is really unnecessary. I’m fine.” I was uncomfortable enough already. Alcohol wasn’t going to make the situation any better.