“I know but Nicole knew I was in there. She said it was okay.” Cindy growled low and ferocious. Harper put a hand on her arm. Ryder and Matt came around the corner on the tractor. Harper stood, furious.
“Is she okay?” Ryder and Matt both asked at once jumping off the tractor. Harper gave a nod.
“What’s wrong?” Ryder asked as Matt squatted down beside Lucy and pulled her and Cindy into his arms. Lucy was looking close to normal now but still frightened and shivering.
“Nicole knew she was in there.” Harper fumed. “She let her go in there and did nothing about it. She went to lie on her bed and read while a pup was freezing to death in our house. I want a lock on that freezer that only works from the outside and I want her gone.” Harper seethed. “She’s careless. I won’t have that in our house.”
“I agree but we vote on everything, okay.” Ryder said quietly. She gave him a sharp nod. “Lee go get Will, tell him there’s a pack meeting ten minutes. Jack, tell Curtis and Sidney. Interrupt.” He said when Jack was about to object. “Evan. I want a lock that only works from the outside on the freezer by dinner.” Evan nodded. “Eric, I want one of those indicators that the door has been opened.” Eric gave him a salute. “Everyone go to the living room.”
Chapter 23
Harper knocked once and entered Nicole’s room for the second time that morning. “Oh please, haven’t I done enough today?” Nicole said lowering her book.
“I’d say more than enough.” Harper barely contained her shift. She was beyond angry. Kelly and her brother stopped the game and looked up at Harper. All she ever wanted was pups, they were precious, and Lucy was no exception. This she-wolf put one in mortal danger and it could not be allowed. “Pack meeting, five minutes. Attendance is mandatory.” Harper raised a brow and looked at each one of them. She left without closing the door.
By the time she got downstairs, the living room was full of anxious wolves. All of the kitchen chairs were scattered around the room so they could sit but most were standing and whispering. She took a seat beside Cindy and Lucy. The little girl was still shivering sporadically and her teeth still chattered occasionally. “What now?” Nicole breezed in and flopped on the sofa. Eric and Evan, who sat when Harper sat, got up from the end of it and went to the other side of the room. Harper noticed that all eyes were on Nicole. Ryder came in through the front door following Will and waited while he sat down beside Nicole. They immediately started whispering animatedly. Ryder motioned for everyone to sit.
“Most of you are aware of the incident a little while ago, a few are not. Earlier, Lucy was found in the new walk-in.” Harper watched Nicole. Her face did not change, but her eyes crinkled almost undetected at the corners. She knew perfectly well what she did and by the looks of it, it was on purpose. “If Harper hadn’t insisted that I open the door,” Ryder went on, “she would still be in there and probably dying by now. She isn’t strong enough to open the door from the inside herself. She said that Nicole knew that she was in there. Nicole, left her in there and went on about her day. That was not only careless but destructive.” His focus shifted to Nicole. “We’re all aware that you think you are above us Nicole but putting a pup in danger is beyond what anyone is willing to tolerate. This meeting is to discuss your standing in the pack.”
“I didn’t know she was in there!” Nicole said standing.
“You did too!” Lucy cried standing up to face off with Nicole. “You told me it was okay that you’d come get me in a few minutes and you didn’t come. I even pounded on the door and I heard you laugh. I heard you!” Tears streamed down her face. Ryder pulled her up into his arms. “She knew uncle Ry.” Lucy buried her face in his neck.
“I believe you.” He said softly. Lucy was sobbing and Ryder just held her until the sobs turned to silent shudders. “Nicole if you have anything to say in your defense now is the time.” Harper placed a gentle hand on Cindy’s arm to still her. She could feel the mother’s anxiety and the anger she was barely containing. Matt was on her other side doing the same.
“I didn’t know she was in there. I probably just agreed with whatever she was saying because I was busy making dinner.” Nicole did her best to look sorry. Harper had to hand it to her. She could win awards for her acting abilities.
“Not good enough, you endangered a pup.” Harper hissed.
“You just want me gone because you think it puts you in charge.” Nicole spat back at her.