- New Yorker ... - Sonya chuckled. I barely suppressed a laugh. Michael moved from there with his family as a child - he would have to hand over debts, but he wanders around the country.- In time, - David waved his hand dismissively, - by the way, I called him here to discuss the trip.Ah, that's who he was looking out for, sitting half-turned towards us and hanging one elbow over the back of a chair. Sonya and I exchanged glances. Yevopil - what the hell!? And mine - in a milder form - agreed with her. It's not that I don't mind going with Michael, whom I don't even really know. I was surprised that David put me before the fact. Sonya was the first to express this to her friend, but he only laughed - they say, what problems - it will be more fun!His main argument was - guess what - the more people, the merrier. I didn’t even interfere in David’s bickering with Sonya, who was so indignant as if she herself was traveling with us. Anxiety, which was completely unrelated to our new tra
And now we were already dispersing on business, because the start of the trip was scheduled for nine in the morning of the next day, "well, the edge of ten" - as Michael later added, apparently who liked to sleep longer. Reed Cooper, who had long ago begun to ignore me, headed for the exit along with everyone. All my meaningful glances, yelling at him - "what are you doing?", "We need to talk in private" - he impudently did not notice. On the street, Reed waved to the guys and went towards his car, I quickly whispered to Sonya that I would catch up with her, and followed him.- Wait, - Reid was about to get into the car. He reluctantly closed the door and turned to me, - Do you want to explain?What kind of explanation do you want? And where did that cute guy go? With me, he dropped all the masks and behaved impatiently. And far from friendly.- Why are you coming with us? - how annoying.- Because we are on the way, - he just scoffed at me, - It must be really very interesting, since
Amanda happily ran out to the meeting. She has grown a lot in six months.- Lark, you're back! - she crashed into me from all over, and then raised her face to me. The smile showed that not all milk teeth had been replaced by molars, crumbs accumulated around the lips, but still it was absolutely charming. And not at all like her mother, apparently, the girl's father was very handsome. - My dear, she arrived, but remember, I told you that Lark was leaving to study, - Bertha intervened.“Yes, I remember, I remember,” the girl grumbled. We walked together to the stop. On the way, Amanda boasted to us about her successes and also complained about her classmate. And only when their bus was already visible at the turn, Berta remembered:- I completely forgot, - she began to fumble in her bag, and then got me a small book, - I did it for you.I picked up the gift, which turned out to be a diary full of clippings, bookmarks, and route maps.- What is it? - I was surprised.“These are my in
We agreed not so, - I know, it sounds childish. I feel sorry for myself, - We left Lovell together, but then everything - each in his own way.- It was you who agreed, - Reid deigned to answer, - She thought up something for herself, and others should follow your plan, - he interrupted for a few seconds while he was rebuilding in another row, - Do you want to be honest? Excellent. I'd love to be somewhere else, but the fact is, I don't have a choice. You got on the bus and waved your hand at me, and an hour later I could no longer hold back. He abandoned the car and chased the bus like a beagle. Do you think it's fun? Never.I sat, not breathing, nailed to his words. I felt his anger, impotence and resentment. I was ashamed that I still walked around with the air of an offended queen. I knew that I wasn't the only victim here...- So, I decided that it's easier for me to go with you than in the other direction. So at least I can sleep at night, instead of constantly catching up with y
We quickly walked around the entire territory, by the standards of a modern cemetery, it was very tiny. But one hundred graves for a town where only about one hundred and thirty settlers lived at that time is an impressive figure. Reed stopped at a statue of a cowboy. As the signature said - the head of the route. From here there was a view of the city, but only of the surrounding area, because the hill was still small. Compared to the clan lands, it was a rather prosaic sight."Not a view of the Shoshone." My companion must have been thinking the same thing.- Yes, do not compare - agreed.When I moved to Laramie, I was often asked what it was like, after a town of less than three thousand square meters, to be in the center of a district of almost thirty square meters. But they did not take into account the miles of forest and mountains around us, this area was striking in its power and boundlessness. We were not closed in the center of residential buildings and freeways.- How long
We left Ogallal at five minutes to five. It was not long to go to Sonya's hometown - a little more than three hours. This part of the journey went much better. Albeit short, but we exchanged phrases with Reid. Basically, about what I remember from what I saw: a historical cemetery on a secluded hill in the city center; a cowboy street that seemed a little cardboard to both of us, and a museum hidden from everyone. I wasn't at all surprised to learn that Reed had also read Luther the Standing Bear books, even telling me unknown facts about his Hollywood career.Oddly enough, forgetting about our sad past and very confusing present, we could communicate normally. True, he was still laconic, speaking in short and rare phrases, which made it seem as if he was conducting a forced conversation. But now I began to attribute it to a trait of his character, rather than an expression of a personal attitude. But most importantly, the silence between us was no longer suffocating. Between short n
- For the trip, - I supported her with my bottle.After one bottle, Sonya began to "secret". And I drank a little more than half, which is unusual for me. Let the dose be small, but I wanted to succumb to this temptation and tell Sonya everything. Speak out. But how do you present it to her...- Whatever you say, but Reed behaves so businesslike with you, - Sonya reasoned, - Is that how it is with you in Lovell? “He probably feels responsible for me, because he knows my family,” I tried to avoid sharp corners.- So what? Where are the parents, and where are you? - the girlfriend didn't fall for it.- You see... Our relatives put pressure on us, believing that we should get married, - I blurted out. bam! The effect of an exploding bomb. Here I am famously!- Figa! - she bulged her eyes, - the last century or what?- Everything is so confusing there ... Both the family business and the inheritance ...- My God, - Sonya shook her head, - And what about Reed? Is that why you ran away? An
“Well, that’s enough,” I said. My voice sounded rather harsh, and I froze in anticipation of the consequences. Here is my neck, and here is a huge mouth - one movement and they will prove to me that it is very rude to raise your voice. But the beast also froze. Either he considered my impudence, or he decided to heed my request. Thank God, second. One movement, and now I can breathe freely. It's amazing how nimble he is for such power. And now he sits and looks at me with the eyes of a cat from Shrek. Well, what to do with it - this is a forbidden trick!"Wait here," I pointed out. And she herself went to the bathroom to wash off the manifestations of puppy tenderness. The first thing that caught my eye was neatly stacked things on the floor. There was nowhere to put them, so Reed left them right on his boots.I washed up and returned to the room. My Hachiko felt at home. Already lay down on the bed, put his face on his paws and followed me with his eyes. There is nothing to do, the
They did not accompany me beyond the threshold of the house. I went out alone through the back door, wearing only a long poncho. I stepped on the cold ground with my bare feet and looked up at the sky. The moon has claimed its rights. Bright and round. Reed picked a great time to start the race. Oddly enough, the wolf in me was calm. Either the rut didn't work on her, or I drank too much wine. Throwing off my only robe in the shed and placing my mother's bracelet next to me, I took a deep breath and said softly before turning around: “Just not this year. And then she gave herself up to the she-wolf. I felt the thirst and desires of others. They seemed to be on fire, but their heat did not touch me. I was drawn to the forest, and I was calm. She circled the closest of her flock and rushed deep into the depths. I, as if stepped on the threshold of my native home, confident and peaceful. But there was something else. Something was waiting for me up there. Beckoning, but not demandin
— Kira! Kira, wake up!Martha's voice and an unpleasant thump on my shoulder pulled me out of a dream where I wandered through the woods in search of ... something. Listened to all my feelings, but could not find. What was I looking for? I didn’t have time to understand, because they unceremoniously woke me up in my own house, where, I can swear, I fell asleep alone.“Leave me alone,” she grumbled and hid from the intruder under a pillow.But she did not lag behind, moreover, she climbed on top of me and shook me well.No, no, you can't sleep now. I have such news!“Get off me, you annoying elephant!” She turned around and pushed her off.Then Martha crawled under the covers, looked under the pillow and put her head beside her.Pfft, so childish. Let me sleep. I don’t know what time it is, but I’m sure it’s God’s shit,” I muttered, barely moving my tongue, drifting off to sleep again.Reed approved. Mating season starts tomorrow.My eyes flew open. And it is unlikely that they had the
"No, I didn't," I grew more and more gloomy.And then, when Roca's mom treated us all to baked mutton pies in the courtyard of his house. The four of us sat at a round table - Me, Martha, Rock and Alex. Alex and I fought over the crunchiest pies, and Martha kept dreaming.“Just imagine, this year we might have a new member of the pack join us.- In terms of? Rock asked in surprise, barely chewing a huge piece of pie, which he hastily stuffed into his mouth, saving him from two gluttonous alphas.“Someone can find their mate from another pack."That's unlikely," Rock waved his hand.Why not? For example, you can get so far away from our territory by smelling your mate. So is she,” Martha smiled.“No, definitely not me.Of course not you. You're looking forward to your Beast choosing Molly, aren't you, Rock?“Maybe it will be me. Just like my Uncle Trent.I suddenly spoke up. I don't know why she said it. Yes, and remembered the father of Reed. But the expression on Alex's face explaine
I was waiting for the trial, threats. Grandma was gone, so I took her place in the rocking chair from where she usually watched the meetings, in the shade of her house. She swayed rhythmically and watched the others gather around the oak table. And she scrolled everything so that I would tell the pack if I were the leader. Probably, anger still spoke in me, but I would demand blood. I found Alex with my eyes, he also did not join the others at the table, he froze in the distance, leaning on the carved posts in the fence of my old house. And my eyes were ignored. Therefore, Ba liked to repeat - my character is not suitable for a leader. Too impulsive. Too easily emotions take over the mind. Reed appeared on the porch of the office, looked around the pack, and stopped at Lark and his son, who were sitting at the table. They took everyone, even the children. Lark looked worried, stroking her son's head, twiddling her fingers through the curls, but as soon as she caught her husband's ga
Surprisingly, the news about the new gene in the pack was perceived calmer than the close attention to us from the people from the hotel and the ban on solo outings. Let the lesser danger, but it is closer, and that makes it more frightening.I had to go to Reid, give him reports, but I continued to sit on the porch at Martha's house. We didn’t even really talk, we just worried together. There were so many things I wanted to discuss with her, but for some reason, what Ba told me, she could not pronounce. The tongue could not put together the necessary words, and in my thoughts, as if there was a taboo.“You know, I thought… If our blood can heal many people, then that’s good. We will save so many lives. They can come up with cures. Or they will develop something based on our gene, - Martha propped up her cheek with her hand and turned so that she could see me.“You will think differently when you lie on the operating table, and your blood will be pumped to the last drop. To heal a few
Dinner did take place that evening, thanks in part to Sarah's food. But much later, so Morgan pecked at the table.Although with the same success it was possible to bring that burnt meat pie to the table - no one had an appetite. Lark took Morgan to sleep in Rod's empty room, Ba moved to a chair closer to the fire in the fireplace. The others sat at the table and talked quietly, as if speaking a little louder would bring the disturbing thoughts to life.“How serious is it, Rod said?” Reed asked.- News, as always, and do not reflect half. There are several laboratories, and there are far from such peaceful purposes as they show us. And not in such peaceful ways,” said grandfather.He became even gloomier after they returned with their grandmother. And I was sure that my uncle did not tell even half, so as not to disturb the old people.He said he had suspicions. But then people failed to get on the trail of the werewolves, - Reed remained calm. - And now?He's not sure anymore. But he
“Mr. Wilson, five years ago, when I was fourteen, we found out that I do not understand half hints. Be direct about what you're getting at.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the old man wince. If the alpha points directly, even without the intent of an order, it is difficult to cross this barrier. I knew that the old man would never admit it, and therefore would not complain to his brother.“I didn't want to remind you. But my heart always remembers and regrets your loss: you lost your father, then your mother and maternal uncle ... If you think about it, then your brother and his wife are behind all these events.“If you think about it, my Uncle Trent is behind all this,” I said through gritted teeth. Every family has its own black sheep.Are you still wearing it? He suddenly changed the subject.My gaze dropped to my hand. I myself did not notice how unconsciously I began to twist the strap on my arm. Mr. Wilson knew it well, having seen me put it on. And he knew the reason.I lowe
And at my eighteen. Right after the birthday, when we were alone.Nothing has changed. We were pulled and thrown back. And the gap between us grew.And at the next meeting, we put on hopelessly cheerful smiles and did not discuss anything. As if it wasn't.But this look. Every time this look. I tried to understand him, but I couldn't.- Grandma, go. I'll be back in a minute,” I told Grandma, never taking my eyes off Alex. Her fingers reached for the bracelet on her arm, seeking reassurance.Well, Alex Wilson, I know the rules of the game very well. I smiled, nodded in the direction the stranger had gone, and rolled my eyes. Alex nodded in understanding.I waved my hand and turned away. There was no point in discussing anything. Not when I was so afraid of losing my best friend.Not when we both knew full well that two alphas couldn't be together. In this duel, only one will survive. It doesn't matter what stupid human hearts felt.***In the evening, Reed gathered us around an oak tab
Toward morning, I found myself naked in the forest. The she-wolf left, left me, as if punishing me. This was not her first meanness, and in this case, I kept caches of clothes and shoes all over the forest. In the nearest one, I found a long shirt and sneakers that were almost trashed. Too many hiding places, too few unnecessary clothes.But such a walk through the gloomy forest, when the sun was just preparing to assert its rights, on the grass wet with dew, cleared my head. I, like a ghost, went through the fog to the community houses. Tourists should see me! My feet were covered in mud and grass, my head was a complete mess. Maybe not a ghost? Maybe a bride from the grave? Thinking like that, a smile appeared on my face, and I smoothed out the fabric of my white shirt, which reached down to my knees.I went into the house through the back door, threw off my dirty sneakers, made a note in my head that I needed to return things to the hiding place in case of new wolf kicks, and went