14. Cole
Cole
Sunny's mouth drops open. We anticipated that she wouldn't let us stay in her house.
I'd be upset if she did. It shows a level of self-preservation and care that she protects herself, even from us.
Sunny's angry at what's been done to her home, but when I'd looked into her eyes earlier, I saw fear and sadness so deep that I'd do anything to root it out.
I'm leary about it. I haven't been camping in over twenty-five years. That brief sojourn was set up by a well-meaning but clueless uncle. We'd gotten on his nerves so bad he took me and my brother home early.
I've also braced for the chance that Sunny might call the police to kick us off her land.
There's a public campsite just off her property.
It'd be a thirty-minute walk for us to check on her house in the night, but we'd do it in shifts if we have to.
Ideally we can stay in the yard. . Our mate being in danger is unacceptable.
Our alphas won't allow us to leave her, but even if they did, we wouldn't go.
But to our surprise, she doesn't immediately tell us to get off her property. She smirks and saunters back into the house. We all glance at each other, shrug, and move to the side yard next to the front door. We begin unboxing the tent, and I growl in frustration.
"Jesus, Hunt, did you choose the most difficult tent?" Jess asks. Hunt has the good sense to look slightly abashed and rubs the back of his neck while looking down at the number of stakes, poles, and odd plastic bits involved.
I hear the screen door open, and bang shut behind us.
We all turn to see Sunny stroll out onto her porch, still wearing that gingham dress and holding a massive glass of wine.
The first smile I've ever seen on her face is far more mocking than pleasant.
She sits on her porch swing and sips, eyes locked on us and our tent—prepared for a show.