Chapter 21 #2
If I want this to work, I need to meet them halfway. The shifters went out of their way to welcome me to the pack, but I spurned them. If I want my relationships with them to improve, I have to put in the effort.
“Ev.” Rosy says my nickname. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Grace licks her lips. “Thank you, Ev.”
Sash doesn’t immediately respond.
I smooth my palms down my pants before approaching Sash. She looks up as I near, and there’s a sharp intake of breath as I lean forward and drag my cheek against hers, apologizing in the way I know is most meaningful to the shifters.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
Sash’s eyes are wet when I pull away. Her bottom lip trembles, and she releases a quiet groan before grabbing my arms and pulling me in for a bone-crushing hug. My face slots into her shoulder, and I tentatively wrap my arms around her waist as she holds me to her.
“Blah!” She releases me with a laugh, then wipes at her eyes. “I’m so emotional today. I would be honored to call you by your name, Ev. Thank you for asking me.” She shakes out her arms. “Let’s get back to business.”
The four of us straighten up as Sash turns back to the map spread out along the table.
“Where were we?” Sash asks. “Oh, yeah. Yes, Evelyn will be leading this.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “Exactly how bad is my image?”
I’m not sure I want the answer.
“Ah.” Sash rubs her chin. “It’s better. The shifters have decided as a collective to give you another chance. Some are holding grudges, but most are willing to overlook your actions. They understand your history, and they want to see Caleb happy.”
Grace chimes in. “Adam vouched for you before you two were taken.”
Did he? That’s unusually thoughtful of him. He was trying hard to reunite Caleb and me, going as far as to trick me into believing that Caleb was flirting with other women at the bonfires.
I feel like an idiot for having believed it.
“Right now…” Sash hesitates, then continues. “People are worried that you won’t be able to stomach a war against the humans. They fear you’ll fight Caleb on his decisions.”
I straighten my shoulders. “I have no intentions of doing so.”
This war is inevitable and, as far as I’m concerned, necessary. HPAW has gone too far. If Caleb feels a war is our best move, then I’ll stand by him.
I trust his judgment.
“I’m traveling to the border tonight,” Sash says. “Grace and Rosy will remain here and ready the housing, but I want to welcome the marked humans into the pack. I’ve been told I have a trustworthy face.”
Her words bring me pause. “The humans will be stopping at the border? I thought they were coming directly here.”
“They are,” Sash says. She shakes her head, then continues.
“Mostly. We’ll be returning through the East Coast. It’s the quickest way to get off American soil, but it’s still a long drive.
The humans will need a break, especially if children are involved.
We’ll stop for a day in Toronto, then continue the drive here. ”
I should be there, too.
I understand better than anybody else what those HPAW facilities are like, and I’ll be able to relate to the humans. They’ll be scared and angry, and it might be comforting to hear from another human who has been mistreated by HPAW.
“I want to help,” I say.
Sash grimaces, her gaze dropping to the table. Am I not welcome to join?
“What is it?”
“Caleb…” Sash sighs. “The border is dangerous. It’s best you stay here.”
She means to say that Caleb thinks it’s best I stay here. He’s probably right, but I’m tired of taking the safe option. This is more than just earning the pack's approval. I need to do this for myself.
I know I can be useful at the border.
I excuse myself from the room, my heart pounding as I head down the short hallway leading to Caleb’s office. He’s in the middle of a heated discussion with Adam and Logan. The three of them are leaning over the desk, taking turns yelling into Caleb’s phone.
They’re talking over one another. I understand why when the person on the other end of the line speaks.
Everett.
It’s several minutes before they end their conversation.
I capture Caleb’s attention with a wave of my hand. “Can I speak to you for a moment?” I ask. “Privately.”
I suspect we’re about to argue, and I’d prefer to do so without an audience.
With one order from Caleb, his office quickly empties. I shut the door behind the last shifter as Caleb takes a seat on the couch beneath the window, his long legs sprawled out and crossed at the ankles. He looks exhausted.
“Yes?” he asks. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m going to the border with Sash.”
Caleb doesn’t even pause. “No.”
“I didn’t ask.”
His eyes snap to mine. “You’re not going.”
“You need me there.”
“I absolutely do not—”
“You do,” I cut in. “You’re about to receive a group of traumatized humans who have been conditioned to fear you. You can’t fix that with force or reassurance.”
His jaw tightens.
“They won’t trust you,” I continue. “They won’t trust Sash. They won’t trust any shifter, but I’ve been where they are. I speak their language. I know how they think.”
Caleb licks his lips.
“You’re planning for war,” I continue. “Let me plan what happens after.”
Caleb exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair.
I step closer and lower my voice. “You know I’m right, Caleb.” I take a moment to think, then continue with an argument I’m certain he can’t deny. “And you should be at the border, too. These are your pack members putting their lives on the line. You should be there to support them.”
I’m sure Caleb wants to be there. He’s not the type of person to hide away while his pack fights on his behalf. He’s staying here to protect me—a decision I’m sure he feels guilty about.
When Caleb lowers his chin to his chest, I know I’ve won.
He sighs. “We’ll leave tonight.”