When we left for the run, Everett sent out a silent command to the pack to stay spread out and not condense together. He also asked that everyone go a bit slower than normal, but not too slow to raise suspicions. They obeyed without question and I kept to the very front until we reached the chapel's neck of the woods.

I held myself back, drawing myself into a cluster so I was less noticeable when darting out toward the chapel only a quarter mile away. I smelled her even before I broke off and if any of the other wolves did, they knew better than to say anything.

At full speed, I was there in only a few strides and I slid to a halt, kicking up dirt before transforming back into a human. I was naked before the wall of bones, but I knew it was of little concern to Jazmin. We were here for business, everything else was just white noise. I even ignored the scorched pillar of wood and the dark ring of burnt dirt that marked the place of Clementine's death.

"I take it we only have a few moments." The huntress started without greeting as I met her behind the chapel's monstrous walls.

"Few minutes, really, but we have a better place to meet without the constraints of the woods."

She nodded her head and urged me on.

"There's a warehouse surrounded by cornfields on the eastern side of town. That's the zombie commune. I've got good friends there that will provide me an alibi. We'll meet in the cornfield where the woods draw closest to the farm."

"Harvest must be approaching."

I acknowledged her concern with a bow of my head.

"Yeah, I'll need to talk with Liz and Bungee about that, but they won't be harvesting them tomorrow at least. Meet me there at 2pm. We can have a proper discussion then and I can find out how long we'll be able to maintain that hiding spot."

She took a breath and inspected the black dirt beneath her boot.

"Tomorrow at 2pm where the corn meets the woods on the east side of town."

"Yes."

"Go," she said, already turning around to disappear toward her own hiding place. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I didn't need to hear more than that. I transformed back into a wolf and bounded back to the pack's path, catching up at the tail end.

That evening, I did a few loops of the run and was the last wolf to turn in for the night. Well, I was one of them. Everett kept pace with me until I was ready to go home. We didn't share any words other than me telling him the we were proceeding as planned.

I think we both needed some time to grasp the immensity of what we were pushing toward.

Despite the run, I don't think either of us slept well that night.

In the morning I spent longer on breakfast than I usually do. There was simply so much to be done. Liz and Bungee needed to be told about everything right away, and at some point I needed to get Armand up to speed so he could train Jazmin. Just thinking of talking to him again made me stab my knife extra hard into the plate of ham. Everyone at the family table glanced my way, but could read the room and knew not to ask.

Everyone got up to leave after they finished their meal, our number dwindling until it was just Everett, Victor, and me—although Damien idled in the library, waiting for me to finish so I could give him his marching orders.

"I'll see you at dinner," said Victor as he grabbed his plate to put away in the dishwasher.

"Dinner? What are you doing all day?"

His comment was just what I needed to pull my mind back to the present.

"Training," he said with a shrug.

"Already..."

"The Archmage is keen I get started soon so I'm not a danger to myself or others, and I'd like to feel safe in my own skin. So, I'm glad to get on with it."

"Victor, you're—"

"Remember, him playing along with Graham is what we want. It will keep him off your tail if you aren't disturbing the waters." Everett's mind-speak cut me off before I could assure my frightened brother that he is not a mage and thus won't be hurting anyone. Not that I had evidence to prove he wasn't a mage, but I just knew he wasn't. He just couldn't be.

"I'm what?" He asked with a sigh as he crossed his arms.

"You're brave," I answered, trying to fight the anxiety in my stomach. "I know this is a lot and I think it's very brave of you to see where this road leads you."

My coverup wasn't obvious because what I said was true. Victor knew everything I'd endured to get where I was in the town. My road wasn't an easy one and he couldn't know if his would be any better.

"Uh, thanks." His answer was a bit shy and he bowed his head away from me while pretending to scratch the back of his neck. After a moment of thought, he turned back to me looking very serious and slightly grim. "Um, Delilah, I need to tell you something."

"Oh?" I straightened up in my chair and looked over at Everett, who shrugged and watched my brother with a curious raise of his brow.

"I'm, uh, thinking of moving into the hotel." The words rushed out of him and he took a steadying breath while I fought to contain the mixture of emotions punching my gut. "It will make my walk to training shorter and—"

"Damien can drive you! Everyday. You don't need to walk."

"Delilah, let me finish."

My nerves sizzled. The maturity that continued to deepen his tone made me uncomfortable. It shouldn't be the little brother correcting the older sister's behavior.

"I'll be closer to where, uh, Theodore lives and being in the heart of town will give me more exposure to the various cultures here. Plus, um..."

He trailed off and I saw his trigger-happy flight instinct flickering behind his eyes.

"It's okay. Just tell me what it is you need to say."

He looked between Everett, the door, and me.

"Um, it's just that, well, I have more in common with, um, Irene right now. I feel more comfortable, uh, going through this with someone more, um, on my level."

His words reached in to my chest and gripped my heart.

My brother didn't feel safe with me. In this difficult time, he's choosing to shelter with someone else rather than trust his flesh and blood to take care of him.

"I...I understand."

I did not understand, but I knew enough to know I had to let him do this.

"You are welcome to live wherever you'd like, Victor," said Everett, recognizing I'd been paralyzed by my emotions. "I can have someone help you move your stuff if you decide this is what you want to do. Otto is a fantastic host. I do hope you'll let me keep you on our family tab so you don't have to worry about the Body allowance money you're given."

"Oh, yeah, I didn't think about that. I mean, I'm not sure it's right to do that when I'm not living here with you..."

"You're family no matter where you live. Please stay on our account and feel free to treat Irene to things as well."

"Okay, thanks, Everett. And, uh, thanks, Delilah."

I couldn't look at him, I just nodded my head.

There wasn't any noise for awhile. It was an uncomfortable amount of time before he finally turned around and headed out the door.

"I...I should go talk to Liz and Bungee. Or maybe I should find Armand. Or--"

"Delilah."

"No," I said, feeling his concern crossing the table and seeping into my thoughts. "I've got a lot to do." I stood up without looking at him and went to scurry out the door, but a powerful arm caught me around my waist and pulled me into a warm, comforting chest.

The moment his soft flannel blanketed my cheek and his scent of damp wood laced with coffee brushed my nose, I crumbled.

"I've failed him, Everett. I should be able to protect him. I'm an alpha and an elder, yet I'm powerless to make this situation better." My words are wet and stuttering. If it wasn't for his superior hearing, I'm not sure he'd have understood me with the way I spoke into his chest.

"You haven't failed him and you aren't powerless." He hugged me closer and his hand ran down my hair, smoothing it out while he rested his cheek against the top of my head. "When you first came here, you had Dragan offering you luxurious accommodations and I know I would have done just about anything to make you feel more comfortable. But you leaned on the other Bodies early on, didn't you?"

I sniffed, hesitant to answer him.

"Maybe..."

"Why do you think that is?" he asked, his voice patient and warm.

"Because they were humans...and they were going through the same thing I was..."

"Right now the best thing you can do is let him figure this out at his own pace while watching over him from afar. And remember, he is being watched over. I sent a call out to Jake the second I knew Victor was heading to training. He'll watch him for the day."

I took a shuddering breath before wrapping my arms around my sweet mate.

"Okay..."

"You sure? We can sit down and talk some more. Remember I have eleven siblings, I'm well-versed in the ways of being the oldest."

I chuckle and look up into his dark brown eyes.

"I love you. You know that?"

"Yes," he said, leaning down to place a quick kiss on my lips. "But it's always nice to hear." He then drew himself closer so his lips were right against my ear. "I love you too."

My hold on him tightened and for a few minutes, we just stood there in each other's arms, are mutual feelings of affection and gratitude intermingling between us through that special link that only we shared.

After awhile, I took a breath and pulled away.

"Well, I wasn't lying about having a lot to do. I've got a big date at 2pm and I want to be ready."

He hummed in response, placing another kiss on my forehead before letting go. "And where will you be starting?"

My nerves jumped and the hairs on my arms rose with the anger still boiling just beneath my skin.

"I've got a certain mage to see. Pray to the moon goddess that he's still in one piece after I'm done with him."

***

Del's relationship with Victor is evolving. Will giving him some space strengthen their bond or pull them apart?

Look I posted on Friday! Hooray for meeting deadlines!