an Elder, is a good idea. Those tickets are only if you agree to our plans.”
“Jim and Nana Wini will stay with the boys at all times, as will Mary and Gregory,” he said. “Paul and Henry will be with them, as well, but no other werewolves will be permitted near them as a precaution.”
Michelle nodded slightly. How could she be okay with this?
“While keeping Liam and Aden safe, we will not let them feel isolated. We’ll keep them busy, just like today. In the event something does happen, Mary and Gregory will be their first line of defense, followed by Jim and Nana Wini. At that point, Nana Wini would put a call out. I promise you, the entire pack will answer.”
A jump in Michelle’s pulse reassured me. She wasn’t as okay with this as she seemed. I reached over and took her cold hand in mine. Then, she nodded again, agreeing to the trip.
“Good,” Dad said. “Next, let me introduce you to the men who will be protecting you. This is Carlos and Grey.
“Both Nana Wini and Sam have examined their intentions. In addition to that, I personally vouch for them. Grey is my older brother. He has been with me through many challenges and has never let me down. Carlos has been with the pack since the day he was born. Even as a youth, he displayed tremendous courage and loyalty at the risk of personal harm.
“We don’t want to take any unnecessary risks. Either Grey or Emmitt will be with you at all times, and you will not be going to your old home, yourself. The closest we agree you should go is to the city. From there, Carlos will act on your behalf.”
Winifred, this isn’t wise. Sending three of us with her against an unknown number? Why is it suddenly okay to risk a female like this?
Emmitt, I don’t like this decision. Yes, we are risking Michelle. However, continuing as we are without attempting to gain a better understanding of what we face risks us all. We did not reach this decision lightly or without great consideration for the consequences.
“Will Sam be coming with us?” Michelle asked.
Sam smiled slightly. “Grey is an Elder and can communicate with us as needed.”
“Oh. I thought there were just two Elders,” she said.
Michelle is at least thinking sensibly. A second Elder should accompany us. Here, pack numbers will keep everyone safe. When we leave, we won’t have that. She won’t have that.
Winifred frowned slightly as she answered Michelle.
“No. Although, our numbers do concern me.”
Sam heaved a sigh but didn’t speak.
“I think we need to give it consideration,” Winifred said, looking at Sam then Grey.
“Give what consideration?” Michelle asked.
“There is a candidate waiting to become an Elder,” she said with reservation.
“Waiting?” I said, almost laughing. Waiting seemed the wrong word to describe the hold the Elders had put on initiating Jim and Carlos.
You know both Jim and Carlos would take the oath now, I sent Winifred. Both are more than ready.
You’re not an Elder to make that decision. And, they are not the only candidates.
“We can’t communicate with this candidate like we should and hesitate to allow him to take the oath,” Grey said, speaking for the first time.
“He might be the key,” Sam said. “What Winifred experienced when those two came to challenge has been noticed before.” He sighed. “But, never to the degree she experienced. We don’t give commands very often. We believe in free will, so we’ve never tested the completeness of our communication with each individual. We just send out information when it’s needed.”
He looked at Winifred. “What you discovered is a bigger issue. We need to think of the possibilities. The candidate with this communication limitation might be able to communicate with the others like him.”
Who is he talking about?
Winfred gave me an annoyed look before silently answering.
Joshua.
Joshua was relatively new to the pack. I’d met him. He was older and quiet. Seemed nice enough. But Michelle was more likely to trust someone she knew.
Jim would be a better—
We are not sending a second Elder. And I will not allow either Jim or Carlos to become an Elder until they’ve aged past the point of looking for a Mate.
Winifred turned to Michelle.
“An Elder has vast power and a huge responsibility to that power,” she said. “When a candidate approaches us, we inspect their mind thoroughly. If we allowed a candidate to take the oath without making sure their intentions were honest and true, they could