face.
“I don’t know how to explain it. Fenris doesn’t tell us not to be friends. In fact, the only time he’ll willingly spend time with any of us is when we’re all together. And that’s what’s keeping us apart. We’re all competing for him, you know? But in a subtle, non-aggressive way. Well, non-aggressive now that Aubrey’s gone.”
“I always thought you were all friends.”
She shook her head and gave me a sad smile.
“I wish he’d pick already. I know it’s not his fault, but I want to be able to move on, find my mate, and have real friends again.”
“Why is Fenris’s lack of mate holding you back from finding your own?
“He’s the last one close to my age here. If it’s not him, then it’ll be someone I don’t know. That’s scary for most of us. We’re pack, you know? Family. I can’t imagine loving a stranger.” She flopped back on her bed and looked up at her skylight.
“I might not have much of a choice after Tuesday night, though.”
With everything that had happened yesterday, I’d forgotten about Fenris and Conall’s conversation in the woods.
“What’s going on Tuesday night?”
“The pack elders are going to try to force a mate run.”
“Force? I thought it either happened or it didn’t.”
“Right. It happens when we meet the right one, which is what they think the problem is. That Fenris hasn’t met his yet. The pack elders have been working with other packs across the states to gather all the single wolves between the ages of fifteen and whatever to meet here for a pack run. One huge gathering.”
“Wow. Fifteen? That’s young.”
“It is a little young, but not unheard of. I do feel bad for the girls and boys that are coming here, though.”
“Boys?”
“Yeah. Some of the elders think Fenris might be mateless due to only shoving girls at him. Same-sex pairings aren’t as common, but they happen.” She shrugged. “I’m just worried some fifteen-year-old boy, barely grown into his fur, is going to take one look at me and start chasing me down. And my dumb instinct is going to make me run because…you know…it’s all about the chase.”
“I’m so sorry, Jenna. Isn’t there any way out of it?”
“No more than there’s any way out of Adira trying to force you to feed on Fenris.”
I looked down at my hands, thinking of Fenris.
“He’s always smiling. I didn’t really understand all the pressure that everyone is putting on him.”
“Yeah, he rolls with it pretty well. I think his easy-going personality is why all of us hope he’s the one. There are some wolves here who can be real tight asses about things.”
“Like what?”
“Who their mate can talk to…what she can wear…where she can go. Real control freaks. Mom told me Dad was like that in the beginning but that it eases over time. She said she felt just as possessive over Dad, though. She didn’t like him going anywhere without her. I just don’t see myself liking that. It feels oppressive, you know?”
“I come from a completely different environment,” I admitted. “My mom has men falling over themselves to get her attention, and they’ll share just for a scrap of affection. Possessive isn’t healthy, but dedicated doesn’t sound bad.”
Her expression turned thoughtful.
“Yeah, I think I could handle dedicated.”
“If it’s love at first sight like I’ve heard, maybe talk to your mate right away and tell him what you want. You never know; he might want the same thing.”
“I’m so glad you came over. I’ve been walking around sick to my stomach over the upcoming gathering. At least Aubrey isn’t around to make us all more miserable about it.” She sat up suddenly. “I forgot to tell Fenris that Elbner’s been fed. Do you want to come with me?”
“With you?”
That sheepish expression returned.
“I could text, but this gives me a reason to see him in person. And if you’re there, maybe he won’t send me home right away.”
I truly felt sorry for Jenna. Here I was, trying to avoid any male Mom and Adira threw my way and feeling sorry for Fenris for having to deal with a similar situation. And, I’d never stopped to think of the other side. Jenna was desperately trying to gain Fenris’s attention because she liked him as a person. Hadn’t Nico and Nikhil said something similar? That they were curious about me? And, I turned all my hate and resentment over my situation at them. Guilt hit me hard.
“Of course I’ll go with you,” I agreed. “It’s the