"No," said Ben.
I'd done all I could do.
Adam's silent urging pushing me, I looked at Mary Jo, and said, "Like Adam, I have too much of a stake in this." "Mercy," whispered Jesse fiercely.
"What are you doing?" I patted the hand she'd locked on my wrist.
"Darryl, Auriele, and Warren will decide this, then," said Adam.
Because my mate bond with Adam was sort of functioning again, I knew he believed that if I'd been part of the decision, it would have just become another point of contention.
Another stupid thing that allowing a coyote into a pack of wolves had accomplished--instead of what it should be, a recognition of Mary Jo's right to challenge regardless of her sex.
I figured he was right.
"There are only three females in this pack," said Darryl.
I don't think he forgot about me so much as he really meant three women werewolves instead of females in general.
"That is typical for all packs.
Most werewolves die before they have spent a decade as a wolf, but for women who are wolves, that life span is almost doubled because they do not fight men for dominance.
And still they are so few.
You are too precious to us to allow you to risk so much." It took me a while to realize he wasn't talking to the whole pack, but to his mate.
Auriele crossed her arms.
"That makes sense in a species where women are important to survival.
But we aren't.
We cannot have children--and so are no more valuable to the pack than anyone else." It had the ring of an old argument.
"I vote no," said Darryl, snapping his teeth as he spoke.
"I vote yes," responded Auriele coolly.
"Damn it," said Warren.
"Y'all are going to throw me in the middle of a marital spat on top of everything else?" "Up to you," Auriele said grimly.
"Hell," said Warren, "if this ain't a whole can of worms, I don't know what is.
Mary Jo?" "Yes?" "You sure about this, darlin'?" It felt as if the whole pack drew a breath.
"This is my fault," she told him.
"That Adam got hurt, that the pack has been in an upheaval.
I didn't cause it all, but I didn't stop it either.
I think it's time I make suitable reparations, don't you? Try to fix the damage?" Warren stared at her, and I saw the wolf come and go in his eye.
"All right.
All right.