"Yeah, but since Markus will be gone in about, oh, an hour, they'll need someone to lead them."
Vane looked at Stefan, who had wanted the pack for years. Unfortunately, the wolf was an idiot, hence his attempted pact with Vane's mother.
His gaze went to Fury and Cujo.
"Fury?" Vane called out. "How do you feel about leading a pack of wolves?"
A sly smile spread over his face. "I'd love to."
"Bullshit," Stefan snarled as he tried to rise to his feet. He was still too weak. "He's not strong enough to hold the pack."
Vane looked at his brother, then Stefan. "Yes he is. Because I know my brother is going to relocate the pack back here to New Orleans."
"I'll never stand for it," Stefan snarled.
"You can't stand at all, dickhead," Fury retorted.
Vane ignored Fury's outburst. "Yes you will. If you don't, you and I are going to go the distance." Vane withdrew his spell and let his markings show on his face.
Stefan turned even paler.
"Any questions?"
Stefan turned to Fury and shook his head. "Do you want me to start the move back?"
Fury's grin turned wicked. "I would say yes, but you look like the only thing you can start is bleeding. I'll take care of the pack. Carson, want to help Stefan upstairs before he collapses?"
Carson nodded, then flashed out of the room with Stefan.
Fury came forward. "Thanks, Vane."
"No problem. You've earned it and you definitely deserve it more than any of the others."
Bride couldn't have been prouder of Vane than she was at that moment.
"Food!"
Bride turned at the happy cry from a voice she recognized.
Ash's friend Simi came through the door with a beaming smile. Her long black hair was plaited on each side of her face and she had a shiny pair of red horns on her head. She wore a short black PVC skirt with purple and black striped thigh-high leggings that vanished into a pair of scuffed combat boots. She had on a fishnet shirt and a tight red bodice.
Bride noticed that several members of the bear clan had strained looks on their faces.
"Okay, Vane," she asked quietly. "What is Simi? Animal, vegetable, or mineral?"
"Other," he said with a laugh. "She's a demon. Literally."
"Someone count the cubs," Dev shouted.
"Oh pooh," Simi said to him. "I'm not going to eat no furry food while you gots the good stuff." She opened up the large black tote bag she carried and pulled out an extra large bottle of barbecue sauce.
Simi bobbed her way through the crowd until she saw Bride. She shrieked in happiness. "You play here now too, Bridie? You got any of those great sparklies with you?"
"No, Simi. They're in my shop."
The girl pouted, then turned to Ash. "Akri? Can we go visit Bridie's shop again?"
"Sure, Simi. But not today. Bride's here and not there."