Night Surrender

by Godiva Glenn

  Nancy gave him a nervous smile. Her heart raced, and he could feel the rapid pulse through where they held hands.

  Reid stepped onto the path in front of them, hands casually in his pockets and his expression as neutral as Wyatt had ever seen. Nancy almost tripped in trying to stop immediately.

  “This is unexpected,” Reid mused.

  “We were on our way to you,” Wyatt said.

  Reid gestured for them to follow, then turned left off the path. After a minute of walking in silence, Reid stopped and seemed to appraise Nancy for the first time. She had shrunk into herself but didn’t hide behind Wyatt.

  The quiet scrutiny seemed to rattle her, but she finally lifted her chin. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Do you know who I am?” Reid asked.

  “I assume someone important.”

  Wyatt placed a hand on the small of her back. “This is the pack’s alpha. Reid.”

  “Reid Foster, of clan Foster. Alpha of the Bronze pack,” Reid clarified. “And you are?”

  Nancy’s eyes flickered to Wyatt then back to Reid. “Ah… I’m Nancy Campbell. No clan or pack. Umm. Human.”

  Reid nodded sharply. His steel-colored gaze turned to Wyatt, seeming filled with a blend of curiosity and annoyance. “We have a correct way and an incorrect way to welcome anyone new—lupine or other—to the pack, Wyatt. Or have you forgotten?”

  “I… it was rather sudden to me too.”

  “Sudden? I was told last night that there was an intruder on the land. So would last night not have been the proper time?”

  “It’s my fault,” Nancy interrupted.

  Reid shook his head. “It’s not your fault that someone who was raised by the laws of the pack forgot them.”

  Wyatt lowered his gaze and inclined his head toward Reid. “You’re correct. I made a mistake. A rather grievous oversight. I should have found you last night.”

  “But?” Reid asked.

  “I suppose my brain was tacked on to the back of my heart. I didn’t think the steps through, and only had my sights on the final outcome.”

  “Which is?”

  Wyatt slipped his hand into Nancy’s and held them up as a sign. “I would request that you and the elders cast a vote on welcoming Nancy as a new member of the Bronze pack. And I would request that she be given this consideration on the basis that I would take her as my mate.”

  “Please,” Nancy added.

  Reid stared at their joined hands, but he remained unreadable.

  “You’ve seen fit to waive the trial period before,” Wyatt stated.

  “Trial?” Nancy whispered.

  Wyatt shook his head at her and remained focused on Reid. He had to be thinking that normally if a lupine applied to join the pack, they were observed throughout a trial period and were allowed limited contact with the pack. But the last two members of the pack—Charlotte and Mija—were given immediate pack status due to their history.

  “This is not the same situation,” Reid said. “And it’s not simply a matter of her being here with no warning. I have to assume you’ve told her things that you weren’t in the position to tell.”

  “I’m good at keeping secrets,” Nancy said. “I would never betray any of you.”

  “Nancy is the human companion that helped Mija,” Wyatt added. “I am not the only one who would vouch for her.”

  “I am aware. And I’m realizing that she is the reason you lost your temper and harmed a human.” Reid scrubbed a hand down his face. “You place me in a strange position, Wyatt. I can’t play favorites. It’s not standard to simply arrive with a human in tow and expect me to—”

  “But she’s not just any human,” Wyatt insisted. “She’s my mate.”

  Nancy tugged his hand and took a step back. “Maybe we should give him time to think and…” Her soft voice trailed off.

  Wyatt shook his head. “We’ve been apart long enough. It’s not proper to separate mates.”

  “Neither of you would suffer from distance, it’s not—” Reid cut himself off and sighed. “Eastern edge.”

  “I’m not sure I understand,” Wyatt said.

  “There’s an empty hunting stand on the Eastern edge of the land. You know it?” Reid waited to see Wyatt’s nod. “Go there. Take the long way.”

  “And wait for how long?” Wyatt asked. “Nancy needs food.”

  Reid rolled his eyes. “You’re testing me.”

  “I’m fine,” Nancy muttered. “This has stifled my appetite.”

  “The council needs to meet,” Reid said. “You know that, Wyatt. Before Charlotte arrived, Damon briefed me. Same with Mija. This is a surprise.” He looked Nancy over again. “We’ll interview Damon and Charlotte, who to my knowledge are the only two who can speak to Nancy’s character.”

  Wyatt frowned. “Mija—”

  “She’s still away. If you needed her testimony, that’s your own oversight,” Reid pointed out. “Unless you would choose foolishly to argue with me, I’ll go and start the process. You’ll have your answer and punishment before sundown.”

  “Punishment?” Nancy asked.

  “That’s for Wyatt, not you,” Reid replied.

  “But—”

  Wyatt silenced Nancy with a sharp shake of his head. “This could have gone better and should have. It’s my fault, Nancy.” He dipped his head to Reid. “We’ll be there.”

  Reid patted Wyatt’s shoulder as he left them.

  Nancy waited quietly, and the moment Reid was out of sight, tugged on Wyatt’s arm. “What’s happening? Why didn’t you tell me about the rules and everything? And why didn’t you follow them?”

  Wyatt lifted his chin in the direction they were headed. “It’s a long walk.” He started forward. “And I didn’t tell you because I was having a moment.”

  “You didn’t mention that you’d be in trouble.”

  “I’m not worried about that.” The moment he said it, he realized it was the truth. “They won’t tell us we can’t be together, Nancy. I didn’t tell you because I knew it would go one of two ways. Either you’d be welcomed with open arms, or we’d find our own place to settle down.”

  “Wyatt…”

  “It’s okay. Perhaps I’m trapped in the optimistic haze of love, but I don’t think Reid will tell you no.”

  “It almost sounds like he already did?”

  “No. I had debated on visiting him last night to tell him about you. But I didn’t want to leave you, even if for a brief period. Had you woken and seen me gone, I don’t think I could’ve lived with that. Still, I think that him seeing us before hearing of it is for the better.”

  “What? To shock him into going along?”

  “Not quite. Reid is intuitive. He can read emotions and intent better than any of us. He’s got a perfect poker face, but I suspect he likes you. I think waiting is part of my punishment. I’m sorry I ruined breakfast.”

  She grumbled and crossed her arms as they walked. “I’m still wrapping my head around pack law and rules and trials. I hadn’t thought about it, but since you guys live in packs for life, it can’t be often that you have to welcome someone new.”

  “Charlotte and Mija were the first in a decade, to my recollection.”

  “I can’t think of a reason for one of you to be alone, I guess.”

  He stepped over a deep rut and watched her safely do the same. “Lupine don’t live alone. Charlotte and Mija were separated from their packs. It’s highly uncommon for it to happen. Otherwise, it is possible for a lupine to leave their pack in search of a new one. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens.”

  Nancy kept her eyes forward. “It’s a long walk, isn’t it?”

  “It is.”

  “Maybe you could do that zoom thing again.”

  He chuckled. “Sure.”

  EIGHTEEN

  Footsteps carried on the warming breeze. Nancy snored softly against Wyatt’s chest, and he didn’t want to wake her. She’d asked just about every question she could think
of about the pack before falling asleep. He didn’t blame her—she’d barely gotten any rest.

  Thankfully, there had been a pile of blankets in the small perch. The pack didn’t use the hunting stand but had come across it a few years back. An ambitious human had set it up but had promptly been encouraged to abandon it. The deer in the area were a welcome part of the ecosystem. The pack kept it trim without need for human interference.

  Wyatt straightened against the tree he sat against, and that motion was enough to wake Nancy.

  She nuzzled her cheek against him.

  “You’re a good pillow for someone built entirely of muscle,” she murmured.

  “Good to hear.”

  The first silhouette appeared in the distance. Wyatt gave Nancy a gentle shake. “We’ve got company.”

  Her head turned and she scrambled to her feet. As she brushed the dry leaves from her clothes, Wyatt took his time rising and shaking out the blanket before folding it and placing it aside.

  He took Nancy’s hand and gave her a smile. “Relax.”

  “How can you be so calm?”

  He lifted his chin, indicating the many figures ducking from behind trees. “If you were being rejected, only Reid would be here.”

  “Oh.”

  “You’re about to meet most of the pack. Meaning my parents and quite a few cousins.”

  “Oh!” She lowered her voice and hissed to him, “I didn’t think of that.”

  He arched a brow. “Is something wrong with that?”

  “I’m not good with parents. I always say something stupid. I get awkward and jumbled and it’s straight foot into mouth.”

  “I see.” He looked up and whispered, “You do realize they can hear everything you’re saying right now?”

  Her mouth became a thin line in a sea of blotchy pink. He squeezed her hand and pulled her forward to meet with Reid.

  “Nancy. Wyatt,” Reid said. “The Bronze pack is prepared to accept a new pack memb—”

  A loud hunger growl from Nancy’s stomach interrupted him.

  Nancy’s wide eyes stared forward in horror while snickers broke out amongst the gathered pack. Wyatt patted her shoulder, stifling his own laugh.

  Clearing his throat, Reid glanced away for a moment. “Well then. I suppose we can skip ahead to the important part. No need to draw out the ceremony.”

  “Sorry,” Nancy whispered. Then lower she added, “Just kill me now…”

  Reid held out his hand. “You won’t die. It’s no more than a scratch.”

  “What?” Nancy looked at Wyatt.

  “I need your hand,” Reid said.

  Wyatt nudged Nancy forward. “It’s okay.”

  Though he’d told Nancy about this part of the ritual, he supposed there was no easy way to face being clawed. Not many human traditions involved bloodletting, after all. Or at least, none that he’d heard of.

  Reid took Nancy’s hand and held it palm down. “Are you having second thoughts of joining us?”

  “No.”

  He nodded and traced a circle on the back of her hand. There was an oil on his fingers that left her skin glistening, a medicine to keep the intended cut clean. “Do you Nancy Campbell, no clan, understand the privilege offered to you, to embrace the moon and her guidance?”

  “I do.”

  “And will you accept the Cooper clan’s bid to foster you?”

  She glanced at Wyatt. In order to be in the pack, a lupine family had to adopt her. He wasn’t sure which would offer to do so, but the Cooper clan was his family. She smiled at Reid. “I will.”

  “The Bronze pack demands allegiance to all brothers and sisters, and I as alpha demand allegiance to my blood. Your blood for your promise to honor the ancestors and your pack.” Reid’s hand covered Nancy’s and grew large and clawed. “Your blood as your fealty.”

  Nancy winced and nodded. “Yes.”

  Reid sliced a single claw quickly across the top of her wrist, drawing a bead of deep crimson. Nancy sucked in a breath and looked away.

  “Your blood is accepted. You are marked as mine as pack.” His hand returned to its human form and he smeared the blood across her hand with his fingertips. “We welcome you, Nancy Campbell of Clan Cooper.”

  Howls and cheers filled the air.

  Nancy cradled her hand and looked up at Wyatt. “Don’t you mark me too?”

  The cheers died down somewhat. Wyatt fought a grin. “Later.”

  “Why not now?”

  “We don’t do that in public.”

  The bright pink returned to her face.

  “That’s probably the shortest adoption, human transition, and pack welcoming performed in our history.” Reid smiled. “I’ll rely on Wyatt to teach you our ways.”

  He backed away as Wyatt pulled Nancy into a tight embrace. The pack moved forward, and his parents met them first, grinning ear to ear.

  Wyatt’s mother, Lila, maneuvered Nancy out from Wyatt’s arms and into her own overwhelming hug. Nearly as tall as Wyatt, she completely dwarfed Nancy. “I’ve heard so much about you,” she gushed. Her brown eyes sparkled, and she cast a playful glare his way. “Not from Wyatt, of course. He’s a terrible son.”

  Wyatt rolled his eyes as his father slapped him on the back almost hard enough to knock him off his feet.

  “I heard you’ve been starving this little one,” Wyatt’s father said gruffly. He turned to Nancy and took her hand, the only part of her that wasn’t locked in Lila’s hug. Avoiding her cut, he gently shook her fingertips. “Bruce. Or dad, if you’re at that point.”

  Wyatt groaned. “Dial it back, please.”

  His dad swung the backpack from his shoulder down onto the ground. Within seconds he’d produced a large casserole dish topped with a foil cover. Lila released Nancy upon seeing it.

  “Eggs, bacon, waffles, blueberries, and breakfast ham,” she said. “Reid said you’d be hungry.”

  “Oh,” Nancy gasped. The smell of food brought another rumble to her stomach.

  “And just like that, you’ll never be hungry again.” Wyatt kissed the top of Nancy’s head.

  * * * *

  The pack had walked back from the Eastern edge together, and Nancy had never stopped smiling. They traveled through the pack center, which was Reid’s house, and slowly dissipated as they got closer to the dozen or so trailers that made up Wyatt’s living area.

  Most of the lupine embraced the general ambiance of the area, which was one of comfort and peace. Every trailer had wind chimes, except Wyatt’s. There were hanging lights and lanterns strewn from nearby trees to light up home fronts—Wyatt had a simple bulb next to his door. Many had wooden decorations outside in what would be considered the lawn, but not Wyatt. In lieu of campy gnomes or hand-carved wolves, Wyatt had a card table and two chairs. It wasn’t the most welcoming sight, but it had never bothered him before now.

  Lila released the hold she’d had on Nancy’s shoulder for the last half-mile. “You’ll come over for dinner.”

  It was a statement, not a question, and Wyatt caught the difference. He couldn’t recall a single conversation he’d had with his parents that even mentioned Nancy. Somehow, they’d pieced it together, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to be grilled later, and thoroughly at that.

  “Can’t wait,” Nancy said, her attention flickering between Wyatt’s father and mother. “It was great to meet you.”

  They waved and were off, leaving Nancy and Wyatt alone to stare at the pathetic beige rectangle that was his home.

  “This is it,” he said.

  “You live here?” She walked up and took in the sight.

  “It’s not great,” he admitted. “Probably the least sexy part of the lupine existence.”

  “Do you have hot water? Like… how…”

  He bristled. “It’s a long story, but yes. Hot water, electricity. Just no internet, no phones.”

  “How big is your bed?” She seemed to be measuring the square footage with her eyes.

 
He placed his hands on his hips and looked it over with her. “King. And not much furniture.”

  “Hot water and a bed are all I need. My first apartment was probably smaller than this,” she said. “Are you going to carry me over the threshold?”

  “You’d hit your head. I practically have to walk around squatting.” He took her hand and pulled her to the back of the trailer.

  She looked over her shoulder. “Isn’t that the front door?”

  “Fine observation.” He dragged her along a path worn by his two feet alone over the past few months. “But this is a nicer one.”

  Her jaw dropped as a bright blue door came into view. “What is this?”

  He came to a stop at the bottom of the small three-step landing that led to the door. He patted the painted wood. “A bit of whimsy, I suppose. The blue was on sale, and it felt right.”

  “You know I don’t mean the door,” she groaned.

  “I’ve been working on this project for a while now. It was supposed to be my new house.”

  “It’s…”

  “Obviously I didn’t account for falling in love and bringing someone else into my life. And currently, it’s barely more than a frame. Still work to be done inside before it’s livable. But I can make it bigger.”

  She walked slowly around the perimeter of the house, which took less than a minute. “You built this?”

  “I needed a project to focus on.” He opened the door and stepped in, holding his hand out to her. “Reid kept advising me to focus on my future with the pack. I decided that a proper home would help me cement myself. I needed to ground my spirit.”

  She joined him in the dark interior. The outdoor sun strained to stream in where it could but most of the windows were covered with work tarps. A single broad ray spread down on the left side of the house, and that’s where her attention went. It was a corner that had a temporary ramp up to the loft that was to be the bedroom—and by bedroom, that meant it held a palette bed and nothing else. The angled roof that covered the corner was entirely made up of one large glass panel.

  “I can sit up there and read under the sun,” she said.

  “Well… yes. But I can expand—”

  “It’s perfect.” She clasped her hands as she walked the few steps it took to move from one end of the house to the other. “Galley kitchen here, right? And… enough room for a full bath over there, which makes sense because you’re huge and I bet you spend a lot of time caked in mud.”