Christy was going to have to stay here with Adam and me.
Christy needs to be here, where shell feel safe, said Auriele before I could reply to Mary Jo.
Uhm, I said, because I was still reeling under the weight of just how much it was going to suck having her not just here in the TriCities, but here in my home.
You dont want her here? asked Auriele, and for the first time, I realized that Auriele, like Mary Jo, had liked Christy better than she did me. Shes scared and alone. Dont be petty, Mercy.
Would you want Darryls ex staying at your house? asked Jesse hotly. I hadnt realized shed come back downstairs. Her chin was raised as she flung her support my way. I didnt want her to do that. Christy was her momJesse shouldnt be trying to choose between us.
If she needed help, I would, Auriele snapped. It was easy for her to be certain because Darryl, as far as I knew, didnt have an exwife. If you dont want Christy here, Mercy, she is welcome at my house.
Aurieles offer was followed up by several others, accompanied by hostile stares aimed at me. Christy had been well liked by most of the pack. She was just the sort of sweet, helpless homemaker that appealed to a bunch of werewolves with too much testosterone.
Christy will stay here, I said.
But since Mary Jo and Auriele were arguing hotly about where Christy would be happiest, and the men were paying attention to them, no one had heard me.
I saidI stepped between the two women, drawing on Adams power to give weight to my words Christy will stay here with Adam and me .
Both women dropped their eyes and backed away, but the hostility in Aurieles face told me that only the Alphas authority in my voice had forced her to stop arguing. Mary Jo looked satisfiedI was pretty sure it meant that she thought Christys staying here might give Christy a chance to resume her position as Adams wife.
Though Adam was still on the phone, my pull on his authority had made him look around to see what was happening in the kitchen, but he didnt slow his rapid instructions.
Having her here isnt a good idea. Shed do okay at Honey and Mary Jos. Jesse sounded almost frantic.
Christy stays here, I repeated, though this time I didnt borrow Adams magic to make my point.
Mercy, I love my mother. Jesses mouth twisted unhappily. But shes selfish, and she resents that you took her place here. Shell cause trouble.
Jesse Hauptman, snapped Auriele. Thats your mother you are talking about. You show her some respect.
Auriele, I growled. This morning needed a dominance fight between the two of us like it needed a nuclear bomb. But I couldnt let her dictate to Jesse. Back off.
Teeth showing in a hostile smile, Auriele turned her hot gaze on me, yellow stirring in the cappuccino depths of her eyes.
Leave Jesse alone, I told her. Youre overstepping your authority. Jesse is not pack.
Aurieles lips whitened, but she backed down. I was right, and she knew it.
Your mom will feel safer here, I told Jesse without looking away from Auriele. And Aurieles also right when she says we can protect Christy better here.
Jesse gave me a despairing look. She doesnt want Dad, but that doesnt mean she wants anyone else to have him. Shell try to get between the two of youlike water torture. Drip. Drip. Drip. You should hear what she says about you.
No. No, I shouldnt. Neither should Jesse, but there was nothing I could do about that.
Its all right, I told her. Were all grownups. We can behave for a little while. How long could it take for a werewolf to hunt down a stalker and scare him off? A stalker, by definition, should be easy to find, right?
Good Samaritan Mercy, Mary Jo muttered. Shouldnt we all be grateful for her charity? She glanced around and realized she was the center of attention and flushed. What? Its true.
Still on the phone, Adam looked at Mary Jo and held herand everyone else in the roomsilent with his gaze. He finished his business with the travel agent, then hung up the phone.
Thats enough, he said very softly, and Mary Jo flinched. He is quiet when he is really madright before people start dying. This is not up for debate. It is time for everyone to go. Christy is not pack, was never pack. She was never my mate, only my wife. That means she is not pack business, and not your business.
Christy is my friend, said Auriele hotly. She needs help. That makes it my business.
Does it? Adam asked her, clearly out of patience. If it is your business, why did Christy call me, not you?
She opened her mouth, and Darryl put a hand on her shoulder and led her out of the room. Best leave well enough alone, I heard him say before they left the house.
The wolvesincluding Mary Joslid out of the room without waiting for Adam to say anything more. We stood in the kitchen, Adam, Jesse, and I, waiting until the sounds of cars starting and driving away left us in silence. All the uniting benefit of this Sunday breakfast was gone like the last of the waffles.
Jesse, I said. Your mother is welcome here.