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We would have to build an addition to the house at this rate.
"Maybe a few of them can stay at the B&B," Marcus suggested.
"They all have to stay there. And it isn't big enough," I said.
"Why?" He asked.
I looked over at him and had the urge to ask him why he was still here. But we didn't need any more conflict right now. Instead, I said, "Celia can't show favoritism for one pack over another. That's how you start pack wars. Everything has to be the same across the board. If Clint stays here, then everyone stays here. If Priscilla and her pack are suggested to go to the B&B, then they all have to go to the B&B."
"It seems like Celia is okay with Clint staying here," Marcus muttered.
I did turn to him this time. "Yeah, because she is in dating anyone. Because she and Clint have been friends since we were all kids. Because Clint is putting his life and the lives of his pack on the line to help us. I would hope that Celia is okay with him staying with us. She trusts him and so do I."
We stood in front of the house, in the driveway. Marcus would have to leave soon to go pick up Priscilla Abbott and her pack. Christian Casey and Tommy Norris would be coming in early tomorrow morning. They would be here for at least two days which meant that we had to figure out a place to put them.
Marcus glared at the front of the house.
Neither one of us spoke and after a moment, I shook my head. "This is impossible. Unless we have rooms that I don't know about, then I don't know where we will put everyone."
"What about the High Priestess? Would it be an insult to stay there?" Marcus suggested.
"Your stepmom's house? And where are you going to sleep? Where are Lou and Dante going to stay?"
"Lou can stay with you. Dante can sleep on the floor in Artie's room. I can stay at the station, I've done it before."
Miss Maricel was probably the only other acceptable choice in town. She had the same ranking as Celia and if she agreed, then that would solve all of our problems.
Except for the part of Lou sleeping in my room.
Artie had bunk beds. They could share if it came to that.
I scrubbed my face with my hands and sighed. "Let me go talk to Celia about it before we talk to Miss Maricel."
***
THE REST OF THE DAY passed relatively quickly with everyone preparing for the additional arrivals. Stephen and Azolata eventually showed up to help but I couldn't help to notice that Artie, Billie, and Lou were still all missing. Clint also pointed out that Darla was gone too.
Celia reassured us that she had sent Artie and Billie after Lou earlier that day when word came that there were explosions in the forest.
"Explosions?" I asked.
Celia shrugged.
Miss Maricel agreed to let to the other packs stay with her and even seemed excited about it. Marcus and Dante explained that she rarely got visitors so this was a treat for her.
I didn't know how this could be a treat for anyone. My mind was constantly racing, I seemed to be strung as tight as a wire, and I wasn't sure how anybody could enjoy this.
I saw the same grim determination on Ronnie's face as well. As the day wore on, I had to step outside to get away from everyone.
Not that Clint and his pack were bad guests. Quite the opposite. They were helpful and warm and always took the opportunity to do whatever they could to help. It was leadership by example, with Clint always jumping to his feet to help Celia with something.
Or Clint had other motives. I didn't know if that was to get on Celia's good side or just to piss Marcus off. Either way, it seemed to be working.
I was leaning against Celia's Mustang when Ronnie joined me. We both glared at the trees.
"It's a lot," she said.
"I nodded.
"No offense to you guys, but I kind of wish we were still back home," Ronnie said.
"I understand," I said.
We were built differently, Betas. It was an instinct to guard the territory that we were in and sometimes it could be stronger in us than it could be in the alphas.
"Want to go make out in the forest?" She asked.
I couldn't help but smile at that. It would have been a great way to burn off some energy and settle ourselves. And it certainly wouldn't have been the first time for either one of us. But despite how beautiful Ronnie was, I couldn't help but think of Lou. We needed to talk, figure out what we were to each other and figure out what our boundaries were.
Not that I was inclined to take up Ronnie's offer if Lou and I weren't exclusive. I was a monogamous sort of guy, only interested in being with one person at a time.
"I would love to, Ronnie, but I'm seeing someone and I'm pretty sure that he could turn us both into frogs without a second thought."
Ronnie smiled like I hadn't just rejected her. "He's awful pretty too. I wouldn't mind sharing."
My throat locked up at the visual that flashed through my head at her suggestion.
I ran my hands through my hair. "You have brilliant ideas. But I don't think we're there yet."
She pouted and shrugged. “I guess I'll just have to wait until the other packs arrive. But, if you guys are interested, let me know. Remember that. I want to be first in line."
I laughed. "It's not much of a line when you were the only person there."
“Believe me, I won't be the only one there," she said and winked at me.
I shook my head at her and watched as she walked away, down the road. I assumed she was on her way into town to cause some kind of trouble. I briefly wondered if I should go tell Clint but almost immediately disregarded the idea. Ronnie was a big girl. She could take care of herself and anyone else who came along.
"Hey, Eli! If you are done rejecting my Beta, could you come to help me?" Clint called from inside the house.
I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off the car. These next few days were going to be longer than I wanted to think about.