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“So... how’d it go?” Taylor met her at the door, pulling her inside before she could get the key out of the lock. “I want every juicy detail.”
She should have expected it, but Taylor’s enthusiasm was almost overwhelming. She’d hardly stepped one foot in the door before her new sister was slamming it shut and standing against it as if to hold her hostage for the information.
“It was fine, except for the part where Mr. Thrace told me I was worthless.”
Taylor’s eyes grew three sizes, or so it seemed that moment, and her jaw nearly hit the floor. “He did what?”
“Apparently Ash and his dad were having dinner at the same place as us. I went to say hi and left with my tail tucked between my legs.”
“He’s a jerk.”
“That’s the understatement of the century.” Giselle yawned and walked to the kitchen to put her pizza box in the fridge. “He is every bit as mean as you all said.”
“See now why you shouldn’t believe what Ash is saying about our pack?”
“The thing is, Ash never really talked crap about us. He just warned me about the pack war.”
“You did it!” Taylor squealed.
“Did what now?”
“You said us... as in all of us. As in pack.”
She had, hadn’t she? It might not be official, but even with all the animosity in the air, she was beginning to feel like they really were her pack mates, and at least Taylor felt like a sister.
“Don’t get cocky...” She tried to sound a warning but Taylor’s look said she wasn’t convinced.
“So how did Damien take all of this? I mean, he knows you’re sweet on Ash, and he was there trying to be all studly with you. ”
“Oh, he was great... even ordered meat lover’s pizza.”
“Awww. Be still my heart, he ordered you pizza.” Taylor giggled.
“Shut up.” She playfully smacked Tay’s shoulder. “It was nice.”
“I’ll bet. And did you share a slice all romantic-like?”
Giselle’s face flushed, but not because she’d been caught being a girl. She was a girl. But Taylor was painting a picture of some romantic dinner Lady and the Tramp style, when truth was, she’d wolfed down her pizza like the wild animal she was. He’d even ordered a second one to help sate her hunger. Damn the full moon.
“You kissed, didn’t you?” Taylor looked shocked.
“No. We held hands, and talked.” And that was more than she had really been prepared for. It had been nice, very nice, but dating was a whole new world to navigate. Especially dating in the supernatural world.
“Look at you, all flustered. You and Damien really hit it off.” Taylor was smiling ear to ear, but Giselle detected a tiny hint of jealousy there.
“Stop. Really. We have more important things to deal with right now. Let’s talk about the wolf statue...” Anything to change the subject.
Her smile faded. “Fine. Be that way, but I need to live vicariously thorough someone’s love life.”
“Why? Don’t you have men knocking down the door for you?”
“Boys... yes, but no one I really want to date.”
“That’s a big problem.” Sarcasm didn’t seem to work on Taylor.
“It is when the boy you like is crushing on other girls.” Taylor’s tone said more than Giselle wanted to hear. Now she felt bad for going out with Damien.
“You mean Damien, don’t you?”
“No. Not him. He’s not my type.” She shrugged, but that wasn’t convincing anyone.
“Liar.”
“Whatever.” Taylor had never looked so flustered.
“Do you really like him?”
“No. I’m just a little...”
“Jealous?”
“You’ve been at school all of two weeks and have two of the hottest boys in school talking to you. I’ve been class president, prom committee, and countless other social club advisors, and those two have never set eyes on me.”
“I doubt it has anything to do with looks or social standing... They’re not prom committee type of guys.”
“I’m also a cheerleader.”
“And Damien is no jock... and Asher hates this family.” She was struggling to make a good defense but failing miserably, and Taylor’s watery eyes made things so much worse.
“Look. I’m happy for you. I am...” Taylor looked like she wanted to cry.
“Do you want me to stop talking to Damien? Or maybe tell him you think he’s cute?”
“No. God, no! Nothing like that.”
“Then what?”
“Just... be good to him.”
That was the last thing she’d expected Taylor to say.
“Yeah. Sure. Of course. But I’m not even seriously...”
“Just drop it. Be good. That’s all.” She wiped her face, brushing away tears and the smudge of mascara.
Giselle was no good at feelings, especially others’ feelings. Should she try to hug Taylor, or would that make things worse? Crap. What to do? Change the subject. “Okay... moving on. Tomorrow night. We’re going to run the pack to the creek.”
“Martina won’t go for that.”
“We have to. It’s our only hope. Ash and Damien will bring their groups, and we can all air out our grievances together.”
The shock of her plan seemed to pull the emotion from Taylor’s eyes. “Or start an all-out war.”
“That too, but we have to do something. All three families are tied together, and the wolf statue is the key!”
“You’re insane. It will never work.”
“It has to.”
“We’re all going to die.” Taylor looked as if boys were now the last thing on her mind. At least Giselle had managed to fix that problem.
“That’s the spirit!”
“No. Seriously. You’re going to get us all killed.”
“To be honest... I don’t agree. You said you’d help, so will you?”
“I don’t know how you plan to pull it off, but I’ll keep my word.”
Giselle hoped she was right in thinking once everyone saw the statue, they’d find a way to talk rather than fight, but it was a huge gamble. She gulped down the apprehension she was feeling and put on a brave face. “Thank you!”