The Protector

XXII

Scanning the territory, the open land is covered with individuals looking confused, frightened and intrigued. I'm finding it harder and harder to imagine how we can possibly accommodate such numbers. There aren't enough rooms, enough supplies, or enough food. I know we can probably solve such problems, but it isn't something we can resolve in an instant. Sure we can get more supplies and food... We'll be getting a Hell of a lot more food - a definite bonus. However, our finances may not cover such things. I never really bothered asking Luke how we manage bills, but it never seemed like a concern of his. Especially since every member gets one hundred pound a month for personal purchases. If he continues with that, he'll be paying out over three thousand a month - that's without living expenses.

A deep rumble catches the attention of a few nearby individuals as my stomach pipes up about the notion of food. I think we have some leftovers from last night still in the fridge. If I'm remembering correctly, we still have a cake Lew made - I'm definitely going to be scoffing that up later. Although, I think it's almost six, so someone should be starting tea soon.

Stepping over to Luke, he also mumbles about numbers. Apparently no one else has bothered adding up the new additions - and I'm honestly surprised it was me since I never thought I'd see the day when I counted past fifty. I double check my maths yet again, then slap his side. "Three four six, not including current members." A breath escapes him, both of us subtly laughing in shock. "We're going to need a bigger house - I won't let you send them away after what they did for us."

"Don't worry, I haven't even considered doing that. The Alpha's submitted, they passed the trust of their packs' safety over to me." A long wind blows over our faces, drying out my pursed lips. "Thankfully, a quarter have found their mates, half of those being from our original pack. Though not by much, it does narrow it down."

"That may give some of them somewhere to sleep, but we only have two hundred rooms - seventy five already full." He groans, covering his eyes with his head stretched up to the sky. "I know, I'll just have to think of something." I nod, waiting for a suggestion, but nothing comes.

"So?" His hands pull down, dragging his cheeks with them so his eyes can search mine for context to my question. "So what?" I am not about to refuse this perfect opportunity to be an imbecile. "I'm still a Rockstar! I got my rock moves! And I don't need you!" My arm shoots up into the air as I head bang, causing him to burst out laughing. Several others that are around us also crack up, watching as I do a bizarre dance to match the awful singing.

"Luce, please focus..." He wipes away a stray tear as I finish off my verse, still pulling a ridiculous pose to end my fabulous performance.

Applause from a handful of wolves brings a smile to my lips, I respond with a dramatic bow that only makes Lulu laugh more. While he's wheezing, I repeatedly blow at the strands of hair that have fallen into my eyes. Allowing him some extra time, I rake my hair back into a messy bun on top of my head, only half of it managing to stay in place. Tilly had insisted on neatening up my work when I was getting frustrated last night and tugging at the strands. To prevent me from yanking any of it out, she cut it shorter. Instead of hanging just above my collar bone, it now falls around my jaw with a side parting.

"Anyway, did you find yours? Your mate?" He glances to the floor, a small sad smile creasing his lips. "No, not yet." We both turn upon hearing Lew's innocent giggle. He's folded up on Caleb's lap, the two taking up the bench next to the fence which I may or may not have smashed. From the way Pleb is carding through the loose curls, the smaller boy may soon doze off. "It'll happen. Hopefully, sooner rather than later - you really need to get laid, you've been super grumpy lately."

"Inappropriate, Lucy." Peeling my eyes from the lovebirds to land on an exasperated male pinching between his eyes. "It's true, you're really sensitive to my jokes. Besides, on average, wolves meet their mates by twenty." His eyes flicker, mouth gawking. "You've become a nerd."