The Wolf Came on Christmas (Johanna and Alexander) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51-1

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“Hide them? What are you saying? We don’t want them coming after us either-this isn’t some vulgar hunt,” Nika replied, scolding. “There are more important things to think about right now than going out to pick a fight with some mangy cats.”

He gave her a somewhat distressed look, as if apologizing for the outburst. That, at first, was shocking. Richard Byrne-alias “Richie”-was enormous and very strong, the tallest of all of them; perhaps the most intimidating too. But Nika, with just a couple of words, made his combative expression shift into a submissive and fearful one. It was almost the same thing I saw that day when Alexander demonstrated his influence as leader over Rex with just one look. I would say that easily Richie could have dominated her-but Nika was probably very strong and professional, just as Alexander had told me.

My opinion of that woman improved quite a bit when I understood that.

We were gathered in my kitchen, and the Hattai had spread out over the round table a map of the area printed in sections on white typing paper, the pieces joined with adhesive tape. It was a very good satellite map, quite up to date (the new road appeared, but not my house). I tried to act as if I wasn’t there, so as not to bother, but it was becoming somewhat impossible to go unnoticed-I was the homeowner, and inevitably they paid attention to everything I did.

Perhaps they were a little curious about how calmly I stayed close to them; or perhaps they didn’t notice how intrusive I was being. Since there was nothing else I could do (that is, I couldn’t pull away from there-everything that was happening between them was practically fascinating to me), I devoted myself to making coffee for everyone and preparing something for the children. Andre would come down at any moment, and Sasha was already demanding a bottle with little growls that showed her irritation. She was a very demanding baby, and she knew perfectly well what she wanted.

The werewolves were holding a kind of “summit” at that moment. Alexander presided over it, as could not be otherwise. And for a change, I think he hadn’t slept all night, but that didn’t stop him from paying attention to everything that was happening-and from looking back at me every time his daughter let out a little cry of joy or I whispered something to her. They needed a plan of action. They had removed all the bundles of dried rue from the doors and windows (I don’t know whether because they were no longer necessary, or as a way of telling their enemies that, if they were out there, the wolves were not afraid of them), but the smell of my house still wasn’t the same; I kept perceiving that subtle essence of dirty animal. At the time I didn’t realize how little that bothered me-it was such a trivial detail compared to everything else that in the end I got used to it.

12

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Outside, it had been snowing for hours, and it was already hard to leave the house without sinking up to your calves in the white blanket. I didn’t really know where that meeting was headed, but part of me suspected it was an attack plan. At least they were having the courtesy to speak in English.

“Either way, sister,” Christian complained, his mouth full, “if we don’t locate them, we won’t catch them either. So I propose a more thorough reconnaissance of the area-since the mountain won’t come to Muhammad.”

“Our priority is protecting Alexander and his children,” Nika replied emphatically.

“The priority is preventing anyone else from getting hurt,” Alexander interrupted them, growling from deep in his throat. “And we’re going to focus on that. You’re both right-this isn’t a hunt, but we can’t throw ourselves headfirst into a trap either.”

I think it was less than a second, but he looked at me and I returned the gesture with the same seriousness. For me, that was more than fine-I mean… it was a good priority to keep

in mind.

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<Chapter 51-2

Chapter 51-2

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Hans kept himself a little apart from everything. It seemed strange to me that, being the oldest member of the group, he wasn’t contributing from his experience. He stayed only a moment and then went to the living room, I suppose to check the surveillance monitors. His face didn’t say much, but he didn’t look very happy with anything that was happening. And I had assumed that, since their “alpha” was leading them, they should function like clockwork. Yes-apparently eight years of distance had left some mark between them.

Nika looked away after Alexander corrected her, and Christian continued:

Ishida froze in the act of putting the marker back behind his ear and looked at him.

“I can’t put sensors in trees,” he said hesitantly. “They have branches that move-it’s completely useless. That’s what the cameras around the house are for.”

“But the cameras-”

“…Lai, do you really think these cats are that smart?” Ishida asked him, ironically.

“That’s exactly the point! They are smart. They can see at night. They’re fast,” Alexander insisted, and his voice rose an octave as he repeated the thought, nervous, fierce. “We can’t overlook ANYTHING. One mistake, and someone else could die! They already killed my wife, Toshi! They’re not playing-they’ve already proven they can get to the door and mock us. Someone who has nothing to do with this got hurt!”

The brutality with which he spoke froze me in place and put Sasha in a bad mood.

Everyone straightened up when they heard him-or perhaps when they felt the force of his voice. That’s what I felt: a kind of shiver running up my spine as Alexander spoke louder and louder, his voice increasingly broken by unfriendly growls. I leaned against the counter and pretended to adjust Sasha so I could keep feeding her… but it was a silly excuse to look away, and not see the tension making the “alpha’s” shoulders tremble.

I was deceiving myself-but I wanted to believe that he wasn’t afraid of anything. Because clearly, he was desperate. Nervous, and stunned by everything that had happened.

Christian cleared his throat and finished his cup before commenting:

“That’s why I say we should go after them instead of sitting here waiting for them to come

after us.”

“If you’re so worried about Mrs. Grant, why don’t we take her to the city?” Richie said, clearing his throat, speaking to Alexander in a gentler tone. “We can hide her in a hotel with your children, and if someone stays with her…”