A Moment for Tara

by Tamar Sloan

  Chapter Eight

  A Plan is Born

  Uber bad is an understatement. The moment we heard who was set to buy that land and what they planned to do with it, stuff went to DEFCON—is that a mushroom cloud?—women and children first—bad.

  The community would be against loggers. You only need to live around these pine covered hills for a nanosecond before you fall in love with it almost as hard as I have. No one in our towns would be okay with cutting down the foundations of this forest.

  But money-making, economy-boosting tourism? And tourism that seeks to preserve what they love? There are going to be a lot of people keen to see that happen.

  And if they’re successful there will be people staying by the Glade, all year round. People wanting to walk and hike and explore through the forest. Hot peppers, they’ll probably have guides. It’s only a matter of time before the one place that is sacred to Weres is found.

  Which is why the Phelans and the Channons are all at the Glade the next day. We need to know what to do next.

  I shift my weight from foot to foot as I wait. Dad felt it was important that we arrive early, which really meant he wanted to arrive first. I’d tried to suggest there was no rush, but when he’d frowned I hadn’t pushed it. I’d climbed in the car, not looking too closely at why I didn’t want to find out if I can move that mountain even an inch. There’s no point fussing over the little stuff, right?

  My world lights up when Mitch arrives with his parents, then dims a fraction when I see Noah isn’t with them. As Adam and Beth greet my father, Mitch and I step to the side.

  “Why wouldn’t he come?”

  Mitch’s lips flat line. “Said it wasn’t his place.”

  I feel an ache deep in my chest. Which would have been better? Coming here where you know you’re the anomaly that no one knew could exist, as does everyone else. Or stay home. Alone. As your packs face one of their greatest threats.

  “Mum tried, she really did, but short of Dad ordering him to, he’s the poster boy for stubborn.”

  Which Adam would never do.

  We look at each other, knowing we’re both thinking the same thing — this sucks. But as has been the trend lately, once Mitch’s eyes are on me for more than about two seconds the world begins to blur and wash away. It becomes just the two of us and the magical feeling that’s starting to feel too big to contain. The one that is carrying us both through the hardest time in our lives.

  Mitch leans in almost imperceptibly, enough for every cell in my body to wish he was on a line and I could reel him in. “I wish I could…”

  “Tara.”

  Dad calling my name, the one word said with military authority, has me moving automatically. He’s watching me and Mitch but I can’t decipher the frown deep in his grizzled face. I smile a big smile and greet Adam and Beth. They both hug me, Beth feeling almost fragile despite her height, whilst Adam’s powerful arms feel like an anchor in a thunderstorm.

  Mitch shakes Dad’s hand and I find myself watching him closely, looking for some sort of reaction. I want to shout ‘this is the one I want, this is the one that will make my heart sing, shine, dance, in every beat it will ever have’. But Dad acknowledges him with the politeness he’s always shown and turns away.

  Dad and Adam stand at the head and the low murmurs subside. It’s Dad who speaks first, although to be honest, Adam never gets a chance.

  “We know why we’re here. We know what we need to stop, so today we come up with a plan.”

  The Channons grumble and shift, the Phelans frown and still.

  Adam steps forward, toward the center of the grassy area. “The tourism place believes the land is as good as sold.”

  This time it doesn’t matter what pack you belong to, grumbles roll through the Glade.

  “But we have a solution — we get the money together, outbid them.” He looks around at every Were there. “And then we own the land ourselves.”

  Seth crosses his arms. “That’s a lot of money.”

  “We’d all have to put in what we can.”

  Keith, our grizzled but shrewd Channon, narrows his eyes. “And if the Phelans add more then you get the greater share?”

  Adam is already shaking his head. “No. This would be an equal venture by both packs, it doesn’t matter how much we put it. Equal ownership.”

  Beth steps forward. “What better way to bring us together?”

  “We don’t have much time.” This is from Dad, and with his face schooled to neutral, I can’t tell what he thinks of this suggestion.

  Adam’s hands go out wide, an open invitation. “All we need is people to commit what they can afford.”

  Muted talk shifts through the two crowds, everyone knowing that every Were can hear each other. Discussions detailing how much money is needed and how much time we have transcends the Channon-Phelan boundary. No one asks the questions that have no answers — do we have any other choice? What will this mean for the packs?

  What if it doesn’t work?

  It doesn’t take long for everyone to realize this is our best shot. The details — the creation of an account, the hiring of a lawyer — are decided quickly. I look at Mitch, one arm crossed, that index finger rubbing his bottom lip as he talks to Adam and Dad. In the absence of Noah, his ability to lead has risen to the surface like a dormant being. It doesn’t surprise me in the least. I watch a little more closely, seeing if Dad is noticing this too. But they’re finished, stepping back. Dad shakes hands with Adam and walks away. I look away before I have to see that he never bothered saying goodbye to Mitch.

  Time, this will take time Tara.

  People are trickling back to their cars, the Glade slowly emptying. Dad and I stand and say goodbye to each member of our pack as Adam and Mitch do the same. Adelle and Seth are one of the last to walk past, almost like they were holding back.

  She wraps me in her usual incense-laden hug before turning to Dad. “So the protest is off?”

  Dad scratches his beard. “I suppose it probably isn’t very relevant anymore.”

  Seth’s hands clench. “Those bastards shouldn’t be able to just get away with this.”

  Adelle places a hand on Seth’s forearm. “What they did isn’t right Seth, but we’ve got a way to move forward now.”

  Dad’s fingers haven’t untangled from his bristly beard, which means he’s thinking hard. “Although this threat isn’t gone yet.”

  I don’t know why, but I feel my chest tighten. What is Dad alluding to?

  Seth leans forward, his eyes zeroed on Dad. “What are you thinking, Alpha?”

  Dad turns to me. “You said they’re going there Friday, didn’t you?”

  I swallow, not sure why I’m uncomfortable with this. Is it because the Phelans are on the other side of the Glade, unaware this talk is happening? Or is it the flash of fire I see burning in Dad’s hazel eyes? “Yeah, Friday.”

  Dad’s hand comes out to grasp Seth’s shoulder, like some coach in a boxing ring. “I’m going to need you Friday night.”

  Seth’s smile is slow but sure. “Looking forward to it, Alpha.”

  “I’d like to be there.”

  We all turn to Adelle, in her flowing blue dress cinched with a crochet belt. Dad crosses his arms. “Adelle —”

  But her hand comes up, her head already shaking. “Kurt, you know I love a good cause.”

  Dad’s lips tighten deep in his beard. I wait, breath held. Adelle just bucked the system, and we all know how our Alpha takes to that.

  She drops her hand. “And this is the most important one I’ve ever fought for.”

  Dad’s head comes up and he nods once. Adelle crosses her arms, and it looks far more like a defensive gesture than a triumphant one. For someone who just insisted on coming, to the point where she risked getting on the wrong side of her Alpha, she doesn’t look as happy as I’d expect.

  Dad’s arms unfold, the motion expanding his chest. “Very well. Humans need to know they can’
t take what isn’t theirs.”

  I have to work hard not to frown as the tight feeling in my chest climbs up my throat, tightening my jaw, pulling at my brow. Does anyone else notice Dad drawing the ‘us’ and ‘them’ line? The subtle dominance, the hint at how far he’s willing to go? Is it just me or do I see Adelle’s lips tighten just a fraction?

  Seth glances as the last of the Phelans disappear down the track that leads to the small parking lot that holds our cars. Mitch’s back, broad and strong, disappears into the green tunnel. If Dad knew that the whole time we’ve been here I’ve been tracking the movements of that strong, hot bod, what would he say? If I told him that just one glance from those blue eyes and my heart hums like it’s found the energy that powers it, would he nod just like he did with Adelle?

  Dad turns and strides towards the track. “Let’s get going, I’ve got some planning to do.”

  I loiter as we all head through the green tunnel, pine trees and thick undergrowth framing the path back out. Dad doesn’t notice that I make like a turtle, he walks with his head tilted down, deep in thought. Seth strides alongside his Alpha whilst Adelle watches.

  One bend and I’m on my own, wishing I had some sort of telepathic link to the one I want here.

  There’s a rustle, and I’m encased in cinnamon and citrus and powerful arms. I spin, throwing my arms around his shoulders, feeling like the fourth of July is being celebrated in my chest.

  Mitch’s blue eyes are twinkling. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you walk that slow.”

  “I forgot something.”

  He quirks a brow. “What?”

  You know what they say — actions speak louder than words. So I push up, hold it for a moment, drawing out the anticipation…and then glory in the sensation of my lips on his. I press my body to his, loving the feeling of hard muscles pressed against me.

  Since when did being apart feel so wrong?

  I pull back, not sure if I want to smile or go back for more. Mitch makes the decision for the both of us, his mouth touching mine again tenderly. I decide to opt for dissolving into a puddle of pleasure.

  It’s the sounds of our packs down the path that have us reluctantly pulling apart, knowing we need to get back. I glance nervously over my shoulder, realizing the significance of what I’m doing and how close they are. When I turn back Mitch is watching me with narrowed eyes.

  I grasp his hand, not quite ready to let go yet, and start walking. “Your dad’s plan sounds like a good one.”

  Mitch looks ahead as we start walking. His voice is hushed when he says, “Dad’s already spoken to the bank. He’s putting our house on the market as collateral for a loan.”

  I suck in my breath. “That house, your land, has been in your family for generations.”

  Mitch shrugs, but his shoulders end up lower once he’s finished. “The Glade is more important.”

  The conversation that just happened amongst my Channon pack flashes through my mind. I know it would be considered a betrayal to tell him, but jeepers bleepers it feels like a betrayal not telling him.

  Mitch stops, our held hands pulling me to stop alongside him. “I want to tell my mom and dad.”

  I swallow. “We’re waiting for everything to settle down, remember? With your dad’s plan, we shouldn’t have to wait long.”

  Mitch shakes his head, my hand releasing from his grip. “It seems to make less and less sense. I feel like I’m missing something here, Tara.”

  Something tightens in my chest. How do I answer that?

  Mitch takes a step forward, those eyes watching me, knowing me. “I don’t want to treat us like some dirty secret.”

  That feeling twists, becoming almost painful. Mitch deserves so much better than this. He deserves the truth. I just need a little more time and then the emotion that sparks between us can be on beautiful display. I look at him, not knowing how to explain this without betraying my father.

  One word whispers past my lips. “Soon?”

  Mitch studies me for long seconds. I know he can read that this is more complicated than I’m telling him, that this is hard for me too.

  He looks up at the arch of greens above us, holds it there and then his gaze settles back on me. “Fine.”

  Relief has me smiling, love has my heart swelling. Defs going to have to try and bottle this guy. “Thank you.”

  Mitch turns and starts to walk down the path. Over his shoulder he says one last thing. “Just remember, patience is Noah’s thing, not so much mine.”

  I let my gaze travel down his back, pause, then come back up to catch his eye. “Luckily you have other strengths.”

  Mitch shakes his head, but he’s grinning as he disappears around the bend. The instant he’s gone I feel the tension unravel, maybe splinter would be a better word. Despite what Mitch just said, he’s patient. But he’s telling me that this limbo I’ve put us in won’t last.

  I hurry back to the car, where Dad is waiting — the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. In the car I tuck my hands into my lap, gripping them tightly. I’m going to take a leaf out of Adelle’s book — How to Get What You Want from Your Alpha.

  “It’s sad that Noah wasn’t there.”

  Dad grunts, and I wait but he doesn’t contribute.

  Trying to keep it casual I suck in a shallow breath, deciding that meagre shot of courage will have to do. “Mitch is doing a good job of stepping up in the meantime.”

  Dad grunts again and I wait…again. Nothing. It’s silence that accompanies us the rest of the way home. I spend the whole evening, every moment between then and when I go to bed, analyzing that one gruff sound. Yeah, I see what you mean? Oh, I hadn’t realized you had feelings for him, but now that you mention it, you two would make a fine bonded couple? I’m not really paying attention to you because I have bigger things on my plate than a girl’s, first born or not, impossible crush?

  But as I close my eyes I finally admit to myself…I have no idea what it meant…and I was too scared to ask.