Dire

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “You didn’t answer. Are you down for sharing? I don’t want to end up with any of the others. Too many idiots.” Denny slung his canvas bag onto his back.

  “Sure.” I looked at Marni. She’d unofficially become my boss when Hunter wasn’t around.

  “Don’t try anything stupid, Gage.” She watched me solemnly. It took some effort not to laugh. “I won’t be far.”

  “Me?” I put a hand to my chest. “Would I ever do anything stupid?”

  “Yes.” She rolled her eyes. “Sometimes your stupid behavior makes sense, but it’s stupid nonetheless. Lay low and let us get settled.”

  “Settled? Is that what you’re calling it?”

  Chet laughed. I was earning points by the minute. Good. “We’ll see you later.” He took Marni’s hand, and they walked into one of the small cabins.

  “Ready, roommate?” Denny asked.

  “Why the hell not?” I glanced around before walking through the small doorway into the house.

  The place was as small as I expected, but if there were only going to be two of us it was fine. There was one large central room downstairs with a ladder leading up to a loft.

  I climbed up to find a bunk bed. “I call top.”

  “Fine.” Denny tossed his bag down. “Thanks.”

  “You’re thanking me for giving you the bottom bunk?” That would be a first. I’d spent enough summers in camp to know no one actually wanted the bottom bunk.

  “No, for agreeing. I didn’t want to get stuck with Semi.”

  “Is he that bad?”

  “I made the mistake of bunking with him once. Not something I’d suggest, but he’s better than some of the others. You haven’t really met the nomads yet, have you?”

  “I’m guessing I don’t want to.” I climbed back down the ladder.

  Denny followed. “No. They’re weird. Weirder than me. ”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  “The girl, Hunter’s girl, she was yours?” He followed down behind me.

  “Yes.” I tried to keep my expression neutral.

  “If you still care about her, try to keep her away from those guys too. They won’t touch her because she’s Hunter’s, but that doesn’t mean they won’t creep her out. They chased away more than a few girls of mine. At least they won’t be around too much. They’ll be out in the woods within the hour.”

  “They’ve chased away girls?” Somehow I couldn’t picture Denny with a girlfriend.

  “That’s part of why I live on my own usually. I don’t want to put up with everyone else.”

  “But the ones you don’t like aren’t with the pack either.”

  “Doesn’t mean I like the people who are with the pack. Besides, I like my own space. It’s not like I stay with the other nomads. We all find our own places.”

  “Did you camp out?”

  “I usually build myself a small shelter or find a cave or something. I know you’re new to the whole Dire thing, but living off the earth will come easier to you now. It’s natural.”

  “Cool.”

  “Do you drink?”

  “Like alcohol?”

  “What else would I mean?” He pulled out a flask.

  “Then, yes.” I’d learned not to assume anything anymore.

  “I’ve got plenty with me, want some?” He held out the flask.

  “What is it?” I looked out the single dusty window in the room. This cabin hadn’t been used in a while.

  “It’s whiskey. The good stuff. I made a big batch myself before we left.”

  “Thanks.” I accepted the flask. I didn’t actually want the liquor, but I wanted Denny as an ally. I had to think strategically. It was the only chance Mary Anne and I had. I took a long sip before passing the flask back to him.

  “I’m going to get through this week.”

  “Why’s a hundred bucks so important to you?”

  “It’s not the money. I refuse to let my sister win.”

  “Ok.” I could understand that.

  “Want to go for a hunt?” He took another swig from the flask.

  “Does that still count as staying around?”

  “Yeah. Hunter’s going to expect it.”

  “Ok, good.” I needed to run. My Dire side craved it.

  ***

  “A campfire?” I asked incredulously. “Are you serious?” We’d only been gone an hour, and I hadn’t expected to find a fire when we returned, especially since the weather was so much warmer.

  “What?” Denny seemed surprised by my reaction. “You’ve never had one before?”

  “Of course I have, but we’re Dires. We eat meat raw. Why bother with it?”

  “Why not?” He walked toward the fire pit that must have been left over from when the place was actually a camp. “It’s a way to bring everyone together.”

  “I’m surprised I’m allowed then. Hunter usually wants to keep me apart. Besides, won’t the fire draw attention? Isn’t that what we’re trying to avoid?”

  “But we’re going to be here awhile. He’s going to set the tone. Either you get used to being with the pack or you leave. And we’re a ways from civilization.”

  “I don’t have the option to leave.”

  “Sure you do.”

  “I’d die.”

  “So, that’s still an option.”

  “Isn’t my brother the best?” Marni put a hand on my shoulder. She was all smiles. She and Chet hadn’t spent their time running.

  “He’s growing on me.” He was. He was quiet in his Dire form. I appreciated that. Talking was fine sometimes but not when transformed, that’s when I wanted to be alone. “So what happens now? We don’t sing camp songs, do we?”

  “You didn’t tell him yet?” Chet arrived looking equally as happy. At least he didn’t look ready to kill me anymore. It’s amazing what sex can do for a man. I pushed that thought away quickly. I couldn’t think about the last few times I’d had it. I was already missing Mary Anne like crazy.

  “Tell me what?”

  “About the charades.”

  “Very funny.”

  “Come on, man.” Chet patted my back. The sex must have been really good. “We’re going to eat, set up the new rules, and hang out. It’s not that hard to understand.”

  “When’s Hunter going to get here?” I hadn’t seen him and Mary Anne since we first arrived.

  “He went out for a run a while ago.”

  “Where’s Mary Anne?” I was surprised he’d leave her alone.

  “In her cabin I’d think.” Chet shrugged. “I haven’t seen her.”

  I was so tempted to go find her and talk, but that wouldn’t help. I couldn’t act until the time was right. “Okay, just wondering.”

  “I assure you Hunter didn’t leave her in harm’s way.” There was a sarcastic edge to Denny’s voice I didn’t completely understand.

  “I figured that much.”

  I turned as I heard a door open. My hearing was so much stronger now. Mary Anne walked out of the furthest cabin. She saw me and then looked down at the ground. I hated that. I hated that she was afraid to look at me.

  She walked toward the fire and stopped a little ways from us.

  “Hey.” Marni smiled.

  “Hey.” Mary Anne didn’t make eye contact with her either. She really believed there was something between us.

  “What have you been up to? Already bored out of your mind?” Chet asked her.

  “Not any worse than I was.”

  “At least it’s warmer here.” It was the first time we’d spoken since my change. Talking about the weather wasn’t the conversation I wanted to have with her, but it seemed safe enough.

  She was startled by my comment. “Yeah. It’s definitely warmer.”

  “And no more snow.”

  She brushed some of her hair behind her ear. “That’s true. We can be outside more.”

  She smiled. “I never thought I’d be discussing the weather with you again.”

  “Yeah, well
.” I shrugged. What else was there to say? Of course there were a million things I wanted to say, but I couldn’t say any of them.

  “Have you seen Hunter?” Marni nodded to her. “I’m surprised the two of you have come up for air.”

  And like that the spell was broken. Mary Anne’s smile faded and she was back to looking at the ground. “I haven’t seen him in hours,” she mumbled.

  I glared at Marni. Was that necessary? She ignored me. “You’d know if you’d finally go through with the mating.”

  “Whatever.” Mary Anne walked off back toward the cabins.

  “What was that?” I scowled at Marni. “Did you have to upset her?”

  “You two can’t do this.”

  “Do what? We were talking about the weather.”

  “You were flirting. If Hunter saw that he’d have been pissed.”

  “They were not.” Chet shook his head. “Are you sure it’s Hunter’s feelings that matter?”

  “What the hell are you implying?” She put a hand on her hip.

  “You know what I’m implying. Gage didn’t do anything wrong there, and neither did Mary Anne. I thought you liked the girl. Why did you have to embarrass her like that?”

  “I’m trying to make sure she does what she promised. Don’t you want me as your mate?” She glowered at Chet. “That can’t happen until they are official.”

  “Bullshit. I know you well enough to know what you’re doing.” Chet stormed off. Moments later he shifted and ran off into the woods.

  “He’s such a jerk.”

  “Just like your brother is, right?” I was beginning to realize that Marni was good at putting down everyone else.

  I struggled with whether to talk to Mary Anne again. She must have gone back inside her little cottage because I didn’t see her.

  Suddenly a wolf emerged from the forest. He had a silver streak running down his back.

  “Where is everyone?” Hunter stepped into his pants.

  “Around,” Marni snapped before running off.

  “What’s up with her?” Hunter asked.

  “Who knows?” I wasn’t going to tattle.

  “Has Mary Anne come out at all?”

  “Yeah. She went back in though.”

  “Thanks.” Hunter strode right over to his cottage. Lucky. I wished I were going to see her. Time wasn’t making anything easier, and knowing she was sharing not only a room, but a separate cabin with Hunter just pissed me off more.

  Hunter stormed out two minutes later. “She’s not there. You said she was inside.”

  “I assumed she was.”

  “Assumed?” He pulled me toward him by my collar. “You didn’t say that.”

  “She was here and then she left.”

  “And you didn’t notice where she went?”

  “I’m not supposed to notice her every movement, am I?” I was as panicked as him, but I tried not to show it. Instead I let it come out in annoyance.

  He released my shirt. “Who else was here when she was?”

  “Marni and Chet.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yes. Denny had already left, and I haven’t seen anyone else.”

  “This doesn’t make sense. She wouldn’t run off. Especially not without you.”

  I hid the smile that wanted to come out when he said that. Mary Anne was missing. It wasn’t the time to smile because Hunter acknowledged her attachment to me.

  “Everyone out here now!” Hunter yelled. Moments later most of the Dires were assembled around the fire.

  “Where is Mary Anne?” Hunter asked immediately. “Who’s seen her?”

  “She was just here.” Chet looked at Marni. “When I went for a run she was by the fire.”

  “I didn’t see her leave either,” Marni said far softer than I’d ever heard her talk. “Have you checked your house?”

  “Of course I have. She couldn’t have gone far if she’s alone.” Hunter’s eyes darted around the edge of the woods.

  “And Gage is still here.” Semi scowled. “So she wouldn’t have left.”

  Hunter frowned. It was one thing for him to say it, but another for anyone else to echo that.

  “Where’s Denny?” Marni asked.

  “He ran off a little while before she came out,” I said mostly to myself.

  “Any chance she’s with him?” Hunter asked more calmly than I expected.

  “They haven’t even really met. Why would she go anywhere with him?” Semi asked.

  “Denny kind of has a way with people.” Marni got a far off look. “He can be as annoying as hell, but he’s also good at making people feel better.”

  “Why would she need to feel better?” Hunter narrowed his eyes. “She was doing fine when I last saw her.”

  “Marni upset her.” Chet didn’t meet her eyes. “Whether it was intentional or not, it was obvious she was upset about it.”

  “I’m going to shift. Maybe Denny didn’t hear my call.” In a blur Hunter ran off into the woods.

  I hoped Marni’s hunch was right. I didn’t know Denny well, but I’d much rather Mary Anne have been with him than nearly anyone else.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mary Anne

  Walking into the woods wasn’t a good idea, but it was better than waiting with people that didn’t even want me around. Talking to Gage had been surreal. It had been so normal, but he hadn’t refuted anything Marni said. He was playing nice, but things would be easier for him if I wasn’t around. The only thing he needed me for was to make sure Hunter finished things off. After that he could move on. Obviously we’d still see each other, but it would be to talk about mundane things—like the weather. At least he was alive. Everything was worth that. He seemed happy enough, and he didn’t seem angry. Not the way he was in my dream. That dream. I groaned to myself. I still couldn’t shake the images.

  I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone was following. I couldn’t imagine Hunter had really left me to myself. He’d said he trusted me, but I figured he’d rationalize a guard by saying he was protecting me from someone else. I could still see the outline of the cabins. I hadn’t wandered that far.

  “Are you going to stand there all day?” a male voice I couldn’t place called.

  “Who are you?”

  “It’s Denny.”

  “Oh, hi.” I took a few steps further into the woods. I’d only met Denny for a second at the Saber’s house, but I knew he was Marni’s brother.

  “Oh, hi to you as well.” He looked up from where he was bundling branches.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m planning where to build my shelter. I’m doing a week bunking with your buddy before I move out here. Normally I wouldn’t stay so close, but it becomes swamp land real quick.”

  “You’re building a house out here?” I wrapped my arms around myself.

  “A shelter, but kind of like a house.”

  “A tree house?”

  “You sound excited about that.”

  “My dad built me the most amazing tree house when I was a kid.” Tears welled as I thought about all the work he put into it.

  “And someone ripped it down?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “It’s still there.”

  “Then why are you crying?”

  “I’m not crying.” I tried to blink back the tears.

  “You’re crying. Why?” He set aside the branches and looked at me closely. “You can tell me.”

  “I miss my dad.”

  “I see. I miss mine too.”

  “Really?”

  “Why does that surprise you? Dires have families too.”

  “Why don’t you live with them? Why aren’t they part of this pack?”

  His face darkened. “Because they’re dead.”

  “I’m so sorry!” I was an idiot. Of course. Marni had told me how few Dires were left, yet I had to say something that stupid to him?

  “Don’t be. You’re going to make sure no more die, right? Isn’t that
why you’re here?” There was hope in his voice that made me feel guilty. Why were people relying on me to do something I had no idea how to do?

  I groaned. “Do you really think I’m going to be able to help anything?”

  “I hope so. Otherwise all Hunter gets is a pretty mate.”

  “I need to convince him he has the wrong girl.”

  “How do you know he does?” He put his hands in the pockets of his low slung jeans.

  “I don’t, but he also doesn’t know I’m the right one.”

  “He seems to think you are.”

  “Because I look like the girl in his dreams.”

  “He seems to think you are the girl in his dreams. Otherwise, why are you here? He wouldn’t settle for anyone else. ”

  “I’m sure I’m exactly what he was hoping for.” I sat down on a fallen tree.

  “You seem really down on yourself. Are you always this self-deprecating or is it a recent thing?”

  “You say exactly what’s on your mind.”

  “I do. Most of the time.”

  “You’d love my friend Genevieve.” I found I missed her more than I’d expected. She was so predictable in all the best ways, and I needed predictable in my current situation.

  “Why?” He leaned back against a tree. “Why would I like her?”

  “She seems a lot like you.”

  “Don’t opposites attract?”

  “Not always. Sometimes similar minded people do.”

  “And what are you and Hunter? Or should I say which?”

  “How should I know? I barely know him.”

  “That’s a bit of a problem isn’t it?” He took a swig from a flask. “I mean, you are going to be mated to him for life.”

  “He hasn’t given me a chance to get to know him.”

  “Are you sure you’ve given him an opportunity to get to know you?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” I stood up. “Can I at least help you build your shelter?” Manual labor would help take my mind of things. I needed to clear my head.

  “I doubt Hunter would mind, so sure.”

  “You like him.” I looked over Denny’s accumulated branches. “Hunter.”

  “Yeah. He’s a good Alpha. Better than most.”

  “He’s the first I’ve met so…”