Cracked by Vanessa North

twins, of course, was there, even uncle Ted had come up from Maryland. Graham and Ellen were there, Kathy sitting between them, and Annie perched at the end of the long conference table, gesturing madly while talking to Fionn. Around the table, pack representatives serving in the national wolf government had taken seats.
    Sarita sat down next to Mac, while Angelo went to speak to Graham. Biting her lip, she watched the two men greet each other, their wolves tightly controlled. She knew her mate had been worried about this conversation. Graham was a big part of his desire to avoid re-affiliation. A tightness in Graham’s expression hinted at his own wariness. She watched, trying not to intrude on Angelo’s thoughts, as both men relaxed, and finally Graham stood and embraced Angelo.
    Intrude? Love, you would never intrude Angelo teased as he made his way back to her side.
    Mac and Gerard had been her constant companions since the night of the full moon. They brought her coffee in the morning, or took her to the cafeteria to get it herself, and stayed with her while she worked, not even complaining about the smells of her photo chemistry. Mac had rigged up a security system on the door to her suite. He’d set the alarm to ring in his own room just down the hall should Sarita’s door open without her disabling the system. A few days before, the Ahne had called and left her a lilting message of thanks for the beautiful vessel, with an invitation to visit and witness a ceremony sometime. Sarita shuddered at the memory of that cold voice and veiled threat.
    “Hiya, Littlebit.” Her uncle Ted stood over her. She grinned, standing to hug him. “Congrats on your mating. Angelo is a fierce wolf.” He winked.
    “Thanks, Teddy.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
    “How’s Kathy?” he asked, looking down the table toward the little wolf. Sarita saw something in his expression, remembering Angelo had mentioned Ted and Kathy had been close before “the betrayal” as her parents insisted on calling it. Melodrama much?
    “C’mon, come say hi. She’s been so lonely for such a long time.” Sarita pulled her uncle over to Kathy. “Hey, Kath.” She smiled, “Ted was just asking after you. I thought he should come say hello.”
    Sheepishly, Ted looked down at his feet before looking back up at his old friend. “Hi,” he whispered. There was an undercurrent of tension in his expression, and Sarita realized he was tapping their long-severed connection. Ducking her head, she turned to walk away, taking one last look over her shoulder.
    Kathy’s troubled look disappeared, and she smiled at Ted with genuine warmth. “Hi. Thanks.” Then she grew quiet again, but they maintained eye contact as they conversed silently. The expression on Ted’s face as he leaned closer to Kathy made Sarita feel like she was trespassing.
    “That was good of you,” Mac said quietly. “I’m sorry I treated her badly when she first got here.”
    “It’s okay, Mac. She knows you care now. Did you make a link with her?”
    “She is as my little sister.” He smiled, “She opened herself to me. I’m not worried for you. I trust her.”
    “She could have been lying.” Angelo looked carefully at the younger man.
    “Yes. I suppose she could have been. But I chose to trust her, because Gerard and Sarita do.” Mac leveled an icy glare back at Angelo.
    “Good.” Angelo grinned. “I trust her too. Goddess help me, but I do.”
    Fionn moved to the front of the room, scratching absently at the back of his head. In spite of his years of prominence in Were politics, he still seemed like an awkward boy at times. It was part of his immeasurable charm, the way he put people at ease.
    “Hey, everyone, thanks for coming.” His voice resonated throughout all of them, and their attention was immediately riveted. “A few nights ago, while we ran under the full moon, a First Blood approached Sarita and her mate, her friends, and her