The Pack and The Ruffian

Trouble

Mya woke with Taylor curled into her side. Taylor’s hand was on her breast and her breathing even. They’d slept for the first time in a long while. She kissed Taylor’s head and gently moved out of her grasp. She stood and, after using the bathroom, made her way downstairs. She was surprised to see the front door open, and the smell of coffee was in the air. She walked to the pot and poured a cup, then made her way to the open door. Tris sat on the steps, a cup in both hands, as she looked out over the mountain and lake. Mya leaned against the door frame and let the silence stretch. She knew Tris had heard her.

“I can picture her here,” Tris said, so quietly Mya had to strain to hear. “I can see her sitting out on the dock there, a rod in her hand, just relaxing. Or chasing a little kid around the yard.” She laughed when she heard Mya gasp. “You didn’t know.” It wasn’t a question. “The alpha is not the only wolf that can make babies.” Sadness filled her voice. “She would have been a great mom. Sometimes when I took a moment to think about her without the noise of work or my mom in my ear, I’d pick up the phone, and then I’d think of what I’d bring back into her life and I’d just not make the call. I regret that so much.”

Mya pushed the baby news aside. She’d have to check with Taylor first. She sat down next to Tris, unable to ignore the pain she heard in the smaller woman’s voice. “Jane wanted to call you too. I was with her, at least four times when she picked up the phone too. But she was scared too. She didn’t want your mom to make things difficult for you.” She went on her instinct and placed a hand on the other woman’s back, she rubbed it lightly up and down. “She was the best of us. When Tay was upset, or in a bad mood, she’d know exactly how to get her into a good mood, or just cheer her up. Once, she and I broke one of Tay’s vases, her favorite. We went into town to buy the exact one. She assured me Tay wouldn’t notice.” Mya laughed. “Of course, she knew the second she looked at it.” Mya heard Taylor behind them and smiled up at her. “Taylor kicked us out of the house. And instead of being upset, Jane took my hand and led me to the lake. We swam and played like kids.”

“That turned out to be the best day,” Tay continued. Tris turned so she could look up at Taylor too. “I couldn’t stay away from their laughter and ended up joining them.” Taylor smiled sadly. “She had a way to make everything better.”

“Her memory, and a piece of her, will always be with you,” Tris said. “The little one is a gift.” Taylor’s eyes flicked between Tris and Mya.

“She told me.” Mya laughed. Realizing that Taylor was worried about not being the one that told her, “It’s okay. I’ve been an ass these past few weeks.” Mya stood. “But it’s true?”

“Yes.” Taylor smiled. “It’s true.” She laughed when Mya swept her up and spun her around.

“I’ll give you two some time alone.”

“No, don’t go. I’ll make breakfast, you two sit and relax.” Taylor said. “Mya, your phone beeped. You might want to check that Sam doesn’t need you.”

“I will,” Mya said, light back in her eyes, which Taylor hadn’t seen in a while.

As Mya rushed up the stairs, Tris stood. “May I ask something?” Tris stood on the bottom step and looked up at Taylor.

“Of course.”

“Am I right in thinking that Mya blames herself for what happened to Jane?”

“Yes,” Taylor said warily. “But it wasn’t…”

“I know.” Tris nodded. “Jane died the way she would have wanted to, protecting, fighting, and with honor.”

“How do you know that?” Taylor asked. She knew neither she nor Mya told Tris what had happened.

“I stopped at Emily’s pack on the way over here. Spoke to her and the council leader in Amber City. They told me what happened.” Tris stepped closer to Taylor. “Mya will realize it too. In her own time.”

“Thank you.” Taylor wiped a tear off her cheek. “Come on, if I know Sam, Mya won’t have a lot of time to make breakfast.” She led Tris inside and went to the kitchen.

“We need to skip breakfast here. We’ll grab something in the compound. Sam needs us.” Mya looked down from the top of the stairs.

“Hunter, Ash, and Michelle are back. Paine took Gem.”

“What?” Taylor dropped her cup on the counter and spilled her coffee.

“Go, I’ll clean up here. Go.” Tris said.

Taylor wanted to argue, but all she could think about was that Hunter was in their shoes, and they needed to find Gem before they lost her too. “Thank you,” Taylor said and rushed up the stairs to shower and change.

Tris looked after them. They’d lost so much, and yet when there was trouble, they were ready and willing to help their Alpha. Now they had something to look forward to too. But she knew it was sad too, knowing Jane wouldn’t see her son or daughter grow up. But the kid had the best parents and they’d be the happiest, safest kid. She resolved to help in any way that she could to bring joy back into their lives. For Jane.