Wild Hunger (The Phoenix Pack, #7)(21)

“It’s a big place.” Throwing the car into gear, she continued up the trail. “How many wolves are there in your pack?”

“We don’t just have wolves. We also have a raven, a viper, and a cheetah. In total there are twenty-six of us—that’s twenty adults, one juvenile, and five young ones.”

“Young ones?”

“Why do you sound freaked by that?”

“Kids scare me.”

Trick felt his brow crease even as he smiled. “How could kids possibly scare you?”

“I don’t know. They just do.” They always acted weird around her. Plus she didn’t have any younger siblings or cousins, so she wasn’t used to being around kids. “How many of you were part of the first generation, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Of course I don’t mind you asking. It’s pack business, but you are pack. Of the original seventeen, thirteen of us are left. Two died, two transferred to another pack.”

“And one of those who died was Iris’s mate, my . . . um, grandfather?”

“No. Alfie and Iris stayed with the Bjorn Pack. I’m guessing you did your research on the pack and you know why it split?” He would have in her position. At her nod, Trick went on. “They didn’t stay behind because they agreed with Rick Coleman’s decision; it was because they were worried that he’d stop them from visiting Christopher’s grave if they left. Rick would have done that. He was an asshole that way. I thought they might move here when another Alpha took Rick’s place, but they didn’t. Iris recently joined the Phoenix Pack to spend what time she has left with Lydia.” Trick spotted the iPhone in the cup holder. “That your cell?”

Frankie blinked at the abrupt change of subject. “Um, yeah. Hey, don’t play with it,” she said as he grabbed it, but it was too late.

“There. Done.”

She frowned. “What’s done?”

“My number is programmed in your phone.” Trick then called his own cell using hers. “And now I have your number.”

“Don’t you think maybe you should ask before you do shit like that?”

“Would you have told me your number?”

“Sure. It’s 911—but only dial it in an emergency.”

He chuckled. “I do enjoy your sense of humor, Frankie.” It surprised him that she had a playful side, since her maternal family had always seemed so serious. Even her mother, though gentle and kind, had never really been playful, from what he could remember. He pointed to an opening in the base of the mountain. “Go in there.”

She drove through the opening in the cliff and found herself inside a cleverly concealed parking lot. Impressed, she lifted her brows. “Where do I park?”

“Anywhere.”

She whipped her Audi into a spot and switched off the engine. “So is there anything I need to know? I mean, are there rituals to this sort of thing? I don’t have to kneel before the Alphas, do I? Because that won’t happen.”

He smiled. “No, you don’t need to kneel before anyone. Just listen to your wolf; she’ll know what to do.”

Hopping out of the car, Frankie looked at the collection of vehicles. The pack sure did like SUVs. She should have objected when Trick linked his fingers with hers and tugged her outside, but she didn’t. And she couldn’t have said why.

At the foot of the narrow stairway, Trick said, “After you.” Then he could stare at her ass as they climbed. Happy days. Halfway up, she stopped to look around. He frowned and asked, “You all right?”

“Yeah. I’ve just never been to a place like this. Never seen anything like it. My wolf wants out. She wants to roam and explore. I don’t blame her—it’s really amazing.”

It was good that she thought so, Trick mused, because it would be her home soon enough. “Later, after you’ve spoken to the pack and seen Iris, I’ll give you a tour.” He splayed his hand on her lower back and gently urged her on, and they started walking again. “Do your grandparents know you’re here?”

“No.” Frankie hadn’t told Brad either. She’d called him this morning, tiptoed around the subject of Lydia, and agreed to meet with him later that day. “They won’t be happy about it.”

“There’s no point in living to make other people happy, Frankie. We’re all responsible for own happiness anyway.” Finally they reached the main entrance to the caves. He carefully shouldered past her and rested a hand on the door. “Ready?”

Frankie rolled back her shoulders. “As I’ll ever be.” He opened the door, gesturing for her to enter first, and she suddenly found herself inside a large tunnel. It wasn’t dark and dull, as she might have expected. The smooth walls were light-cream sandstone that seemed to illuminate the tunnels, and she briefly skimmed her fingers along them.

“Everyone’s waiting in the living area.” Trick led her through the network of tunnels, keeping his pace slow so she could get a good look around.

As he guided her into the living area, everyone stood. It reminded him of the time when the juvenile of the pack, Zac, had first arrived. Ryan’s young cousin had been staying at the shelter where Makenna worked until they brought him into the pack. Maybe Zac was remembering it too, because his voice cut through the awkward silence.