Werehuman

Magic Microwave

"I guess you're not coming home with us," Brian remarked. "Lucky bastard. You have good alphas here."

"We're not alphas, we're people," Mel retorted. "But enough of that. Ralph is headed into town in search of a door, and I'm going down to the barn to move cow carcasses. You all are welcome to join." She paused. "I'm sorry about Avery. We are truly grateful for rescuing our daughter."

"It won't be the first time we've lost pack mates," Aidan sighed. "And it won't be the last. For being immortal, we don't live very long." He gave Mel a smile. "And I wouldn't presume to speak for my brother, but I know I'm grateful for the opportunity here, if we take it."

The table was abuzz with activity as we shuffled around, refilled coffee and discussed quietly where each of our pack would be helping. Daria went back to bed; her jaw was still far too sore for any of those activities. I ended up with Katie finishing up the dishes, and then we headed to the chicken coop. Brian waved at us as Ralph backed up the drive and they left for town. Keith and Casey were nowhere to be seen.

"Poor chickens," Katie mused, throwing some seed down for them. "They've had a hard week, haven't they?"

"I'm not sure that chickens can actually remember a whole week," I noted. "How are you doing today?"

"I have to keep reminding myself that Marcus and Timothy are dead," she answered. "My little brother wasn't a bad kid. The worst thing he's ever done is listen to Marcus, and that's not a sin to die for, is it?"

"I'm sorry," I said.

"He did nothing when Heather tormented me," she remarked. "Nothing at all. But that's not...he didn't have to die."

"I'm sorry," I repeated.

"I keep running last night in my head and there's nothing I could have done for him," she said. "If he had stayed inside, then maybe. But he would have killed you for Marcus and then who knows what would have happened to Susie Lynn."

"Katie, stop."

She was throwing the chicken feed so hard the hens around us were squawking with displeasure. I put a hand on her shoulder and led her out of the coop. I couldn't change the past; reliving it over and over wouldn't change the fact that her pack was dead. Katie didn't say anything more, and I wished I could comfort her better.

Aidan and Mel were hauling two cows out of the corral with a backhoe. Mel was driving and Aidan shouting directions, helping guide her through the posts. Katie wrinkled her nose up at the smell.

"Just a little farther," Aidan called. "And you'll be clear."

Mel rolled farther and the cows were pulled toward the previously dug pit. Ralph and she must have worked yesterday morning trying to clean the farm of the damage. My stomach knotted when I thought of Marcus threating my family, but reminded myself firmly that it was over.

"How can we help?" Katie called.

"Could one of you check on Susie Lynn?" Mel asked. "We're done here; I just have push the dirt back over them and park the backhoe. Conor, could you keep an eye out for Susie's cat? I haven't seen him since yesterday."

"Will do," I promised.

I left Katie with Aidan to run up to the house. Keith and Casey were in the kitchen, startling me when I walked in. They both looked up; Keith still seemed angry and Casey had a furrow between her eyes, worried about something.

"Where's Brian?" Keith asked. "I saw the others."

"He went to town with Ralph," I responded. "They should be back soon."