Page 61

Nigel keeps staring at me, and I don’t care anymore. If he wants to tell everyone my secret, he can go for it. He’d only expose and ostracize himself from the group. But the guilt eats at me, and I have to suppress this nagging feeling that somehow, I will lose Maison.

Naomi’s positioned right between Ezra and Micah, each barely sparing her a glance and she cuts a glare at me every chance she gets.

Let her look.

I suppose that’s the consequence of jumping between two guys. In the end, they both lose interest in you, although Ezra signals for her to sit with him. He bends down and whispers something in her ear, and she smiles and leans into him. And I can’t help but wonder what Micah’s reaction might be.

Nothing, apparently. He’s laser-focused with that knife in his hand, etching a sharp tip out of wood. And for what? It’s not like we don’t have enough of them. He makes them every damn night.

Suddenly, Ezra stands. “Now that everyone is back, it’s time for a group meeting.” Micah’s attention snags as he briefly stops his woodworking and arches a brow. Likely because of Ezra taking charge when everyone knows who we will actually listen to. Micah holds an amused smirk for a moment before drifting his attention down to his task, evidently ignoring Ezra’s attempts at leadership. Ezra continues anyway and circles the group, “We should investigate the island to determine the situation we’re really dealing with. This may not be the best spot.”

Chatter erupts from the group, especially the four who just arrived. “We just got here, man,” James speaks for his group. He’s sitting with his knees up, and his back against a log, with Ollie, Nathan, and Serena close by. “We’re staying put for a few days, at least. That airplane spot was brutal. Someone else can go.” I catch Serena give him a look, and one I recognize. It’s the same look she gives Maison, and I stop to wonder… He’s not that much younger than her, only a year. He’s intelligent, strong, and has earned respect. He wouldn’t be the worst guy to hold on to here, plus I’m happy it’s not Maison on the receiving end of that longing look.

I grip Maison’s leg and shift beneath him. “Did you know about this?” I whisper.

“Just let him talk, baby.”

Ezra grimaces his mouth at me. His hair is longer now, greased down and wiry as it hangs over his twisted, angular face. “Stop fucking whining. It’s what’s best for everyone. Let’s resolve this before winter comes.”

Naomi grins, and I consider suggesting Nigel go with them. I don’t disagree with his premise, but telling anyone they have to go out there? Leave the safety of our numbers and sleep in the forest when temperatures are plummeting?

It’s savage.

I narrow my eyes and shoot to my feet. “I found this place, so I’ve done my part, Ezra. I don’t have to listen to you.”

Maison stands up with me. “If London goes, I go.”

I glance at Micah, who’s barely lifts his head. He blows on his spear and a cloud of dust forms around it.

Ezra shakes his head, keeping his scowl firmly planted on his face. “No, we can’t risk anything happening to you, Maison. We need you to hunt, and she’s expendable.” He gestures toward Jade, who’s now moved over to sit with a sulking Nigel. “You two are expendable as well.”

“Expendable. Is that what we are to each other?” I say, trying to stay composed, but a blinding panic takes over, for myself and those who get stuck going.

A smile spreads across Ezra’s face. “Micah and I discussed it; it’s what’s best for everyone. The three of you contribute the least.”

Micah. Of course it was Micah, and he won’t even look at me. Is he retaliating because I pushed him away at the cove?

Micah finally stands, apparently interested in participating in this conversation. “Colder weather is coming, and if we aren’t fully prepared, we won’t survive out here. We should look for a better spot on the island. We have to look for caves, anything to help protect us from the elements.” He shoots a look to Ezra. “We won’t force anyone, but we need two people to step up.”

Ezra glares back at him. “That’s not what we just discussed.”

He shrugs. “I changed my mind, and London has a point. We have no right to force people.”

Huh? I’m… right?

“Yes, we fucking do, man,” Ezra says, waving his hands. “This is our island. What we say goes, and this isn’t a fucking democracy. We need to step up and take charge. Tasks won’t always be as enjoyable as gathering wood and berries.”

Micah faces Ezra, half an inch taller, just as intimidating. “I’m in charge,” he snaps, “that is what we all agreed on. You would be fucking dead already if it wasn’t for me. And I said, I changed my fucking mind.”

Ezra steps forward, his rage blazing. “No, we wouldn’t be dead, and we wouldn’t be stuck eating rodents, either.” He points at the storage area a few feet away, covered in the tarp and meticulously organized, as if someone is keeping inventory. “The food can sustain us until we’re rescued.”

Maison’s sitting stone cold beside me as Ezra glances at him for help. Ezra then faces Micah, his head a mere inch from the other. But Micah doesn’t back down; in fact, he seems to double down on his resolve. “Does everyone not agree with that?” Ezra says, looking at the rest of the group. “Why are we letting that food go to waste when we’re starving?”

My heart tenses. It’s not the time for them to fight while leading us. My shoulders stiffen, and Maison squeezes my hand, hinting at me not to get involved. Another crack in leadership within the two alphas, it seems.

I can’t keep my mouth shut. “It’s not our island actually, it belongs to someone, the US government most likely, unless we landed in Canada.”

It’s Naomi who speaks this time. “Shut up, London.”