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After a few more seconds, she was instructed to set it down and the next woman was called forward. Just like the first woman, she was instructed to pick up the rock and hold it for a few seconds.
Again, nothing happened and she was excused. Eleanor watched five women go through the same process with immense confusion.
She decided to ask the last woman who had just been excused what the hell was going on in her house. She hurried after the woman, hoping to intercept her before she got too far.
Eleanor had descended the front steps and was only a few feet from the woman when she saw someone walking down the driveway towards the house.
She wanted to turn around and slink into her bedroom, but it was too late. He’d seen her already. Elder Tony. The undisputed worst of the bunch.
He frowned maliciously. “Well, what do we have here?”
Eleanor felt an icy chill run up her back, but opted for civility instead. “Good morning, elder Tony. Would you be kind enough to tell me what’s going on here?”
Tony watched her with what looked like silent contempt for a few moments, as if he was considering whether to answer her questions or not.
Eventually, he said, “I can’t decide which is worse, the fact that you don’t know what’s going on here, or how disheveled you look right now.”
Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Ugh! Can’t you just tell me? It’s not like I’m expected to know about everything that happens here, am I?”
“Not everything,” he retorted. “Just the important stuff.” He waved his hands in exasperation. “I mean, you’d know what was going on in the town if you bothered to spend some time among your own pack members.”
Here we go, Eleanor thought, feeling sick to her stomach.Not been here five minutes and I’m already getting my first lecture of the day.
Tony said, “You spend all your time traveling to these human towns, partying, having fun, and mixing with humans. You risk exposure and you do so with flagrant disregard. Half the time, nobody has the slightest idea where you are or what you’re doing, not even your brother.
“Is that really the life you want for yourself? Centuries ago, our people were hunted and killed by these humans. This is why we stay close to our own. This is why we stick together. This is the way of the pack. Why can’t you fall in line like everyone else?”
Eleanor had no patience for it. Not today. “How many times do I need to tell you for you to get it? All of you?” she snapped. “I’m not like everyone else, elder Tony. I choose not to spend my life in fear and cowardice, hiding like prey.
“I’m not the prey. I will not hide in fear like the rest of you do. I’m not a child, and you don’t get to tell me what to do. Not you, not Mom, not Dad. And certainly not Xander. So, are you going to tell me what the hell is going on in our home, or do I have to find someone else who will?”
Tony’s face grew red like a ripe tomato, a vein bulging dangerously in his head. He clenched his hands to the side, and from where Eleanor was standing, he was smoldering.Ouch, looks like I touched a nerve.
Eleanor suppressed the urge to laugh in his face. She’d never seen him so angry before. He looked like he was about to say something, but then he glanced behind her, and the tension poured out from him.
Eleanor turned to follow his eyes and saw Xander descending the front stairs quickly. “Hey, Xander. Thank God,” Eleanor said. He was just the person she needed to see. “There’s a circus going on here. What’s all this about?”
He looked over her shoulder toward Tony, who was still glued to the spot in the middle of the driveway,, and then down at her. He frowned and started to speak, but changed his mind. He nodded to the side instead and said, “Come on.”
Eleanor followed him quietly until they found a private spot. At least, what could pass for a private spot in the midst of all the madness?
She folded her arms and waited for Xander to speak but he just stared at her quietly, his face locked in a scowl. “Well?” Eleanor said in exasperation. “What in God’s name is going on in there? What’s that black rock? And why are there strange women in our home?”
“Why do you pick fights with the elders?” His voice was hard and angry, unusually impatient.
“They pick the fights with me,” she snapped. “Not my fault if they come out of it worse than I do.”
He glared at her furiously and she held his gaze. His wolf snarled, ever the alpha, and hers cowered at his rage. But Eleanor held her ground.
She knew Xander. She knew not to cross the line with him. But she also knew he would protect her fiercely with his life. She took advantage of that willingly.
She held her ground when everyone else scurried at the sight of him and averted their gaze. She did love him, and he had shown her that he was on her side. However, she hated when he took their side. And she definitely hated when he stood aside and did nothing.
After what seemed like an eternity, Xander sighed and relaxed his posture. He reined in his wolf and Eleanor felt relief. His wolf had been battering hers through their mindlink, forcing her to back down, and her resistance had hurt the both of them.
Xander must have noticed. His expression was cold and hard, as always, but she thought she saw a hint of pride and acknowledgment too.
“Fine,” he said, tugging off his gloves. “Ten generations ago, our ancestors made a pact with the Yellow Cicada pack. They agreed that in ten generations down the line, they would join their two packs together.
