The town was mad at the pack, the pack was mad at the town, and Margo was mad at me. She had questions, but so did I. And if she didn’t know the answers, then was it right to drag her into our mess? I had no idea.
I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice anyone approach until Mara leapt on my back and clung to me. I stumbled for a second then righted myself and hoisted her higher. My smile died when I realised Alex was there, too.
Alex was screwed up in the head, more than the rest of us, because she had suffered through more pain than even I could imagine before the Evans family took over. I pitied her as much as I could, but she wasn’t easy to be around.
Alex ran a hand across the ears of one of the wolfhounds, rolling her eyes at Mara on my back. She only tolerated me because of Mara—otherwise, she probably would have tortured me. “Hello, pup,” she said, not even looking at me.
Mara nipped my ear. “The pup’s walking the pups.”
Alex rolled her shoulders then threw herself into a spontaneous cartwheel away from us.
“What’s with you?” I asked Mara.
“Hyper,” she said, clinging tighter.
Alex wandered off then set to punching a road sign.
“Alex, stop,” I called out. “You can’t mess with that.”
She ripped a piece of the sign off then flung it at me. I barely dodged it.
Warmth flooded my cheeks. “You could have hit Mara or one of the dogs, Alex!”
She shot me a wolfy grin and approached. Mara slid off my back. One of the wolfhounds growled.
“Leave him,” Mara said. “Let’s go get some hot chocolate.”
Alex looked at the dog and snorted. “The dog thinks he’s a human, that they have to protect him.” She sneered. “Pathetic.” She looked me up and down. “He can’t even defend himself.”
“Alex,” Mara said again, dancing away from me to link arms with her roommate. “Come on. I’m cold.”
Alex, obviously bored, shrugged then let Mara lead her away. Mara glanced over her shoulder, a look almost akin to pity in her eyes.
When they were out of sight, I found the broken piece from the sign. I kicked it away from me. If anybody had seen her… Alex would end up sent away if she wasn’t careful.
Me, too.
Chapter 17
Margo
I stoppedoutside the café next to the community centre because I’d noticed a sign in the window looking for new staff the day before. I didn’t have much of any experience, but how hard could it be? Still, I hesitated by the door, C.V. in hand, wondering if I should have just emailed in my application instead.
But Mam always said that when she was hiring she remembered the people who came into the building and made an effort to get to know the place, so I’d spent an hour researching online before leaving the house. There wasn’t much information about that particular café, other than a couple of social media tags that weren’t exactly helpful.
I heard some shouts and glanced over at the football pitch across the road. It was guarded by railings, and a couple of kids from school were messing about with a football. Loneliness filled a space in my chest, making me ache for a friend. I’d thought of myself as a loner, even back home, but I’d had a friend there. A best friend. Who hadn’t replied to any of my messages since I moved.
Sighing, I grabbed the door handle, pulled instead of pushed, then eventually made it inside with a hot red face.
The place was moderately full, and the light wood panelling and plastic seats looked new. The barista glared at me as I approached. “Can I help you?” he asked in a bored voice.
“Uh.” I swallowed hard then practically flung my C.V. at him. “I want to apply for a job.”
He glanced over my info, his eyes narrowing. “You live in Hazelwood? I don’t know you.”
“I… we moved here recently,” I said, feeling like an awkward criminal. “I don’t know many people yet.”
“So you’re not from here.” His expression turned colder. “We need somebody with experience. And references by peopleweknow.”