Free Blood Moon by Ellen Keener Page B

times. So can we please wait until Lukas and Aaron are back?”
    He studied her for so long; she didn’t think he’d let it pass. Finally, he shook his head and blew out a long breath. “You are going to give Lukas a run for his money, aren’t you?”
    “I’m certainly going to give it my best shot.”
    Thaddeus grunted. He disappeared for a moment and returned with a long sleeved sweater. “Put this on until we can get something to cover those up.”
    She yanked it on over her head, secretly grateful. She did not want to explain or answer any questions.
    Thaddeus cleared his throat. “Everyone, this is Aria, Lukas’ Mate.”
    She tossed Thaddeus a disgruntled glance. Not the way she wanted to be introduced to everyone. Slapping on a smile, she waved her fingers, trying not to be conscious of her wrists. The adults and older children, who knew what was expected, brushed hair and bandanas off their napes, baring their necks in submission. The younger children squealed excitedly and ran back into the living room to talk among themselves. One very small girl pushed her way through the teenagers and studied Aria closely, standing very still before wrapping her arms around Aria’s legs and burying her face into Aria’s knees. She looked back up with a wide grin. “You smell good. I like you.”
    Aria laughed and picked up the child, settling her against her hip. Around her, the bubble of quiet passed and the noise resumed.
    “What’s your name, sweetie?”
    “Hannah. My mama’s the one passing out buns over there.”
    “It’s lovely to meet you, Hannah.” Aria allowed Thaddeus to herd her towards the end of the buffet line where the mother of the girl stood, passing out buns and paper plates. When Aria reached her, Hannah slid into her mother’s arms.
    “I’m really sorry. She slipped past me when I wasn’t looking.”
    Aria waved away her apology. “Don’t worry about it.”
    Behind the table, a small plate with food sat, obviously Hannah’s lunch. Hannah’s mom nuzzled her daughter’s neck and then sat her down with strict orders to eat her lunch.
    “If you want to eat with her in the other room, I can take over,” Aria offered.
    Thaddeus materialized at her elbow with a paper plate loaded with food and shook his head. “Sorry, but I have strict orders to make sure she has eaten.”
    The blonde woman smiled and patted Aria’s arm. Her gaze lingered over the bruises, but she said nothing. “I’ve already eaten, and we’re nearly done as it is. Go eat something. It was lovely to meet you.”
    Aria waved at Hannah, who waved back as she happily munched on a hot dog. Thaddeus snagged a second plate for himself and then followed her to the den, crowded with kids eating lunch. Thaddeus glared at a few kids, who scrambled off the couch to make room. Aria threw them an apologetic glance as the kids moved to whisper with their friends in a crowded corner.
    “I look like I crawled out from under a rock. I should have stayed upstairs.” Aria sat down, balancing her plate on her lap.
    “I think you look hot whatever you’re wearing. But if you tell Lukas I said that, I’ll deny everything. I’d like to be able to reproduce someday.” Thaddeus grinned, popping a spoonful of macaroni in his mouth.
    “You have no shame, you know that? You shouldn’t be flirting with a married woman.”
    Thaddeus spoke around the food in his mouth. “Nonsense. Married women are the safest ones to flirt with. They are never going to ask me for a date.”
    Aria chuckled and shook her head, turning her attention to her plate. Making an effort not to inhale her meal, she tried to chew slowly. “How many cubs does the Pack have?”
    “There are about fifteen at the moment. Half those are older teenagers, many of whom came to us because they were orphaned.”
    “How big is the Pack?”
    He swallowed his food before answering. “There are fifty-four of us all together, including the children. Fifteen are mated pairs, and