13. Ellis

13

Ellis

T his argument has been going on too long. I'm tempted to call Meggie, tell her she's in, and deal with my teammates' anger later. But I don't want to hurt her if they make me take it back.

I let my gaze travel around the kitchen, taking in my pack mates, searching for an ally. Nils is leaning casually against the counter. McQuinn paces and twirls his rabbit's foot keychain around his finger. Dante is sitting next to me on a stool at the island. Oz digs in the refrigerator, looking for something to eat while we talk. And Harrison is standing confidently with his arms crossed over his chest, listening to the argument without commenting. Again.

We've narrowed it down to three women. Meggie and two others. The other two have years of experience and out played Meggie. But they don't fit in as well with the pack, and Harrison didn't particularly like how they smelled. It wasn't bad enough for him to flat out say they can't be on the team, but it has given me an opening to argue for Meggie.

I need Emily to not be alone in the Olympic village.

I'll be there, sure, but I know she'll be more comfortable with her best friend close by. The last time Emily went to a competition out of state without a close friend, she had a panic attack. She didn't tell me about it because she didn't want to worry me. I only know because Ava is the one who found her and told Harrison. I don't want a repeat of that. The last promise I made to my mom before she died was that I would look after Em. She needs a friend with her at the Olympics. And it should be Meggie.

"She wasn't the best," Nils says, always the logical one.

I could tell them why it's so important to me that Emily have a friend in Paris. But Emily's struggles aren't mine to tell, and I won't use my sister that way. All I can do is push hard for Meggie and hope they listen.

"She wasn't the worst." I mirror Nils's posture and glare right back. "She's an Olympic-level swimmer, already knows how to work hard, and didn't you see how she took that hit and kept going? She's determined and teachable. We can train her."

"Stop thinking with your dick." Oz comes out from behind the refrigerator door just long enough to punch my shoulder.

"Like you're much better." I saw the way he looked at Meggie. He might want Jackie on the team because she's the better player, but he wants Meggie in his bed. Which is exactly why he doesn't want her on the team. Keep the personal away from the professional. He takes the exact opposite approach to Dante and me. Oz only gets together with people he's likely to never see again.

"Her determination was impressive," Oz concedes.

Nils shakes his head. "There isn't enough time to train a novice." He gives me a firm, reprimanding look. "And we shouldn't be picking anyone based on attraction."

"That's not what this is about."

Dante raises his eyebrows at me.

"What? It's not." Not mostly.

I look around the room, holding Harrison's gaze even though I address all of them. "Can any of you really tell me you want Em in the Olympic village without a friend watching her back?"

Every one of them scowls.

"Fuck, I wish we didn't have to make this decision now." McQuinn sounds almost like he's speaking to himself. "With Mars in Aries, we're all too emotional about this. We aren't thinking straight."

"I'm thinking just fine." Nils glares at McQuinn, who flinches.

"I don't mean it like that. It's just we can't keep fighting. We have to pick the best player for the job so we can medal. We need to win ."

"Why?" Nils tries to dissect McQuinn with his eyes.

It's a ridiculous question—we all want to win—but the way McQuinn's been acting makes me just as curious as Nils to know what's behind it. But right now isn't the time to dig into it. We need to make a choice. We've already waited too long.

McQuinn scowls and turns away from us. "She's a Taurus. She'd be a good grounding addition to the pack. They're patient and steady. But—"

Oz slams the fridge shut and speaks around the carrot sticking out of his mouth. "We aren't picking someone because of their fucking sign."

"I'm not saying we should pick her," McQuinn snaps. "I was just trying to make a point. She might be good for the pack, but that doesn't mean she's good for the team. The team doesn't need a grounding presence. We need skill and strength. My vote is for Jackie. Not Meggie."

"So, we need to decide which is more important." Nils's tone is more thoughtful than a few minutes ago. "The pack? Or the team?"

"The pack," Harrison speaks up for the first time. There's a slight alpha bark to his words that I know is unintentional. He takes a breath and then adds more calmly, "The pack always comes first."

"Easy for you to say," Oz quips. "You've already won an Olympic medal."

"We're picking Meggie." Harrison glares.

"Fuck, no." McQuinn tosses his rabbit's foot at the wall.

"I thought you just said she would be good for the pack."

"For the pack! Not the team! Let Ellis fuck her. Bite her, for all I care. But don't put her in the pool."

The energy shifts in the room. Harrison and McQuinn stand off. Alpha to alpha. A low snarl curls McQuinn's lips. Harrison doesn't make a noise, but the raw power pouring off him is nearly crippling.

We all agreed to Harrison as pack alpha when we joined. A challenge to him isn't just about who we pick for the team, it's a challenge to lead the pack. I don't think McQuinn wants that. None of us do. Harrison is a good leader. He's always looked out for us. And we all trust him.

McQuinn drops his head in submission.

"Pack first." Harrison lays down the law. "Meggie's on the team."