Wolf Women (The Madison Wolves Book 10) Read Free Page A

speak up first.
    "I liked the pancakes," Conner said. "And this bread." But then he looked uncomfortable. "But I put butter on it."
    "Conner," I said, "For you, there is nothing wrong with that."
    "I buttered mine, too," said Kimber. "And I haven't had... What is this? This mush?"
    "Oatmeal," Francesca said.
    "There was oatmeal?" I asked. "I missed it, but now I'm full."
    "I haven't had oatmeal before," Kimber said. "None of us had. So we each tried things. I didn't like it plain, but I put brown sugar on mine. That was good."
    "I do that, too, sometimes."
    "I used honey," Lindsey said. "Is honey vegan?"
    "No, but don't worry about it," I said. "I like to put fruit in mine, but based on the location of this bowl of fruit between Michaela and me, I doubt that would help any of you."
    "All right," said Francesca. "Did you like the pancakes because you poured so much syrup over them you couldn't taste them?"
    The kids didn't answer that. That was fine, too.
    "I liked them," Karen said. "But... they were a little nutty?"
    "Did you like that?" Francesca asked.
    "I did," she said. "I'd eat them again."
    Francesca took more opinions, then nodded. "We will try a few other things over the coming weeks. That's all I had."
    Everyone went back to her conversation, but I leaned to Michaela. "They don't eat fruit, but they eat banana bread and drink lemonade and apple cider? I don't get it."
    "Neither do I," she said. "Orange juice isn't popular. It's too sweet. I only drink it when I really need the energy."
    Shortly after that, the kids handled the cleanup. I tried to help, but I was forcibly pushed back into my seat by at least two pair of teenage hands. They laughed as they walked away, carrying my things, and I heard one of them say, "Humans are fun."
    Another said, "I wonder if I can get one. Do they make good pets?"
    That generated more laughter as they walked into the kitchen.
    Portia smirked at me then leaned over and asked, "Maybe I should fit you with a collar and leash." On my right, Michaela snorted a laugh.
    "You think that's funny?" I asked.
    "I certainly do. Let me show you the pictures of me dressed like a yappy dog sometime."
    "You don't look at all like a dog!"
    From around me, several wolves said, "People see what they expect to see."
    "To be clear," I said into Portia's ear, "There will be no collars and no leashes."
    "We'll see," she said. She grinned at me, but I couldn't tell if she was teasing.
    "I think I'm going to get you a water bowl."
    Michaela snorted again.
    "Sorry," she said. "Ignore me. Another story."
    Breakfast wrapped up, and Michaela took possession of me. Then she pulled me to the side. "There's someone else you need to talk to." She turned me, and I saw Monique standing in the corner of the room. She looked miserable.
    I turned to Michaela. "Oh, no. Michaela..."
    "It will be okay. Treat her like an adult. She knows she's being silly. But she thinks no one will ever love her. She thinks she's ugly and stupid. She is neither of those things."
    "She's stunning. You're all stunning. But she's fifteen."
    "Fifteen is a hard age for wolves just like it is for humans, and until three years ago, she attended a human school. To human kids, she is big and ugly, and she had to intentionally hide her athletic abilities besides. The kids weren't kind. And she was kind of gangly besides."
    "She's not gangly now. She's beautiful, Michaela."
    "She doesn't think so. And she's so self-conscious around my science program kids. She'd have dates if she wanted them, but she's an enforcer, and no one is willing to ask her. She has to ask, but she assumes the worst."
    "Are you sure about all that?"
    "Yes."
    "And I may tell her all this?"
    "Yes. I have, but she needs to hear it again."
    I nodded. "We'll be gone for a while."
    "Thank you."
    When I looked back, Monique was still watching me, looking at me with such longing, my heart burst. My god, I was older than her parents! I crossed the room towards her, but as soon as she