To say that Grayson was brooding would have been an understatement.  One more thing, anything, could push him over the edge into outright rage again and he couldn’t afford that, no matter how much his nature lent itself to that thoughtless rage.  He had to stay calm, to keep a clear head.  Only that would protect the people in his care, both his pack and the herd that he now felt some responsibility for.  He never should have decided that they could stay, but the decision had been made even if they didn’t realize it, and he wasn’t a man to go back on his word.  Assuming he could call himself a man at all.<br/><br/>Luc’s question brought him up short, a small growl slipping out before he could stop it, but there was no challenge or threat in the other wolf, nothing to set him off.  Luc was being very careful, and he appreciated that more than he’d admit.  If anything could push him over the edge it would be the alpha who didn’t owe him loyalty.<br/><br/>“You have no idea…” he rumbled, but there was amusement in his gaze as he met the other man’s eyes.  “Just keep being useful and I’ll be fine.  I hope…” he muttered the last under his breath as they walked into a large, sunken room.  It was easily the size of some homes, a large TV on one wall turned off.  Pack was gathered; non-combatants who were looking for any news, ensuring themselves that friends and family were alright, that none of the wolves had been hurt.  They went silent as Grayson entered, wariness in some of their eyes as they noticed the stranger in their midst.<br/><br/>“Go back to your quarters,” he ordered.  “I’m having a head count done, it will be easier if you’re all where you’re supposed to be,” he added, the explanation not necessary but obviously welcome.  “Get the pups into bed.  They don’t need to be here for this…”<br/><br/><div align="center">~~*~~*~~*~~</div><br/>Ryan curled up with a greedy grin, eating the marshmallows first as he savored the sweet treat.  He didn’t get chocolate often, it made him too hyper, but he wasn’t about to tell her that and have her take it away from him.<br/><br/>He blushed as only a redhead could, his face scarlet when she mentioned a girlfriend.  “It was hard at first, being an outsider, but they are all just pack now,” he said with a shrug.  “I don’t want a girlfriend, the girls are vicious when we play games at school,” he said with a shake of his head.  “Though there is one… she’s quiet, shy.  She’ll only say a handful of words to me.  She can’t play the games, not like the rest of us.  Sometimes I sit out with her and play things she can play,” he said, concentrating on his chocolate.<br/><br/>Another howl interrupted whatever else he might have said, the hair on the back of his neck rising as he suddenly scrambled from the couch to the window, peering out.  “They’re looking for more hunters,” he whispered.  “Do you think there are more out there?”<br/>