Uncomfortable

BENJI POV

Mariah leans in a little closer as Lauren continues to eye her suspiciously from across the table. My anger towards the pregnant female grows. The other members have all moved past the fact that she is here, but Lauren is refusing. She is purposefully making Mariah feel uncomfortable, and I am ready to tear her hormonal head off.

The only people that needed to accept Mariah were Luna and me. Lauren needs to realize we have accepted Mariah as a pack member. My mark is on her flesh.

"The Hay sold, so that's a relief. I spoke to a couple of companies about the foundation of our future home, but without a set blueprint, they can't move forward," Stanley says, and Finley nods while swallowing his bite of brisket.

"I'm sure Luna will move forward with the house once she returns. Right now is a stressful time," Finley says, and the stiffness in Stanley's shoulders eases.

His face creases with sympathetic emotions, and we all feel that familiar pinch of sadness for wh