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We'll see you then."
    I came out and threw the clothes at her.
    "Portia will meet us downstairs." She pursed her lips while dressing. "I wonder how big a security detail she'd allow."
    I didn't want to admit I'd talked to her. "I'm sure she'd be flexible, but I suspect she has significant security."
    "We'll bring our own."
    "We're going?" I was surprised.
    "We're going to talk about it, and then we'll talk to the council as well." She paused. "I wonder how far reaching this invitation extends. We're enforcer heavy on the council, and some of the other members are starting to mutter." She finished dressing, picked up the invitation, and we headed downstairs.
    Angel and Rory had the night duty. We found them talking quietly in the living room. "We're stepping out," Lara said. "Perhaps an hour."
    "Do you need an escort?" Rory asked.
    "Portia is coming, and we're just walking over to Elisabeth's," Lara explained. After that, we stood around awkwardly for a moment until Portia announced herself at the door.
    "Quiet night," she said in greeting. I turned to her, and it looked like she had dressed hastily. Still, I thought she would want to be involved in this conversation, and her expertise could come in handy. She led the way back out of the house, and once we were on the grass, Lara put an arm around my shoulder. It felt nice.
    "Portia," Lara asked, "I haven't asked this. I should have. Are you pleased you joined us?"
    "Yes, Alpha," she replied. "Ecstatic, actually. This is the longest I've lived in one place since I left the navy." She glanced at me but didn't say whatever she was thinking.
    "Oh, go ahead," I said. "I won't be offended."
    She offered a ghost of a smile. "Elisabeth told me you asked for me to be on your detail. Why?"
    I glanced at Lara.
    "Oh, go ahead," Portia said, sounding amazingly like me. "I won't be offended."
    At that I laughed. "At first, I wanted to keep an eye on you," I admitted. "Once I grew to trust you, then I thought about moving you to the kids' detail, but I don't think you'd be as happy." I paused. "You may not understand this, but you make me feel the way Serena does."
    "You're right; I don't understand."
    "You make me feel safe, Portia," I said. "You're a wolf. I don't think you can understand. I used to be afraid all the time."
    "I've seen you afraid," she replied. "You do what you must anyway."
    "And break down afterwards," I said. I paused. "Has Elisabeth told you of my history?"
    "Some."
    "Ask her for the rest," I said. "Sometime when I'm not around."
    By then, we had arrived at Elisabeth's house and were talking a few feet from the front stoop. Lara stepped forward, knocked twice, then opened the door. She stepped in first, glanced around briefly, then gestured for me to enter, Portia taking the rear.
    I shook my head at the caution.
    Elisabeth, Serena and Karen were sitting at Elisabeth's seldom-used dining room table. Elisabeth ate most of her meals with us. They stood up as we entered.
    "Alphas," Elisabeth said in greeting.
    "I'll wait outside," Portia said.
    "No, Enforcer," Lara said. "We want your opinion."
    "Elisabeth, do you mind if I brew a pot."
    "Already done," she said, gesturing. "Herbal."
    "Excellent," I said. "Thank you."
    I appointed myself hostess, pouring tea for those who wanted. I ended up sitting between Serena and Lara with Elisabeth, Karen and Portia across the table from us.
    "We're sorry to interrupt," Lara said. "And apologies for getting you out of bed, Portia."
    They waved it away, but then Elisabeth asked, "What did the fox do now?"
    "She didn't throw this away," Lara said, sliding the envelope across the table to her sister. "Carissa has invited us to a Halloween party."
    Elisabeth scanned the invitation then with a glance at Lara, handed it to Karen. "And you needed help telling her 'no'?"
    "Maybe we should accept," Lara said.
    "Seriously?" Elisabeth said. She waited for Karen to finish reading the invitation then took it back from her, reading it more