“I thought so. The one rule I try to teach the kids when they first shift is to trust their wolves. They’re perceptive in ways we aren’t. Our wolves rely on instinct whereas we let emotions cloud our instincts.”
“I’ll remember that the next time I find two teens alone in the woods after they’ve shifted from their wolf forms where they conveniently lack clothing.”
“Oh, damn, I forgot to warn you about that.”
I wave a hand. “No need to. I remember those days, and the excuses we used when caught.”
“Were you? Ever caught?”
“Every damn time.”
“You had good teachers then.”
“Give Miss Sadie Lynn a hug, Madeline. She’s feeling kind of sad because she forgot to tell me something.” Madeline shifts from my arms to go to Sadie Lynn and hug her.
“Thanks, sweetie. I needed that.” Sadie Lynn glances back at the trees. “Garrett’s gone. Damien too.”
“He was here, too?”
“Didn’t you scent him?”
“I… I guess I was too focused on Garrett.”
“Which proves my point. Don’t worry, Lina. It’s not hardgiving up a male who doesn’t know you’re alive. Oh, don’t take that the wrong way. I meant me, not you. Like I said, he was here checking on you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Sure I do. He’s never once checked on me. Never. Not before Marla or after. And suddenly he shows up here? That’s because you’re here, sweetie. Now, what are you going to do about it?”
I have no idea. I smile though, because that last bit of awkwardness I’ve had around Sadie Lynn has disappeared. She’s not one to play games, just like she said. She’s sincere. No deception, no maliciousness, no?—
My wolf bites me. A warning. Immediately, I scan the area and spot six-year-old Alex on a frozen section of the river, reaching for his overturned basket, berries scattered across the ice like drops of blood.
“Alex, stop!” I race to the riverbank. He’s twenty feet out, near the center of the river where the water hasn’t frozen. He’s light enough that the ice holds, but that can change any second. “Walk back to me, slowly,” I say as calmly as I can.
He bends to pick up another berry.
“Leave the berries, baby. We’ll pick more. Together.”
“I need my basket.”
“We have more baskets. Please, just walk to me slowly.”
He glances at the basket, then takes a step toward me.
“That’s it, baby. You’re doing great.”
Behind me, voices shout for help. I tune them out, listening for the cracking of ice, calculating my next move if the ice gives way. If I step out there, my weight could shatter it beneath him. But if I don’t?—
“Alex, what are you doing?” Shane, one of the teens appears beside me.
“I dropped my berries.” Alex bends for more berries.
“You’re not allowed out there!” Shane yells.
Panic floods Alex’s face. He freezes.
“It’s okay, Alex. No one’s mad at you,” I say calmly, my hand outstretched. “Keep walking to me.” I glance at Shane. “Find me rope. Anything.”
