With them gone, I felt unmoored. Finished earning my degree, I packed up my car and hit the road. For a while, I traveled the country, sleeping at campsites and exploring the beautiful vistas across the United States. No matter where I went though, I felt unsettled.
Then, one day, I drove into the small town of Bear Valley. I met a handsome, charming biker who convinced me to stick around.
Worst mistake of my life.
“Okay. Maybe Delaware has something going for it,” Tanya concedes.
“Flashlight.” The gruff order comes from the ceiling, and the girl is quick to pass her brother the tool. He takes it without another word.
“You’re welcome!” she sings in a mocking tone.
We hear muttering that could be, “Thank you,” but it’s hard to tell.
And Tanya doesn’t seem to care either way as she resumes her seat.
“I’m glad to know I’m not the only one he talks that way to.” I lean my shoulder against the hallway wall as I chat with the young Jameson. “Here I thought, he didn’t like me.”
“Oh, no. Grumpy is his default setting. He likes you fine.”
“How do you know?” Because I doubt she’s got it right.
“If he doesn’t like you, he doesn’t talk to you. Period. It’s like shouting at a brick wall.”
Interesting. Roderick Jameson doesn’t say much to me, but he does at least speak. I need some time to chew over this new information.
Changing the subject, I redirect focus to Tanya. “You’re in high school, huh? Any thought to college? Thinking the East Coast? Maybe University of Delaware?” I give her a teasing smile, which she doesn’t return.
For the first time since strolling into my house, the teenager loses a bit of her sparkle. I want to kick myself. Not everyone goes to college. I shouldn’t just assume it’s the default.
Tanya shrugs and fiddles with a curl of her hair.
“Nah. Don’t think the East Coast is for me. I’d be good with Denver, but I may have to settle for an online degree so I can stay in town.”
The question ofwhyis almost out of my mouth when I stop myself, coming up with the answer on my own.
Werewolf. Duh.
If Tanya is truly a blood relation to Roderick, then she’s almost definitely a member of the pack. Werewolves are born, not made, and most are connected to a pack. That group is a support system as well as an obligation that I’ve only scratchedthe surface of when it comes to understanding how deep the ties go. Still, I know she can’t just pack up and leave.
There are different rules for mythical creatures.
And it’s at this moment I truly grasp that my house is full of werewolves.
Okay, not full necessarily. But I’m definitely outnumbered.
The oddest thing about this situation?
I’m not panicking.
Which is exactly how I ended up in trouble last time, I remind myself.
The second a handsome guy teased me with love and a home and a place to belong, I pushed away all caution and doubts, and I committed myself to him.
Not happening again.
Just because I meet a few seemingly friendly mythical creatures doesn’t mean I can let myself forget how mean they can turn. How dangerous and controlling these wolves are at their cores.
Heavy footsteps clomp, and a set of boots comes back into view, followed by toned legs in fitted pants and an ass that should be illegal. I avert my eyes by staring at the dregs of tea in my mug.
