Page 131 of Shifter Situations

As I tried to figure out what I’d missed, I noticed Dad walking up the path from the lodge. He had his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts as he hummed to himself. His dirty blonde hair was unruly, hanging in his face before he blew it away.

“Mind if I interrupt you kids?”

I pointed to my chest. “Adult.”

He flashed me a bright smile, the tip of his thumb touching his own chest. “Four hundred and sixteen.”

Then he pointed at me. “Twenty-four.”

I bowed my head, conceding to his math. “Point taken.”

“I knew you kids would be leaving soon, so I wanted to go over the last bit of business before you’re gone.”

I grimaced at him, but his smile only grew bigger as he dipped his head.

“I formally submit. My position and title shall now be passed on to Sloane King and Briggs Elliott.”

My heart was beating wildly as I frantically shook my head. “Yes. Okay. Second-in-command. Granted. Done.”

Briggs patted me on the back. “It’s okay, Barbie. I’ve got this.”

He stood, turning to my dad to shake his hand. “I think what Sloane was trying to say was that we hope you’ll stay here, running your pack, and act as our second. We’ve still got a ton of shit going on. It would be a tremendous help if you would stay here.”

“I accept,” my dad rumbled, leaning around Briggs to raise a brow at me. “You alright down there, Pretty Lady?”

“I think I’m having a stroke,” I mumbled.

“You’re fine,” he assured me. “Walk it off. Rub some dirt on it.”

I scoffed at him. “I’m not bleeding. I just wasn’t ready for that.”

His deep green eyes bounced around my face as he nodded, his mouth set in a severe line.

“You’re sitting down, right?”

I glared at him and then at the ground. “I thought I was, but I’m not so sure now. Why?”

He snorted, dropping down to the blanket beside us. “I sent one of the officers to Denver. He’s going to watch the Colorado Faction Alpha. He’ll report back if there are any problems.”

“Will he be a steady leader?” Briggs questioned.

“Steadfast and kind.”

“Can he win an Alpha Challenge?”

“He can. He also didn’t go alone. He’s got some friends with him to watch his back,” my dad confessed.

Briggs gazed at me, and I gave him a soft smile in return. “Whenever you’re ready. You can call Baylor if you want his opinion on the matter. It doesn’t have to happen today or even tomorrow, but the option is there.”

My dad climbed back to his feet, looking oddly pleased for a man who just helped his daughter offer to have someone murdered. He ruffled my hair, chuckling when I pulled away.

“You know how to reach me, cub,” he reminded me before clapping Briggs on the back. “I wish Warren and Ruth were here to see you and Baylor. They’d be proud of you both.”

“I know they would,” he affirmed, his voice a whispered breath that carried with the breeze.

He didn’t turn around to face us until Dad was completely out of sight. My questions must have been displayed on my face because he closed his eyes and sighed before speaking.

“Warren and Ruth were my parents.”