Page 110 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

His arm shot out, and he grabbed her shoulder. His mouth twisted, his expression as terrifying as it had been the night he collected her from the airfield. His grip tightened, and he shook her. “Answer me!”

Shock made her stammer. “I m-met her at the Ruperts’ cafe.”

“Did she say anything to you? Threaten you?”

“What?”

Light flooded the conservatory as Ben and Glenna pulled the snowmobiles almost to the glass doors. Haley winced, putting up her free hand to shield her vision.

Bard released her and turned to the doors. The trio dismounted, and Glenna gave a friendly wave. She bent over her machine and retrieved a small, white box, then motioned to Ben and Sabine.

Heart racing from Bard’s attack, Haley stood stiffly as the three approached. They were dressed for the weather in tight-fitting snow pants and ski jackets. No one wore a helmet, but that didn’t surprise her. A snowmobile accident was unlikely to kill a werewolf.

Sabine was vulnerable, though. As a latent, she wasn’t as strong as a pureblooded wolf.

The three of them reached the door just as Bard opened it and stepped back.

Glenna entered first, shooting Haley a bright smile. “Hey there, birthday girl!” She held out the box. “Sabine and I whipped this up early this morning.”

“It’s a cake,” Sabine said in her low, sultry voice. Her curtain of glossy hair fell down her back in a smooth sheet, and her cheeks were pink from the cold. She moved toward the bath and peeked over the edge.

Haley forced her eyes away from the dark-haired woman, her gaze landing on the bakery box. She’d forgotten about her birthday. She was twenty-one years old. The whiskey from her coffee still burned her throat. At least now she could say she consumed it legally.

Ben moved, catching her gaze. He darted a look at Bard, his expression almost nervous.

Guilt twinged inside her. She’d forgotten about him, too.

Of course, she’d been a little busy.

“Ben?” Glenna raised her voice, her eyes on her son. “Aren’t you going to wish Haley a happy birthday?”

Ben looked at Haley, but he didn’t share his mother’s cheeriness. “Happy birthday.” He rubbed the side of his neck, as if he was still bitter about the night before.

Glenna smiled and turned to Haley, her eyes bright. Her voice was just a little too loud as she asked, “Any special plans for today?”

Goosebumps formed on Haley’s arms, and she suppressed a shiver. The atmosphere was unsettling. She and Bard had been missing all night and they brought a cake? Sam and Joel were dead, and Glenna wanted to know if she had special plans?

And why hadn’t Bard said anything? She looked around for him, ready to pull him into the conversation. When she found him, anxiety prickled down her spine. In the time she’d spoken to Glenna and Ben, he moved near the bath and now he just stood there, jaw tight, his hands in fists at his sides. He stared at Sabine, his face an emotionless mask.

Except for his eye. Emotion burned there, but she couldn’t quite identify it. Whatever it was, it was intense.

The unsettling feeling ratcheted up.

Glenna gave the box a little shake, drawing Haley’s attention. “Aren’t you going to take it?” There was an odd edge in her voice—impatience but also anger.

Good manners made Haley lurch forward and accept the box. “Thanks.” Now what the hell was she supposed to do? Hang streamers and balloons? She wasn’t even wearing underwear.

Ben cleared his throat. “We should go, Mom.”

“Not just yet,” Glenna said without taking her eyes off Haley.

Ben shot another nervous glance at Bard. “You said we were just dropping off the cake and going home.”

Okay, things were getting too weird. Haley shifted the box under one arm and turned to Ben. “Do you guys think you could give us a ride back to town?”

“Ben is a better choice, you know,” Glenna said loudly, talking as if Haley hadn’t spoken.

Haley froze. Was that was this was about? Glenna was angry she hadn’t made a love match with Ben?

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