Page 9 of Broken Wolf

It was about two and a half hours before they had to get up for their day and their own Father’s Day festivities. Zeno apologized again for talking so much, but I waved it off.

“Honestly, I just have to wear better shoes next time,” I joked. “I always forget that standing in heels is harder than walking around in them. I’m not sure why, but—I had a great time, Dad. Really.”

“Good, good. Us too. All of our love to you.”

“Wait, I need one word with Mom before we disconnect,” I cut in before he hung up. I ducked down a corner and disconnected the video call like an idiot trying to switch to just a voice call.

Duh.

Luckily, Alena simply called me right back. “What did you need?”

“I didn’t want to talk about this with Dad, especially not today,” I hedged. “And I don’t want to celebrate Clayton on Father’s Day. He is not a dad—not my dad anymore and not Topher’s either. He doesn’t deserve that title.”

“But given what you learned about that beast, you feel as if you should do something.”

“Yes.” I sighed. “It’s stupid, right? I feel like he should at least get a steak from us or something for not letting us die or tossing Topher out a damn window after his wife died. Like how low is that bar for—”

“You have a good heart, Daughter. Never change that. Yes, I will handle it and make it clear that it’s not for Father’s Day, but no matter all of his crimes, he wouldn’t allow his children to be—he didn’t allow you to have an accident. He kept that beast at bay. He brought Topher to you to be accepted and loved. He was given other allowances, but this is quick, just from you both.”

“Thanks, Mom. And thanks for not judging me for this.”

“No, I think—you always have to be grateful, Seraphine. The world is too hard and cruel. We have too much to bear. The moment we stop being grateful that we can keep shouldering what we do or we survived another year is when we become the monsters. Never forget that.”

“I love you.”

“We love you more. Thank you for this. Your father is practically glowing with joy and happiness that someone appreciates his dorky side. Your sisters do not.”

“They’ve had more years of it,” I reminded her, hoping she’d tell him. “You guys find my quirks charming too that others get sick of. I’m sure in thirty years I might be over talking art with Zeno as well since it’s not my thing.”

“You make a smart point and one I will bring up with him. Yes, we all need more common ground. Sleep well. Your grandmother will be there soon so let her help.”

“I will, I promise.” We finished up and I glanced to find Carter and he swore the purchase was all done. Good. They would be delivered to the building tomorrow.

Even better since they were bigger paintings and I didn’t want to have to deal with getting a truck over to get them.

I heard something bad right as our SUVs pulled up. I had my heels off and handed over to Orson in the next second and was racing off. It was only a couple blocks away, so I arrived fast.

Right as the woman landed too hard on the ground.

Most would think to check on her first as the victim, but as a wolf I knew there were three heartbeats in that vehicle… And it was a carjacking.

I flew to grab the guy about to close the driver’s door as Carter positioned himself in front of the SUV, and I saw one of the other ancients already getting someone else out of the passenger’s seat. I had his gun away from him and pointed at him before he could even realize what was going on.

“Already calling it in,” Carter told me.

“Are you okay?” I asked the woman as I kept my gaze on the man. I hadn’t checked him for other weapons or anything, so I wasn’t taking any chances.

“No, I think he dislocated my arm,” she cried. “My baby. Please check on my baby.”

“His heart is steady and he’s calm,” I told her.

“I see the little bugger from the front and he’s just glancing around, ma’am,” Carter added.

“Thank you,” she rasped… Before turning a bit and kicking the guy who was now on the ground too. “You carjack a mom with her baby in the car? I told you that my boy was in the back and you said you didn’t fucking care!”

“Ma’am, he’s talking to dispatch and your baby can hear you yelling,” I reminded her. “And I’d move away from him until police get here to secure him.”

She scooted away, gingerly holding her shoulder but frowned at me. “I thought you were the police?”

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