Page 90 of Bright Dark Curses

Shane and Dru shook their heads.

“Ethan?”

“I don’t remember seeing him,” he said.

“Which could mean he was at the trailers,” I pointed out.

“Or anywhere else,” Ian said with his overrated logic.

Key opened her mouth to speak, but Rufus began barking toward the outside.

We all turned to the door.

Hutton was standing outside Ian’s kitchen.

TWENTY-SIX

My attention snapped back to Ian. He was studying Hutton with a considering expression on his face. After a second, he put a hand on Rufus to calm him down, then motioned for his half-brother to enter.

Hutton narrowed his eyes, then stepped in.

“What do we do now?” Brett asked eagerly, unaware of Hutton’s presence.

“We go back to Clawstone Park,” Hutton said loudly.

“Aw, crap.”

I stifled a laugh. So did everyone else at the table but for Ian. He was still watching Hutton closely as the pack’s alpha went to the coffee machine and scowled at the empty pot.

“Sorry, Hutton,” Brett said, contrite.

From the annoyance written on Hutton’s face, not as sorry as he was going to be. I winced inwardly for the shifter.

“Don’t worry, Brett,” I said in a bright voice. “Hutton is simply worried about your health. I’m sure he knows you needed some time away from home to recuperate in peace. It would’ve been impossible at home with everyone wanting to ask a hundred questions, right?”

“Yes!” Brett exclaimed. “That’s right.”

Hutton grunted, then began setting the coffee machine for a second pot. Once the machine was happily gurgling away, he returned to the table and picked up a cream cheese bagel.

We all held out breaths to see what would happen next.

“Erm,” Ethan said. “What’s happening?”

“Brett’s alpha is here,” I said.

“His alpha?” Ethan squeaked.

“Oh, don’t worry, he doesn’t care about the sabotage.”

“I don’t?” Hutton asked, raising one eyebrow. He leaned against the counter and took a bite of his bagel.

Ian shifted in his chair to keep him within his line of vision. His granite facade was full-on, and I couldn’t read a single thing on it.

A happy night did not immediately make an Ian dictionary.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

Hutton shrugged. “I heard Cavalier was back.”

---