Page 39 of Hunted

AERIN

It’s the day after I fell in the forest, and I have my head stuck in the refrigerator, looking for something to eat as Mack talks to Bennett on his cell phone outside.

He’s literally just outside since it’s still wet out there and he’s not wearing shoes. The rain was slowing as I opened the drapes earlier. By the time I’d showered, dressed and come downstairs, the rain had stopped.

Mack hadn’t seemed to care that it was raining heavily when he dragged himself out of bed early this morning. I told him he didn’t need to go looking for whatever bear or thing I thought I’d seen when I’d fallen. The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I was that I’d tripped and fallen. Mack faces off against a bear. I trip over my own feet and tumble down a hill.

Mack came back from his exploration of the forest with wet fur. He shifted and told me he had seen no sign of anyone or anything. Just the bear's tracks heading away from the house. If there had been something there, the rain would have washed it away.

He’s asked me a million times if I’m okay after my fall, and I am. I don’t have so much as a bruise on me. So, while he’s out talking with Bennett, I told him I’d make lunch for us.

The refrigerator is fully stocked from mine and Penny’s grocery store trip a couple of days before, but nothing appeals to me.

That isn’t true.

I want cake, but I had pancakes with chocolate chips, drowning them in maple syrup for breakfast. Adela keeps encouraging me to eat nutritious things, but I’m not craving nutritious things. I’m craving sweet things.

When the house phone on the dining table rings, I pull my head out of the refrigerator and walk over to answer it.

I press the answer button and I’m lifting the receiver to my ear when Mack bursts into the kitchen. “Don’t?—”

I take in the panic in his eyes and freeze. “What is?—”

“Aerin?” A painfully familiar male voice drifts down the phone.

Grinning, I forget all about Mack. “Moses!”

Mack’s expression transforms into one of relief. One I make a note to ask him about later.

“How’s the baby?” Moses, my dad’s beta, asks.

He was like a dad to me growing up, and although we don’t get a chance to speak often, when we do, I always enjoy our conversations. His responsibilities mean a good time to talk for me isn’t for him, and vice versa.

“Still spending most nights beating up my bladder. How are you? And when are you coming to see me?” I ask.

“Unfortunately, not as soon as I’d like.” The serious edge to Moses’s voice kills my smile.

Mack walks over to the dining table and pulls out a chair. I get the message.

Smiling gratefully at him, I sit down while he takes the seat beside me, putting his cell phone on the table. I’m not sure what he and Bennett were talking about, but I guess it can’t have been too important for Mack to end their call so suddenly.

“What’s wrong?” I ask Moses.

I turn on the loudspeaker and place the phone on the table. Mack is a shifter, so he doesn’t need the loudspeaker to hear both sides of the phone call, but this way, at least, I won’t have to hold it.

“Something is happening with the Dacre Pack,” Moses says simply.

Unease sweeps through me. “What do you mean, something is happening?”

My former mate is Alpha of that pack. For Moses to be calling means whatever is going on there involves me or is likely to.

“Hey there, Moses,” Mack says, taking my right hand and squeezing it as if he can feel my tension. He probably can.

“Mack. How are things in Winter Lake?” Moses asks.

“As good as they can be. You have to come visit us soon,” Mack offers. “We could do a BBQ before the weather turns.”

Moses blows out a sigh. “I wish I could, but that might be awhile.”

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