Page 9 of Hunted

My dad walked out of my life and the Raleigh Pack without a single word. I never saw him again until he waltzed back into my life and my kitchen a few months ago. I had thought he was dead. So I started over. Got a job. Found a place to stay. Built myself a new life with a pack I love and would do anything for.

None of it was easy. Since dad started dodging my calls and Ivy was always too busy to talk, my anxiety has been mounting. Winter Lake is out of the way, I tell myself. Trouble can’t touch us here. Before Aerin picked up a postcard and got a bus here looking for a place to recuperate, no one even knew we existed.

Now they do. Her abusive mate Shane knows where we are, and so will everyone he told when I beat him in an Alpha challenge and sent him back to Minnesota to lick his wounds.

Aerin mutters something. I slide out from under the covers, peer down at her beautiful face, relaxed in sleep, and get to my feet.

She’s sleeping and her gift has been acting up, but she’s perceptive. Soon she’ll sense the anxiety I’ve been keeping from her isn’t only because of not knowing how to care for a baby.

It’s more.

A lot more.

I pull a T-shirt over my head on the way to the door. I usually sleep naked, but the nights are getting cooler, so I’ve taken to wearing shorts and Aerin has been sleeping in one of my shirts.

She has a closet full of prettier clothes and nicer things to wear to bed, but she always seems to prefer sleeping in something that smells like me. I love that she wants to sleep in my clothes. So does my wolf.

Quietly closing the bedroom door so I don’t wake Aerin, I jog down the staircase, not bothering to flick on a light, through the entryway, and out into the backyard.

It’s the middle of the night in Winter Lake, and away from the noise and pollution of a big city, stars blanket the night sky. A wind rustles the trees at the bottom of the garden as I walk down the slope to the white plastic loungers and slip onto the empty one.

“You know, I keep telling you to replace these things.” Bennett’s tone is dry as he gives me a wry look. “I put one legonto it and nearly rolled down your garden. How you and Aerin can share one of these things…” He shakes his head.

Ordinarily I’d smile, crack a joke even, but I just nod. “I’ll replace them before the baby comes.”

I feel Bennett watching me. “There’s been no trouble in town. And there won’t be. Not with all of us keeping watch. Aerin and the baby are safe. I’m sure whatever Ivy and your dad are dealing with has nothing to do with us here. They just sent the warning to be careful.”

As I stare into the forest, I try to breathe through my fear. “She’s my heart, Bennett. If anything happened to her and the baby…”

He squeezes my shoulder. “Aerin will be fine. What did your dad say to have you this rattled?”

That’s the problem. I tried calling him again earlier as I was unloading the groceries from the car, and again he didn’t answer.

“It’s not what he said, it’s what hedidn’tsay. He’s hiding something. Whatever kept him and Ivy from Aerin’s baby shower was serious. That he isn’t telling me means it’s something to worry about.”

Bennett nods, though his expression doesn’t change. He’s my second in command, head of security, friend, and advisor, all rolled into one. “What about Ivy?”

Aerin’s aunt is an omega, and perhaps the first female Alpha in shifter history, with gifts as incredible as Aerin. Months ago, I saw her embrace a shadow wolf ability and kill the old Alpha of the Lonergan Pack with painful ease. “She’s quiet too, and she’s been finding reasons to hang up as soon as possible when Aerin calls her.”

If Aerin wasn’t pregnant, and I wasn’t worried about walking right into whatever potential trouble they’re dealing with, I’d suggest we pack up the car and go see them.

Bennett frowns. “And you think it’s because of this… whateverthisis?”

“Aerin has been worried about the baby for the last few months. She’s worried she won’t know how to be a good mother. Worried she might die like her mom. Worried about so many things that now she’s truly excited about the baby, and Ivy doesn’t want to kick that excitement right back to anxiety again. That’s what I think.”

Bennett blinks. “Sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

Talk about understatement. I’m surprised I don’t have deep grooves permanently etched into my forehead.

“Too much.” He observes me for a beat. “And not enough time sleeping. It’s pitch black out here and I swear your eyes are glowing red.”

I snort, amused. “When did you become a joker?”

“When a certain woman convinced me that I need to learn to crack a joke or two.”

“So it wasn’t when Penny smashed a cake in your face?” I grin.

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