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After hearing Aerin talk about her childhood of being ignored and isolated, I hadn’t believed I would feel any warmth toward Douglas. But he’s here, right when she needs the most help, to get her back.

I appreciate that.

“We were working out who would stay with Chris when you turned up,” I tell Moses when he moves to follow Douglas out. “He was injured.”

“Then I will stay. Lucy is the healer, but I can call her if I need her. And I can fight if any more trouble rears its head here,” Moses says.

I glance at the door Douglas just walked out of. “And your boss?”

“He will understand. And he won’t be making the drive alone. He has Clary,” Moses says.

“Can I assume whatever is happening with the Dacres has resolved itself?” Bennett asks.

Days ago, Moses called to say they were fighting each other. The fighting hadn’t spilled over from Dacre territory to the Boones, but it was the reason Moses told Aerin that he couldn’t come to see her like he’d planned to.

“Not completely, but we have enough enforcers watching. They know what to do,” Moses says.

Packing up to leave doesn’t take long.

Moses, Helena, Zoe, Gregory, Jude, and Adela stay with Chris. Aerin’s grandparents are sleeping upstairs, and I leave them that way. Adela can explain what’s going on and why.

Warren and Tina had wanted to come, but just in case someone does attack, they agree to stay and keep an eye on the house and the rest of the pack. They’ve been together for a long time, and they fight well together. I have no doubt they can handle whatever trouble rears its head.

Before we leave, I hug Adela. “Tell them I’ll bring Aerin home, okay?”

Adela returns my hug and gives me a pointed look when we break apart. “And bring yourself home safe as well, okay?”

“I’ll do my best,” I promise her.

To prevent arguments, we take several cars.

I drive with my dad. Ivy, to my surprise, decides to go with Penny and Bennett in Colton’s car. Douglas takes the news of Moses staying in Winter Lake surprisingly well and seems content to drive to Michigan with Clary.

I don’t understand why my dad was so insistent about making the drive with me alone until we’re on the highway.

“We need to talk,” my dad says.

“About?”

“Ivy.”

I nod. “I gather you’re ready to have something permanent with her and want to make sure I’m not creeped out by you having sex with Aerin’s aunt?”

When he curses long and loud, I smile. I thought I was all out of smiles with Aerin gone, but seeing my dad flustered is a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

“You were very insistent about shoving Bennett in another car,” I say, still smiling.

He grumbles a bit more, then falls silent.

“What?” I dart a rapid glance at him.

“You’re not upset? What with your mom…”

I sigh when he trails off. “I am upset that you treated mom so poorly, and I’ll never stop being upset about that, but that is something you have to live with. If you want to move on and build a new life with Ivy, I won’t begrudge you for it. Everyone deserves to be happy.”

“Including Shane?”

I growl. “Everyone but him.” My amusement fades. “How can he be wrapped up in this? He gave up Aerin. Why now?”

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