Page 32 of Wolf's Whisper

“For what?” I ask, genuinely confused.

“For being... you,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes flicker to the kids heading to the car, then back to me.

I was caught off guard by the tenderness in her words. For being me? I’ve been me my whole life, and it’s not exactly something people hand out medals for. But the way she says itlike it’s this monumental thing makes my chest feel tight in the best way.

I scratch the back of my neck, trying to shake off the sudden wave of emotion. “Well,” I say, grinning, “if being me involves refereeing bubble bath disputes and ensuring waffle security, then I guess I’m doing okay.”

Janelle laughs softly, and it’s like music. “You’re doing more than okay,” she says, her eyes lingering on mine for a beat too long. Or maybe not long enough.

I clear my throat and gesture toward the door. “We should get moving before Abel decides he suddenly needs to pack the toaster or something.”

She nods but doesn’t move right away. Instead, she steps closer—just enough that I can catch the warmth radiating from her. Her voice drops to a whisper meant just for me. “I don’t know how you do it, Onyx. You come into our chaos, and somehow, you make it feel… manageable. Safer.”

Her words wrap around me like a warm blanket, like a weight I didn’t know I was carrying suddenly lifted. I manage a crooked smile, my default when emotions start creeping in too close. “Hey, chaos is kind of my thing,” I say lightly, though my heart’s hammering in my chest. “And besides... you and those kids? You’re worth every bit of it.”

She might say something that will completely undo me. Instead she just nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “Let’s get going.” she says her voice warm and steady.

Before we can turn to leave, Chloe barrels back upstairs, clutching her unicorn bottle like it’s been knighted in battle.

“Mom! Wolf said I could keep my emergency bubbles!” Chloe announces loudly, breaking the moment like a glass shattering on tile.

Janelle steps back quickly, her hands finding her hips as though she needs an anchor. “Did she now?” she asks lightly,giving me a look over Chloe’s head that says this conversation isn’t over.

“Hey, I don’t make the rules,” I say with a shrug, bending down to ruffle Chloe’s hair as she beams up at me. “I just enforce them.”

Janelle shakes her head, laughing under her breath, and I take that as my cue to start ushering the kids out the door. Abel and Dillon are already halfway down the front steps, arguing about who gets the window seat, while Chloe skips behind them clutching her unicorn bottle like it's a VIP pass to some exclusive five-year-old bubble party.

Outside is a black SUV with darkened windows waiting for us, and my brother Tank is behind the wheel.

Tank rolls down the window as we approach, his grin as wide as the state of Texas. “Took y’all long enough,” he says, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “What’s the holdup this time? Somebody forget to pack their lucky socks?”

“Emergency unicorn bubble bath,” I reply, deadpan.

Tank blinks at me, then at Chloe, who’s still clutching her precious bottle with a look of pure determination. “I’m not even gonna ask,” he mutters, shaking his head. “Get in before Abel and Dillon kill each other over the backseat.”

Janelle quickly glances at me, her lips twitching like she’s trying not to laugh again. It’s becoming a pattern today—her laughing and me feeling like my insides are doing somersaults. I open the passenger door for her, and she slides in gracefully while I herd the kids toward the back.

Before I can sound off what the orders are, Chloe speaks from the back, “Are you not coming with us Wolf?” Her voice so small and unsure which is not like Chloe at all.

I pause, one hand on the door handle, caught off guard by Chloe’s question. Her big eyes stare at me like I told her Santa doesn’t exist. “Of course I’m coming,” I say quickly, flashing hera reassuring smile. “After I make sure you all are buckled in, I will follow behind on my bike, okay.”

Her little face scrunches up, clearly not satisfied with my answer. “But why can’t you come in the car with us? There’s room! Abel said he’ll squish!”

“Hey!” Abel protests from the backseat, looking mildly offended. “I didn’t say that!”

Chloe ignores him, and her focus is solely on me. “Please, Wolf? You can sit next to me and hold my bubbles so they don’t spill.”

Janelle turns in her seat, her eyes softening as she watches the scene unfold. I’m caught between laughter and a strange ache in my chest as Chloe stares me down with those big doe eyes. I’ve faced down armed fugitives and angry bikers without breaking a sweat, but this kid? She’s got me teetering.

“I promise your unicorn bubbles are safe,” I tell her gently, crouching down to her eye level. “And besides, someone needs to watch over my bike. It gets lonely if I leave it behind.” I tap my temple as if it’s the most logical thing in the world.

Chloe’s pout deepens, her lower lip jutting out in a way that could probably bring world peace if harnessed properly. “Your bike doesn’t have feelings,” she counters with five-year-old certainty.

“Maybe not,” I say, leaning in conspiratorially, “but don’t tell it that. It thinks it’s the coolest ride around, and we wouldn’t want to hurt its feelings.”

That earns me the faintest giggle, though she still doesn’t look entirely convinced. “Fine,” she sighs dramatically, clutching her unicorn bottle closer. “But you better not take too long to catch up!”

“I’ll be right behind you guys,” I promise, holding up two fingers like I’m swearing an oath. “Scout’s honor.”

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