Page 54 of The Buck Stops Hare

He peered over the steering wheel nervously when we appeared, his expression shifting to one of worry then sadness. “How did it—”

Brook held up a hand. “It’s done. Best not to ask how or talk about it.”

I shrugged and approached the driver’s side, swapping out with him. “We’ll give you a ride home. Want to hang with Buck and Mrs. Pemberlin for a bit?”

Ransom swallowed hard, the muscles in his face tightening so much his ears twitched. Dark eyes glistened as he nodded and got out of the car, tossing me the keys. It wasn’t too far up the road. So, with all the exhaustion that finals week and what we’d just done could give—I drove.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Buck

Cliff pulled into the driveway, the car not empty. Two people rode with him, one I recognized, and his expression had twisted into something hard and empty. The other that rode with them sank into his seat, shoulders pinched, worry clear on his face. Cliff? Pure dread.

I stood, pushing my chair back as Dani went in to get the tea. So, when the car came to a stop and they all got out, I strode toward them, and the tension thickened the air. Cliff wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“Did something bad happen?” I held my arms out and Cliff didn’t meet my gaze, approaching with a clipped pace as Brook and the newcomer, an alpha fox of some type, stood back. My gaze shot to the fox and locked, waiting for an explanation as he paled, his tanned skin going milky.

“This is my friend Ransom. He had information…about who poisoned your land. Brook and I went to—we took care of them.” Cliff tensed and I pursed my lips, heart aching as I realized what he implied.

“Dani got word of who it was but didn’t know where they were. Was it that boar witch Winsley?”

Cliff nodded, and I reached for his hands, bringing them up to stare at his fingers. Dropping part of my glamor, I let him see the slick, dripping mask of my hands that showed the blood I bore. Cliff? As I stared, a few little red spots had appeared, the first marks on his otherwise-clean spirit, small ones at least. Compared to my own, they were inconsequential things, but every time would become easier, the blood thicker. “I’m not sorry. They deserved it.”

“Yeah. And they’re gone?” My breath hitched as Cliff nodded.

“We should get the news by tomorrow.” Brook caught my gaze as he climbed the steps and gave Dani a polite nod as she came out with the tea for Cliff.

I watched hesitantly as Cliff took the glass and drank heavily, nodding in thanks as he moved to sit.

Brook met my gaze, and I turned to catch Dani’s. That tea was horrible stuff at the best of times. A half smile twisted Brook’s lips and he waved goodbye, disappearing into the ground and air around us. Guilt nestled in my belly. He’d killed for me, changed his life for me, and I’d thanked him by changing his life even more irreparably.

“How?” I whispered into Cliff’s ear and earned a soft answer.Poison.

“Like for like.” He stood taller, and I braced my arms around him, careful not to spill his tea. He sniffled lightly and cleared his throat. “Classmate of mine. Ransom. Timberline Ridge Skulk.”

I glanced over at the fox, who sat there with wide eyes. The tea in Cliff’s hand didn’t escape his notice, either.

“Bro, I didn’t know you were pregnant! Holy shit, I’d not have told y—” Ransom choked as I shot him a glare.

“Nah. Buck and I’ve been careful,” Cliff said, pulling away from me as he sat on the steps and leaned his head against a post. “Not ready for that.”

Ransom’s lips went flat as he glanced between everyone.

“Ready or not, boy, you are.” Dani huffed a laugh and Cliff screwed up his face.

“I—think so.” I gave Cliff an apologetic glance that made him pale.

“Dude, how the fuck did I get pregnant fuckingyou. You ain’t tapping this ass in heat, buddy.” Cliff petered off as he said so and swore. “Fuuuuuck…no.”

Dawning realization melted over his face. “Oh gods. Oh us. Oh, you!”

“If it had occurred to me at the time—”

“Dude, I didn’t think of it either. I guess you should have known something more, but—did you know?”

“Only thought about it today. I never realized rutting in our bestial forms was—” I trailed off and Cliff waved his hand.

“Kinky. Shifters learn quick not to screw in our alter forms during fertile times. That’s how you get litters.” Ransom’s expression went from worry to amused. “My cousin is one of a set of quadruplets.”

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