Page 40 of Secret Shifters Next Door

“He’s super cute, like a full-on heartthrob.” Jordyn batted her eyelashes at Mariah. “Oh, Kayden, thank yousomuch for my binder. Maybe I can say thank you with a big wet kiss.”

Mariah pulled a chunk off the banana she was eating and threw it at Jordyn. The white flesh of the fruit struck her right above the eye and splattered across her face. All three of us burst out laughing, Jordyn was nearly crying by the time she was able to stop laughing and catch her breath.

“Okay, that’s it, watch your back. I’ll get you for that one,” Jordyn said, grabbing a paper towel to wipe her face.

I wiped the tears of laughter away from my eyes as my mind went back to the idea of boys. Of the two girls, I knew Jordyn was the one who would end up being the most boy crazy. It showed. Mariah and Jordyn were both gorgeous, and I’d be crazy to think they hadn’t already caught the eyes of boys at school.

After wiping off her face, Jordyn said, “Okay, I’m going to go add a bunch of my new friends on social media. Bye.”

She ran upstairs, and I glanced at Mariah. She was finishing what was left of her banana. “So, Kayden?”

“Oh my gosh, Mom,” she said with a laugh.

“I’m just asking. Sounds like he’s got his eye on you.”

“Good Lord. Okay, sure, he’s cute… well, really cute, I guess. He really was only returning my binder, though.”

“Okay, I’ll leave it alone,” I said with a smile.

Mariah’s face changed. It was like she’d instantly thought of something. Her brow furrowed, and she chewed at her lower lip. She glanced at the stairs, almost like she was looking to see if Jordyn was coming back. It was a strange shift.

Before I could ask what was wrong, she said, “Um, is Tate the father of the baby?”

It was like I’d been standing on the beach, enjoying the warm sun, relaxing and happy, and then a massive freezing wave had slammed into me. Tumbling under the water, barely able to breathe, cold and shocked. My eyes widened in surprise.

After a few seconds, trying to collect myself, I stammered, “What… what are you talking about, Mariah?”

“Mom, I heard it last night. When they were putting the security system in, he asked if you were carrying his baby.” She sighed and shrugged. “I heard it. I just wanted to know if it was true.”

“Mariah, it’s a really long story. Complicated and weird, and… well, I promise I’ll tell you about it soon.”

Mariah shook her head and smiled. “It’s fine. Take your time. I really like having Tate around. It’s nice, you know? Anyway, I’m going to go read for a bit.”

I watched Mariah walk up the stairs, still shocked by what she’d asked. She knew. What’s more, she seemed fine with it. The girls had really taken to Tate, had embraced him even. Once again, I wondered if I was making the right decision by bringing him into our lives. It was a huge risk. Not just because my heart was at stake here, but theirs as well.

SEVENTEEN

TATE

If Harley knew where I actually had to go, I was sure she’d change her mind about allowing me into her life. Miles had set up a meeting with an Alpha from a wolf shifter clan to the south. They’d also had pack members disappearing, but unlike a lot of the others, they’d found the bodies. We wanted to talk to him and try to figure out what he might know. We also wanted to see if the body we found and had buried was one of his. If so, we’d give them the location so they could get some closure.

We met him at a rest stop off the highway halfway between our towns. The spot was always pretty deserted, which made it a good location to meet up. No one would hear what we were talking about. The others were already there when I pulled up.

Steff, Miles, and Blayne were already in conversation with the Alpha as I walked up. The Alpha glanced up and said, “Is this the other guy?”

Miles glanced at me. “Yeah, this is the last of us.”

He stepped forward and put his hand out, “Doug. Good to meet you.”

“Tate. Likewise. So, what did I miss?”

Miles said, “We were talking about the body we found. It’s not one of theirs.”

Doug nodded. “Yeah, the description doesn’t match any of my missing guys. Doesn’t sound like anyone I know from the other wolf packs around here. Could be a guy who was on his own, maybe getting close to going feral. Sorry I couldn’t help with that. I’ll keep an ear out if I hear anyone looking for somebody.”

“Have you or your guys noticed any new people around? People who have maybe just moved in, or somebody who came to town for work or something?”

Doug mulled it over for a minute. Then he shook his head. “Nothing that rings a bell, but there was something I wanted to bounce off you guys.”

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