Page 40 of Secret Wolf Baby

Her eyes went wide. “You’re joking.”

“You’re right.” I gave a wide grin. “I am.”

Claire stuck out her tongue as Audrey laughed.

The rest of the dinner went by in a similar fashion. The whole experience felt almost familiar, as if we had done this hundreds of times. There was something about it, though, that also felt right, like it was always supposed to be this way. The three of us as a unit.

After dinner, Claire started walking toward the living room when Audrey stopped her. “Go finish your homework,” she ordered. “You can watch TV after.”

Claire grimaced and glanced over at me, her eyes wide and begging.

“Listen to your mother,” I said.

Pouting, Claire nodded and went upstairs.

“Thanks,” Audrey said.

“No kid likes to do homework,” I said. “I get it.”

She began gathering the plates.

“Here, let me help,” I offered.

“It’s fine,” she muttered, stacking the dishes. “I do this all the time.”

“You did back at your old pack,” I said. “But here, I can help.”

She hesitated, the pile of plates already in her hand. She glanced back at the table. “You can get the glasses if you really want to help.”

Nodding, I gathered them.

“Did you know Reacher was the alpha of a different pack before the Blood Moon?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

I wasn’t sure what sort of reaction I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t her dropping the entire stack of dishes. The resounding crash rang in my ears as ceramic and dollops of food spilled across the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” she babbled, looking from me to the broken dishes at her feet and back to me, her eyes wide with fright. “Just butterfingers. They slipped right out of my hands. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s all right,” I said, cutting her off. “These things happen.”

She ran her fingers through her hair, muttering swear words under her breath. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated.

“Relax. They’re dishes,” I said. “They’re easily replaceable. I’m more worried about you hurting yourself. Be careful where you step.”

As if she hadn’t heard me, Audrey bent and began gathering the larger shards, putting them on the least brokenplate. Her hands trembled a little as she kept her gaze on the floor.

I crouched beside her and began to help pick up the pieces.

“I’m fine, I’ve got it,” she insisted. “You just…”

I stopped what I was doing to look at her, taking in her wide eyes, hunched shoulders, and frantic movements. After a moment, I reached out and took her wrist. I felt her stiffen beneath my grip, but I didn’t let go.

“Audrey,” I said gently, as though speaking to a frightened animal. Slowly, she looked up at me, her large, blue eyes staring into mine with uncertainty. “What happened to you?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, her eyes widening.

“Eleven years ago, you were this strong, fiery woman,” I said. “You weren’t afraid of anyone or anything. It was one of the things I admired about you. A few years ago, you would have laughed about the plates and told me it was my fault for distracting you. But now…” I gestured around us.

Her jaw clenched for a moment. “People change. I’m sorry if—”

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