Page 84 of Pit Stop

My dad nods. “Yeah, and you’re Gen?”

“Mhm, that’s right. Was expecting you. Red told us you were coming. Welcome.”

My dad looks around, and Gen grins wickedly. He whistles, and I shudder when I see a group of large wolves approach. Fuck, are we in danger?

We can’t be, right? We had an invitation.

“Don’t worry. They’re just making sure you’re not here to do us harm. Because if you are, I’ll make sure you won’t survive.”

The wolves snap their teeth in agreement, and my dad’s hand tightens on the door of the van.

“We’re just here to see the shaman. We were told to arrive as soon as possible.”

“All right. But like I said, you’re welcome here. Just know your place.”

“We do.”

“Good, now let me show you where you’ll stay.”

Gen whistles again, and the wolves disappear back into the forest, but I can still feel their eyes on me.

Oh my gods, I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe I dragged my family into this mess. Into danger. I should have just stayed mated to Maverick. But it’s too late. My dad is driving the van forward, following behind Gen, who is walking briskly.

A minute later, we pull up beside a large building, and Gen points to the side of it, gesturing for us to park. Gen eyes us as we all clamber out, his gaze landing on Forest and Maverick for a little too long. But he says nothing, just watches.

“You’ll stay here. This is Red’s den. He said he’d loan it out for your stay.”

My dad nods, and Sage offers Gen a small smile. “Thank you.”

But he goes ignored. Gen’s eyes swivel around the four of us, finally landing on me. He cocks his head and those eyes flare.

“Hm. I see. Let me know if you need anything. And remember, we’re watching you.”

And with that, he disappears into the shadows, leaving us standing there in the darkness, unsure of what to do now.

“Shit,” Forest says, and Sage lets out a nervous laugh.

“This is wild.”

“Why did Red send us here again?” Sage asks.

“For selfish reasons, I bet,” Forest says. “It’s always something with those shifters.”

As those words leave his lips, the door to the house creaks open and a woman appears.

“Get in here. Before they decide to make you dinner.”

We grab our bags and make our way inside the house. It’s just as rickety and old as the gates leading into the property, but it’s historic. A lot of stories were made here. Tales. Legends.

“Name is Bet. Your rooms are up on the second floor. Breakfast at 6 a.m. You miss it, your fault. The wolves around here wait for no one.”

We all nod, and she points to the stairs. “Better get some rest. Let waits for no one.”

“Let? Do these people only have one-syllable names?” Sage whispers to me, and I suppress a giggle. Maybe they do. Maybe that’s their trademark. Although their name should have been the Red Howlers then. Would have made for a little better marketing.

We trudge up the stairs and see two rooms open and aired out. My dad looks at Maverick and me, then points to one.

“You two go in there. We’ll sleep here.”

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