Page 90 of Moon Tamed

We had bananas, but the refugees had a huge appetite for them, resulting in their quick disappearance. Aware the birds would not accept no for an answer, I hoped I’d be able to find a banana somewhere.

They expected an entire banana to share once a week, and when they did not get their banana, they made certain their caretaker was as miserable as they were.

“I am totally going to ask the vets if you can actually have bananas. And if they say they’ll make you sick, you’re not getting bananas.”

“Ba-nan-aaaaaahhhhhh,” the parrots screamed.

“You’re feathered menaces!” I yelled back.

The birds bobbed their heads and laughed at me.

I loved the asshole parrots, and I would be heartbroken the day they went on to whatever bird paradise awaited them.

I got up, gathered our things, and headed for the door to discover Calden romping in the hallway with his father, who’d made an appearance as a wolf. A rather exhausted Peter sprawled on the floor, and when he spotted me, he crawled my way.

“Goodness. And to think I only shot you when we were on opposing teams today. What did they do to you?”

“I ran,” Peter whined.

“Well, that was stupid. They’re Hunters. They’re apex couch potatoes right up until the time their prey decides to run. If you want a Hunter to lose interest, you become as absolutely boring as possible.” When my brother came into range, I nudged him with my toe. “Use your fancy phone to inform our parents we’re coming over.”

Peter wormed around on the floor, retrieved his phone from a pocket, and held it up to me. “Please?”

Well, as my brother had learned his manners, I put my purse and Calden’s belongings on the floor, took the phone, and pointed it at his face to unlock it before selecting our father’s contact from the list. I dialed, held the phone to my ear, and waited for my father to issue his standard taunt to my brother before revealing which child had contacted him.

“Did the Hunters kill you off?”

“I regret to inform you that your other child has been thoroughly defeated by the Hunters. He is alive, but he might not survive the day if he doesn’t receive some tender, loving care from you and Mom.”

“You want us to feed you,” my father accused.

“That would be an accurate statement. I’ve had a long day shooting my boss with paintballs. Right now, my boss and his child are romping around as wolves. The child of that relationship spent most of the day sleeping in my office, so he has a surprising amount of energy.”

“And how did my baby girl enjoy her first camping trip this weekend?”

“I had a good time. I got to enjoy being kept warm by a very fluffy wolf.”

“Good. I’ll be taking you and your brother out tomorrow night to purchase your own camping equipment rather than mooching off Calden, so try to leave your brother somewhat functional after the hunt.”

“He doesn’t have to be functional to give me his money. You can help with the shopping, though. Calden has been teaching me how to use a bow, and I’m very bad at it. I’m going to teach him how to use a sling, so I need to get the supplies so he can make his own.”

“It did not take you long to mesh with the Hunters.”

“It really didn’t, and they’re basically letting me win this hunt because I have zero remorse over shooting my boss with paintball guns. I’m going to owe him a week’s worth of new suits by the time this is over, but that’s a small price to pay. Every time he does something annoying, I shoot him. It’s hugely satisfying.”

“It’s not just satisfying, it’s hugely satisfying?” my father asked in an amused tone.

“That’s correct.”

“I see you are having a good time with the Hunters.”

“That may be an accurate statement. So, can we invade?”

“We anticipated your brother’s bruised state, and your mother assumed that you would follow him, so I suppose you can invade. The Stephans are more than welcome to join us. Try to bring your brother home intact, please.”

“I view him as properly punished for his various sins, but I’m not letting him off the hook for the shopping trip. My camping kit is at stake.”

In reality, I already had a camping kit I shared with Calden, but having more camping supplies seemed wise.

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