It would happen again.
I nodded at them and rounded the back of the car.
Right as I was about to walk by Shannon, she grabbed my hand and squeezed.
Something pressed against my palm.
I looked down at a piece of paper.
She didn’t say a word, only shook her head.
I shoved it in my pocket.
We were almost to the main road when I looked in the rearview mirror.
Shannon and Malik were gone.
“Are you all right?” Ezra asked.
“Yeah,” I muttered as I rolled down the window. I was getting tired of people asking me that question. “I’m fine. I didn’t sleep very well is all. Sleeping in a barn isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, apparently.”
Ezra patted my knee. “We’ll be home soon enough. You did well, dear. I know it’s not easy going into another Alpha’s territory without knowing what awaits you. I’m proud of you.”
We headed north.
Ezra went inside to pay for gas the first time we stopped.
I pulled out the crumpled piece of paper.
It was a Valentine.
Across the top was a cartoon wolf, head tilted back, a tiny heart over his head.
Above it were the words I HOWL FOR YOU!!!
And below it was a phone number with four more words in a shaky scribble.
FOR WHEN YOU’RE READY.
dreamed in such sharpness/kill us all
“And that’s it,” Michelle said, sounding dubious. “That’s all it was. They were busy.”
“It happens,” Ezra said as we sat in her office. “Life often gets in the way when we least expect it to. I don’t know that they can be faulted for that so long as it doesn’t continue. Especially after all they’ve been through.”
She sat back in her chair, the light from the screen of her computer reflecting in her eyes. “Neither of you suspect anything different?”
“I certainly don’t,” Ezra said. “Though I’m not a wolf. I’m not as… adept at picking up deception. And since they don’t have a witch, I feel we need to look to Robbie in this regard.”
They both turned to me.
I swallowed thickly.
“Robbie?” Michelle asked.
What makes you think I won’t do just that?
Because part of you knows I’m telling the truth. You can feel it, can’t you? It’s hidden in shadow, buried deep inside. Something… off. Do you dream?