The Challenge (The Pack 2)

“We need to talk to Wren,” I murmured, absently rubbing my arms. He nodded, curling his fingers around my hand, stilling it.

“I’m going to follow the trails. Find out how far they go.”

“How far?” I repeated and he shifted uncomfortably. “How far do you think they go, Dom?”

He met my eyes and sighed. “It’s possible they go all the way to the Hanley border.”

Chapter Ten

I managed to get through breakfast, Dom’s words haunting me as I pretended the chocolate chip pancakes we ate were giant cookies instead. Monster’s giggles eased some of my fear as I fought to keep a happy face. Why had Wren been taking him into the forest? Where were they going? What were they doing?

I was desperate to talk to her but when Dad gave me that helpless look he’d perfected, I knew what he was going to ask before he even spoke.

“Can you watch Monster,” I stated at the exact same time as him. He smiled sheepishly, scratching his nose.

“How did you know?”

“I can read you like a book, Dad,” I answered, smiling at him fondly. “Why can’t Wren watch him?” I asked, fishing for information.

“She is going into town with some of the others to buy party supplies,” he replied absently, his mind already at the office and working on expense ratios and spreadsheets.

“Oh, that’s a little surprising.”

“Why?” His head came up, something in my question sparking his curiosity and I shrugged hastily.

“I just thought she’d be watching Monster instead of shopping. She seems to take her responsibility seriously.”

“She does. I actually told her she should go. Get out a little more.”

She seems to get out plenty, I thought privately, but gave Dad a bright smile. “You’re right and I’m here to watch Monster so it worked out perfectly.”

He beamed, obviously proud of himself and I let go of my plan to interrogate Wren.

At least for today.

Dad disappeared out the door as I turned to the little troublemaker. “Alright, Monster, you going to help me set up tables for tonight’s party?”

He stared at me speculatively. “Will there be cookies at this party?”

“Yes,” I said definitively. “More cookies than one little boy could ever eat.” His eyes widened for a second before narrowing in determination and I knew he’d accepted the challenge.

A knock on the door interrupted us and when I peeked through the peephole I was surprised to see Sam standing there, bouncing on her heels.

“Hey,” I greeted her as I pulled the door open quickly. “I thought you’d be shopping with the others.”

She looked startled but recovered quick as she answered. “I am. Well, I’m supposed to meet up with them. I need a favor.” She spoke quickly, the words almost tumbling over one another in their rush to get out.

“Sure,” I answered slowly, feeling like something was off but not sure what. “What do you need?”

“Can you watch Nicky for me?”

“Uh, yeah, sure, I guess so,” I stuttered out as she let out a relieved sigh.

“Great!” She scooted backwards, waving as Nicky stood next to the door. “Bye, be good for Aunt Jess, Nicky.”

She disappeared around the corner as I glanced down at Nicky and muttered under my breath, “Aunt Jess?” He shuffled his feet, shoulders hunched and I knew I needed to do something to put him at ease.

“Hey, Nicky,” I said cheerily. “We were just going to go play out back.”

“I thought you said we were setting up for the party,” Monster accused, crossing his arms.

“We can do both,” I told him, locking the door and following where Sam had disappeared. I scanned the parking lot and field but she was nowhere in sight. “Nicky, do you know where your mom was going?”

He shook his head, bashful in my presence and I smiled gently. “Okay.”

“I thought your name was Bunny,” he whispered and I laughed.

“I answer to a lot of names,” I informed him, using the hand I held to twirl him around. He giggled, relaxing, as I rattled them off. “Jess, Bunny, Sissy, and now Aunt Jess.”

I took a deep breath as the title rolled around my head, suddenly feeling way to young to be someone’s aunt.

I like it, Dom’s thought echoed in my head, amusement coating it.

You would, I retorted. Find anything?

She was meeting someone.

What? The thought came out more like a shriek and I felt him flinch. Sorry.

Her trail goes all the way to the Hanley border. He paused and I sent an impatient thought his way. She didn’t cross to Hanley land. Whoever she met stayed on Hanley land and she stayed on Navarre. I can’t get a good read on the scent though.

So, Wren is meeting someone.

We don’t know for sure its Wren, he reminded me. I still need to verify its her scent.

Its hers, I replied, knowing it down to my bones. The question was who was she meeting? And why?