“No,” she interrupted. “As an owl.”
Carlos stilled, staring at her. “I couldn’t go with you.”
“No,” she whispered. “They’d smell you. They’d know a tiger didn’t belong. An owl? There are hundreds of owls around here. And I could get help if something happened. He wouldn’t be alone.”
“You’d be alone.” Carlos was visibly working to keep calm. “And there’s no guarantee they wouldn’t hurt you.”
“They won’t know I’m there. I promise you, Carlos, I’ll stay an owl no matter what happens.”
She would, too, because there was no way she could claw a wolf shifter’s eyes out as a human woman.
But even that would only be necessary if it looked like Drew was going to get hurt. She really didn’t think it was going to be dangerous.
“But I have to go now,” she said, as Drew finally got the car started. “Carlos, I don’t want to do this if you genuinely think it’s too dangerous, or if it’ll put Drew in danger, but—”
“No, you’re right,” Carlos said. He squeezed his eyes shut and repeated, “You’re right. There’s no real danger. They won’t suspect an owl, they won’t know it’s you, and you’ll be able to learn what exactly Drew’s doing for them, and when, and where. And if he does it tonight, you can follow him. Yes. I hate it.”
Pauline leaned down and kissed him quickly as Drew pulled away, the car trundling slowly down the street, as though he was hesitating to leave them behind.
“I don’t wanna sleep here!” Troy interrupted the moment. Val was sniffling again.
“Thank you,” Pauline whispered to Carlos, and shifted.
She flapped into the air as fast as possible. She had a car to follow.
***
Carlos
Why did Carlos have to have a mate who was so damn smart, quick, and brave?
He pondered that question as he pulled the kids inside. Troy was dragging a duffle bag behind him that proved to have diapers, snacks, juice, and bedtime stories in it. The kids were already in their pajamas.
“Looks like your brother made sure you have everything you need,” he said cheerfully, swinging Val up into his arms, hoping he wouldn’t set off a tantrum. But she just kept up the sort of half-sniffle, half-whine that she’d been doing since Pauline left.
“He always leaves us stuff,” Troy said sullenly. “And then he puts us with strangers.” He glared at Carlos.
“Well,” Carlos said slowly, thinking carefully about what he was going to say, “this is Pauline’s house. You know Pauline, don’t you?”
Troy nodded reluctantly. “She gives us cookies and stuff.”
“Cookie?” Val perked up.
“I’ve got...animal crackers,” Carlos reported, digging through the bag. “Want one of those?”
Val stretched out a hand, practically diving headfirst into the bag as she reached for a cookie. Carlos handed it to her, and she attacked it immediately.
“You want one?” he asked Troy.
“No.”
“You don’t accept bribes, huh,” Carlos said easily, which surprised the kid into an almost-smile. “I can respect that. Listen, you don’t know me, and I get that that’s no fun. But I’m just staying with you until Pauline gets back.”
“She went after Drew,” Troy
pointed out. “What if something happens?”
“That’s what Pauline’s there for,” Carlos said. “She’ll make sure nothing happens. She’s a real tough lady, she won’t let anything go wrong for your brother. Promise.”