“So, this is Grandma Minnie’s place.”Byron is the next in, and he moves to the center of the room, turning slowly to observe every angle.
I look at the cabin with new eyes, seeing it how my brothers see it.The space isn’t hugely different from when I first arrived.All the furniture is pretty much the same, other than the upgrades I’ve made to them.I realize that despite my idea to potentially sell the pieces once they were refurbished, I haven’t looked into any options for that task.I simply made everything look better, then arranged the furniture how I preferred.
As if this were my place.
The thought sends a spike of panic through me.I’ve been settling in.Getting comfortable here.Turning this cabin into an introvert’s hideaway.
“What still needs getting done?Have you talked to the local realtor?”Abram starts flicking light switches, as if he thinks he’s going to find a dud.Like I would let myself live in darkness.
Unfortunately, that isn’t an unreasonable assumption based on how they last found me.
“No, I haven’t.I guess I thought Mom would do that since she’s technically the one who owns it.”
Donovan silently wanders around the space, eyeing my handiwork.
“True.Then, we just need to make it ready for sale,” Abram says.
We?
For the first time since I realized the car parked outside was Carver’s, I resent my brothers’ surprise visit.
I’ve spent weeks working on this cabin, and now, they’re here to speed things along?Rush me through to the end?
This ismyproject.I wanted to go at my pace.
But that’s life with the Gunner boys.
Say goodbye to my control.
40
WARNER
There areno clouds in the night sky, allowing the light from the full moon to spill down and bathe us in her cool glow.My wolf stretches under my skin, as if waking up from a long nap, and waits eagerly for me to take my animal form.
I’m eager too.
Once I’m wolf, my thoughts will be less focused.Instinct will take over, and I’ll be able to melt into the rhythm of the pack.
Thoughts of Zoey will tuck into the back corner of my mind.Worry about leaving her will hopefully dim.
There’s nothing to be anxious over.She’ll be in Pine Falls, right where you left her, once this night is done.
A dark voice in the back of my mind brings out my doubt.Will she though?
Things between Zoey and me are good.But they’re good in the same way that skydiving is good.All glorious rush and heady feelings, with the hope that once the rip cord is pulled, a parachute will deploy and keep me from smashing into a pile of blood, bone, and entrails when I hit the ground.
We’re falling, and as long as I don’t touch the rip cord, I can convince myself thereisa parachute.
I can tell myself that falling for Zoey won’t end in disaster.
“If you’re separated, we meet back here at dawn.Head count is required before we head back to town.”Roderick’s normally steady voice is broken with a growling quality tonight.The change is gripping him as tightly as the rest of us.
A third of the pack is already in their wolf forms.
We’ve gathered in the field behind an abandoned barn.The land is owned by the pack, allowing us to park an entire fleet of bikes and cars here.Not everyone in the pack is a member of The Dark Moon Riders.Roderick said once that he thinks the pack instinct calls to some more than others, and those are the members who join the club.The ones who need that group around them for more than one night a month.
Prime example of someone who doesn’t have any interest in joining: Courtney.
