“I missed you, too, Mom.” He holds her tight, kissing the top of her head gently. “I’ll be back soon.”
“I’ll take that as a promise,” she answers.
“Come,” Gideon says, motioning toward our trio. We follow him back outside to a lean-to shed. Parked underneath is something I’ve only seen pictures of inmagazines. Seeing it in person is surprising. The Alpha rips a heavy cover off the vehicle, and underneath is just what I thought, a model TT truck.
“We can take the car,” Simon announces.
“Nonsense. The truck is faster and easier to start.” He unlocks the vehicle, which is the host of one bench seat.
“I won’t sit next to a vampire,” Stella announces.
“It’s fine. I’ll sit in the back,” I answer, hoping to ease her tension.
“No, you won’t,” Simon interrupts. “There is room for all three of us in front. It’s safer that way.”
“I don’t want…”
“Stella!” Gideon warns. “This is not about you.” He leans in front of the truck, turning the large crank as the motor roars to life. “You will do as your brother asks.”
“Father, I am a grown woman. I do not have to listen to Simon.”
“No,” he retorts. “But you do have to listen to me. As your Alpha, I command you to follow your brother’s instructions and do as he asks. Do I make myself clear?”
Stella doesn’t answer. Instead, she climbs into the cab of the truck, sliding to the middle. I slide into the seat next to her, being careful not to let any part of my body touch hers. The energy coming from her is heavy and thick with anger.
“If possible, get word to me when you arrive,” Gideon says, patting his son on the shoulder.
“I will. Thank you,” Simon answers before climbinginto the driver’s seat. Driving back the way we came, the truck barely passes through the dense forest before coming to a larger road. He turns north, heading toward Georgia. The roads are mostly dirt, making the trip seem longer than the silence already does. I don’t know how much time has passed as we continue along the coastline, heading north.
“Are you going to sulk the entire way?” Simon asks, breaking the silence.
“I’m not sulking,” Stella replies.
“You could’ve fooled me.”
She turns her body slightly, pushing her hips into mine. “I don’t want anything to do with this trip. I don’t want anything to do with her, and I don’t want anything to do with lycan politics.”
Simon laughs. “I can assure you this has nothing to do with lycan politics. As far as Violet, she’s not going…”
“I don’t care what she is or isn’t going to do. I don’t want anything to do with her,” she interrupts. My stomach rumbles at the perfect time. “See, she’s going to eat me.”
“Violet’s not going to eat you. She’s cut way back on her lycan intake. She sticks mostly to humans at the moment.” Amusement sounds through Simon’s voice. “Isn’t that right, Violet?”
“Mostly,” I answer. “I can’t remember if it was this morning or last night that I ate my last human.” I can’t help but smile as I speak.
“Both of you can kiss my ass,” Stella answers, making Simon laugh even harder. She turns her body back to its original position, crosses her arms, and stares at the road in front of us.
“Are we the only vehicle traveling?” I ask, breaking the silence once more.
“Seems that way. We haven’t seen anyone for a few hours,” Simon answers.
A feeling I have no description for hits me all at once. It feels familiar, yet different at the same time. Stella uncrosses her arms and looks around the truck, telling me she’s feeling it too.
“Simon?” I ask.
“Yeah. I feel it.”
“What…” My words are cut short by a loud crash behind us, and the back of the truck lowers to the dirt below.
