Twenty-Six
Elise worked lateat the zoo, but this time she wasn't sneaking around or trying to heal any of the wounded animals. For now, she had put that behind her, and she wasn't going to risk any more helpful break-ins. It was a minor miracle that she hadn't experienced any consequences after coming back from her alleged illness other than concerned looks from her co-workers and offers to help her while she got back up to speed.
She freaking loved her co-workers. Everyone was dedicated to helping, whether that was animals or staff. Could she really consider quitting to pursue EMT training?
But did she want to be an administrative assistant at the wildlife rehab forever?
Since she had been so lucky, she wasn't going to press that luck any further. At least not now. That night, she was working at the zoo under completely legitimate circumstances, volunteering to help with the monthly cage clean-out that happened after hours.
Saving animal lives was dirty business, and it requiredso muchnewspaper and torn up towels.
She got home around nine and found Briana, Delainey, Serena, and Aya drinking wine in the kitchen. Music was playing on a Bluetooth speaker, and Serena and Delainey were dancing around like they were in the middle of a house party. Not really strange activity for her coven. But they usually didn't kill a bottle of wine on a Wednesday night.
"We should do shots." Serena spun toward the counter, grabbing the edge for balance.
Thatwas definitely not a Wednesday night activity. They weren't in college anymore.
Delainey whooped, but Briana held her hands up. "I'm good, thanks."
"Same here." Aya took a step back from the counter.
Briana and Aya exchanged a look and ducked out of the kitchen. Briana at least gave her a wave in greeting, but Aya wouldn't meet her eyes.
That was strange.
"Is something going on?" Elise asked Serena and Delainey, dropping her bag by the doorway. "I know it's not someone's birthday."
"It's just a good day." Serena sipped her wine.
"Asuccessfulone," Delainey added.
Elise's stomach dropped. "You guys didn't do something stupid, did you? I know the Iron Runner pack was bothering us the other day, but we can't fight them. They would crush us. Please tell me you didn't go back into their territory."
Delainey made a dismissive sound. "We're not stupid."
"I'm surprised that you don't want vengeance on all of them." Serena leaned in. "I'd be casting revenge spells on every single one of the Iron Runner pack for that gross bullshit they were spreading about you fucking a mangy dog."
Ugh.
He's not mangy,Elise wanted to say but was wise enough to keep her mouth shut.
He was a glorious wolf, though she'd never seen him in that form. She was a little shocked to realize she wanted to.
She had it so bad.
She was supposed to be putting Nico out of her mind now. What had happened to her resolution to get over him and move on with her life? Yeah, it wasn't working. Not even a little bit.
Delainey grabbed the bottle of whiskey they kept in the pantry and held it up tantalizingly at Serena. Then she paused. "I've got a better idea." She set the bottle down with a thunk. "Let's get the fuck out of here and have somerealfun." She looked at Elise. "You coming?"
"No, I'm good." Elise fought the urge to cross her arms. Something was up with those two. And she really didn't want in on whatever shenanigans Delainey and Serena were getting into. She'd bailed them out more than once after “somerealfun.”
Briana stuck her head back into the kitchen. "You two are really going out, even though …" she trailed off.
Serena rolled her eyes. "It's taken care of, Mom." She waved a hand dismissively. "There's nothing to worry about."
Delainey took a swig from the bottle of whiskey and handed it over to Serena, who took her own drink before they recapped it and left with a "later, losers."
Elise was more than a little relieved that they were gone.
