“It’s going to wreck them. They love Bea.” I stuck my elbow on the armrest and watched the pallid land scroll by. “What happened to all the people Alex bit?”
“What do you think happened to them?”
“Did they not give any of them a chance?”
“You’d have to ask Lori, but I bet they were all killed immediately, or word would’ve spread of his clandestine abilities.”
“Do you think the full moon will turn them back? Or completely?”
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
My optimism shriveled like a raisin. I was so disappointed I couldn’t muster a single other word for miles.
It wasn’t until we reached the compound almost an hour later that I managed to speak again. “Now that the case is solved, will you return to Boulder?”
“Yes. But after the full moon run and the halfwolves’ fates have been decided.”
I’d miss having him and Storm around. Even Lucas and his stream-of-consciousness chatter would be missed.
I glanced at Liam, and our eyes held. Could he see all that was going through my mind? Lycaon, I hoped not. How embarrassing to have grown attached after two weeks. Yes, we’d spent an inordinate amount of time together and been intimate, but still . . .
“Do you miss home?” I ended up asking.
His attention reverted to the road. “Home is Storm and the pack.”
I nibbled on my lower lip. “So you already feel at home here?”
“Yes.”
My insides warmed as he drove up to my parents’ house and parked.
Before getting out, he said, “Want me to break the news or want to do it yourself?”
“I’ll do it.”
I took a deep breath, readying myself to shatter my parents’ hearts. Hopefully, Nate had beat me to it. They drew open the front door before we’d even reached it, faces as pale as the milk Storm was guzzling down.
“You heard?”
Mom shifted Storm to her other hip. “Nate called. He’s still at the hospital with Miles but he was heading to the bunker. Your dad was about to go meet him, but I’d like to—if you don’t need me anymore, Liam . . .” Her voice caught.
“Of course. Thank you for keeping my son as long as you have.” Liam reached out for Storm, who released his bottle and flailed around to reach his father, wearing the drooliest smile.
In spite of the tears filming her eyes, Mom echoed Storm’s smile. “Please. We had the greatest sleepover. I hope you two had fun despite . . .”
She swallowed while I sucked in a little too much air and subsequently began coughing. Liam remained perfectly opaque, answering that it had been an extremely appreciated break, and he couldn’t thank them enough for their generosity.
I knew it was ridiculous to even worry about my parents finding out about the extent ofour fun, but did it stop me? Nope. Especially since the mark of our fun was right smack dab in the middle of Liam’s face. Hopefully, they imagined Liam had gotten his fun elsewhere.
Mom helped Liam thread Storm’s arms through his little puffer jacket. “Why did she do this to herself? To her brother . . . to her parents . . .”
I hadn’t thought about Miles in a while, but now that I did, I worried about him and his staged fender bender.
Dad pulled Mom against him and kissed her temple. “Maybe there’s a way to reverse it, Meg.”
Mom’s bottom lip began to wobble.
“Aw, Mom.” I gripped one of her hands and squeezed.
