This was my first morning back after spending a week in Raleigh with Elizabeth, who we now called Ellie. Since she’d been bitten a couple of weeks ago, me and my sisters had taken turns staying there with her. Ellie’s body was slowly changing, and we all agreed she’d need our support to get through it. Her hearing and sense of smell had already significantly improved, and it was only a matter of time before her sight did as well.
I knew if Abraham didn’t have so many responsibilities out here in Asheville, he’d have stayed with Ellie himself. He’d barely been able to tear himself away from her since he found her broken and bleeding in the woods a couple weeks ago. He was convinced they were fated mates, and for his sake, I hoped he was wrong.
Thankfully, I didn’t get down to breakfast until well after everyone else had eaten, so I’d get to have a blissfully quiet meal all by myself. It had been nice spending a week away from everyone and I wasn’t looking to change that anytime soon.
“Hey! When did you get back?”
And there went my solitude.
I turned to find my youngest sister walking toward me and mustered up a smile for her. “I got in last night.”
“Where’s Ellie at?”
“She and Abey stayed in Raleigh for the weekend.”
“Ooh, good for them. They could use some alone time away from the craziness.”
I could relate.
The two of them had been dancing around this relationship of theirs from the moment they met. It was clear to everyone else that they were meant for each other, but she was being stubborn, and he was letting her. She had him so wrapped around her finger already it was almost funny.
Evey slid onto the bench across from me and I stifled a sigh as I shoveled more yogurt into my mouth.
“So, what’s goin’ on with you? I feel like I’ve barely seen you lately.”
“I was in Raleigh for a week.”
She shot me an exasperated look before grabbing a handful of my granola and dropping it in her mouth. “You were missin’ in action long before you left for Raleigh,” she said as she happily crunched away on my breakfast.
I gritted my teeth, working to stay calm. “I’ve just been busy.”
She reached for more granola and I slapped her hand away. “Environmental stuff?”
“Yes. Environmental stuff.”
“Is that what’s got you so crabby too? Did someone recycle their plastics with their glass instead of separatin’ ‘em or somethin’?”
I narrowed my eyes at her as she fought off a grin. “No, smart aleck.”
She picked up my banana this time and took a large bite before I wrangled it out of her hand. “Then what is it? You’re normally so even-tempered, and you’ve been snarky with everyone lately.”
“Then you’d think people would learn to avoid ticking me off!” I growled as I moved all of my breakfast out of her reach.
Evey sat back in her seat and motioned toward me. “See? That’s what I mean.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as I stirred my yogurt. “All right, I’m sorry. Just quit picking at my breakfast when you’ve already had yours.”
She held up both hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll leave you to it. We’re watchin’ a movie in a little while. You wanna join us?”
“Who’s us?”
There were a couple people in particular I was avoiding at all costs, so it was important I got the finer details up front before I made any commitments.
“Just me, Del, and Bea.”
That sounded safe enough.
“Okay, yeah. I’ll join you guys.”
Evey clapped her hands. “Excellent! Now eat your breakfast so we can go get the others.”
I smothered my sigh as I worked on finishing my food. It looked like my dreams of having a peaceful meal to myself were gone, but maybe that was okay.
I hadn’t spent much time with my sisters lately. I was usually too busy, but that was no excuse. We were a close-knit family and it needed to stay that way. Which meant I’d have to try harder in the future to not push them away so much.
“Well, if it isn’t our long-lost sister. That stick still up your ass, or what?”
I leveled Del with a glare as I walked into the movie room and took a seat next to Evey. It was starting to come back to me why I’d kept my distance recently.
“That was a real question, Callie. If you need help with it though, you’re on your own. We’re close, but I draw the line at butt stuff.”
“Del, that’s disgusting. Do you ever think before you speak?”
She shrugged. “Although, if you need help in that department, I know one wolf you could call.” She smiled at me like the cat that ate the canary while my stomach twisted in knots.
Please don’t ask.
Please don’t ask.
Please don’t ask.
“Who are you talkin’ about?” Evey asked.
I blew out a frustrated breath and shook my head. “She’s not talking about anyone. Can we just watch the movie?”
“Oh, I’m talkin’ about someone. Tall, blond, and handsome. Isn’t that your taste, Callie?”
Both Bea and Evey turned to me, their eyes wide with curiosity. I worked to ignore them, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered.
Evey turned back to Del. “Is it Mathias?”
Del shook her head. “Nope.”
“Tall, blond, and handsome… hmm.” She turned to give me a weird look before glancing at Del again. “It’s not Jake, is it? He’s kinda young and I thought he was seein’ Hannah.”
Del giggled. “Nope. Wrong again.”
“Okay, I give up. Who is it?”
“It’s no one,” I tried again, but they were ignoring
