“I’m fine, Dad. Stop worrying. Noah will stay with me until Bass arrives.”
“Okay. I’ll see you when you’re home then.”
Laughing at his tone, Katalina pulled back and looked up at him. “It’s one night, Jackson.”
“I know. I know.”
“Right.” She gave her River Run family a half-wave. “I’ll see everyone later.”
“For your birthday.” Toby grinned.
She narrowed her gaze, wagged a finger at him. “No parties, Toby. I mean it!”
“I’ll keep him under control,” Cage promised. “There will be no party waiting on your return.”
Somehow Katalina didn’t think he spoke the truth. “You’re psychic, Anna. Tell these idiots how unhappy I’ll be with a party.”
Anna smiled. “There will be no party.”
With a nod, Katalina turned away, oddly empty. Saying goodbye seemed final, their smiles hiding worry that sent anxiety fluttering through her.
It’s only one night.
“Did Bass say how long he’d be?” Noah asked as they climbed into the car. He started the engine once settled.
“No. Just something about an incident with Zac and needing to help him shift back.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah.” She huffed out a breath, gazing at the trees as they began to flash by. Regan dashed out of the forest, a howl of goodbye on her lips. She disappeared a second later.
Katalina laughed. “You’d think I was going for a year or something the way everyone is acting.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see the back of you, Kat,” Noah teased.
She poked him in the ribs. “If Bass doesn’t hurry up, you’ll be coming along as my new boyfriend.”
“Families love me.” He beamed.
“I think mine might think you’re a little old for me,” Katalina answered.
“Oy!” He shoved her playfully in the shoulder. “I’m barely into my thirties.”
“That’s more than ten years, Noah.”
“Yeah, all right, fine. I’m old,” he mumbled.
Katalina giggled. “So, what’s this I hear about you chatting up Holly?”
Glancing at her, he rolled his eyes. “Is nothing secret around here?”
“Not when I’m friends with her, no. Secretly, I think she likes you.”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Katalina nodded. “But she thinks you’re cocky, so maybe play it cool, huh?”
“She had the cheek to call me old too, you know. I think I’m developing a complex.”
Katalina patted his shoulder. “I’m sure your ego can take it.” Noah loved himself; he had a confident presence and was a skilled fighter, add his wicked sense of humor into the mix, and the man was a catch. If you could look past the ego blocking the way.
“I really do like her, Kat. We danced at the mating party, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
“Maybe you should tell her that. Because she thinks she’s just another conquest.”
“I’m not Logan,” he moaned.
“Ah, well see, Logan’s retired now. Didn’t you know he’d handed over his playboy crown?”
“I see.” Noah shook his head. “Now Logan’s out of the game, you’ve all decided I’m next in line.”
“Man whore is the description Holly used.” Katalina tried and failed to keep her laughter inside.
“This isn’t funny, Kat. I’m going to have to up my game. I’m not a man whore.”
Unable to talk through her amusement, Katalina wiped at the tears in her eyes as Noah scowled, chuntering under his breath as he drove. Their playful banter continued back and forth, but when Noah finally pulled over where they’d soon be meeting her family, the smile on her face fell. Five minutes and her aunt’s car would arrive, and as Katalina dialed Bass’s number, listening to the rings go unanswered, she knew in her gut he wouldn’t make it on time.
I guess this is one nightmare I’m going to have to face alone.
“He’ll be here, Kat,” Noah reassured when she rang for the third time.
Her aunt’s car appeared around the corner, indicating to turn into the small layby on the side of the quiet road.
“Damn it, Bass,” Katalina muttered.
“We can just wait,” Noah said lightly as if he was trying his best to stay optimistic.
“Yeah, and how do I explain you?”
He shrugged. “I’m your slightly older, a lot more good-looking friend.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Perfect explanation.”
Her phone chimed. “’Bout ti—" It wasn’t Bass. “Thanks for the cryptic bullshit, Anna,” Katalina muttered as her stomach lurched.
“Everything all right?”
“It was Anna,” Katalina explained. Her skin prickled with an awareness she didn’t quite yet understand.
“What did she say?” Noah asked warily. They all knew when Anna gave cryptic tales it wasn’t good.
Katalina glanced up as her family began to pile out of the car. Everything was flying into fast-forward. Bass should have been there. She was never supposed to face this heartache alone. Arne whined in the back seat, adding to the tension humming through Katalina’s veins.
“Your origin is your strength,” she whispered. Why send this now? She knew the answer, yet Katalina wouldn’t accept it. Today was not the day. She wasn’t ready to face Castor. First she had to say goodbye to her human family and visit her parents’ graves one last time.
Just one last time, please, she begged silently.
Noah studied her, concern filling his gaze. “Very helpful.”
Her family noticed Noah as they approached the side of the car, confusion marring their expressions.
Katalina glanced at Noah and patted his knee; he looked a little nervous. “They don’t bite,” she teased, trying to shake the nauseous churning in her gut. “Though they might yell when I tell them I’m dating an older man.”
He jabbed her in the rib, and she jabbed back, smiling despite the situation.
“That’s it. I’m tickling you for that.” He grinned.
Katalina squealed as his fingers began their attack, laughter filling the car. Arne jumped up and down, joining in the fun by licking Noah.
“Gross, Arne, stop,” Noah complained, pushing him back while still tickling Katalina.
She was gasping for breath,
