“There were wolves and vampires at that scene,” Gunner said. “We’re heading out into the woods after dark to see if we can track the prints. It’s the night before a full moon tonight, so we can use that as cover for why we’re running.”
Graham nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
Sami perked up. “I forgot it was almost the full moon.”
Aric immediately started shaking his head. “You can’t come with us.”
Sami’s pout returned with a vengeance. “Why not?”
“You know why.” Aric stared at her pointedly. “If we run into trouble, we might not be able to protect you. It’s better if you stay with your mother.”
“But ... I want to shift, too. It’s important to me because I’m a wolf and stuff.”
Zoe snickered. “That was almost convincing, Sami, but you’re staying with me. If you want to shift, you can do it while I’m watching and stick to Scout’s yard. Your father and Gunner are going to handle the search tonight.”
“That’s not fair.” Sami folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t get to do anything.”
“Two nights ago, you were completely on your own and managed to survive. I think that’s more than enough independence for one trip.”
“Whatever.” Sami’s eyes were glittery slits of hate. “I hope you know that I’m going to write a book about you guys one day and the whole world is going to know how horrible you are.”
“We’re crushed,” Aric said. “You’re still not going. This is something Gunner and I have to do ourselves.”
“Besides,” Gunner offered helpfully, “you don’t want to become one of the missing girls, do you?”
“Good grief!” Sami shrieked. “I’m not like those other girls. I can take care of myself. I’m strong.” She mimed flexing for good measure. “I think you should take me with you.”
“No.” Aric was adamant. “You’re staying with your mother, and that’s all there is to it.”
Sami’s face was so red I expected her to turn into a cartoon character and emit steam from her ears. “I’m going to include every instance of child abuse for my entire fourteen years when I write my book. You’re going to be really sorry when Oprah interviews me.”
Aric glared at his wife. “She definitely gets that from you.”
Zoe merely shrugged. “She’s aiming to model her life after the best. What can I say?”
All I knew was that it was going to be a really long night.
Sixteen
Watching Sami Winters pout, harrumph, and let loose ridiculous sighs that would only be appropriate in an after-school special made me wonder about parenthood.
“We won’t let our kids act like that,” Gunner announced hours later, moving behind me. His shirt was off and he was getting prepared to shift.
I cast him a sidelong look over my shoulder and snickered. “Isn’t that the thing all parents tell themselves before they have kids?”
“Probably. It’s true, though. We’ll be tougher.”
The fact that he could say that with a straight face dumbfounded me. “I think it’s a little soon to be talking about kids,” I teased.
“I don’t want them anytime soon.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my temple. “That’s not to say I wouldn’t mind practicing for the big day. I’m just saying, she’s a lot of work.”
He wasn’t wrong. “She’s at the worst possible age. Those years between twelve and sixteen are hell.”
“Sometimes I think her parents coddle her. Other times I think they’re strict with her. It’s weird.”
“They’ve struck a balance. They pick and choose their battles. They’re smart.”
“I guess.” He sighed and then tugged on my shirt to turn me. “Are you okay with this?”
“You being shirtless?” Automatically, my hand went to his chest. “I’m fine with it.”
He smirked. “I meant me running off with Aric.” He hesitated and then barreled forward. “It’s usually you and me. We’re the dream team. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t leery about being separated from you.”
It was a sweet sentiment, and completely unnecessary. “I’ll be fine. Emma isn’t going to attack with Zoe present. She’s afraid of her.”
Gunner’s expression went dark. “I hadn’t even considered that. I was more concerned with hurt feelings about being left behind.”
I knew exactly what he was thinking. “You’re going. If there are shifters out there, you and Aric have a better chance of figuring out what they’re up to. We’ll slow you down.”
He brushed his fingers against my cheek. “Just be careful. I know Zoe is supposed to be the baddest badass who ever badassed, but this feels big.”
I waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, I cocked an eyebrow. “As opposed to what? As far as I can tell, our lives have been big since we met.”
“Yes. It’s fun, huh?” He grinned and leaned in to give me a kiss.
On instinct, I wrapped myself around his strong body and hugged him hard. “Be careful.”
He held tight, burying his face in my hair. “You, too.” He was quiet and then added, “Don’t take any unnecessary risks. I won’t bother to ask you not to take the necessary ones.”
“That’s probably good.” I rested my cheek against his chest and leaned, the romance of the moment only dissipating when Sami decided to lodge a formal complaint.
“This is crap!” She let loose a barrage of magic aimed at a nearby group of trees, blowing the branches off one as a dead limb on another burst into flames.
Zoe, who had been murmuring softly with Aric, was furious. She stomped toward her offspring. “What are you doing?”
“It’s crap,” Sami insisted, although she suddenly looked fearful as she stared at the tree. “I ...”
Zoe shook her head and raised her own hands, briefly shutting her eyes as a cooling dose of blue magic shot out. Within an instant, the fire had been extinguished, although the other damage remained.
“You can’t do that, Sami.” Aric was grave as he regarded his only child. “You know better than venting
