“That’s my guess, because he wouldn’t tell me what was going on.” Simon shrugged. “He’s playing something close to his chest.”
I nodded. “Yeah, and I want to know what it is.”
Simon made a noise of agreement and pulled the truck on to the highway. “What did Mason want this morning?”
With the situation in the ghost town, I’d almost forgotten about Nick. “Nick has returned from the dead.”
“Like a zombie?” Simon glanced at me. “Or actually a living person.”
“As a living person.”
He laughed, and I realized that he had been trying to crack a joke. “What made him come out of hiding?”
“I don’t know. He’s in PIB’s hands now. So I’ll be surprised if I don’t get a call from O’Donald wondering what the fuck is going on.” I sighed. “But tonight, I’m going to push it away from my mind and enjoy the full moon.”
“And then maybe tomorrow night I can take you to dinner for your birthday?” he offered.
I’d forgotten my birthday was tomorrow, and with the celebration being next week, I’d shoved it completely out of my mind. I smiled. “I’d like that.”
He put his hand on my knee and continued to drive into the mountains to the pack land.
CHAPTER SEVEN
We pulled up to the paved scenic overview that was near the pack grounds and got out. I could already feel the energy of the full moon around us even though the sun still had an hour or so before it slid behind the mountains.
Simon took my hand with a grin and darted into the trees, dragging me with him. I tried to keep up, but he seemed to just glide effortlessly through the forest, where I had to make sure I kept my footing each step.
He stopped in the clearing, and I almost tumbled as he did. Catching me, he gave me a quick kiss before he made sure I was steady on my feet.
I never got tired of seeing him in tune with the forest and his wolf. The full moon always brought out a more playful side of him, especially since the pack was at peace.
Travis came out of the cabin that sat in the clearing. The outside had a nice rustic feeling with the log-looking walls and the charming roof, but inside was full of modern steel and technology. Pups had to stay at the cabin for at least six months before they started integrating back into society.
Travis crossed his arms and stared at us. “If you two are going to get it on tonight, you’re going to have to go back to town.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry, we have manners.” I headed to the cabin, and Simon followed me.
“Sorry about your car,” Travis said as I passed him.
“Honestly, at this point, it’s not even a surprise that something happened to it.” I snorted. “You can make it up to me by letting me fix my plate first at dinner. You guys always take the good stuff.”
“We can’t help it that we’re hungry.” Simon kissed my cheek again and then raced into the cabin.
I mocked him while his back was turned to me and followed him in. “The witch needs food too.”
Travis jerked his head toward the island that divided the kitchen from the living room. “I put a plate out for you already. And I made sure it had all the good stuff on it.”
I sat down on the stool and pulled the plate toward me. As I dug my fork into the food, my phone rang. I hung my head in defeat and pulled it out of my pocket.
“Agent Abigail Collins speaking.”
“You’re on vacation,” O’Donald’s voice came over the line.
“It’s a force of habit, and like you said, I’m on vacation, so why are you calling me?”
There was a bit of a ruckus behind him. “I need you to come down to the station. I’d like to speak to you about your old partner.”
I steeled myself. I wasn’t exactly prepared for this conversation. “Nick is dead, what more is there to talk about?”
Both Simon and Travis’ head popped up to stare at me. Travis looked at Simon and held his hands out as if to say ‘what?’ Simon shook his head.
“Collins, I’d rather you come down to PIB to discuss this.”
“I’m out of town for the night. I won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon or evening.”
He let out a frustrated growl. “Then our discussion will have to wait until then. Report to PIB as soon as you get back in town.”
The phone went dead in my hand a moment after. Simon slowly took it out of my hand. “I’m going to go put this in my room until tomorrow. Tonight is supposed to be a fun, carefree night. That means no work.”
“Yeah,” I said, my mind far away. The situation with Nick could ruin my career at PIB if he convinced them I knew he was alive. With how much O’Donald hated me, it might not be too hard for Nick to do.
Travis tapped my head. “Get your head out of your ass. The pack will be here soon.”
I swatted his hand away. “Didn’t your mother teach you manners?”
“Among other things, such as killing a person.”
I stared at him, trying to decide if he was serious or not. Travis had come from a rough pack, but that was all I knew about his past. What I did know was that he was extremely loyal to Simon, and that was all that really mattered.
The front door of the cabin swung open, and the pack started filing in. Some of them grabbed plates and went about eating. Some of them just stood around and talked. Many of them greeted me as they
