Page 50 of Daddy Wolf's Secret Baby

“We’re not the only ones looking for them. There are hunters in the area, too. So far, we haven’t run into the hunters, but Lucious said his people spotted them.”

Conner grinned grimly. “This might be a first, but I wish them the best of luck.”

They spent the rest of the day scouring the area and Josiah was exhausted and frustrated by the time the sun went down. He was trying to figure out what to do for food when his phone rang.

“Hi, Dad. Mom wanted me to call and ask if you want to come over. She’s making tacos.”

“What time?”

“As soon as you can get here.”

“Let me go home and wash up. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes.”

As he hung up the phone, he thought,I’m going to have to start pitching in for the grocery bill. Not only should I be giving her money to help with Jace, but I eat there a lot.

He was surprised that it just now occurred to him that he should be helping to support Jace financially. She never asked him for a dime, and he knew she never would. Even if she needed it, she would be too proud.

They had almost finished eating when Jace put down his taco and looked at his parents. “Some of the kids at school said that there are vampires in the area who are attacking people.”

Josiah wasn’t about to lie to him. “There are some rogue vampires around Angel’s Creek.”

“I know a little about them from books and movies. Dracula was made up and Vlad the Impaler just had a really messed up childhood. None of them turn into bats unless they are bat shifters, too, and he had never heard of that.”

Josiah laughed. “Wow. Just wow.”

Jace looked at his dad and tilted his head. “What? I know how to read.”

Zahra and Josiah laughed.

“Tell me about the vampires in this area. I know that vampires are real because one of my friends in St. Theresa was a vampire. He only drank blood of animals and he never killed them, or he drank blood from a blood bank.”

“Just like with every group of people, there are a few bad apples. There is a nest of vampires in the area who have been attacking people and draining them of their blood, killing them. We’re telling everyone to not go out alone at night or to the mountain anytime, and to be vigilant.”

Jace puffed up his chest. “I’m not afraid. I know that the wolf pack will protect me. That’s what families do.”

17

Zahra

Zahra had a great day at work and was in a good mood when she picked up Jace from school. They were planning on hanging out and relaxing, having a mother and son night. She was planning on making spicy shrimp and sweet noodles, which was one of Jace’s favorites.

However, fear gripped her heart, and all the color drained from her face when she saw an envelope stuck in her door.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Jace asked, his voice shaking with fear at her reaction.

“Just a letter. We’ll be okay.”

With trembling hands, she struggled to get the key to fit in the door. Finally, it opened. She practically shoved Jace inside and slammed the door behind her, engaging the deadbolt before keying in the code to the alarm.

“Go do your homework,” she said.

“I don’t have any.”

“Then please go watch television for a few minutes.”

He looked at her and she was afraid that he would protest. However, he simply nodded his head and walked slowly into the other room.

Dreading what she would find, she slowly pulled the note out of the envelope.

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