Page 42 of Family: Posy 4

Sounds good, dude. See you soon!

Shooting my arms up into the air, I did a happy wiggle, but then stood up fast when my chair creaked.

"Stupid thing. It's not even six months old!" I grouched.

Then again, I had to admit that my chairs never lasted very long. They just couldn't take my weight squirming around on them when I got excited.

You need an iron chair like on that show,Sid said, his eyes wide and earnest. You know, that big chair the king sits on.

It's called a throne,I told him.

Yeah, but don't get it made of swords. One, it would be cold and, two, you'd poke your butt.

Giggling at him, I decided we'd head out for lunch, too. I made sure I had my keys and my phone, then ducked my head to walk out of my office.

The cards, Ashy!Sid bellowed before I got three steps.

"Right!"

Spinning, I rushed back to my office, forgot to duck, and slammed my head into the wall above the door.

"Owie!" I screeched as I staggered back a step.

You have done that forty-seven times since we built the alpha offices,Sid stated ever so matter-of-factly, ignoring the little birds flying around my head and the way I was trying to uncross my eyes.You so dumb, Ashy! Just let Wyatt fix the door already!

"Sid," I groaned. "Pretty sure I'm concussed. Can you heal me first and lecture later?"

He rolled his eyes, but jolted me with healing.

"Thanks, buddy," I muttered and ran back into my office, swiped the deck of cards off my desk, and raced back out. In my excitement and hurry, I forgot to duck again.

"Ow, ow, owie!"

Make that forty-eight.

#

I found Jay asleep under a tree by the nature trail with Lark curled up next to him on our old picnic blanket. She was lying on her stuffed toy, but a tennis ball was by her snout, and my eyes lit up.

Does she like to play ball?!I asked Sid, working hard to restrain myself from waking the little pup.

Sure. Who not like ball? Except the party pooper.Sid dropped his voice to mimic Quartz's deep, rough one.'I an alpha wolf. I no play with dog toys. Growl, growl.'

Watch it, pup,Quartz rumbled in a sleepy voice.

I grinned, and Sid tittered.

Q in a good mood, Ashy!Sid yipped, and I agreed with a grin.

Seeing as Jay and Lark were both asleep, I spun on my heel, ran back to my SUV, and grabbed the bag I'd packed for her. A couple of people shot me weird looks as I raced past them, but I was used to that. My height always attracted attention. It was like a car wreck: None of anyone else's business, but everyone wanted to stare.

And Iwasmoving pretty fast, outstripping joggers and even one guy who was sprinting. As I drew level with him, he gave me a startled look.

"Hey." I jerked my chin up in acknowledgement.

"Duuude!" he gasped as sweat poured down his face and his chest heaved. "How are ... you not ... dying?"

Well, I'm a werewolf, I thought to myself, but, "Super intense cardio training," I told him instead.

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