Page 69 of To Keep A Wolf
“Where are the others?” Levi asks.
Nely shakes her head. “Still being watched,” she says as she finally begins to catch her breath.
He frowns. “They’re in Blackstone?”
“They’re waiting for you,” she says, her eyes landing on me. “Glad to see you’re still out here causing chaos.”
I flash her a smile. “I was bored.”
She shakes her head. “So, what’s the plan?”
I start to answer her, but my mom steps up beside me, nudging me silent. “We should keep moving.” She scans the horizon as she speaks, and I stiffen, realizing she’s right. We’re too exposed out here.
“Good idea.” I look at Nely. “You can ride with us.”
“Actually, why don’t you ride with the guys?” my mother says. “Mac and I have an errand, and then we’ll meet up. They’ll fill you in.”
“Sounds good.” Nely nods, and we all start for the cars.
“I’m glad you found us,” I tell her as we walk.
Her relief matches my own. “I’m glad you were out here to find.”
* * *
My mother winds around the back roads outside of town, slower now that we’re close to our destination. I try to read her, but she’s back to the silent, stoic Vicki Quinn I’ve come to know so well. Giving nothing away, especially comfort or camaraderie.
We have Nely, though, I remind myself.
And that means we have the Jades.
They’re waiting for you, she’d said. And that means we have the numbers we need to take on Jadick’s loyal warriors.
This is going to work.
It has to.
Grabbing the witch is icing on the cake.
When we make the turn that will finally separate us from the others, I glance back to see Levi watching me from the van.
Here we go, I think to him.
Don’t fucking die, I think he’d say back.
But from the driver’s seat, he doesn’t move or react other than to wrap me up in that glittery, dark stare of his. It’s potent enough that I feel his presence with me until long after they’ve passed out of view. Traffic is light in this part of town. Or maybe it’s this time of day.
Early.
My mother and I lived in the outskirts for two reasons. First, it’s cheap, and second, it’s the farthest you can get from the alpha house without leaving pack lands. Unfortunately, there are plenty of other Black Moon wolves with reasons for wanting less oversight. Our neighborhood isn’t the best even in daylight. The only advantage is that most of its less reputable residents will still be sleeping off the previous night’s consequences for at least another couple more hours.
We pull into our driveway without spotting another soul.
I look up at the sagging roof sloping down to meet the single-story structure. Chipped siding and crooked shutters aside, it’s not the world’s worst house. It’s just not a home.
My mom parks and unbuckles, moving quickly as she climbs out.
“Come on. We’ve got minutes before that asshole figures out we’re here.”
