Page 99 of Cruel Revenge
I laughed, nodding.
“He is,” I agreed. “He and I are having a serious discussion… it might lighten the mood afterward.”
“There you go.” Heath whistled, making both of his children look over, mid-shove. Then Carey tilted and fell without being pushed. I cackled, spilling my coffee as I doubled over. Landon howled with laughter as Heath gave a long, ever-suffering sigh, refusing to laugh at his daughter, even as I felt the humor in the bond.
“Mom!” Carey yelled, indignant. “Landon!”
“It… was funny, Carey,” Heath admitted, and I could hear the smile. He was desperately fighting the laugh.
“What did you need?” Landon managed to ask.
“Carey, do you want to go with your mother today?”
I straightened so I could see her, wondering if that sounded exciting to her.
“To Hasan’s house?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed, and her eyes went wide. I could smell her curiosity in the air.
“Definitely!”
“Fantastic. Go get some clothes. We’re going to do your class there if he’ll let us. Bring a few different changes in case you need them.”
Carey was running, jumping up the front steps and barreling through the door. I heard something crack and winced.
“I’ll ask one of mine to check the door later,” Heath said softly before kissing my temple. Landon kept laughing as he heard that.
“Which one?” I asked softly, knowing he meant one of his werewolves.
“Shamus is still on bereavement leave. Ranger can handle it.”
“Has he made his decision?” I didn’t look at Heath. I hadn’t seen Shamus since before that night. Hadn’t seen Kody since we got back to my territory after the rescue.
“Yes. He just needs time to grieve,” Heath said, running his hand over my hair and kissing my forehead. “Kody needs time to grieve. They’re both staying here, though. Shamus said Stacy would never forgive him for leaving their friends and the pack they fought for… and he didn’t think we wanted a second ghost to deal with.”
“That’s… dark humor.”
“It is, but it’s also a good sign.” Heath looked away. “Nothing will bring her back, and that’s a fucking shame. All we can do is support Shamus and Kody and do better in her memory. If Shamus wants to use some dark humor… well, I’m not going to tell a father how to deal with his grief.”
“Heath—”
“No, we’re not talking anymore about this. You go get ready to see your father with Carey. Leave the wolves to me, please.” He gently pushed me toward the now-cracked door. I gave in and went to get my things.
Together, Heath, Carey, and I went to the pack house. Carey was vibrating with excitement, but was quiet the entire time, asif she breathed a word, she would be sent home. Heath held the door open for us into the Tribunal, and we said our goodbyes.
“This way, Carey,” I said, reaching for her hand. She held it, smiling.
We saw Corissa in the hall with Callahan and several members of the NAWC. That was Heath’s first meeting of the day.
“Greetings, Jacky, daughter of Subira,” Corissa said with a small inclination of her own head. “And Carey, daughter of Jacky.”
“Good morning, Corissa,” I said, going informal, but still polite. “We’re just passing through today to see Hasan.”
“Have a nice day,” she said. “And congratulations to you, Carey. Welcome to the moon cursed.”
“Thank you, Alpha Corissa of the Tribunal,” Carey said, polite and demure. But I saw her eyes shift as she encountered werewolves her father had mentioned for years.
Corissa only nodded her head, a polite dismissal, then she turned back to the other werewolves. I led Carey with me and found my father’s office.
