Page 221 of Shifting Hearts 1
Ryan was one of the best trackers in our pack. It was why I gave him the job to find someone like his mother. Someone I could negotiate with, but laying my gaze on the woman and her two children, something told me that he had given up.
The human woman looked nervous. The kids clung to her like shadows. I could tell instantly they weren’t his. Not by blood.
Still, what the hell was this?
Ryan finally made his way over to me.
“Dad,” he said, nodding.
“You were planning to tell me about this when?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Didn’t think it would matter.”
“Who is she?”
“She’s someone important.”
“She’s human.”
“You locked on Mom when she was.”
“That was different.”
“Was it?” His voice was steady. Flat. “I didn’t choose this, it happened.”
Mel stepped between us before I could answer. “Jace, not tonight.”
My jaw clenched. But I said nothing. Not yet.
Ryan looked me dead in the eye. “Are we welcome here or not?”
Before I could respond, it hit me.
The scent.
Cinnamon and apple.
It cut through the room like a blade.
My gaze snapped toward the kitchen. Someone was baking an apple pie.
“Dad?” Ryan asked.
I didn’t answer right away. Just sipped my drink and stared into the kitchen like it might answer for me.
“It’s fine,” I muttered.
And then Em came charging out of nowhere and jumped on Ryan, hugging him tight, practically lifting him off the ground.
“I missed you so much,” she said, pulling back. Then she turned to the woman. “So you brought a human girl, huh?”
Ryan smirked. “You’ve got a vampire boyfriend. Let’s call it even.”
Em rolled her eyes. “Still up for debate.”
“Not from where I’m standing.”
She looked at me. “Let me make something clear now. If this is going to be one of those awkward, passive-aggressive holidays, I’m leaving. I’ll take Ryan, his human girlfriend, and those kids, and we’ll spend Christmas somewhere else.”
