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“Good morning, Walker,” Kai said from behind us. “I see the clothes fit.”
I was dressed in a t-shirt, some slightly tight jeans, and my own Carhartt jacket. The jeans weren’t Wranglers, but they’d get the job done. They’d given Cadence a similar outfit, which fit surprisingly well. Werewolves kept lots of clothes on hand. Shifting into a wolf did sound like an outfit killer that even a Tide stain stick couldn’t fix.
“They do,” I replied. “Thanks again for your generosity. Our room was great too.”
“It would’ve been perfect if Walker hadn’t snored all night,” Cadence added.
I rolled my eyes at her antics. If she hadn’t gotten up five times in the night, she never would’ve heard my snoring. Kai laughed and walked to the table we shared the previous night. I grabbed a hot cup of coffee and followed him. I swore I felt Freya’s stare, but I was too much of a coward to meet it.
“Why are we walking so fast?” Cady asked.
I weaved through tables without a pause. “I have a busy day ahead.”
The lie was bitter on my tongue. I actually hoped to get through breakfast before Freya even sat down. I’d still have to be alone with her for hours, but at least I’d have no witnesses to what was sure to be endless awkwardness by then.
“We have a busy day,” my sister corrected. “I meant what I said—I’m not getting left behind again.”
I groaned at her stubbornness, but she might have had a point. I’d always been the best at protecting my sister—maybe the safest place for her was with me.
I never thought I’d debate letting werewolves babysit my sister.
I dug into my breakfast, and Cadence did the same. Ryder and his father chatted softly and left us alone to our food. I was surprised the great wolf heir had yet to mock me for what he’d witnessed last night, but I supposed Freya’s embarrassment was satisfaction enough. All I had on my plate were some eggs by the time Freya sat down next to Cadence. She wore a black top, her usual leather jacket, and her signature jewelry. Her hair was braided, but rogue curls framed her face.
“Morning, Frey,” Ryder greeted her.
I snorted at the memory of her thoughts regarding his less-than-clever nickname. Those around me gave me weird looks, but I ignored them and munched on my breakfast.
“Ryder and his team will escort you out of our territory,” Kai explained. “It’s the best we can do.”
Fuck my life.
There would be witnesses after all.
“Thank you,” Freya replied. “That is very generous. I’ll update you about our discoveries as soon as I can.”
“And you, little one,” Kai said to my sister. “Care to stay with us for a little while?”
Cadence looked at me with her big green eyes. No matter how badly I wanted to tuck her away from the world, Cadence would refuse it. Maybe I was crazy, but I seriously doubted that even a bunch of werewolves could contain her.
“She’s coming with us,” I said.
Ryder scoffed. “Idiot,” he muttered under his breath.
He left before his father could chastise him. I squeezed the fork in my hand, then set it down. My appetite had disappeared.
“Let’s go, Cady,” I said.
For once, she didn’t argue.
*
Freya
For two hours, I listened to Walker and Ryder argue. They bickered like an old married couple about anything and everything—the pace we set, the fact that Cadence accompanied us, and how to best get to the edge of werewolf territory.
We wandered through a field that sloped down toward the next valley. Grasses swayed in the soft breeze, and clouds twirled above us. Sunshine warmed my skin. I should have felt at peace in the fresh air, surrounded by the Goddess’s greatest blessing—nature.
All I felt was irritation.
