Page 142 of After the Burn

“I guess I’m just worried that you’ll go back to being your usual pissed-off self.”

He chuckled. “You underestimate the magic of your vagina.”

I raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on that absurd statement… I never underestimated my vagina.

Lucas raised his hands in surrender. “I’m joking.”

I raised both eyebrows.

“Not about how magical your vagina is.” He smirked, but then his face grew serious. “I meant what I said. I love you, Taryn. We’ve got a lot to figure out, but I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.”

“I can live with that.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him once more. “Okay, let’s find our family.”

We started walking.

The storm had left everything slick and muddy, but the sun made it easier to see. Broken branches littered the ground, and water dripped steadily from the leaves.

We found evidence of the night before almost immediately: a dead rotter face down in the mud. Another with its skull crushed against a tree.

Most likely Colson’s work.

Then something crashed through the undergrowth, and I raised my bat. Luca’s hatchet came up beside me. A dark shape exploded between two trees.

“Max!” He hit me hard enough to nearly knock me down.

I dropped the bat and caught his neck as he jumped against me, tail whipping so violently his entire body moved with it. “Oh, thank God.”

He licked my chin.

“Gross. Stop, you old, mangy mutt.” I kissed him on the head. “I’m glad to see you too.”

Max whined excitedly.

“Where’s everyone?”

He barked in answer like he’d understood every word out of my mouth, then he tore back the way he’d come.

Lucas and I looked at each other, then followed him.

“Robin!” I heard Wren’s voice before I saw her sprinting through the trees. “Max found you.”

“He did.” As she embraced me, I returned the hug with a firm squeeze.

I looked over her shoulder and saw Colson standing there holding Rory’s hand. The little girl’s face was red and puffy from crying.

Then Adrian stepped between the trees, and relief hit me so hard I almost dropped to my knees.

He crossed the space between us quickly and pulled me against him. “Baby.”

“I’m okay.” I reassured him, my voice muffled against his chest.

His arms tightened. “I can see that.”

Beck appeared behind him and his gaze moved over every inch of me.

“I’m fine.” I assured him.

“You’d better be. I’d gut Lucas like a fish if he let anything happen to you.” He stared at Lucas, who’d walked up behind me.