“Dying of embarrassment?”

“Nope, that was definitely after.” Alex rubbed his hand against my cheeks, which were still on fire. “Youʼre so cute when you blush.”

“You knew he was listening,” I accused.

“Yes, but I didnʼt care.” He resumed his exploration of my face.

“But I do,” I said, pushing him away.

“Why?”

Besides the embarrassment that inherently comes with getting caught making out? How about knowing with absolute certainty the look of disgust that was etched on Liamʼs face? Or how about not wanting that vile man to have any access to any of the intimate moments of my life?

Of course, I couldnʼt say any of that to Alex. He thought his brother was just all kinds of awesome.

“I donʼt think your brother likes me.” Understatement seemed to be the way to go.

“He was rude earlier. Iʼm sorry about that. Heʼs just cranky because itʼs already starting to get warm outside. He hates the South, but not you. Trust me, once he gets to know you, heʼll love you.”

I doubted that. I doubted Liamʼs ability to love much of anything.

“He kind of scares me,” I said, once again drastically understating the truth.

“Thatʼs just his dominate wolf exterior. Underneath all the hard stares and grimaces he has a marshmallowy center. Itʼs just going to take some time for the two of you to get comfortable with each other.”

“If you say so.” I still didnʼt believe it, but decided to let Alex keep his one big happy family fantasy.

“So, can we quit talking about the brother I just sent away and get back to the reason I sent him away?”

Alex was a pro at making me forget any fears or concerns I had. As long as he was kissing me, everything was okay. Heck, it was better than okay. I couldnʼt imagine an existence more perfect than one where I was with Alex, just like this. Maybe I had died in the woods and this was my Heaven.

Although, there probably wouldnʼt have been someone pounding on the front door of Heaven.

Alexʼs body was suspended above mine in terror. He tilted his head towards the door and breathed deeply through his nose before relaxing.

“Dammit,” he said, pulling on his shirt as he climbed off the bed. “This canʼt be good.”

“Who is it?” I glanced in the mirror attached to Alexʼs closet door and ran my fingers through my hair.

“Pack Seer,” he said to me before calling out, “Iʼm coming, for Christʼs sake.”

“Should I...?” I motioned towards the closet. It was small, but I thought I could hide in there as long as Alex didnʼt have it crammed full of junk like I did mine.

“No, it wonʼt be any use.” He was already moving towards the door. “You might as well come with me.”

I didnʼt really think that was the best idea, but I did follow him as far as his bedroom door.

Alex took a deep breath before turning back the lock and stepping aside. My mouth hung open in shock as Talley came bursting through the door.

Chapter 15

Mamaw Donovan was fond of saying that something had made her blood boil when she was angry. I always assumed it was a figurative sort of thing, but as I watched the Pack Seer fling herself into my boyfriendʼs arms I decided I might have been wrong.

So, my best friend was a Seer. I shouldnʼt have been shocked. I mean, at this point I should have been prepared to find out that my mom was a succubus, my dad an elf, and my little sister a pixie. But, I was shocked with a healthy dose of hurt and angry. How could she have kept something like this from me? I was her best friend. Alex had lived here for less than a year and he knew more about the real Talley than I did.

Alexʼs arms were wrapped around Talley, holding her close. Seeing that did nothing to help with my blood pressure.

“Scout is missing,” Talley said, her words coming out in a rush. “Itʼs all my fault. I thought something was wrong last night, but I ignored it. And then, this morning, she was gone when Jase got home. Her parents said that she was at my house, but of course sheʼs not.” A tear, round and heavy, slid down her cheek. “Alex, they found her car down at Pelican Landing. The Pack is searching the woods, but the rain washed away any trail...and...and they canʼt find anything...”

Alex had been trying to get Talleyʼs attention this whole time, but she was too absorbed in the drama of the moment to notice him. “Talley, sheʼs here,” he said, finally breaking through to her.

“Iʼm here. Iʼm fine.” Well, I wasnʼt exactly fine, but I wasnʼt dead in a ditch. Thatʼs all that really mattered.

“Scout?” Talley rushed to me and, before I could prevent it, I was locked in a paralyzing hug. Her breath came in hiccups as she started sobbing in earnest.

For the record, it is possible to stay angry with someone you love when theyʼre having a complete meltdown over the fact youʼre alive. That anger, however, cannot stop you from trying to comfort said loved one. “Iʼm okay. Iʼm fine. Everything is fine.” When she finally got herself together, Talley gave me a head to toe inspection, looking for any signs of injury or abuse. “What on earth were you doing in the woods at night in the middle of a thunderstorm? Do you have any idea how cold it got last night?”

“Really, really cold?”

“She overheard the Wonder Twins ingenious Provoke the Werewolves scheme,” Alex said.

“She thought she was rescuing me.”

Talley gave me a look usually reserved for five year olds. “But I had that under control.” Oh, Talley had the whole situation under control. Why hadnʼt I thought of that?

“How was I supposed to know that?” I hissed. “How am I supposed to know anything? You certainly never told me.” I wheeled around on Alex. “Or you. I mean, in all of our talks about this crazy Shifter stuff you couldnʼt find an opportunity to mention that my best friend was a freaking Seer?”

Alexʼs face was tight as he studied his bare feet.

“We couldnʼt just tell you,” Talley said calmly.

“Why not? Am I not cool enough to be in your supernatural kids club? Or am I just too weak and fragile? Everybody has to protect poor, little Scout. Donʼt let her near the wolves, they might eat her. Donʼt tell her the truth, she canʼt handle it.” My eyes burned as I blinked back tears. “Well, guess what. Heʼs not going to hurt me, and Iʼm not some porcelain doll. Iʼm not weak. I donʼt need your protection.” To prove my point, I kicked the door frame.