Chapter 101

I looked between my mother and Carl. “Yeah. It is.”

“Have you settled in and started on anything?”

I laughed. “I have been home for less than a day. I’ve just been focused on cleaning my room.”

“Removing the rest of the old scent, I assume?”

“Yeah. The Alpha and his son met me at the house as soon as I arrived back home.” He laughed.

“What a joke. They tried to catch you as soon as you got back.” His voice grew serious. “Carl, I’ll have everything ready for you.”

“Daddy?”

“Yeah?”

“How fast can the plane get back here?”

“One second, we might be in luck.” I heard him put his cell down and pick up his desk phone. “Ronnie, where are you right now?”

There was silence. “How long until you two make it to the plane?” There were a few uh-huhs, and then my dad said something that settled my stomach. “No, I need you to wait at the airport. Amy is sending two people to meet you. You remember Gavin? Yeah, him and his little girl. Should be quick, but just in case there is any delay, I need you to wait there for them. Thanks, man.” My dad hung up the receiver and picked up his phone. “You heard all that, baby?”

“Yeah, daddy.” I looked at Carl and he nodded.

“Thank you, Gavin.” Carl kissed Carly.

“No thanks needed. I’ll talk to you later, pup.” My dad said his goodbyes, but then he stopped. “How’s your mom?”

“She’s okay.” I looked over at her and she turned to look at the phone, surprised.

“Goddess, I miss her.” His voice was quiet. “I love you both, pup. Never question it.”

“I know, daddy. I love you too.” I hung up without meeting her eyes. I turned to the two shamans. “Leave quickly.”

“What do you mean?”

“You raised Vince’s suspicion.” I was sure of it.

“If he thinks you’re hiding something, he will chase you like a dog with a bone.” My mother nodded along with me. “She’s right. You made too big of a deal with Brandon coming back here to say goodbye to Amy.” She looked at me. “He will be organizing a hunt for you, if I could guess.”

“Don’t even go home. You are far enough off pack lands. You will have a head start to get to the airport and to Ronnie.” I slipped my phone into my pocket. “Take my number in case something goes wrong and I can reach Ronnie for you.” I rattled off my number.

“But we need our clothes.” Carl started, but Carly reached up and tapped his cheek with her small little hand.

“We can’t go back, daddy. They are already there.” We all looked down at Carly, and her eyes were clouded over again. “They are right. He is coming for us. He thinks you were hiding a pregnant mate. And he is desperate to get his hands on a child of the shaman. Little does he know she is already here. The first child of the nine-hundred-year-old shaman. A foot unlike any has seen before.” She turned to me, her eyes still white. “Three-spirited shifter, you will be in danger soon. Follow the path your father has set out for you, but stay smart with your choices. Otherwise, all will be lost. The shaman child isn’t the only one that will turn the tide in this war.”

My mother gasped. “War?”

We both turned to her, and I watched her pale. “There is so much you don’t know, Luna.” Carly faced me with her power still riding her. “But you will explain at the proper time. They must reunite.”

I nodded and her eyes cleared. I felt the kick in my gut. Something was coming. “Go now. Or you won’t make it out of here.”

Carl nodded and headed out of the back door, not even locking up the store. “Come on, baby. We should go too.” I nodded as we walked toward the front of the store. My mom cut her eyes to me. “Does your father say stuff like that to you a lot?” She tried to act like it didn’t matter, but smirked.

“Every time we talk. He wants me to know he misses and loves me.” I played stupid, and she scowled but pushed the back door. I grabbed a spray bottle as we passed the rack and we walked out. “Should we lock it?”

My mother turned back to me and jingled her keys. “I have the spare.” She smiled and locked up.

“Now where to?”

“Pizza.” My mom headed to the car.

“Right. Pizza.” It feels like it’s been days since we ordered the pizza. So much has happened in the short time that my entire world shifted.