“You look great.” I smiled.
“Thanks.” She glanced back at Glenn. “So, are you two finished talking?”
“Yeah. Yep.” Glenn nodded. “I’m coming in right now.”
He started toward the trailer steps without another word to me.
“Have a good night,” I said. “See you two at the pack Christmas party.”
“Definitely. I’m excited about all the food.” Taryn rubbed her belly. “So is this little beast.”
I pulled in a deep breath to collect myself once they were inside their place. Mina would ask what Glenn wanted to talk about. I knew her well enough to know that much. I needed to think of a reason. Something legitimate.
The baby.
When Mina asked, I’d tell her Glenn was starting to get freaked about being a dad. She’d believe that. The thought of lying to her sent pangs of guilt through me, but I didn’t feel she needed to know anything yet. She was so happy about the wedding and the holidays that I didn’t want to ruin things for her. I needed to figure out what I was dealing with first, then I could fill her in on the details.
I knew I needed to figure things out soon though, because Mina would know something was going on—if she didn’t suspect something already. She was as observant as Gran.
6
I pressed my cell to my ear and listened for Julian to pick up. While I waited, I continued to unload a box of specialty rums that came in yesterday. One of the things I’d learned about working at a bar was that people didn’t stop coming in to drink because it was a holiday. If anything, Christmas had them amping it up. Eddie knew this. He made sure he stocked his bar properly.
“Eli, hey. How are you?” Julian answered on the fourth ring.
“I’m okay. How are you?”
It seemed like a waste of time to talk to him in such a normal way when we needed to discuss something serious, but I didn’t want to dive in right away with talk of Regina somehow being able to roam Mirror Lake Trailer Park. In fact, I didn’t know how I’d breach the topic at all.
“I’m well,” Julian said. It sounded as though he chuckled on the other end of the line, but I couldn’t be sure. “I can’t imagine you called to see how I was doing or to wish me a Merry Christmas. What’s going on?”
I cleared my throat. “I didn’t. Actually, I’m calling because I need to know if you’ve seen anything strange the last few days?”
“Strange, as in?”
I pulled the remaining bottles of rum from the cardboard box I’d been unloading and kicked the box to the side.
“As in seeing people from the past who shouldn’t be here.”
“I can’t say that I have. Who are we talking about?”
“Regina.”
“Regina? The woman who ran the underground ring of Abstraction in the city?”
“That would be her,” I said as I cut open another cardboard box of liquor.
“You’ve seen her? When?” His voice was rigid when he spoke. He seemed as surprised by this situation as I was.
“I didn’t see her full on, but I did see her hair in the woods the other night and feel her watching Mina and me.”
“What makes you think it was Regina and not a rogue wolf or something else?”
“Because Glenn saw her last night on his porch when he came home.”
“Hmm, okay. Are there any more details?”
I filled him in on the entire story.
“Did she say anything to him?” Julian asked once I was finished.
“No. Glenn said she smirked at him and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.”
“Interesting.”
“Creepy is more like it.” I lined bottles of vodka along the counter. “So, have any guesses as to what’s going on?”
I prayed he did because I sure as shit hadn’t come up with a single one. I had no clue how Regina could be here. She was dead. Ash. Dust. At least she was supposed to be.
“The only thing I can think of is that it might have something to do with Ridley. Have you spoken to her or Rowena?”
The blood in my veins turned to ice.
“Shit. You think this might be an anchor thing? Like maybe the other side is unstable again?”
“I think it’s possible,” Julian said. “I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but it’s the only way Regina would be able to be here. Maybe the necklace Ridley’s been using broke, or the magic within it has somehow become diluted.”
“Anything is possible. I should pay the Caraways a visit. See if Ridley’s okay.”
“Keep me posted.”
“I will. Thanks for talking this out with me. Also, be on the lookout. If the other side is unstable and Regina was able to slip through, she might not be the only one.”
“Exactly. That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Me too.” My mind filled with thoughts of who else could have slipped through I’d rather never see again. “Well, if I don’t talk to you tomorrow, Merry Christmas.”
It was odd to say the words after the conversation we’d had, but I said them anyway.
Julian chuckled. “Yeah, Merry Christmas to you too.”
I hung up and then grabbed a few more bottles of vodka from the box in front of me. My mind filled yet again with thoughts of what it might mean if the other side were unstable. I remembered what happened to Ridley last time. This time, most likely, wouldn’t be any easier on her.
Still, I hoped that was the reason for Regina’s presence.
My phone vibrated with a new text. Without looking, I knew who it would be—Mina.
Don’t forget about dinner at Gran’s again tonight. - Mina
I cracked a grin. How could I forget? This would be my first Christmas Eve at the Ryan house. All my life, I’d heard laughter and chatter coming from their trailer each holiday season and had wondered what it would feel like to be a part of it.
Now, I was going to see it firsthand. There would be no forgetting, I was too damn excited.
I won’t.
Good. Can’t wait to see you. Pamela already noticed the ring. She said figured the two of us would get married someday. There was something about the way she said it that had me thinking she was disappointed by the news. I think she has a crush on you. - Mina
I chuckled because I’d wondered the same for years. The woman always watched me closely when I was at the diner.
Are you worried?
I was only teasing. It was nice to tease Mina sometimes, especially when I had so much on my mind.
Not in the slightest. - Mina
Good, because I only have eyes for you.
I crammed my cell in my back pocket and resumed unloading the rest of the cardboard boxes. My mind drifted to thoughts of Regina as I busied my hands. I glanced around the storage room, searching the corners and shadowy places for a flash of red hair or Regina’s wicked grin. Knots formed in my stomach. A thought occurred to me then: If Glenn and I were both seeing her, then others from the pack might soon too—if they hadn’t already.
That included Mina.
My heart picked up pace, and I could feel my wolf try to spring free. He didn’t like the thought of Regina or any wicked ghost near Mina. I inhaled a deep breath to calm both him and myself while realizing I had two options: I could keep this to myself and visit the Caraways to check on Ridley, or I could tell Mina and a few others what was going on and then visit Ridley with Mina to see what was happening.
Normally, I’d go with option two. Being alpha didn’t mean I had to do things on my own. I had people to help me figure things out and make sure the pack stayed safe. However, Christmas was days away, and I knew this Christmas in particular was harder on the pack because it was the first without my dad.
I gripped the counter in front of me and bowed my head, trying to steady not only my emotions at the thought of my father not being here but my wolf’s as well. My weight caused the counter to wiggle and a bottle of liquor fell to the floor. It shattered on impact. The sharp scent
of vodka burned my nose as it permeated the air. The tinkling sound of a female laughing behind me had me spinning around to see who was there. The space was empty. I was alone. However, there was a faint scent of perfume mingling with the stench of vodka in the air.
7
Christmas music streamed from the TV and the scent of gingerbread cookies lingered in the air. My mom and brothers were invited to this shindig as well. We were all crammed into Gran’s trailer. From the look on everyone’s faces, it didn’t seem as though they minded. We were all having a good time. Even me, dressed in an itchy red cable-knit sweater Mina had bought me the other day. I hated the thing, but I’d worn it tonight for her. Apparently, it was part of the Ryan family holiday tradition. Everyone wore a sweater. Not an ugly Christmas sweater, just a sweater. Thank goodness.
“Who’s going first?” Gracie asked. She eyed the presents everyone had placed under the tree. “Or should I just pass them out, and then we can all open them at the same time?”
“Let’s do it in batches this year,” Gran suggested. She was sitting in her recliner next to the tree, sipping a mug of eggnog. I’d been wondering since Mina and I arrived if her mug was spiked. She seemed happier than usual. Smiley. “That way we can all still see one another’s gifts.”
“Okay, I’ll start with Jonas,” Gracie said. She grabbed my little brother’s gift from under the tree and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” He grinned.
She grabbed for her dad’s gift next, then Gran’s, and then her own. Mina glanced at me and rolled her eyes when Gracie reached for her own. I flashed her a devious smirk, because when we drew names a couple Sundays ago, I’d managed to get Gracie’s and was eager to see how she reacted when she opened her present. I’d put a lot of thought into it.
I glanced around at everyone else, trying to figure out who had chosen gifts for Bill, Gran, and Jonas. Tate squirmed in his seat, so I knew he’d gotten someone something. He was an open book. Other than him, no one else seemed to be overly excited except for Gran. There was a smirk twisting the corners of her mouth over the rim of her mug.
“All right, Jonas,” Gracie said. She nodded to him and smiled. “You start us off.”
Jonas didn’t have to be told twice. He ripped the wrapping paper off the tiny box in his hand and tossed it aside. Whatever was underneath the paper had him giggling.
“What did you get?” Micah asked. He leaned over to see and began laughing too.
“Hold it up,” Tate said. Pride rang in his tone, and I knew for certain the gift was from him. “That way everyone can see.”
Jonas held up the white box. Another giggle slipped from him when he said, “It’s a farting whistle!”
Yeah, that was definitely a Tate gift.
“Open it,” Tate insisted. “Let’s hear it.”
Honestly, I wasn’t sure who was more excited by the whistle—Tate or Jonas.
While the two of them struggled to open the box, Gran motioned to Bill. “Open yours next.”
“I’m scared now since it seems to be from you,” he said.
Gran sipped her eggnog and gave him a shrug. Laughter echoed through the room. Gran could be feisty. I had to admit, though, that I was curious to see what she’d gotten him too.
Bill cautiously unwrapped the box and then started laughing the instant he saw what was inside. He flipped the box around, so we could all see. It was a white ceramic mug that read coffee makes me poop.
“I can’t deny that.” Bill chuckled.
“I thought it would resonate with you,” Gran said.
“Now let’s see you open yours,” my mom said to Gran. From the look on her face, it wasn’t clear if she was the buyer, or if she was just wanting things to move along.
Gran set her mug down and picked up the gift in her lap. She slowly removed the wrapping as though she were as unsure about what her gift might be as anyone else. Her gaze drifted around the room. Was she trying to figure out who had drawn her name? My bet was on Cooper. He was the only one wiggling in his seat. It didn’t seem as though it was because he was excited either. He seemed nervous.
“Oh, these are perfect,” Gran said. She reached into the cardboard box she’d unwrapped and held up three glass jars with black lids. “They’re just the right size for my dried herbs. Thank you, Cooper.” She winked at him.
“Whew, good. I’m glad you like them.” Cooper smoothed a hand across his forehead. “Wait. How did you know it was from me?”
He narrowed his eyes on Gracie.
“Don’t look at me. I didn’t say anything,” she insisted.
“She didn’t. I could just tell,” Gran said. “Gracie, why don’t you open your gift now?”
Gracie’s eyes widened as a smile stretched onto her face. I wasn’t sure who was faster in their unwrapping—Jonas or her.
Mina tapped me on the leg. “Didn’t you get her name?”
I nodded.
“Oh, wow! I’ve always wanted one of these,” Gracie said. She held up the Magic Eight Ball I’d gotten her. Her eyes landed on Mina. “You used to have one, remember?”
“Yeah. You always wanted to use it, and I’d get so mad at you for asking.”
“You used to get upset with her for everything,” Gran said.
Mina chuckled. “I did.”
“Did you get this for me?” Gracie asked her.
I lifted my hand. “It was me. Figured you might like it. I used to have one when I was about your age.”
“I remember that,” Tate insisted. “I caught you asking it all sorts of questions all the time. Will Mina look at me today? Will Mina be at the lake this afternoon? Does Mina like me? It was always about Mina. Glad you finally asked her to marry you. Geez.”
Embarrassment flushed my cheeks. I wanted to deck him. I’d forgotten how I’d used to use it as a way to predict my future with Mina.
“Oh really?” Mina shifted to stare at me. “And what did this Magic Eight Ball of yours say?”
“Not important.” I nodded to Gracie, ready for everyone’s attention to be off me. “How about you pass out a few more of those gifts?”
I should have known she would reach for mine. The only way I wasn’t going to be the center of attention was when this shindig was over. With as real a smile as I could muster, I accepted the present from Gracie. She handed out gifts to Micah, Angela, and Cooper next. Micah opened his first since he was the youngest. From the wide smile that stretched on Jonas’s face, I knew he was the one who’d drawn Micah’s name. Also, the not so good job of wrapping was a dead giveaway.
“Okay,” Micah said as he tore at the paper. “And it’s a...box of lures!”
The excitement on his face was surprising. When had Micah taken to fishing? Why hadn’t I noticed? Fishing had been our dad’s thing, not Micah’s.
“I figured you could use some new ones since you’re always complainin’ about losing yours,” Jonas said in a bashful sort of way. “You really like them?”
“You got these for me?” Micah asked him.
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.” Micah pulled Jonas in for a hug. It was the first time in a while I’d seen the two hug. It was nice. “I do like them.”
“Hey, since when do you like fishing?” I asked Micah as I ruffled his hair.
He smoothed it back out and glanced up at me. His face was boyish, but there was maturity in his eyes I hadn’t noticed. Maybe because I hadn’t taken the time to look. I needed to spend more time with my brothers. Sure, they came with my mom to most Sunday dinners, but that didn’t mean I spent time with the boys. They were there, but I wasn’t always focused on them.
“Since I came across Dad’s gear in the back of a closet,” Micah said.
I swallowed hard, my eyes never wavering from his. The way he was looking at me pulled at my heartstrings, making it impossible for me to look away.
“I like fishing,” Micah continued. “Because it makes me feel closer to him.”
I pulled him in f
or a hug. Right then and there, I made a silent promise to my brothers that I would be there more for them because our dad couldn’t be. Tate patted me on the back, I released Micah, and Tate pulled him in for a hug too. I knew without him having to say so that he’d made the same silent promise as well.
We would be there more for our little brothers and our mom because family was important.
“Mom, why don’t you open your present now?” Mina asked. I squeezed her thigh, because I knew what she was doing and I couldn’t help thanking her. She was drawing attention away from me and my brothers, smoothing over the situation and keeping the evening rolling.
“Yeah, sure,” Angela said. Her attention drifted to the gift in her lap. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.”
Gracie chewed on her thumbnail, and I thought maybe she had been the one to shop for their mother.
Angela’s present was larger than any under the tree, and I found myself curious as to what it was.
“Oh,” Angela said once she’d taken the paper off. Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she shifted to look around the room. “This is amazing. Who put this together for me?”
“I did,” Gracie said. “Do you like it?”
“I love it, sweetie. Thank you.”
Angela held up the gift Gracie had gotten her. It was a scrapbook filled with pictures of her and her family.
“You keep talking about how much time with us you missed,” Gracie said. “And yeah, it was a lot, but the truth is you were here for a lot too. I wanted to remind you of that. The pictures are from when we were little up till now. All the times we’ve shared with you.”
“Oh, come here,” Angela said. Her voice cracked as tears tracked down her cheeks. Gracie moved to her and Angela pulled her in for a hug. Then, she reached out for Mina next. “I love you both so much.”
“And we love you,” Mina insisted.
“All right, someone else open their gift please,” Angela said. “I need time to gather myself.” She chuckled as she wiped her eyes.
“I’ll open mine,” Cooper insisted. He held up the gift in his hand. Its shape was easily recognizable—a book. I wondered who’d gotten him a book. I hadn’t seen Cooper read anything unless it was for school in years. He tore off the paper and sure enough, his gift was a book. “A survival book. Cool!”
Moon Vowed (Mirror Lake Wolves Book 8) Page 4