Page 17

“No, but you might fall into a hole I dug and break a leg.” Cy gave us a smug look with a pleased smile on her lips.

What does it say in the policy rule things about that? Would I get off easier with a broken leg thanks to the wardens that were chosen?

“Maybe. I’d rather not test it though. Let’s go back. I promise to take you on a hike tomorrow after lunch.”

“We are having a picnic right here for lunch tomorrow.”

“We are?” Odie asked.

“Yes.” Ellie hopped down and started walking past her sister. “And Mine wants booze.” She kept going, taking the same path we used to get here.

“That’s Cy’s department.” Odie followed after Ellie, her black hair glimmering red in the sunlight.

Cy huffed and wound her curly, blonde hair up into a high ponytail as I jumped down.

Drinking buddy? I smiled and waggled my eyebrows.

“Let’s see if you can keep up. You’re kind of scrawny.” I guffawed in faux insult. “I’m an Alpha and a whole foot taller than you. You’re scrawny.” She shrugged and backed away with a smirk on her lips.

And you’re a bean pole. I can take you down, no problem.

Cy doubled over in laughter, clutching her stomach. “I am a bean pole, but there’s no way you’re winning anything.”

Maybe not a drinking contest, but I could kick your ass at some games.

“You’re on. Game night it is. You’re going down, little Human.”

Bite me, Cy Bunyan.

Chapter 9

Mine

I couldn’t believe Cy was kidding around with me and offering up a drunken game night. Had she fallen and hit her head, or did the last twenty-four hours knock something loose? Maybe they were more lonely than they thought. Sometimes you didn’t realize it until someone popped in and didn’t drain your social batteries. That hits you hard.

Are you sure you want to spend another evening with little ole me?

She snorted and started walking toward the cabin. “You’re not that annoying. Besides, it will make Ellie happy.”

With her back to me, signing was useless, but I did it anyway. She can’t always be the scapegoat.

I didn’t mean just this. I had a feeling there were many missing pieces to the story that Ellie didn’t know, and despite knowing it wasn’t her fault, she had to be at the center of it. I had maybe one and half pieces in total, but hey, I was a good guesser, and that was my guess.

“What is your drink of choice? We have a fully stocked bar upstairs.” Cy looked over her shoulder at me, and I picked up the pace to walk beside her. Her long legs made it difficult, but I managed.

I quirked my brow, still confused by her sudden change in attitude, but I wasn’t going to point it out and ruin the niceties that were coming my way.

Rum and whatever delicious things that go with it so it tastes like candy.

“A guaranteed hangover. Got it.” I rolled my eyes and asked her the same question. “Anything that doesn’t taste like shit.” Cy shrugged as if that made any fucking sense for someone who knows nothing about her tastes.

So insightful. Thanks.

I marched ahead, taking the same path Ellie and I had taken out here. Cy didn’t stop me or yell at me, so I figured there were no traps or anything. Maybe there were and she was waiting to swoop in at the last second to make her point.

Either way, the rule was they couldn’t hurt me, so it would end up fine. Hopefully.

I know I was throwing a small hissy fit about Cy not opening up, and it would in no way help that relationship even though she seemed to be trying, but it was still irritating. I didn’t ask some deep question about her past, but her cryptic answer sure made it seem like it.