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ZOEY

Warner’s bed is super comfortable, especially when lying face down on it. The comforter smells like him. Pine needles and fresh snow. I think if I were to be smothered to death, this is the best material to use to get the job done to send me away from this world peacefully.

Downstairs, the Jamesons are working out the details of exiling their mother.

All because of me.

The rational part of my brain reminds me that it’s not technically my fault. I’m not the one who started this secret feud. It’s not even like I demanded revenge when I found out Rebecca was behind my life’s little miseries.

And I certainly didn’t ask for her to be exiled.

But if I had never come to this town, there would be no reason for Rebecca to leave it.

I considered taking Warner up on his original offer of moving to Denver with me. Wouldn’t that fix everything? We would be out of Pine Falls and therefore safe from Rebecca’s revenge, and she wouldn’t have to leave her home and her children.

But I don’t want to go back to Denver. At least not anytime soon. Pine Falls has a hold on me. I’m feeling a connection not only to the town, but also to Minnie’s cabin. It’s almost starting to feel like my cabin. If I leave now, this whole trip would seem unfinished.

Plus, I can’t help thinking that our relationship could use some time to develop with distance between us and my brothers.

So, add selfish onto my list of faults.

The apartment’s front door opens. I should roll onto my back and ask Warner how things went. How he’s doing.

But I can’t force myself to meet his understanding, loving gaze just yet. Not when I don’t deserve it.

“Wow. And people call me dramatic. You’re on the express train to mope town, aren’t you?” a feminine voice says, and I start in surprise.

The speaker isn’t my mother. For one, I’d recognize her voice anywhere. And besides, she immediately calmed down once she was sure Rebecca would be punished for her treatment of me. Then, she helped me up to Warner’s apartment and promised to stick around Minnie’s cabin until Warner brought me back.

Curiosity has me flipping over.

Tanya leans against the doorframe, her sharp eyes taking me in.

She must despise me. Even though she’s seventeen, on the cusp of adulthood, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t need her mother. I’m breaking apart her family. The guilt eats at me.

“Tanya, I’m sorry. Really. This isn’t what I wanted to happen.”

Warner’s sister waves a hand, dismissing my words.

“I was there. I know.” She pushes off from the wall and meanders around her brother’s room, fiddling with his stuff, but never picking anything up. “Still, I’m pissed off.” The girl raps her knuckles on the top of his dresser, the sound ringing so loud that I wonder if she’s dented the wood.

That’s when I realize I’m alone with a werewolf who now probably has a vendetta against me.

I should be scared. But she’s Warner’s little sister, no matter if she’s ten times stronger than I am. I don’t want to alienate his entire family in one night. So, I don’t try to make a quick escape, deciding to wait for the berating she’s about to deliver. Hopefully not served with a side of violence.

Her golden eyes, a few shades lighter than her brother’s, examine me, and she smiles in a way that is both humorous and sad.

“I’m not pissed at you . I like you. You’re the first girl to snag one of my brothers. And he is gone on you. It’s great. I’m worried that one of them is going to date a total bitch, and I’m going to have to pretend to get along with her.”

Tanya plops down on the bed, and I bounce as the mattress responds to her suddenly added weight.

“But I’m the reason your mom is getting exiled,” I remind her.

Tanya stretches out beside me, and as we lie on the bed next to each other, I realize that despite her giant personality, I’m still a few inches taller than her.

For a moment, I think Warner’s sister has decided to ignore me as she fiddles with her phone. Then, she holds the device high, tilting the screen so I can see. There’s a photo pulled up, a selfie of Tanya as she presses a kiss to the cheek of a handsome boy who wears a rapturous expression.

“That’s Carlos. My boyfriend. He’s human.” She lets her arm fall back to her side.

Tanya is dating a human. I wonder if anyone in her family knows.

As if hearing my question, she explains, “Isaac knows. We all go to school together. He likes Carlos. But I haven’t told anyone else.”

“Warner wouldn’t mind.” Then, I hesitate as I consider my words and decide to add on a caveat. “I mean, he wouldn’t mind any more than a brother usually would. My brothers have always made my dating life a struggle.”

That prom car ride pops back into my brain.

In my peripheral vision, I watch Tanya nod, and I wonder if she has her own list of Occurrences. Maybe we could share stories one day.

“Yeah, Warner will probably be the next one I tell. Maybe Uncle Mason. But Roderick and my mom worry me. Roderick’s life is the pack, and he’s said multiple times that werewolf-human relationships complicate things. And then Mom … well, you saw.”

I nod, trying not to cringe.

“I don’t want her to be exiled. I mean, I’m not worried about Isaac and me. We can take care of ourselves. Plus, Roderick and Uncle Mason are pretty good surrogate dads. So, it’s not like I’m freaking out about that.”

I turn my head on Warner’s pillow and catch the teenager biting her lip.

“My mom showing up today was a surprise. I’m getting by fine on my own, injuries and all, but it’s still nice, having her around. I missed her.” My offering is a quiet one.

Tanya blinks, her eyes extra shiny. But then she sits up abruptly. “I don’t want her exiled, but she can’t do what she did to you!” The girl leaps off the bed and starts pacing. “That was super messed up. Especially when you see the way Warner looks at you.”

“What way?”

Tanya smirks. “Warner is friendly to everyone. This whole town, even the human half, loves him. You’d think he’d date more. Girls are always after Warner because he’s the best kind of guy.”

The thought of girls being after my werewolf makes me want to growl possessively. Some of my jealousy must show on my face because

Tanya points at me and gives a triumphant laugh. “Look at you! You’re all about him. He deserves that. And he’s all about you. And he never has been before. All the girls walked away with smiles on their faces, but moping on the inside because Warner never wanted anything from them. But you … hell, he’s ready to piss on your leg—he’s so possessive.” Her smile fades into an angry scowl that she directs at the window. “And Mom was going to ruin it all.”

“I wouldn’t have let her.”

No matter what the wolf woman threw at me, I would’ve taken it. Because Warner is worth fighting for.

“But you shouldn’t have to deal with her weirdness! And neither should Carlos! Or anyone I decide to date!” Tanya collapses back beside me. “You want to know why I’m not pissed at you? There it is. I want my brother to be happy, and I want to be happy. No matter who we choose to love, it’s our choice. Not hers. I don’t want her to be exiled,” the girl repeats for the third time, “but I think she needs to be. At least until she understands what she did wrong. Until she agrees not to torment the people we date.”

Tanya’s logic chips away at the guilt I feel. As her declaration sinks in, I don’t feel as horrible about the choices I’ve made. Our relationship has caused a rift in their family, but maybe with time, that gash will heal, and it might shape the Jamesons into something different. Something a little bit better.

“I’m glad you’re not mad at me.”

We lie side by side until the door to the apartment creaks again.

“Zoey?” Warner’s voice carries back to me.

“We’re in here!” I call out, sitting up, Tanya following my lead.

“We?” he asks, then appears a second later, eyes widening. “What are you doing here?”

Tanya’s spine goes rigid, and she glares at him, as if preparing for a battle. “I’m dating a guy,” she announces. “His name is Carlos, and he’s a human. Zoey said you wouldn’t mind, and as the alpha in your relationship, what she says goes.”

Warner’s eyes narrow, but I catch a twitch at the corner of his mouth. “Carlos, huh? What does Isaac think of Carlos?”

Tanya plants her fists on her hips, and even sitting, she gives off an air of defiance. “He thinks Carlos is too nice for me and that I’ll steamroll him.”

I hide a smile behind my hand, and Warner lets out a snort. “Well, there are worse things than all that.”

“There are,” she agrees. “Now, is someone going to drive me to the bowling alley? I’m a good hour late for my date.”

“Oh, it’s a date you’ve been clamoring to get to?”

“Just shut up and drive me!” Tanya punches the bed.

“That’s not very nice. Maybe I’d rather stay here in bed with Zoey than drive my whiny sister to her date.”

The way he says in bed sends a shiver down my spine.

Tanya also picks up on the underlying meaning, but she has a completely different reaction. With a gasp, she launches off the mattress.

“Ew! You’ve had sex in this bed, haven’t you? Gross! Don’t answer! Now, I have to go burn my skin off with acid!”

Warner grins wickedly, and I flip back over onto my stomach to hide the laughter threatening to burst out at her words.

“I’ll give you a ride, just go wait by my bike for a minute.”

I turn my head in time to see Tanya roll her eyes and stalk out of the room.

Then, I have the full attention of a golden-eyed werewolf.

Before he can open his mouth, I roll to my knees and open my arms wide. “How are you doing?”

Warner gathers me up against him, burying his nose in my neck before answering, “I’m … I’m sorry. If I start talking, I’m not sure when I’ll stop.”

“And you need to take care of your sister.” I cup his face in my hands, pulling back enough to meet his eyes. “Go. I’ll be here.”

His fingers dig into my back, clutching me close.

“Promise you’re not leaving?” The vulnerability in his voice cuts at me.

“Here.” I climb off the bed. “I’ll give you some insurance.”

With efficient movements, I strip off every last piece of clothing I’m wearing, only held up for a second when my shirt snags on my cast. I bundle them all together and hand them to an open-mouthed Warner.

“Can’t leave if I’m naked, can I? Plus, this way, I know you’ll hurry back.”

When heat flares in his eyes, I quickly slide under the covers and wave him away.

“Go on.”

A growl rumbles deep in his throat, and he leans over to plant a promising kiss to my mouth before storming out of the room, my bundle of clothes clutched tight to his chest like a lifeline.