Page 80 of My Solemn Vow

Winter break classes are underway, and Kerrianne is super excited. It’s a good opportunity for her and Declan to start working together fresh, on a Monday morning. After this weekend and Antonella’s intensity when she was pissed off, I have no doubts that, between her and Declan, little raptor is safe.

That doesn’t change the damn near heart attack I have when I see her cell number come up on my phone early afternoon, right after the school’s scheduled lunchtime.

“Hey.” Antonella’s voice is soft like she’s keeping her conversation from being overheard.

“Everything okay?” I lean back in my desk chair and reach for the drawer with my gun.

“It’s not bad.” Antonella immediately tries to de-escalate my fear. “But Kerrianne isn’t quite herself. I don’t know. She’s maybe coming down with the flu.” Antonella continues, her voice low, and I hear her heels click on the floor. “Irritable, lethargic, easily frustrated. She’s not herself. It’s started to get worse since snack this morning. If she were anyone else’s child, I’d have sent her to the nurse. But... I mean... what’s the pointin having your daughter in my class if she can’t get special treatment?”

My daughter.Antonella being very clear not to claim Kerrianne is so respectful that it gives my wolf a moment to calm down from his protective nature and shift to problem-solving.

Pup will grow.He’s adamant that it’s probably growing pains of the wolf variety.

I’m not ready for her to grow up, but if she’s acting this way, it could be bad. She’s a little old for an uncontrolled shift, but that’s always a concern.

I pull my gun out of the drawer and close my laptop. “No nurse. Good call. I’ll come get her. I’m nearby. I’ll be there in like fifteen minutes. Is it possible to give her another snack?”

It’s a bit of good luck that Kerrianne’s having a growth spurt during the nonmandatory classes. But now it’s accelerated the urgency to tell Antonella about who and what we are, or undoubtedly, Kerrianne will be the first one to show Antonella a wolf.

“Yeah, I’ll hold her back when I send the rest to art,” Antonella whispers. “Got to go.”

“I’ll be there soon.” I’m not sure if she hears that last part, but it doesn’t matter because the phone clicks off.

Jack is standing at the door to my office. “That the school?”

“Yeah? How’d —”

“You get a call and start it with ‘Everything okay,’ it’s either your mother or your daughter, and I know for a fact Betty is with Ian and they’re at home safe and sound,” Jack explains.

“Yeah, Antonella called saying Kerrianne wasn’t herself, so you can only assume what that means.” I stand up and try to remember freezer contents.

I’ll text Mom on the way home. Get more of Kerrianne’s favorites brought over.

“Ahhh, crabby and about ready to take her schoolmates’ heads off, then?” he asks knowingly.

I tuck my gun into its holster and shrug my coat over my shoulders to conceal it. “I call her little raptor for a reason.” I laugh, knowing that my daughter is every bit as fierce as she is sweet.

“Isn’t that the truth.” Jack leads the way out of my office, and we take the elevator down to the garage where we keep the SUV. “Can’t believe your kid is seven.”

“Yeah. Can’t believe I’ve survived this long.” I sigh and lean against the elevator doors.

Good thing I sat Antonella down and divulged the family secret.My own sarcasm doesn’t even amuse me. Especially not when my wolf scolds me for my choice too.

You should’ve told her. She’s our mate,my wolf grumbles.Then we could be a happy family. But no. You’re too busy trying to look for a war like some fuckin’ hero. Show her we’re wolves, and this will be easier.

I ignore him as per usual and climb into the passenger seat of the SUV. Tucked inside, I dial the number for Declan.

“Yeah, boss.” He answers on the first ring.

“Change of plans with the raptor. Meet us at school for a pickup.” I don’t bother explaining myself. His first day and things are already abnormal.

“On it.” Declan waits for more instruction or for me to hang up, so I close the line.

“What do you think of Declan?” I ask Jack as we settle into the drive through the city streets.

“Good guy.” Jack nods, signaling before changing lanes.

He checks the rearview mirror a few extra times.