Page 69 of Rhett

I hadn’t decided shit, but I wasn’t going to raise my hand in the middle of his speech and correct him.

When the noise died down, Weasel yelled, “What is this tomfoolery? Town Alpha, why do we need a center?”

Imani rolled her eyes heavenward. “Quinn just told you that she’s a midwife. She delivers babies.”

“Oh,” Weasel said, his cheeks turning red.

“Let the festivities begin!” Quinn shouted. “Dueling banjos, take it away.”

Three banjo players began plucking their instruments, and then the rest of the band joined in.

“Come on, Nova.” Bonnie looped her arm through mine. “Let’s check out the food. I’m hungry.”

A young boy ran up to us. “Hi Piper, Bonnie, Freya.”

“Hello, Jacob,” they said in unison.

“You enjoying the festival, Jacob?” Piper asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, then stared at me.

“This is Nova,” Freya said.

“I know,” he said. “I need to speak to her…” He peered at Piper, Bonnie, and Freya. “Alone.”

Bonnie looked at me. I shrugged.

“Okay,” Bonnie agreed, then glanced over at me. “We’ll be checking out the food. Come find us when you’re done.” They waved goodbye and walked away.

“What would you like to talk about, Jacob?”

“Can I have my photos back?”

“What photos?” I asked.

“The ones you took of me by the river.”

“So you’re the ferret?” I asked.

“Yes, ma’am. That’s me. I want my photos back because my grandma says Hunters can’t be trusted.” He scuffed his sneaker against the grass. “But is that true?”

“Jacob, I can be trusted. And for the record, I’m not a Hunter.”

“Okay, lady. Then you can go ahead and keep one, but I need the rest of them for my grandma.”

“Okay, that’s a deal.” I stuck out my hand and said, “Let’s shake on it.”

“Okay, Nova.” He grabbed my hand, shaking it exuberantly.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when my inner animal said in my head,He’s here.

“Who’s here?” I asked aloud.

“What?” Jacob asked, frowning at me.

“Uh, nothing,” I stammered.

Our mate. Rhett. I smell him.