Page 32 of The Mating Quest

Still looking uncertain, he signed to TateWill you be okay? I will stay if youwant.

Tate grinned, signed back,Go. You can tell me what it’s likelater.

Nodding, Ethan headed for the door. He gave one last look back, closed the door and wasgone.

Chapter 10

An hour later,she was sleeping soundly when a noise startled her. Ilana sat up in bed, scanning the room. Her heart pounded as she realized Tate wasn’t in the room. She dressed in blue yoga pants Nia had provided and a loose blue cotton shirt and left the room to find him in thehallway.

She started to speak, and then realized he wasn’t looking at anything. He was walking. Ilana touched his mind, found a flurry of horrifying images. A man and woman, running as wolves, and then being slaughtered bygunshots.

Tate finding them, staying by their bodies until other members of the pack found him. Brought him to Aiden’s pack because they were wild and couldn’t care forhim.

The little boy wassleepwalking.

Something she knew nothing about. But she knew she should follow him to make sure he was safe. Ilana trailed him down the sweeping staircase, through the kitchen and outside into the clear night. She shivered. Tate was in light pajamas and it waschilly.

Tate wandered over to a section of picnic tables and sat at one. Holding himself he began to rock back and forth, moaning. The sound tore at her, such a keening, sorrowful sound coming from a child who nevertalked.

Must wake him. Dangerous or not, Tate needed to know he was safe and not alone. As she started for him Tristan materialized before her, held out ahand.

“No,” he said quietly. “This is not for you toresolve.”

Her jaw dropped. “He’s tormented! You want to leave him out here alone with hisnightmares?”

“Of course not.” Tristan clasped her wrist, drew her away, into the darkness. “Wait.”

Soon after Zoe and Snake arrived, shifted into Skin and clothed themselves by magic. They rushed up to Tate. Zoe drew the boy into her arms, kissing him. Tate wokeup.

“Hey son,” Snake said softly. “Nightmarehuh?”

Tatestared.

“Use sign language,” Zoesaid.

Snake signed at the boy, whonodded.

Snake spoke slowly, still signing. “It’s gonna be okay, son. We’re taking you inside, and you’ll stay withus.”

Zoe set him on his feet and signedWould you like to stay with us for good? We want to be your newparents.

Tate smiled, a genuinely happy smile Ilana had never seen him display. He nodded. Snake picked up him and the three of them went into the mainlodge.

Emptiness filled her. She was happy for Tate, but once more alone.I guess it’s always going to be like this. I’m used to it. Tate’s future and recovery matters more, that he’s with people who will always watch overhim.

Tristan’s voice was gentle as he released her wrist. “Will you be okay, Ilana? I had to stop you because Zoe and Snake wish to adopt him, and now that they can communicate with him, they areready.”

“Go run with the furries. I don’t need you.” She went over to a picnic table andsat.

He regarded her with a look of sympathy. Damn, she did not needpity.

“It is because of you Zoe and Snake learned sign language. You paid attention to Tate, broke through his isolation and made it possible for Tate to acceptthem.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get an award for being a good citizen.” She snorted to cover her hurt feelings. “Go. Just…go.”

Tristan shifted into wolf and ran into thedarkness.

Ilana climbed up on the table and lay back, staring at the sky. The stars looked so reassuring. Familiar. Moonshine glimmered down on the meadow, illuminating the tables, the nearby garden, outlining the forest in the distance. It was a cool, lovelynight.