Chapter 12

“Go get washed up, I brought more pie,” Elder Amer said giving us all her warning look. We all knew when to watch out.

Apart from Chan, who was already twenty five and Curt who just turned twenty three, the rest of my cousins Keiral included were almost twenty. I was still nineteen, the youngest and the only black wolf to be born in the last sixty years.

We were busy eating pie when Elder Amer spoke.

“Was it worth it? Taunting your cousin is one thing when you’re a pup, but you practically ready to mate and you behave as though you’re five.”

Keiral’s pie-stuffed grin was all teeth, crumbs flying as she leaned across the table, her gold hair swinging like a damn taunt. “Worth it? Hell yeah, it’s worth it. Chan’s wolf ain’t shit compared to my hustle.” She winked at Lechandray, who was mid-bite, her slanted eyes narrowing to slits sharper than a claw.

“Keep dreaming, bunny bitch,” Chan shot back, her voice low and dangerous, pie forgotten as she leaned forward, elbows on the table, “My wolf’d have you for lunch and still have room for Curt’s whole damn pie.” Her long neck tilted, that Sentinel smirk promising she could back it up.

“The only lunch you’ll be eating is my foot when I shove it down your throat.”

I groaned, my wolf pacing inside me, already done with this nonsense.

“Keiral, you dipshit, shut your yap before I let Chan chew your tail off.” But my lips twitched, because damn if this wasn’t Keiral starting fires she couldn’t put out.

“You’re gonna get us all in trouble, you know that?” I muttered, shoving her shoulder to make her sit her ass down.

Keiral just cackled, spraying more crumbs. “It’s only trouble if you not asking for it. You oughta know that by now.” She flicked a piece of pie crust at Lechandray, who caught it mid-air like the show-off she was.

Aunt Amer’s eye twitched again, her silver braid practically vibrating with irritation. She slammed her mug on the table, the tables wood creaking under the force.

“Keiral, I swear by Oupa Silas ghost, you don’t shut that loud-ass mouth, I’ll tie you to the oak tree and let the crows teach you manners.” Her green eyes, sharp as mine, burned holes through Keiral, but my cousin just grinned wider, like she was collecting threats for fun.

Curt, sprawled across the double seater like a bear on a couch, snorted so hard he nearly choked. “Lyn, you better leash your cousin before Aunt Amer skins her for a rug. Chan, you too. Stop egging her on.” He shoved another slice of pie in his mouth, his burly belly jiggling as he laughed.

Lechandray wasn’t having it. “Egging her on? Curt, you fat-ass hypocrite, you’re just mad ‘cause you can’t keep up with my wolf.” She stood, her lean frame all Sentinel swagger, and before I could blink, her body shimmered, grey fur rippling as she shifted. Her wolf landed lightly, paws kicking up dirt, amber eyes glinting with mischief as she stalked toward Keiral.

Keiral squealed, scrambling behind me, her hands clutching my shirt. “Lyn, don’t let her eat me! I’m too cute to die!” Her voice was pure drama, but her brown dough eyes sparkled. She was loving every second of this.

My wolf roared to life, fed up but loyal.

Here we go again.

I let the shift take me, black fur erupting as my bones stretched, my big black wolf filling the space like a damn storm cloud. I planted myself in front of Keiral, baring my teeth at Lechandray, but my tail flicked to keep it playful. “Try me, Chan. I’ll pin your scrawny ass.”

Lechandray’s wolf yipped, darting left, then right, her grey fur a blur as she faked a lunge. I swatted her with a massive paw, light enough not to hurt, and she rolled, snapping at my flank with a mock growl. Keiral, still hiding behind me, couldn’t resist. “Get her, Lyn! Show that Lupus mutt who’s boss!”

Elder Amer shot up, her boots stomping so hard the outside trees swayed. “Ashlyn! Lechandray! Shift back, or I’ll skin you both and use your pelts for curtains!” Her voice was a thunderclap, and even my wolf flinched, ears flattening.

We shifted back in a flash. Lechandray stretching her long arms with that smug Sentinel grin. Keiral peeked out, still clutching my shirt, her mouth already running. “See? Lyn’s got my back, Chan. You’re just jealous ‘cause I’m the star of this show.”

I grabbed Keiral’s arm, yanking her to the table. “Star? More like the village idiot. Sit down before Elder Amer makes us scrub the whole damn valley.” Lechandray snorted, plopping next to Curt, who was still laughing like a fool.

Elder Amer glared, muttering, “Damn fool pups, gonna give me a heart attack,” as she sat back down, her mug slamming hard enough to spill tea. Keiral opened her mouth, probably to say something stupid, when a shadow loomed at the edge of the caravan’s clearing.

John. That asshat, tick-dipping, hilly-dilly bastard himself, strutting up like he owned the damn place.