They all perked up, thrilled in anticipation of my riveting hunting tale. I didn’t say anything at first and secretly prayed we’d get a flat.

Aric stroked my cheek. “It’s okay, sweetness. Don’t be shy, tell us all about it.”

I swallowed hard and told them exactly how I killed those deer. No one said anything at first, then all at once they burst out laughing. Koda laughed so hard he couldn’t drive and pulled the massive SUV haphazardly to the side of the road. Tears streamed down Gemini’s face and Liam actually cackled—cackled like Dorothy’s damn Wicked Witch. Aric released me and faced the opposite window, his back shaking as he pathetically tried to hold in his amusement.

Koda held out a hand. “Let me get this straight. Your strategy was basically to scare them shitless in hopes they’d give up and die.”

I scowled at him. “That wasn’t my original plan. It’s just how things worked out.”

“I thought the meat was a little tough.” Aric tried to calm down, but his comment only caused an uproarious outburst.

Liam snorted. “That’s because she was feeding you the elderly.”

I gasped. “It’s not funny, I felt really bad about the whole thing!”

Gemini wiped his eyes. “How bad? Did you try to resuscitate? Do any mouth-to-snout?”

The laughter and the comments seemed to last forever. It wasn’t that funny and damnit all, Bambi’s granddaddy or not, Aric ate every last bite.

Koda calmed enough to drive, though they all continued to snicker. I brushed Aric off when he tried to snuggle. “Come on, sweetness. I’m sorry I laughed.”

I crossed my arms. “No. You’re not.”

When he nibbled on my ear, I turned to glare at him. “I hope you enjoyed last night and this morning, because you won’t be getting a repeat performance anytime soon.” I smiled at his devastated expression. He was probably less bummed when he realized there was no Santa Claus.

Yup, not so funny anymore, is it?

It didn’t take long for Aric to win me over. I rested my head against his shoulder while his arm curled around me. He slid his opposite hand into my super-loose sweatpants and caressed my belly. “Your body is changing,” he whispered. “I can feel where our son is growing.”

I slipped my hand under his and smoothed my palm over a hard round bulge. He was right. “Will you be disappointed if we have a girl?”

He grinned back at me. “Are you kidding? Having a little you running around would be precious. I just think you’re right—this one’s a boy.”

I puckered a brow. “This one?”

Aric snuggled closer to me, tickling my neck with his soft lips. “We’re going to have a whole brood, lady.”

Although the idea of having a gang of children intimidated me, Aric’s excitement over our baby showered me with love and hope for our future.

We were two hours into our drive when Koda pulled into a small diner next to a gas station. He tossed his credit card to Liam and shoved his wallet back into the pocket of his jeans. “Fill up, Liam. We’ll grab enough food to last us the rest of the trip. I don’t want to stop again.”

I walked into the diner to use the bathroom and immediately walked back out, unable to stomach the thick aroma of frying food. Liam finished filling the tank and joined me back in the Yukon. I leaned against the leather seat and snuggled against the blanket Aric had given me. Good Lord, I felt tired. Making a person sure took its toll.

Liam played with his phone, sending a text. The gentle tones from his tapping further coaxed me to sleep. “Hey, Celia,” he said before I drifted off. “I want to show you something.” He handed me his phone to show me a picture of a girl with auburn hair and stunning green eyes. I wasn’t sure who she was until I recognized her smile. Liam grinned, brightening his boyish features. “Allie couldn’t wait to show me what she looked like without her scars.”

It was sweet to see him so happy. He was a good guy and deserved to find his mate even if she wasn’t Emme. “She’s beautiful, Liam.”

“I know.” His finger swept over the screen. “I’ve always known.”

The wolves hopped back into the car a few minutes later and we peeled out of the lot. I could take only a few bites of bread from the turkey sandwich Aric had ordered but managed to eat most of the beef barley soup.

Liam unlocked his phone when he finished eating, to show the others Allie’s picture. Gemini straightened as soon as he passed it to him. “Liam. Did you tell Allie where we were?”

“Well, yeah, I—”

He exchanged glances with the other wolves. Their faces hardened and their muscles tensed. “What is it?” I asked.

Aric pulled me against him. “Nothing. It’s just better if no one knows where we are or where we’re headed.” He tried to sound casual, but I didn’t believe him. “You should rest, sweetness.”

I didn’t rest, especially with how the tension swirled around us like a dangerous storm cloud. Koda shoved the rest of his sandwich into a paper bag and tossed it onto the passenger-side floor, gripping the steering wheel tight with both hands. The others, although silent, stiffened their spines, vigilantly taking point in all directions.

And still it wasn’t enough to save us.

Less than an hour later, the wolves erupted with sadistic growls. Between their angst and my tigress leaping to the ready, I knew we were in trouble.

A hard force collided against the passenger side of Koda’s Yukon. Aric yanked me into a fierce embrace, preventing my head from slamming against the window. I bounced against him as a more vicious blow struck from behind, followed by a hit that caved in the hood.

Koda broke through the front windshield and leapt out. Another strike spun us backward, then another. I caught a glimpse of a large red wolf mauling one of the giant werearms circling us as we careened into the guardrail. Glass shattered from every direction, twisting metal shrilled and squeaked. Aric’s arms tightened around me. I held my breath, waiting to die. Through the violent jolts and shudders, Gemini charged out of the demolished vehicle in the form of two wolves, followed by Liam. Aric released my seat belt and hauled me toward the front. The wolves ripped into the opposing threat. But they were outnumbered. I squeezed my eyes shut as the colossal vehicle swayed and tipped over what remained of the railing.