Total pages in book: 254
Estimated words: 240032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1200(@200wpm)___ 960(@250wpm)___ 800(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 240032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1200(@200wpm)___ 960(@250wpm)___ 800(@300wpm)
Weakly, I smiled right as a shiver hit that had my whole body shaking, even my teeth chattered.
Henri’s cheek popped again. His nostrils flared, and I watched his throat bob. As much as he was trying to hide it, he was mad. “Is everyone fine?” he asked slowly, like he was chewing on glass with every syllable.
Two small heads nodded, and it felt like the one above mine more than likely did the same.
Amber irises locked on me, his eyes going a tiny bit squinty. “Are you?” His attention swept over my clingy, wet clothes briefly, nostrils flaring.
I nodded, not trusting my voice or my teeth to not give me away even more than they already had.
Bright eyes crept over all of us one more time, lingering on each person as that muscle in his cheek kept on flexing. It was clear he was pissed… but there was something else in his eyes. Worry?
“Where are you heading?” Henri asked after a loaded moment of silence, his focus lingering on the little boy who was doing his best impersonation of an opossum on my shoulders.
Here went nothing. “Looking for the UTV. I don’t remember where I left it,” I explained in my own funny voice—crying did that to vocal chords—only feeling a little sheepish I hadn’t left a trail behind that Hansel and Gretel could be proud of.
Lids a shade darker than the rest of his face dropped over those stunning eyes of his as the rest of us watched him, not sure what to expect. It wasn’t Henri holding out his arms though. “Come here, Pascal,” he ordered.
To give the little boy credit, he launched himself off my shoulders like it was an Olympic event and into waiting arms, only stepping on my chest a little bit. For all he was worried about being in trouble, here he was jumping ship the second he could. Henri easily settled him on his shoulders. He didn’t seem worried he was wet, but then again, he was a werewolf. He handled cold better than I ever would.
I sniffled.
“Let’s find the UTV and someone can tell me exactly what happened,” he informed us, still taking his time with his words.
Not that he could see it, but Pascal grimaced. Shiloh’s hand went even slicker somehow.
“What happened is that they’re dumb.” Agnes threw them under the bus.
If we ever got to the point in our friendship where I wanted us to get to, I was going to have to teach her about snitches. I was all for honesty and understood that it was pointless to lie to a werewolf, but she could’ve stayed quiet and given the boys a chance to confess first.
But she didn’t know that, and her claim set off a chain reaction.
I stayed out of it as the kids talked over one another, their story going backward and forward between getting to the river, falling into it, and walking. Someone said someone else cried. I was pretty sure Pascal shouted that we almost died. Not a single word left my mouth. Part of the reason was just because I liked hearing the kids bickering, and the other part was because I didn’t want to bring any attention to my shaking hands or the wobbliness that I was pretty sure would take over my throat if I gave it a chance. I didn’t fool myself into thinking that Henri couldn’t tell I was worked up—he would’ve smelled it way before he got to us.
And despite having the entire forest that could have been between us, Henri walked so close to me his knuckles kept brushing mine. I wanted to take his hand, but I didn’t. All my energy went toward trying not to wince or groan with how miserable I felt and how much soggy shoes sucked. Another shiver shot down my spine, so violent, my donut lifted his head to peer at me.
I gave him a grim smile and winked.
“Love,” he reminded me again.
“I see it!” Pascal hollered like he hadn’t just about had a meltdown recently, pointing in the process.
Sure enough, the camo-colored UTV was there. Henri set Pascal on the ground, and I dipped down to hug Duncan tight. His warm, gangly body made me feel instantly better.
“Grab the emergency blankets in the glove compartment and put one on, Pascal,” Henri instructed in a gruff tone.
The little boy turned and frowned. “But I’m not cold.”
Must be nice.
“I don’t care, put it on anyway,” Henri instructed, using his no-nonsense voice.
Pascal looked like he wanted to argue but did what he said. Quietly, the kids ran over to the UTV, and only then did Henri’s attention swivel to me again. His cheek was still doing that thing. But when he spoke, the words were for the kids. “One of you get a blanket for Nina.”