“
Get dressed. We’re going hunting,” he says randomly.
In my half-woke state, I feel like I’ve missed something crucial, because I don’t understand how those words are supposed to make sense.
“I’m sorry, but what?” I ask, sipping the coffee like the lack of caffeine is the reason I heard him wrong.
“We’re going hunting. Emit has some rogue, unregistered wolves who’ve just done something heinous and stupid, and we’re taking you with us, apparently.”
“I don’t want to hunt wolves,” I point out, taking a step back, since he’s acting very un-Vance-like.
“I don’t want you to hunt wolves, but apparently you’re going with us, or you’re going with him,” he says bitterly, glancing over his shoulder to where there’s a large SUV.
Emit’s behind the wheel, smirking like he’s proud of all this.
“Yeah, no. Thanks for the offer,” I say as I shut the door…and lock it.
I sip my coffee again, as Lemon drinks hers in the kitchen. Her phone rings, and she stands and answers it, while I go to the fridge in search of something to eat.
I hear the door unlocking, and look over my shoulder, as Lemon gives me a very unapologetic grin. “Sorry,” she says, confusing me. “But he’s still my alpha.”
Emit walks in, filling up my doorway, before he grins over at me in a way that’s sort of…scary.
“It’s not really optional,” he says before he stalks to me so fast I don’t have time to react, and I’m unceremoniously slung over his shoulder.
My breath comes out in a surprised rush, and I bounce against him as my mind comes to terms with why the world has tipped upside down.
Ingrid comes down the stairs with a small bag, giving me a shitty excuse for a contrite smile.
“I’ll remember this,” I tell the traitorous omegas dryly, as they give me a little wave and send me on my way like this is a planned vacation.
I don’t really put up a fight. I’ve never seen Emit actually determined to do anything, but clearly I’m outnumbered and out wolfed on this one...
I allow a small smile as I’m dropped to my feet, and then wipe the smile away because I’m supposed to be annoyed...
I climb in as my backpack and small duffel finish flopping to a stop, and close my robe a little more before digging for my boots.
“We’ve got everything here under control! Don’t worry about deliveries or the store,” Leiza calls very excitedly, bouncing on her feet.
“This is a hunting trip to kill things, right?” I ask Vance directly, though my eyes are on the very happy omegas, who are animatedly waving from the porch now.
“Yes,” he states in a tone that assures me he’s not one bit happy I’m here.
“Why are they treating it like I’m going on spring break?” I ask, genuinely concerned about their level of enthusiasm.
I thought they were a little saner than this.
Emit snorts, but clears his expression quickly.
“Do I want to know what spring break is a euphemism for?” Vance asks Emit.
“You’re really that old?” I groan.
“Do you know how long a century is?” Vance asks me dryly.
“I averaged a C on vocab tests, so yeah,” I retort, matching his condescension.
Emit releases a rumble of laughter, as his body shakes with the force.
Then he pulls out and begins to drive us off on our hunt.
I’m so not adjusting this fast, but it seems I have no choice in the matter. It’s like a snowball rolling downhill, gaining size and momentum. Either I’ll boulder through anything when I reach the bottom, or I’ll simply go splat into a mountainside.
“Do you know how quickly the vernacular shifts and accents devolve, evolve, or simply cease to exist?” Vance asks me.
Now I feel a little talked down to. “No.”
“I swear he used to be fun,” Emit tells me, smiling at me through the rearview
”
”