Page 48 of My Boyfriend Marks Trees
“Just because I had to sit on my suitcase to zip it doesn’t mean I overpack.”
“Uh, yeah it does.”
Selene laughed. “See you in a bit.”
He hung up and glanced at Derek. “You heard all that.”
“I heard enough. We’re bringing home your mom and sis. You go warn Grams while I finish getting our rides ready.”
Ares popped inside the warm kitchen to see Athena relaxing with a cup of tea, Grams sitting beside her directing with a wooden spoon. Charly hovered by Greta, who stood on a step stool carefully measuring some flour.
“Hey, Grams, hope it’s okay if Selene and Mom are going to join us.”
“What happened to their cruise?” Athena exclaimed.
“Flight got cancelled.”
“And they didn’t call? That rat.” Athena’s gaze narrowed. “I specifically texted Selene to see if she and Mom made it okay and she replied with a thumbs-up.”
“Apparently she didn’t want us worrying.”
Athena scowled.
Grams tapped her cup with her spoon. “No frowning. You’ll make the baby sour.”
Athena glared at her instead.
Grams smiled serenely. “Of course, Bea and Selene are welcome. Ahoy, sous chef Greta. We have two more guests coming.” To which the child barked, “Two more mini pie plates, stat.”
“Yes, chef,” Charly muttered with a roll of her eyes.
“Are you still heading out?” Athena asked, noticing his gear.
“Yeah. We’re going to bring them back by sled since the roads are crap.”
“And the farm…” Athena didn’t say more, but he understood.
“Fine. No sign of trouble.”
Not yet.
The ride over proved exhilarating. The sky, while heavy with clouds, remained clear, although the snow packed nicely as they rode, leaving a trail they could follow back. Since they mostly rode through empty fields and alongside snow-covered roads, they didn’t see many people out about, just a few snowmobilers like them. As they headed into the last copse of trees beforethe farm, they noticed a group of three riders clustered, stopped most likely to get their bearings since the trails weren’t officially open.
As they popped out of the trees and sped across the field, the house in sight, Ares noticed the wolf pacing out front. Selene had shifted, which meant something had set her off. She snarled in their direction, but Derek held up a hand and waved as they slowed to a stop a few yards away.
The enemy was here,his wolf announced.
Ares spotted the red and pink speckles in the snow in front of the porch.
Blood.
Probably from the body that lay sprawled and partially buried.
A naked body.
A chilled Ares ripped off his helmet and shouted, “What the fuck happened?”
Selene couldn’t reply nor could she shift, not while still upset. She’d always had an issue with strong emotions.