A Three Rivers Holiday Tale: A Shifters of the Three Rivers Novella by Kira Nightingale

Author:Kira Nightingale [Nightingale, Kira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Éditions Spottiswoode
Published: 2024-12-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter thirteen

Mai

“No, no! You gotta press X to jump, then triangle to do the special move!” Tucker bounced on his knees, controller forgotten in his lap as he watched Lark struggle with the buttons. “You almost had it that time!”

Lark’s face was scrunched in concentration, her fingers awkward on the controller. “There are too many buttons.”

“Here.” Ben scooted closer to her on the floor. “Watch me first.” He gently took the controller. “See? X is jump, circle is dodge, and if you press them together …” His character on screen executed a perfect aerial combo.

Lark’s eyes widened. “How did you learn all this?”

“Practice.” Ben shrugged. “And Thomas taught me. He’s really good at games, but last week, I even beat him!”

A small smile tugged at Lark’s lips. “Really?”

Ben ducked his head, but I caught the pleased flush on his cheeks. He handed the controller back to her. This time, he pointed to each button as he explained, his voice patient. “Just focus on jumping first.”

Lark’s tongue poked out slightly as she concentrated. Her character jumped, wobbled, then managed to land on a platform.

“You did it!” Tucker cheered, throwing his hands in the air.

“Okay,” Lark said, squaring her shoulders. “Show me how to do that special move thing again.”

I left them to it and headed to the kitchen, where I could watch the steam rise lazily from the kettle as it began to boil. Ever since I got pregnant, I liked watching it; it helped me think. Sylvie had left a note on the table saying she was popping home but would be back soon. The room smelled of cinnamon and orange, and the soft, rhythmic hum of the water heating filled the empty space. The sound was a welcome break from the thoughts going around in my mind. I missed Ryan, felt the strain in our mate bond that he wasn’t nearby. I worried about Lark’s Pack, and if they attacked now, when the alarms weren’t in place… The House was vulnerable. We were vulnerable. We didn’t know enough, and that was partly my fault.

Had I done the right thing?

The question circled over and over like a broken record. I’d told Ryan we were going to protect Lark even though we barely knew anything about her or the Pack that wanted her back. The decision had rolled off my tongue without hesitation. But now, standing here alone in the quiet, I was starting to worry that perhaps it had been another of those rash decisions that Ryan was so concerned about.

Protect the pup.

My wolf had no doubts. Good to know.

I poured the hot water into the cup, watching the dark tendrils of the ginger and peppermint tea unfurl from the bag as I stirred the spoon slowly, the scent catching the updrafts in the room and swirling into the air. What if I was making decisions I wouldn’t have before I was pregnant?

Caught in my own thoughts, I barely noticed Wally gliding into the kitchen until I heard his familiar, affectionate drawl.

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