“Callista, if you don’t stop bouncin’ your leg, I’m gonna sit on it.”
I ignored Del and shot another glance around the kitchen, hoping for the hundredth time that Wyatt would decide to get lunch at the lodge for a change.
“That’s it,” my sister said before standing up and walking over to me.
I looked up at her with narrow eyes. “Don’t you dare.”
Del smirked and slid onto the bench next to me, placing a firm hand on my knee. “I know it’s the full moon tonight, but jeez, you’re wound tight.”
I shrugged and shoved her hand off my leg. “I just need to run it off.”
“I hope that’s all it is. You’ve been a pain in the ass for weeks.”
I shot her a glare before looking around again.
“You expectin’ someone?”
I froze in place for a second before focusing on my plate. “Nope. Are you?”
“No, but I’m not the one actin’ all weird.”
“I’m not acting weird.”
“Who’s actin’ weird?” Evey said as she arrived at our table and set down her plate. Bea was right behind her and I winced internally. Now I had all three of them to contend with.
“Callie is,” Del answered.
“What’s up, Callie?” Bea asked.
I shrugged, my eyes glued to my plate. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“She’s been actin’ weird for weeks. Haven’t you all noticed?” Del asked our sisters.
Evey narrowed her eyes as she shoved a forkful of food into her mouth. “Now that you mention it,” she said around her half-chewed food.
I shook my head. “Evey. Wait until you’ve swallowed to talk.”
She rolled her eyes and made of show of swallowing before loading her fork up once again. “You have been more on edge lately, Callie. What’s up with that?”
“Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I glanced around the table and noticed each sister wore a different look of suspicion, all aimed at me and knew I needed to divert their attention or face an inquisition.
“Besides, shouldn’t we be talking about Del and how she hasn’t been home the past two nights?”
As I’d hoped, their eyes swung toward my colorful sister, who looked unimpressed. “So?”
“So, where have you been?”
“None of your business.”
Okay, now I was curious. Del usually had no problem kissing and telling, so if she was being secretive, there was a reason for it. “Of course it’s our business. We’re your sisters.”
Del shrugged and took a dainty sip of her water. “It ain’t. All you three need to know is I was havin’ fun and I’m home in time for the full moon.”
Bea, Evey, and I exchanged glances before I spoke up again. “Don’t tell me you were with another human guy.”
She hesitated, which was basically like she’d tattooed the answer across her forehead. Evey gasped and Bea ground her teeth as I watched Del carefully.
“Why don’t you mind you and yours, Callista McCoy?”
“Del, what are you doin’ hangin’ around human men?”
Del shot our youngest sister a look before shrugging a single shoulder and focusing on the liquid in her cup. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Abey wouldn’t agree with that,” Bea added.
Del glared at her before letting loose a long, loud sigh and leaning over to place both elbows on the table. “All right, look, since you three can’t keep your noses outta my business, I’ll tell you. I was with a human man the past couple nights, but that’s all it was. Some fun and now we’re done. Happy?”
“So, you’re not going to see any more human men?” Bea asked carefully.
The corner of Del’s lips turned into a smirk as she shrugged again. “Well, not that one, at least.”
Evey snickered from across the table as Bea and I shook our heads. “You know that’s dangerous, Delilah. What are you thinking?” I chastised.
She blew out another big breath. “I’m thinkin’ I don’t want all the strings that come attached to seein’ a werewolf. First of all, half of ‘em are just lookin’ for a mate and I’m movin’ so far in the opposite direction, it’s like we’re in different counties. And the ones not lookin’ for a mate are always up in my business. Wantin’ to know who I am and what pack I’m in. Soon as they find out I’m the alpha’s sister, they’re talkin’ about bringin’ me home to meet their mamas.” She stopped to sneer before continuing. “Count me the hell out. I’m just lookin’ for a little fun and human guys are where it’s at.”
“But what if you shifted in front of them?” Evey asked quietly.
Del tsked and flipped a lock of her pink-streaked hair behind her. “I’m not thirteen anymore, Evey. I can keep it contained long enough to have a little fun and then I’m gone. No harm, no foul.”
“Until there is,” Bea muttered.
Del shot her another glare before folding her arms across her chest. “Y’all are just jealous that I’m gettin’ some and none of you are. When’s the last time any of you even had a date?”
I could feel the color rising in my cheeks because my thoughts automatically turned to Wyatt. But that was stupid. I’d been adamant about our lunch not being a date. So, why were my palms sweating and my heart pounding just thinking about it?
At the thought of the missing werewolf, I glanced around the room again, hoping to catch sight of him. When a loud laugh erupted from the other end of the kitchen, my heart stopped in my chest. That sound was so familiar, I’d recognize it anywhere, even though I’d only heard it a handful of times.
When I found the source of the boisterous laugh, my shoulders slumped as I realized it wasn’t Wyatt, but his brother, Wes. I scanned the crowd around him, hoping I’d catch sight of the Carter brother I was looking for but came up empty. The dejected feeling trudged through my veins as my sisters continued to bicker. But then an idea came to me.
I swung my legs around and stood from the bench before I was stopped by my curious younger sister. “Where you goin’?” Evey asked around another mouthful of food.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” I said absentmindedly.
She growled softly and swallowed before speaking again. “Well?”
I glanced at her and then back toward Wes, who was loading up a plate of food and chatting with Ms. Elsie.
“I’m going to get something to eat.”
Evey glanced at the plate I’d already finished and back at me. “Didn’t you already eat?”
I swiped my dish off the table and shrugged. “Need to carb load for the full moon. Be right back.”
With that, I left before any more questions could be hurled at me. I dropped my dirty plate off with Aubrey at the sink before cautiously approaching Wes. He was still talking to Ms. Elsie and neither of them noticed when I grabbed a clean plate and started filling it.
I worried my lip between my teeth as I tried to figure out how to cut into their conversation and broach the subject I was there to talk about. Finally, when there was a short lull, I took my opportunity.