Chapter 9
“Tara.”
My name on my friend’s tongue eased me the same way settling into my comfy chair had....for exactly one second. Then I realized my friend would inevitably ask about her children. Kale I’d seen this morning—he was healthy, if not happy. The baby...well, I’d managed to forget about that grubby, pudgy face.
“Natalie.” I forced a smile so my friend would hear the curve of my lips even as I yanked open the door and snapped my fingers at Rune. No matter what he’d promised, I couldn’t leave him alone in the heart of pack territory.
To my surprise, his usually expressionless mouth twitched into a far more honest smile than the one I was speaking through. His long strides caught up with mine in three quick steps.
“How’s your mom?” I asked Natalie, buying time as I pushed thro
