Page 74 of Saving Stella

“I’m really sorry about—wow.” Sloane squeezed Stella’s arm, a frown line appearing between her brows. “Huh.”’

“What?”

Sloane pushed up the sleeve, then twisted her arm around. “You sure heal quick.”

“Huh?” She checked out her arm, recalling the pain of Sloane’s wolf’s claws as it tore into her. The skin was now smooth and completely unbroken. “Lycan healing, I guess.”

Sloane lifted a blonde eyebrow. “Not that quick.” She showed her own wound—a scratch down her leg where Stella’s rear paw had nicked her—which had stopped bleeding but was still an angry red slash.

“Holy shit!” Jacob exclaimed as his head ping-ponged between Cliff and Stella. “You’re?—”

“Not now,” Cliff barked.

“But—”

“I said, not now, Jacob.”

“Aw, fuck, man!” Sloane groaned as they passed the wreckage of the sports car. “I really liked that car.”

Stella felt terrible for wrecking it—or rather, her wolf did.

My wolf!

How could she forget that she had shifted for the first time?

A pleased growl rumbled across her chest, and she smiled to herself.

Hey there, she greeted.

It replied with a playful yip.

Stella turned back to what remained of the flashy vehicle. “Was it new?” She wondered how much she had in her pension and if it would be enough to replace the car.

“New for the owners, I guess,” Sloane said with a shrug. “I guess now they can report it wrecked and stolen.”

“Stolen?” Jacob exclaimed. “You stole a car?”

“What? You think I can afford somethin’ like that?”

Cliff sighed. “Move it, guys. I think I hear security coming.”

* * *

Thankfully, they made it out of the parking garage before anyone found them. On the way home, Cliff placed a call to Lizzie, who said she would take care of scrubbing their presence from the security tapes at the casino. The relief Stella had felt knowing that her identity as a Lycan was a secret for now was indescribable. While she didn’t want to keep that part of her—or her newfound family—hidden forever, she wanted to reveal it on her own terms.

“You got any vodka?” Sloane asked as soon as they got in. “I could use a drink.”

“It’s like two o’clock in the afternoon,” Jacob groaned.

“How about coffee?” Stella interjected.

Sloane shrugged. “I’ll take whatever you have.”

“Grab a mug from the cupboard, and make yourselves comfortable.” At least she had something to keep herself busy, as she was still unsure how to deal with the situation—how does one welcome a long-lost sister who tried to kidnap you?

Then there was the entire thing with Cliff …

She still wasn’t sure what to make of him being back here after he’d left so abruptly. Part of her wanted to think he was here for her, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up.