Page 150 of Moon Claimed

It was just after dawn, but I needed to return and hear how Trixie and Stanley did with our latest morale boosting Tribe Night.

“Have a good day, little bird.”

“You too.” Hanging up, I frowned at the screen.

That conversation felt entirely too normal.

So did him calling me little bird.

We were literally on opposite sides. How the hell did we get to the stage where I called so he wouldn’t worry? I mean, the situation was as unique as it got, but even with boyfriends, I never did that.

“Crap,” I muttered.

Making quick work of backtracking to Wade’s salted caramel scent, I shook his tent, grinning at his alarmed shout.

A mussed-up Wade poked his head out, glaring. “I could dislike you.”

“Good luck. I’ll make breakfast.”

“We only brought granola bars.”

Dammit.My stomach complained. Granola bars would not cut it.

By the time he’d dressed, I was on my third bar. Pursing my lips, I pushed the remaining three at him.

Wade took one. “You have the other two. I’m worried you’ll eat me.”

I snatched up the two bars and, well,wolfedthem down.

Less than an hour later, we started for the manor.

“So?” Wade asked.

“Don’t remember a thing.” I smiled.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Did you find mushrooms of some description while out there?”

“I just feel so much better.”

He turned back as we wound through the forest. “Shifting sounds like a period.”

I scrunched my nose.Damn,it pretty much was. “Does that mean I get two periods each month?”

“Yes. What if they both happen at the same time one time? That’d be like a double whammy. Will you eat children?”

I really didn’t want to find out.

My good mood kept up to the meadow where I’d scattered half of Ragna’s ashes under the red oak. My eyes skirted to it, and my mind slammed to the other half stored in my saxophone case.

I forced my thoughts elsewhere. Nothing would ruin this day.

Up ahead, I listened to the happy bustle of the tribe around the manor. The air smelled calmer. Tribe Night worked.

The light feeling in my chest soared.

“Rhona said she knew for weeks before Sandstone.”

I stopped short. “Wait.”