Page 48 of Bound

Sofia: Twenty-six years ago, on the night of a blood moon…

West: Now if that isn’t the start of a good horror story…

Shifter births often increased near the full moon. It was just in our blood. River had been born under a full moon, too, and part of me had always wondered if that was why our wolves could so easily hold magic.

West: Did you see the highlights from the scavenger hunt?

Sofia: Dallas texted me. I’m so glad you and your brothers are all together today.

West: I wish you could be here, Mom.

She sent a moon emoji.

Sofia: How’s Topher?

My heart gave a nervous flip. I glanced up, but he was scrolling through his phone, giving me space.

West: We should… talk. Soon.

Sofia: Love you, mijo.

West: Love you.

Dallas and Lacey’s house sat on a lush green lawn with two sprawling live oaks out front. The wide wrap-around porch had been newly restored and painted a crisp white. Fat baskets of peppermint-striped petunias hung suspended from brass hooks, swaying gently in the muggy summer breeze.

Seeing the note taped to the door, I turned the knob and slid into a welcome blast of air-conditioning. The sound of barking and laughter floated through the spacious entryway with its grand walnut staircase. Catching Topher’s hand, I tugged him after me.

“There’s the birthday boy.” Dallas bumped the sub-zero stainless refrigerator closed with his hip. His dirty blond hair was tied back in a man-bun and he had on his infamous Cowboys apron. Of all my brothers, Dallas favored our dad the most, from his pale blue eyes to the stubborn Caldwell set to his jaw. “Thought you forgot how to find the place.”

My brother looked good. This month marked eight months sober. Between running his restaurant and going to prenatal appointments, he’d had a busy spring. But he and Lacey had never seemed happier.

“I told you not to bring anything,” Lacey scolded from the couch where she had both hands resting on her pregnant belly.

Bending down to kiss her cheek, I passed her the bouquet of sunflowers we’d picked up at the farmer’s market earlier that morning. “I know better than to show up empty handed.”

“Says the person on the no-fly list for food who texted at 8 a.m. wanting to know how blueberry muffin mix worked.”

August groaned. “Thought you went through his cabinets for contraband?”

Dallas shook his head. “Yeah, he gets stuff by me.”

“You guys are dickheads. I can cook.”

“Cheerios.”

Topher coughed, failing utterly to hide a smile. “Toast.”

“It’s my birthday,” I announced cheerfully. “And I don’t have to talk to any of you.”

Dallas came around the island. “I’m refilling drinks and then round two of appetizers are up. We’ve got savory lemon pepper chicken skewers, coconut shrimp with tangy marinara sauce, and fresh cut veggies with guacamole and seven-layer black bean dip.”

August groaned. “You’re killing me, bro.”

“That sounds amazing. Before I forget,” I passed my brother a stack of brightly-colored picture books with a big purple satin bow, “these are for you guys, too.”

“Sweet.” Dallas flipped through the books, examining the titles. “Unicorns. Dragons. Sushi. The three major food groups. Cupcake will love these.”

Lacey snorted. “Thank you. And don’t worry. We are not naming her Cupcake. Eventually we’ll end our stalemate and agree on a baby name.”