“You sound surprised.”
“He wouldn’t let my leave the house a few days ago.”
“It was freezing and crazy witches wanted to kill you.” He gave me a knowing look. “Does it surprise you that he was a tiny bit protective?”
“Fair enough.” I smiled. “You’re really normal.”
“Okay, that’s a new one.”
“This is the most refreshing conversation I’ve had in days.” The one with Gage about the weather was better than nothing, but this one was even more relaxed. “Thanks for it.”
“Do me a favor and tell Hunter that.”
“Why? Do you get brownie points or something?”
“Something like that.”
“So what do we do first?”
“Do you think we should go for an all-out tree house or one that has a base on the ground?”
“I guess it depends on how sturdy the trees are here. I’d build up if you can since the ground is so soggy. This is a cypress tree, right?”
“And you even know botany.” He smiled. “Impressive.”
“Knowing common types of trees isn’t impressive.”
“It is, trust me.”
“Do Dires not know that kind of stuff?”
“I’m not talking about Dires, I’m talking about humans.”
“Well, to me it’s basic anyway.”
“And that’s what makes you cool.” He smiled. “Geeky is cool.”
“Wait. Now I’m geeky?”
A howl had us both turning.
Denny clucked his tongue. “Uh, that’s Hunter.”
I sighed. “Do you need to go?”
“You sound disappointed.”
“I don’t feel like going back yet, and I don’t really want to hang out in the woods alone.”
“Tell Hunter that if he gets pissed at me later?”
“I’ll say I made you.” I laughed.
“I’m holding you to that.” He climbed up the tree to start building the house off of the wet ground.
Something bumped me from behind. I turned to find Hunter in his wolf form. “Hi.”
He transformed. “Hi? Is that all you’re going to say?” His voice was hoarse and his eyes angry.
“Don’t blame Denny.” I didn’t want to get him in trouble. I was the one who had wandered off.
“What are you doing out here? You could have been hurt.”
“But I’m not hurt.” I crossed my arms. I was tired of having to explain everything I did to someone.
“She’s helping me build a shelter. Did you know Mary Anne has an extensive knowledge of trees?”
“It’s not an extensive knowledge.” I only knew the most common types.
“Come on, Hunter finds your geekiness cute too.” Denny winked.
Hunter’s face softened. “I prefer the term intelligence, but yes.”
“I wanted a break from everything.”
“I understand, but next time tell me.”
I nodded.
Then he turned to Denny. “And you will answer my call. Do you understand?”
“Absolutely.” Denny made complete eye contact with him.
“Good.” Hunter suddenly smiled. “This gives me an idea.”
“An idea?”
“Yeah. Want to go out tonight?” His eyes brightened.
“Go out?” What was he getting at?
“Yeah. Dinner, maybe go listen to some music. Anything you want.”
“Why?”
He took both my hands in his. “Do I have to have a reason to want to take you out?”
“It’s just a surprise.”
“There’s one caveat though.”
“Which is?”
“And I’m not happy about it.” He looked down at our hands.
“Ok.”
“You need to dye your hair. We can’t have you recognized.” He ran a hand through my hair.
“Like dye it black or something?”
“That’s what Jocelyn picked up.”
“She picked up hair dye?”
“Yeah, after what happened at the mall it seemed like a good idea.”
“I’ve never dyed my hair before.”
“Jocelyn said she’d help you with it.”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“Sure you do. If you want to stay at the homestead you don’t have to dye it. We can cook at home tonight. But if we’re going out into the city…”
“Got it. I’ll go find Jocelyn I guess.”
“I’ll walk you.” He squeezed my hand.
“Bye, Denny. Sorry to leave you to do this alone.” I found myself disappointed I wouldn’t have more time working with my hands, but going into the city with Hunter might be important. It might give me the opportunity to get answers from him he wasn’t willing to give around the pack.