Midnight Serenade

Chapter 11

The Peterson's backyard was beautiful. The pond, complete with ducks, was the main feature, but everything was so picturesque. Like something out of a magazine. There were strategically placed bushes and flowers along a little pebble path that led around the spacious area. There was an elaborate fire pit, a rustic bridge across the pond, and a matching gazebo. Topping it off was the backdrop of the forest and the mountains beyond. I wondered if the Petersons had professional landscapers do everything or if they were just super talented themselves.

At the moment, I was sitting in the gazebo, watching the ducks and trying not to think. I didn't want to stay in the house while Mr. Peterson made those phone calls. It was scary enough knowing about it happening. Those people were my family - actual blood relatives, and I had no clue who they were. Somehow it was scarier to think of meeting them than it was to think about returning to the people I always thought were my parents. Wrong as it might be, it was familiar.

I wished Sawyer was out here with me.... but I didn't. It was weird. I was used to dealing with things alone since I'd never been able to count on either of the two imposters I lived with for emotional support, but I had this yearning to be in Sawyer's arms and to have him comfort me the way he did in the dream. At the same time, I didn't feel like I knew him anywhere near well enough to cling to him like that. Besides, he was part of this whole thing. If not for him, I'd never have left the house. I'd still be blissfully ignorant of shifters and the fact that everything about my life was a lie.  Logically, I knew it was good that I knew the truth, but that didn't make it easy to digest.

As I stared at the little duck family that was lazing in the pond, someone cleared his throat and made me jump. Startled, I looked to the right and found a man standing ten feet away, wearing a police uniform.

So I guess that had been one of those phone calls Mr. Peterson made.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sneak up on you. Most people around here can hear me coming," the man said.

I shrugged, not knowing how to respond.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked.

I shook my head even though I did mind. I didn't want to deal with this.

He smiled a little and then stepped inside the gazebo before sitting on the bench opposite me. I watched him, waiting to hear what he had to say, but he just looked at me.

Feeling awkward, I shifted in my seat. "Does that mean you're one too?" I asked. "Most people hear you because of the wolf thing?"

His lips twitched. "Yes, that's what I meant. You probably shouldn't go around talking about it with strangers though."

"Sorry." I glanced away.

He waved the apology off. "Most people in town are shifters, but some aren't. Some are totally ignorant and they need to stay that way. Before too long, you'll know who's who."

I nodded and felt a new jolt of anxiety. He assumed that I'd know who was who because he assumed I'd be one of them. Fully. Fur and all.

"I guess Mr. Peterson called you?" I asked, not wanting to think too deeply about whether I would or would not be changing into a wolf in the near future.

"He did. I have to admit, I didn't believe him at first. It seems incredible... impossible. But I'm glad I was wrong."

I gave him a small smile. "Did you know my parents?"

His eyes tightened. "Very well. Your mom was my baby sister."

Surprised, I felt my eyes widen.

"I'm your uncle, kid." He forced a laugh. "But I guess you're not really a kid, are you? You're all grown up. You look just like your mom."