Shadow of the Day (Wolf Moon Sequel)

Chapter 20: Watched

"So...how do you guys like Kayla so far?" Dad asked the next night after school.

"She's fine," I shrugged, struggling to focus on my math homework.

"Just fine?" he asked worriedly.

"Would you calm down? We met her once; we barely know this chick so relax," Ivy rolled her eyes, pulling her pita pizza out of the microwave.

"I know. I just don't want you girls to be upset with her or anything," he ran his fingers through his brown hair, taking a breath.

"We aren't upset with her. She didn't keep you guys a secret," I teased.

"I'm so sorry about that," he grimaced.

"You really do worry too much. I was just kidding," I rolled my eyes, "Now shush so I can do my math homework please."

"Sorry," he sat down while Ivy took a huge bite of her pizza.

"So how's your boyfriend?" he asked suddenly.

"Dad."

"What? I'm just curious," he huffed, settling more comfortable in his seat.

"He's fine,"" I answered, trying to keep my attention on the problem at hand...but it could have been written in Chinese symbols for all it was making sense.

"Are you guys okay?"

"We're fine, Dad."

"Just fine? Are you fighting?" his eyebrows rose.

"No Dad, we're fine," I said, fighting to keep my voice even.

"Hmmm. Well you didn't seem happy when you came home last night," he pursed his lips, "Something else wrong? Is he pressuring you? Do you feel like you have to do things?"

"DAD!" I cried, eyes popping. "No he's not pressuring me. No I don't feel like I have to do things. No nothing else is wrong. Now I'm going to go upstairs, close my door and no one is going to bother me until I'm done my homework! Got it?"

He blinked at me in surprise while Ivy just giggled and kept eating her pizza.

"Good!" I scooped up my books, stomped up the stairs into my room and shut the door. I fell into my desk chair with a sigh before I attempted homework again. But my mind was still swirling around yesterday's mysterious scent. Dad's secret love life didn't seem so big considering I've been doing the same for months and worse. Now it was that smell that was annoying me. Although Dad's questions were right under it.

This was ridiculous. I was never going to get anything done.

I threw my pencil down at my desk and gave up. Wyatt had gone hunting already and I couldn't leave the house since Dad had wanted us home plus I had homework. But I was in my room, no one would know if I left for a while...

So I dressed warmly and snuck out. I made my way to the forest in record time and Changed as fast as I could before I went and did a little hunting of my own.

I made my way to where I had first caught the scent and started to follow it. But it was very faded already because of all the snow and wind and animals passing through. But I managed to follow it, as long as I kept my nose practically stuck to the ground.

I trailed after it for a long time, so focused on figuring it out that I almost didn't notice the lake until my paw touched the thin ice on top and fell through into freezing water.

I let out a strangled bark sound, shooting backwards in fright. Once my brain caught up and I realized it was just water I calmed down and surveyed the area. The ice was starting to melt and you could see the wide holes in some places and the black water underneath.