Chapter 27

Zane POV

Of course, I knew I needed to get the bracelet back. My daughter had fashioned it from a solid piece of zebrawood, and even though I knew I was a biased proud father, I could see her talent in its striking lines and the way she worked with the wood grain for the design.

I would also be having a discussion with the Halston family about their daughter-in-law about the woman’s treatment of Sarah, of course. But that didn’t matter as much as the insult to Chloe and her work of art.

I have, and will probably never have, the words to express my pleasure, relief, and gratitude that Chloe had been returned to me. That she was so healthy and happy was nothing short of a miracle. And now I knew she was talented, my heart was light with joy and heavy with responsibility all at once.

So, no, the bracelet wasn’t going to be staying at the bottom of a lake. Fortunately, the wood was known for its resistance to water and overall durability, so I wasn’t concerned that it had been damaged yet.

I went to the car first and removed my shoes, socks, tie, and formal blue shirt, leaving me in my white undershirt and black slacks. It would have to do. Ollie followed me with a towel he had stored goddess knew where and got on the phone to order me a change of clothes. I went to the lake’s edge near my family’s picnic, but around a sharp bend on the shoreline that hid me from view. I didn’t want to get their hopes up if I couldn’t find the bracelet.

Next, I took several deep, calming breaths. I could stay underwater for about seven minutes without problems, and I knew the lake wasn’t deep. I checked my pockets for electronics and other valuables and handed my bracelet over to Ollie so the scent wouldn’t interfere with my search. My watch would be fine.

The water was cold, of course, and more than a little dirty, and I braced myself before plunging down, opening my eyes against the water and letting my eyesight grow accustomed to the murkiness. The water was actually clearer than I had been expecting, and the sunlight shining down reached down to the lake bottom well enough for me to see.

And what a sight! There were a surprising number of fish, including some small rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. I let just a little water into my mouth, searching for the highly distinctive scent of zebrawood, and was almost overwhelmed by the different aromas and tastes.

I tried to sort them as I swam toward the most likely location of the bracelet. There was a powerful scent of metal, which was explained when I passed by countless bicycles, some of them looking in excellent condition. There were also TVs and stereo equipment, some grocery carts, and what looked to be the door to a small airplane.

I squinted down at what looked like some sort of odd fish until I realized it was an algae-covered doll’s head. And then I spotted an Etch-a-Sketch with a broken screen. My wolf did not like that this lake was evidently being used as a dumping ground. I decided I would have it dredged and No Dumping signs put up.

Sand and silt were everywhere, and I had to be careful not to stir them up as I got into position and swam just above the lake’s floor. I saw Coke bottles and soda cans, more than a few water-logged paperback books, and—

Wait. There. I smelled the unmistakable sharp and bitter odor of zebrawood. My heart actually lurched a bit in my chest in excitement. I would have laughed if I weren’t underwater.

I followed the odor to a pile of debris, carefully pushed flotsam out of the way, and found the bracelet lying there on the sand, striped and smooth and perfect. With it in my hand, I swam back the way I had come, proud I had saved the impressive work of my daughter.

An image came, unbidden, of Sarah with her “claws” up and widespread, a snarl on her face. I knew, if she were a werewolf, I’d pursue her, at least as far as asking her for drinks. Again, I had to keep myself from laughing, though with more elation than humor. She was extraordinary.

I broke from the water and waved at Ollie, who looked relieved. A quick check of my watch showed I had been down there longer than I thought. I breathed in deeply, still feeling exhilarated, and I as walked to the water’s edge I held up the bracelet in triumph.

Ollie held my own bracelet up as I neared, no doubt sensing I’d want to put it back on right away. The towel came next for a good wipe-down, and then I told him to call Sterling X, a street magician I knew was performing in the area. Then I went to the car and changed into my suit.

It was, I admit, something of an ordeal, but watching the faces of my daughters and Sarah when she opened the box made it more than worth it. I was surprised, however, when Sterling X broke character to coo over the jewelry.

“And you made this?” he asked Chloe, who smiled proudly and said she did.

“And Grace made this,” I said, showing off my own bracelet, now back on my wrist.

He bowed to Grace. “You two are truly something special, a tribute to your father.” Then he bowed to Sarah, who looked a little flustered, but pleased. “The pack is thrilled Chloe remains in such good care, Sarah Astor.”

“I, oh, thank you,” she said.

He asked for her hand, took it, and lightly pecked the back.

“And now my magic is complete!” he said, taking the bracelet out of its box to hand to me, surprisingly enough. Then he turned, pulled out some red balls, and juggled them as he walked away. All the ladies clapped.

“I am pleased to return this to you,” I said, pushing it up on her wrist.

“I can’t believe you went into the lake after it,” she said, admiring it once again, and then showing it off to Chloe, who beamed.

I was relieved she didn’t act like what I had done was romantic, clearly realizing the hunt for that bracelet had as much, if not more, to do with my daughter than with her.

The truth was, since the day my wife gave birth to two alpha girls, I have worried about my ability to raise them properly, a feeling that increased tenfold when my wife passed, then a hundredfold when Chloe was taken. I used to look at Grace in near despair. How could I possibly help such a small child to grow into a proper alpha, a leader of the werewolf community in this territory?

And now I had Chloe back, that concern had not abated, I found. The pack would be expecting some much from them. How could I make sure they succeeded?

“Bravo!” someone called, shaking me out of my musings.

I looked over to the source of the voice to see a beta woman with her two beta children standing nearby, clapping. I looked at Sarah in confusion.

She laughed and held the bracelet up higher. “You’re the hero of the hour!”

Several more people around us began to clap and call out that the return of the bracelet was an excellent thing, a blessing for the day, and a tribute to my family.

I found myself smiling back at Sarah, whose heart skipped a tell-tale beat once again, and if in the corner of my mind I had a vision of ripping her NDA contract to shreds with my fangs, I kept that to myself.