Forged in Ice by Alyssa Rose Ivy

looked at me over her shoulder.
    “Henry.” I smirked.
    Rachel glared. “Some things never change, James.”
    “What? You know him better than Talen.”
    “We’ll get three rooms. You will be paying,” Rachel grunted.
    “I will be happy to refund you, but as Ainsley would say, they do not want my gold coins.” My coins would also make us stand out.
    “You have more money than anyone I know.” Rachel set her phone down. “I’ve seen your house. Your TVs and hot tubs.”
    “Hot tubs?” Ainsley’s eyes widened. “As in multiple?”
    “He had the party house back in high school. It was like a bachelor pad, yet he was seventeen. Craziness.” Rachel’s voice filled with more excitement. Her brisk tone had softened. “It also helped that he lived alone. There were no rules, no curfew.”
    “Why am I not surprised?” Ainsley rolled her eyes at me in the rearview mirror.
    “I was stuck in your world, so I figured I might as well enjoy it.” I had been young and was tasting my first freedom. I had never spent so much time outside of my father’s sight. I had been keeping him posted, but he never personally checked in on me.
    Henry yawned. “Maybe you are right, and we all should rest. We have no idea what we will face tomorrow.”
    “Exactly.” Even if my reasons for stopping were mostly for Ainsley’s health, I was concerned about the whole group. We needed to be in our best form in case these wolves were not as happy to see us as Talen predicted.
    “I can’t believe I’m really doing this.” Rachel set down her phone on her lap.
    “I say that to myself all the time.” Ainsley adjusted her hands on the wheel. “It’s definitely surreal.”
    “I feel like you’ve aged years since I last saw you.” Rachel turned to look at Ainsley.
    “Uh, is that a comment on how I look?”
    Rachel shook her head. “Of course not. You seem more worldly I guess. Not quite as little kid.”
    “I’m not sure if I should be insulted that I seemed like a little kid.”
    “I’m putting my foot in my mouth left and right.” Rachel sighed. “What I mean is you seemed inexperienced. Young. Way younger than me, but you don’t now. It’s why I believe you. Something has definitely changed for you.”
    “Lots has.” Ainsley kept her eyes fixed on the road.
    We made it to the hotel ten minutes later. Ainsley let out a huge sigh before locking the car. “I could fall asleep standing up.”
    “I could always carry you,” I half-teased. I would have done it if I believed it were what she wanted. But she would never want to appear weak. I was learning more about Ainsley every day.
    “And that would help us blend in.” Rachel rolled her eyes.
    “I was merely offering.” I took Ainsley’s hand in mine. “I am sorry you are so tired.”
    “What I don’t understand is how you are so awake.” Ainsley’s voice was full of concern.
    “I have many talents.”
    Henry coughed. “Talents? Is that what you are calling them?”
    Rachel spun around to look at us. “Let Ainsley and me handle the check-in. The rest of you stay quiet.”
    “Got it,” Henry agreed quickly.
    “Good.” Rachel turned and hurried toward the front of the two story hotel.
    The doors opened automatically as Rachel approached, and we all walked inside.
    I followed Rachel’s instructions and stood back while Ainsley and Rachel secured our rooms for the evening.
    “These are for you.” Rachel handed Henry a paper sleeve with plastic cards.
    “Thank you.” Henry accepted the paper, but Rachel held on. Something silent passed between them.
    Talen grabbed the sleeve. “I am going to bed. It is room 206.” He hurried over to the stairs, wisely giving Henry and Rachel some space.
    “Have a good night.” Ainsley smiled at Rachel.
    “You too.” Rachel raised an eyebrow.
    “We will.” I took Ainsley’s hand, and we followed Talen to the stairs.
    We reached our room, and Ainsley inserted the key into the door. It did nothing at first, and