Marcel’s swearing-in ceremony is tomorrow, and it’s going to be lovely. There’s a large meadow that overlooks the ocean, where many clan functions happen, and the weather is forecast to be a sunny day with clear skies. I’m proud of Marcel and excited about watching him accept his new position.

I glance in the rearview mirror of my minivan at my children. Their heads are swaying to a song about a chicken that we’ve listened to so many times I’m sure it will be imprinted on my brain for life. I’m on my way to pick up Marcel’s suit from the dry cleaners. I have other errands I’d like to run, but with the threat of the twins shifting, I don’t dare do more than lock them in the car for the two minutes it will take for me to get the dry cleaning. Of course, that sends panic-induced adrenaline rushing through my veins for a different reason. Any human mother would tell you leaving your children in a locked car is never a good idea. But what people think is not my biggest concern.

Marcel told Jean Luc about the twins shifting yesterday as planned, and his reaction was similar to Marcel’s. When Izzy called last night, she confirmed that Jean Luc thinks it’s amazing our children are already full werebear. I guess it’s a werebear thing, because she was excited too. She also reinforced what Marcel said. Jean Luc will make sure whatever we need to do to keep Adam and Ava safe will happen.

I feel a bit foolish for being so worried about what the alpha would think. And I think once we get a werebear nanny for the kids, I’ll finally be able to relax. I pull into the strip mall where the dry cleaner is located, and air blasts from the vents as I crank up the air conditioning. It’s not very hot, and I won’t be gone long enough for the car to get too warm, but I don’t want to take any chances. I lower the volume of the music and turn around to say, “Guys, Mommy is going to go get something. I’ll be right back. If you both can be good while I’m gone, we’ll go get a cookie next.”

“Music, Mommy!” says Ava, and I chuckle.

I give her what she wants before locking them both in the car with the engine off but the battery running. My errand is quick since I’m the only customer, and I make it back to the minivan before I have a heart attack over leaving my kids alone.

I breathe a sigh of relief as I get back behind the wheel. I don’t bother to buckle up as I head toward the coffee-shop drive-thru at the end of the parking lot because I’ll only have to take my seat belt off again to be able to reach back and give my kids their cookies.

“Mommy?” asks Adam.

“Yes, honey?”

“Chicken song, please.”

I let out a small groan but glance down at my phone to find it. After I click it, I glance up, and my heart jumps in my throat when I see a car is pulling out in front of me as if I’m not there. I slam on the brakes, but I’m not fast enough. The sound of metal crunching is combined with a loud crack that rings in my ears, and my horn blares.

I moan as pain radiates through my head, and I hear Ava and Adam crying while the stupid chicken song keeps playing. I blink to clear my vision as I straighten up, and the horn thankfully stops.

“Ma’am!” I turn to a man staring in my window, and he immediately frowns in concern as he tugs on my door to open it up.

“My kids,” I mumble as warmth trickles down my face, and I reach up to discover I’m bleeding. A low growl comes from the back seat. My kids! The man has gotten the door open, and I have two bear cubs in the back seat. Oh god, what am I going to do? I can’t explain to this stranger I’m sure is not a werebear. I can’t throw a fireball for a distraction. What if I cloak them? No. I agreed I wouldn’t use magic on the kids.

The guy leans in. “Get out,” I say.

“Ma’am, you’re hurt.”

I push at him as the contents of my stomach rise to the back of my throat. “Get away!” My head throbs with pain, and my vision becomes blurry.

“Did you say you have kids?” he asks, and he moves away to go to the passenger door. “No!” I scream, but now stars float before my eyes, and I’m afraid I’m going to pass out.

I do the first thing I can think of. I lean out of the car and hold up my hand to toss out a beam of magic that wraps around him. It’s a protective bubble that shuts off all of his senses, and he stumbles back to fall on his butt just as my world goes black.

A chicken is clucking. God, I wish it would shut up. I gasp and snap my eyes open when I realize where I am. I turn to see the man is still on the ground, holding his head. My spell could wear off any second, and I take the time I have to use my phone and take a picture of the guy’s license plate so I can get in touch with him later. I shut my door, tug on my seat belt, and click it into place just as the man rubs his eyes and his wits return.

I yell through the closed window, “I’m really sorry, but I’ve got to go!” I clunk the gearshift into reverse.

“Hey! My car!” the guy yells.

“I know.” I slam into drive. “I swear I’m good for it!” I speed around his car and out of the parking lot.

Once I get on the street, I steal a glance in the mirror. My kids are still bear, and I notice both of their shirts are tight on their bodies. “I’m really going to have to get you two looser clothing.” I begin to laugh at myself before I force myself to get a grip. I take a deep breath. “Everything’s okay, guys.” A light turns red, and I slow to a stop. I pick up my phone and say, “How about we play the chicken song again. Okay?” I turn up the volume, and two little bear snouts begin to bounce to the music. I watch both my children in the mirror as they shift back to people again. I let out a big sigh of relief.

My head still hurts, and I’m pretty sure I have a concussion. I realize I shouldn’t be driving, so I pull into the grocery store on the right and go around to the back where deliveries are made. I need to make sure the man I hit won’t see me, and I need to call Marcel to come get us.

When I stop the car, Adam says, “Mommy, you got a boo-boo.”

I smile at the resilience of my children. “I did, honey. But we have Superman bandages at home. I’ll be okay.”

Will I, though? A shiver runs down my spine as I hit the call button for Marcel.