Fractured mates: a mystics and mayhem novel heather renee & mystics & mayhem download pdf
Fractured
Mates: A
and Mayhem Novel Heather Renee & Mystics & Mayhem
Visit to download the full and correct content document: https://ebookmass.com/product/fractured-mates-a-mystics-and-mayhem-novel-heath er-renee-mystics-mayhem/
More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant download maybe you interests ...
A Dragon's Wolf (The Hidden Realm Book 1) Heather Renee & Mystics & Mayhem
Not only for naming this book, but for being part of my super squad, for your incredible kindness, and for making my book babies a permanent part of your life with those epic tattoos! Thank you for being so awesomely YOU!
It’s beenover tenyears since Ifled mypackand was relocated to Texas. While the packthere had beeneverythingthe protectorswhofoundmehadpromised,Ihadn’tstayedlong
Iburied himinthe ground twelve years ago, buthe still finds a wayto fuckwithme. Ithoughtonce he was dead thatI wouldn’tmissthematebond Yet,nomatterhow muchIhatehimandamgladhe’sdead,there’sapartofmethatcan’tstop caringabouthim. Thatalone pisses me offmore thananythingelse, knowingthathe still has some sortofhold onme, even fromthegrave
And we had every right to kill him,mywolfsays,asshealwaysdoes. He would have raped us, caged us, and eventually killed us, one way or another It was him or us How do you not see that after all this time?
I do see it, but knowing something and believing it are two different things. I know that shifting and allowing you to rip Thane’s heart from his human chest was the right thing to do, because he truly was a monster Yet I became a murderer and lost my fated mate all in the same moment.
We did that,shecorrects Plus, he was a shitty person and deserved what he got And I’m not,Ireply. Which means I still have guilt, no matter how happy I am to be on our own.
Mywolfbecomes quiet,andItake thattime topicka bitmore atmyburger,thenthankthe waitress for myrefill before drinkinghalftheshakeinjustacoupleofgulps
There’s nothing wrong with having a pack,mywolfsays,listeninginonmythoughts.
I know she’d be happyabout that. As muchfunas we have onthe road, doingas we please, deep down, packis life. They’refamilyandsafetyandhome.I’veknownthatsincethefirsttimeIranaway rightafterinitiallymeetingThane and felttrulyalone
MaybeIwouldhavebeenifhe’dshownmeevenanounceofrespect,buthe’dneverevencalledmebyname He’dmerely referredtomeas his mateinawaythatmadeitclearIwouldbehis property.Icouldn’tfathomlettingthathappen. Though,itwasn’tjustthefuturewithafatedmatethatIlostbackthen Ilostmyhomeandmyfamily,includingalittlesister who had onlybeenfive atthe time. Iranfromthem, and nobodyobjected. To saythatleftme witha few additional issues wouldbeanunderstatement.
We’re stronger than we were back then, mywolfsays We can handle whatever waits for us there Remind them that leaving didn’t make us weak.
No, itdidn’t Notmanywolves could have done whatIhad, nor could theyhave survived the soul-deep loneliness that camewithnotonlyleavingourhome,butwithseveringtiestoourfatedmate.
Idon’tknowthatIwouldhavesurvivedwithoutmywolf,andshe’sbeentheonlycompanionI’veneededinmylife…until now. Though, it’s notnecessarilycompanionship I’mseekingbygoinghome. Closure and a freshstartwhere Ishould have alwaysbeenfeelsmoreaccurate.
Witha sharp shake of myhead, I reachinto mybackpocket and toss a hundred-dollar bill onthe table It’s more than quadrupletheamounttocovermybill,butwell-deservedforhowdamnedtastyeverythingwasandtheexcellentservice. IpluckafewmorefriesfromtheplateandgivethequarterofleftoverburgeralongingglancewhenIstandfromthebooth Food can be my mate,Ithinktomyselfandchuckle.I’veenteredintoaverycommittedrelationshipwithallthingsfood, andIhavenocomplaintswhatsoever
If only the carbs you love could service more than your stomach,mywolfcomplainswithsnark. It’s not as if we ’ ve been celibate, you little hussy,Iretort It’s only been Eleven weeks and four days,shefinisheswhenItaketoolongtosortoutthetimelineinmyhead.
That’s enough from you,Ireply,myirritationbackinfull force.Itdoesn’tlastlong,though. We’re going to East Texas, and then maybe we’ll stop in New Orleans to see Matt Shesighs. I guess he’ll do. His wolf is only mildly annoying. IchuckleasIgetintomycar.Strong,horny,andpicky.That’smywolf. Glancingbackatthediner,I’malreadyhavingregretsaboutnottakingmyleftovers,butIdon’tdwellforlong. I’vemadeupmymind.We’regoingtoshow CaitandRomantherespecttheydeserve,andthenwe’regoingtomakeour waybacktoSouthCarolina
IhavenoclueifI’llbewelcomed.Especiallyafterhavingkilledapackmember.WhileIknowitwasinself-defenseand the protectors promised me that I was safe fromretribution, that doesn’t meanhis familyhasn’t held a grudge or even my parentsfortheramificationsI’msuretheydealtwithfrommyleaving.
I haven’t spoken to themin years really, only my mother but at the same time, this isn’t about them. It’s about me. NothingisgoingtostopmefromgettingtheclosureIseek.
Returning to my pack will either give me back the home I’ve been running from for far too long, or it will give me absolutionfromtheguiltI’vebeenholdingonto Eitherway,I’llgetwhatIneed.I’mdonewaiting.
The walls have gone fromdarker tanto a light, creamcolor. The darkwoodendeskI remember frombefore has been replaced witha sleek, metal one, and the previous hardwood floors are covered ina plush, greycarpetthatfeels soft, even
“What happened?” I ask, wonderingif it has anythingto do withwhyshe’s inthe office and I was never notified Just becauseIhaven’tbeeninthepackdoesn’tmeanI’mnotstilltiedtothisplaceandthesepeople.
Her shoulders dropever soslightly “Well,notofficially,butIamincharge,as Isaidbefore We’re waitingonthe next newmoonbeforethetransferofpowergoesfromRomantome.”
“Andwhosaysthat’swhereI’mheaded?”Icounter,nothavingtheslightestinterestinrevealingthetruth. Her lips thin, andshe stares intentlyatme,butIdon’tbreak. “Fine. Keep your secrets, butyouneed to listento me and knowI’mnotjustsayingthisbecauseyou’rehere.Youwereonmylistofpeopletocalltoday.”
“YorkGraves tookover for him,” she says “Now, he’s beennamed interimalpha, butthings are tense there Your pack isn’tthesameplaceyoumightremember,Sophie.Ineedyoutostayawayfromthere.Atleastuntilthingshavebeen…settled.”
Ishakemyhead,butIknew of him Hewasfriendswithmyfather,butnotcloseenoughthathecamearoundthehouse I’d justheardthenameinpassingconversationsbetweenmyparents.
“It’s notmyproblem,” Isay “Idon’tcare thatthe alpha is missingor thatthe beta is dead Justlike none ofthemcared whenIleft.”
At least, that’s what I’ve assumed all this time after years of silence from them What she’s told me has changed my thoughts. I’mnot returningto SouthCarolina to find myhome. I thought I could have boththat and closure, but that’s only wishfulthinking.Ionlyneedtoseemyfamily.Howevertheygreetmewilldictatemysubsequentactions.Includingaskingmy parentsandyoungersistertofleewhateverfucked-upsituationthepackhasgottenthemselvesinto
WhenIturnmygazebacktowardher,I’mpinnedinplacebygoldeneyesfullofcompassionthathavemyguiltrisingeven more as she says, “I know youthinkyouwant to be relinquished fromour pack, but maybe mydad not beinghere isn’t a coincidence.Maybewhateverbroughtyouhereisn’t,either.Justrememberthatyou’renotaloneanymore.Youhavepeoplein thisworldwhocareaboutyourighthere.”
Mostwolfshifters arebigbelievers infate,andIusedtobeoneofthem Until twelveyears ago So,Idon’tagreewith everythingshe’sjustsaid,butmaybeIwillonceI’mdonewithwhatIknowIcannolongeravoid.
Goinghomeandfacingmydemons
Chapter
Three Kyler
Wind blows all around me, and waves crashroughlyalongthe sandybeachjusttwo hundred feetbelow the balconyI standon.Theskyhastransitionedfromabrightbluetoadismalgrey,andasraindropsstarttopeltagainstmyskin,I wonderifthisisthefatesrubbingsaltinmystill-openwounds.
Ishove myhands roughlyinto mypockets and turnaround to head inside the small cottage I’ve rented for the couple of weeksIhaveoff.
Mychestis hollow, as ifsomeone has beenslowlycarvingthe center outwitha spoonover the years Still, Igrab the bouquet and head toward the front door, intent to stop procrastinating. A new emotion to the grief. Each anniversary is different Some years,Ican’tkeepmyeyes dryfor evenanhour;others,Idon’tsheda single tear There’s always a certain levelofragesimmering,though.
He’s barelyspokento me since our mate died. We still worktogether just fine, but it’s a quiet relationship that we’ve settledinto.
As Idrive toward the cemetery, Iallow mythoughts to driftawayand onlyfocus onthe paininside me Mywolfstays presentbutstillsilent,andIbegintowonderwhatImightbemissing,whathe’snotsaying.
Itwasn’tuntilIarrivedinVirginiathatIrealizedhow offIfelt,butforthefirsttime,it’snotinabadway Thedarkness I’ve beendrowninginsince losingCara isn’t as bleakas Iexpect. There’s a softness to the grief, almost like it’s slipping away.AsifI’mlettinghergo,butthetighterItrytograspthepain,thefurtheritseemstofloataway,likeit’sherpullingaway. Notme.
Mywolfgrowlsquietlyinmymind,andIknowI’vejustfiguredouthisdispleasure. It’s not as if I want to,Isaytohim,eventhoughheshouldalreadyknowmytruefeelings Still,hedoesn’trespond.
Iplace a few ofthe flowers atthe base ofArnold’s headstone and remove the ones Ilastleft. I’ve never seensigns of anyoneelsehere,whichaddedtothereasonsformetoturnsofttowardtheoldman
Myhand pats the top ofthe concrete slab before Istand and nod. The onlywords I’ve ever spokento the manwere “I forgiveyou”Hedidn’tmeantoripmylifeapart,butitwasnicetohavesomeonetoblameforafewyears
“Hello,Mate,”Isaysoftlythenkneel,replacingtheflowersinthemetalvasesecurednexttohermarbleheadstone. Myfingers brushover her name Cara Samantha Havens She was onlytwentyyears old whenshe was takenfromthis world,andshewasmine.
EvenwhenI’dshownupattheaccidentsitebeforeshetookherfinalbreaths,shesmiledforme.Toldmethateverything would be okayand thatIwouldn’talways feel so alone. She cared more aboutme inthose final moments thanshe did for herself.
“WhatcanIdofor you,Maciah?” Iask,myeyes focusedonmymate’s name as Iawaithis answer,surprisinglyexcited abouttheprospectofanotherjob
There’s a brief pause before he speaks again. “Listen, I know you’re blocked out for personal time right now, and I understandhowimportantthesedaysaretoyou Iwouldn’tcallifitweren’timportant”
“Whatdo Ineed to know aboutthe shifter?” Iask, hopingthat’s the best wayto get himto elaborate without me being intrusive
“Her name is Sophie,” he begins. “She doesn’tbelonginSouthCarolina anylonger, butit’s where she’s from. She was warnedtostayaway,butwehavereasontobelieveshedidn’tlistenandisnearlytothepacknow.You’retheclosestprotector wehaveinthearea,andweneedyoutointerceptherbeforesheblowseverythingup”
HehangsupandIstand,pressingmyfingerstomylipsbeforerestingthemontheheadstone “I’llseeyou,Mate” It’s never beengoodbye withus. Iknow I’ll eventuallyfind her again. Inthe nextlifetime or three after that. Her death didn’tmarktheendofourstory.
More thanthat, as I’ve begunto allow myselfto heal instead oflivinginher memory, Iknow this isn’tthe end ofmine, either.Iwasn’tleftbehindtospendmylifegrievingandprotectingothers.Evenifthat’sallI’veallowedmyselftodoforover adecade
New Orleanswasabust Muchtomywolf’sdismay,Mattwasn’taroundthecoupleofplaceswelooked,andhedidn’t answerhisphone.SinceIhavenopatience,Irefusedtowaitaroundforahookup.Though,Ididtakeadetourtostockup onsnacksandgrabmyselfsomejambalayaandbeignetsfortheroad.
Now, we’re arrivinginSouthCarolina withintwo days rather thanthe three or four it would have takenif we’d been otherwise…occupied.
Eventhoughit’sbeenwelloverfiveyearssinceI’veheardmymother’svoiceandevenlongerformyfatherandsister,I could have reached out over the years as well At least, that’s what I keep telling myself, so I don’t show up filled with resentment. That won’tgetmemyclosure.
If they want nothing to do with me when I arrive, well, maybe Dawsyn was right and I don’t belong here. But that’s somethingIneedtosortoutformyself.Notforanyoneelsetotellme.
Onemorecursorycheckaroundustoconfirmwe’realoneandIstarttolettheenergyofmywolfpushforward. Her presence begins to take control, and myskinvibrates witha power that has mybones shiftingand reformingfrom humantoanimalwithinseconds.Coarsehairpushesthroughmyskinasitbasicallyshredsapartbutthensnapsbacktogether, thankstomywolfgenes.
If we were that lucky, we would have gottenlucky last night,mywolfhuffs,makingmechuckle Seriously,thisbeasthasaone-trackmind.Somedays,I’mnotsurewhattodowithher,evenifshe’sratherentertaining. Shecontinuesrunningthroughthetrees,thewindwhippingpastusandeverythingbecomingablurexceptthepathwe’ve alreadychosentotake.I’veneverclockedourexactspeed,butIknowtherearen’tmanywolfshifterswhocanoutrunus.
Maybethat’sbecausewe’vealwaysbeenrunning,butIliketothinkit’sourstrengthandwitthathaveusalwaysahead We continue tomove strategicallythroughthe wooded area,leavingbehind the public trails. Soon, we’re far enoughout thatwe shouldn’t seeanyhumansbutwherethewolvestypicallysteerclearof,justincase.
The pack boundary line is just a mile ahead,Iremindmywolf I know.SheveersleftinsteadofrightlikeIwasexpecting. Where are you going?
She’squietforabeat. Someone is following us.
Shit Thatwasquick Almosttooquick,likethey’reexpectingme,butIdon’tknowhowthatcouldbe How many? Iasksincehersensesarestrongerthanmineatthemoment. Just one.
Iscoff What’s the problem, then?
Shedoesn’tanswerme.Instead,shestopsbehindatreeandlooksaround. He’s shifted back to human form. Then let’s tear his throat out
Shetsksatme. Or let’s see what we can learn from him. Shift back.
Just because he’s hot doesn’t mean we can’t torture him,mywolfremindsme Oh,howrightsheis.
In more than one way,sheaddsseductively,makingmyheadshakeasIleapfromfifteenorsofeetintheairandlandwith alightthud ontotheforestfloor.
Once I’monthe ground, myfeetdon’tstayplanted I’mrunningagainwithmyknife still inhand Before Mr Darkand Broodycanmove, I’mstandingbehind himwiththe blade pressingagainsthis heartand myother hand wrapped around his neck.“Whoareyou?”Idemand.
Leapingtowardhim,Iwrapmyarms aroundhis shoulders andcirclemylegs aroundhis waist,clingingtohis back.My knife is positioned over his neckthis time, butbefore Icanspeak, he shocks the hell outofme byeasilygrabbingbothmy forearmsandflippingmeoverhisheadasifIweighnothing.
“Ifyou’djustfucking die.”Igetonearmfreefromhisholdandpunchhischiseledface,enjoyingitwhenIhearsomething crack. Could be a bone or a tooth. I don’t care. I just know I want to hear the sound againand againuntil he’s no longer standing.
A ding sounds frommyphonethat’s still tuckedintomybackpocket Whenheloosens his position,Ithinkhe’s goingto stupidlyletmegosoIcancheckit,butinstead,heputshispalmovermychest,forcingmetostaypinnedtothetree.Hishand plucksmyphonefrommyjeans,andheshovesthescreeninmyface.
Dawsyn: I know what you’re doing. If you won’t heed my warnings, at least accept the help I’ve sent. A protector named Kyler Murphyshould find you soon. Listen to him and playnice. There’s more at playthan can be discussed yet. Son of a bitch
He gives chase, and we easily pick up her scent She’s moving strategically, staying quiet as she goes, but there’s no denyinghersweetsmell.It’sstarkamongstthewoodsysmelloftheforestandhasmeyearningforsomethingIhaven’tinmuch toolong
It’s notas ifI’ve beencelibate since mymate died, butI’ve never craved another womaninmybed. Merelytakenthe opportunitywhenitfitmymood,knowingthatdenyingmywolfevena surface-level connectioncould be the verythingthat makesussnap
WespotSophieagain,andallotherthoughtsleavemymind She’sshiftedbacktoherhumanform,butIstayasmywolf If she’sabouttobeattacked,I’dratherbepreparedtoripheadsoff.
She stops at the tree line, staring at a house tucked in the forest. It’s a moderate-sized home with green-painted wood siding,afew windows,andacoupleofwildflowerpatches Therearen’tanylightson,andIdon’thearanything,butIsmell others.Theplacehasn’tbeenemptyforlong,ifitevenis.
Well, shit. Ididn’tactuallyexpecthimtotellmeanything.Andthefactthathediddoesn’tmakemefeelanybetter.Thatjust tells me this is more importantthanIrealized before. Plus, he’s right. Sophie doesn’tneed to know everything. Notifshe’s potentiallyemotionallyinvolvedinthesituation.Regardlessofhowstrongsheis,I’llfindanotherwaytoearnhertrust,evenif Ihavetoletherstabmefirst.
Ihearglassbreak,andmywolftriestosurgeforward “Igottago,”IsaytoMaciah.“I’llcheckinsoon.” I’mnotevensure ifIgetthe full sentence outbefore I’mhangingup and shifting No longer amIconcerned withbeing conspicuous.Mywolfchargesforward,adarkshadowamongstthegreenoftheforest.
Easier said thandone. Consideringour previous encounter, Iactwithoutbotheringto askfor her permission. Mywolf’s warningmeansmoretomethanhoweverpissedshe’sabouttobe
I charge forward and grab Sophie around the waist, liftingher over myshoulder and holdingtightlyto her legs as she attemptstogetaway
The sound of wolves getting closer is clear, even over my pounding heart while the adrenaline surges through me, but beforeanyofthemcanmakeittothebacksideofthehouse,we’reoutofsight.Though,thatdoesn’tmeanthey’renotcapable offollowingourscent.
“Your word, Sophie,” Irepeat. “Ifyou’re the wolfshifter Ithinkyouare, thenthatmeans somethingto you.” At least I assumeshe’shonorableifshe’sbeenwelcomewiththeEastTexaspackalltheseyears
Thewayhehandledme like,reallyfuckinghandled me awakenedapartofmeIdidn’tevenknowexisted. I’ve been trying to tell you,mywolfsaysdryly You haven’t truly been living Myeyesroll.Hard. And attraction doesn’t equal living, Wolf. Maybe not, but the high you get from it sure makes life more enjoyable
It might not be him,Isay,hopingthatanotherscenariomightmakemyerraticthoughtsandthedesirepoolingatmycore makemoresense.Thatwasthefirsttimewe’vebeenhomeinoveradecade.
That place isn’t our home,shesnapsback Mywolfisright again butthatdoesn’tmeanbeinginthathouseafterall thistimehasn’tbroughtbackmemoriesfrom mychildhood
Whiledefinitelynotnoticingallthat,Ikeepadecentdistancebetweenusandtrytofigureoutwhythosemenwouldhave beenwatchingthe house The window Iwent throughwas mylittle sister’s room Nothinghad reallychanged there White bedding,whitewalls,andwoodenaccents.Simpleyetpristine.Thatseemedtobethefamilymottogrowingup.
Inthehallways,Itriednottonoticethatnoneofthepicturesonthewallcontainedmyface Notasingleone Intheliving room, everythingwas pristine, as if the place is just a model home ondisplay. I know better, though. Mymother is just a controllingneatfreak.Atleast,she was…
Kyleristooinsistentaboutbeinghereandstoppingme.Hedoesn’tknowme.Heshouldn’tgiveashitaboutwhatIdo. It’s his job,mywolfchimesinagain Don’t you think that he maybe just doesn’t want to get fired? Not that he has an ulterior motive?
Icross myarms and stare athis backas we travel the woods It’s gettingdarkout, butthatdoesn’tmeanmyeyes stop staringandenjoyingwhatthey’reseeing.
Whatever images I’ve conjured of him since he had me against that tree…like us being naked instead of clothed and breakingeverythinginourpathaswedevoureachother Noneofitmatters None.Of.It.Matters.
They’re not yours and you don’t know them, either,mywolfremindsme,moregentlythanherearlierwords. I know, but
No buts, Sophie, she says as we keep walking farther into the woods and away fromthe pack. This isn’t our home. I agreed with coming back because you need closure, but that doesn’t mean I want to risk our lives for it
Yes, you should have, mywolf says You need to believe the words you ’ re saying, and you don’t Until you see that you ’ re not the problem here, that you didn’t run away to make things easier on everyone else, you ’ re never going to figure out who you truly are
“Howdoyouknowaboutthisplace?”Iask,makingsuretokeepanappropriatedistancebetweenus ‘Appropriate’would be stripped naked and letting him take us against one of these trees. Igladlyignoremywolf’scrudethoughtasKyleranswers,lookingoveratmewithhissteelygaze “It’smyjobtoknow.”
His response is clipped I’m more than confused, because just a few moments ago, he was intrigued by my ravenous appetite.Now,hisstareisfixedaheadandhedoesn’tseemkeenoncontinuingwithsmalltalk.
I told you we can’t trust him,Isaytomywolf.
His wolf might sense something, and he doesn’t want to be distracted with something not worth his while Wow. Way to give me a confidence boost.
“Yeah,youcanwashupwhileIsortoutthefood,”hesays,andIhavetoholdbackascoff LikeI’mgoingtoeatanythinghemakesme.He’llprobablytrytopoisonme. Because he saved you from those other wolves just so he could have the pleasure of killing you himself Makes total sense.
Magicpressesinaroundme,blockingouttheworldbeyondthesefourwalls.Myskintingleswiththeforeignenergy,but noneofmysensestellmeI’mindanger.“Howdidyouknowaboutacabinwithacloakingspellsoclosetothepack?” “Ididn’t,” he answers, movingpastme toward the small kitchenarea “I’ma protector It’s our job to be prepared with thingslikecloakingspells.Iscoutedtheareabeforeyoushowedup.”
Istep into the bathroomand find a small, single shower stall and a toiletwithouta handle to flush WhenIliftthe lid, I swiftlyslamitbackdown.Idon’tneedtopeethatbad.Apparently,havingsomesortofsewersystemwasn’tasimportantas runningwatertothesehumans.
“Whatthe hell?” Ipeekaround the curtainto see Kyler grabbingmyclothes and a towel He wraps the cottonmaterial aroundmeandonceagainholdsmeinhisarms,almostasifhebelievesIbelongthere.
She grabs mystuffwithher mouth, and we glance atKyler. He hasn’tshifted yet, butthe momentIhear someone shout, “They’rebackhere,”hefinallymovesintoaction.
She trusted Kyler, and he messed up. What’s done is done. At least we know now. Though, Iamcurious how the pack seemstohavebrokenthroughthecloakingspell
None ofthe three wolves backdown Theydigtheir claws into the forestfloor and charge forward Abrownone leaps overmybackandbitesatmyspinewhileanebonyoneaimshisteethformyneckandthelightergreywolfgoesformylegs.
Whenhis mouthwidens, goingfor our throat, we dartoutofthe wayand go around the wolf’s side, pinninghimto the groundwithease Withallthecrimsoncoatinghishead,Idoubtthathecanevenseeatthemoment
Ourteethgriphisneck,butnotinawaythatweintendtokillhim.Ifhesubmits,hecanwalkawayandlivetoseeanother day Onespentowninguptohiscrimes
Adarktanwolf leaps over mine and lands onthe ebonyone I’mreadyto arrest, as I so oftendo We might be called protectors,butthat’sonlyhalfofourjobforthesupernaturalcommunities.
Sophie andthe other wolfare fightingfiercely,whichconfuses the hell outofme,consideringhe couldbarelystandjust secondsago.
He was playing with us,mywolfsnarlsashelooksforanopeningtojumpin,butbeforewecanfindone,Sophie’swolf hasalreadydonewhatI’mrealizingtoolatethatweshouldhave.
Her words cutdeeply.Idiotandtraitor.Twothings I’ve never inmylife beenaccusedof.Maybe todaywasn’tthe dayI shouldhave accepteda job Is mygriefmessingwithmyabilitytomake the rightchoices? Idon’tknow,butIdoknow that Sophie’sangerisn’tmisplaced.
It’s her,mywolfsayswithanothergrowl You need to walk away
I force himto release control and shift backto myhumanform. I’mnot bleedinganylonger, but that doesn’t meanthe injuriesmywolfreceivedhaven’tcarriedover.
Today is the anniversary of Cara’s death,mywolfsayswithundisguisedloathing. How dare you look at another?
Because it’s been fourteen years, Wolf, Ireplysternly. Cara is and always will be my mate, but she never would have wanted me to be alone like I’ve been. It’s taken me too long to accept that, and you ’ re only furious because you feel something for this new wolf, too
I would never,hepracticallyshoutsinmyhead,buthecan’thidethetruthfromme.JustasIcan’tdothesamewithhim. WouldIhave rather itbeenanyother daythatImetSophie? Absolutely Butitwasn’t,andthis is where we are Witha womanwhowon’thesitatetokill,actuallyseemstohateme,yetstillintriguesthehelloutofme.
Still naked, she picks up one ofthe wolves and catches me watching. “Are youjustgoingto stand there like the idiotI
alreadythinkyouare,orareyougoingtohelp?”
While the firsttime she called me thathurt, this time it’s more annoyingthananythingelse. “Are people notallowed to makemistakesinyourpresence,princess?”
Shedoesn’trespondtomyquestion,thoughIdon’texpectherto.Wedon’tgotoofarbeforewedropthebodiesandhead backto the car I’ll have to textMaciah, askingfor someone to cleanthis mess up before anyhumans stumble uponitinthe morning.
“Thenmaybe youshould have,” she taunts, passingme by, now also covered byher jeans “We’ll drive for atleasttwo hours,findabigcity,grabsupplies,andgetahotel.”
Fuck him while we have the chance,mywolfquipswithadarkchuckle,andherwordsdoexactlywhatIassumeshewas goingfor IchokealittlebeforeIexplaininlaymantermswhatImean.
That son of a bitch,Icomplainmoretomyself,exceptmywolfdecidestochimein.Ofcourse. He’s quite perfect, actually Oh, no,Isaytoher,shakingmyhead. Don’t get any ideas. Not this wolf. Not this situation. It’s too complicated already. Tothat,shehasnoreplyandhersilenceworriesme,butwhenmystomachrumblesloudly,Ifindmyselfmoredistracted withlocatingfood. The seedymotel isn’tgoingto have roomservice, butthere should atleastbe vendingmachines around here.
Openingmycenterconsole,Idigoutsomecrumpleddollarbillsandflattenthemovermyjeans Myclothesareclean,at least. It’s just the soap in my hair and blood lightly splattered on my face that I notice on second glance and might scare someone Iftheyseeme
Ithoughthe was darkand broodywhenhe firstshowed up, butthe longer he sticks around, annoyingme, the more I’m startingtoseethat’sjusthisworkmode Notsurprising,consideringhe’saprotector,butthere’sstillsomethingabouthimthat tellsmehe’snotallsunshineandroses.
As if he has a darkshadow withinhimthat he keeps tightlyreined in I’mtempted to keep pokingat it just to see him completelyunhinged.
So he can be crazy like you? mywolfasksdrolly.
Maybe Thatmight actually be fun
Shesighsheavily. Our versions of fun have somehow become widely different over the years.
That’s another thingthat annoys me about Kyler. While he hasn’t made all the best decisions, he doesn’t just react. He considersoptions Evenattheworstoftimes
You realize it’s not normal for someone to prefer being choked over coddled, right? mywolfasks,makingmesnortasI browsemypatheticandpossiblystalefoodoptions.
You know that I don’t care, right? Icounter. At least I’m not sex-obsessed. Beforeshecanrespond,Kylerreacheshishandaround,hisforearmbrushingovermyshoulderandabsolutelynotmaking myskintinglefromthecontact “Therewasonlyoneroomleft Here’syourkey” Iturnsharplytofacehim,notrealizingjusthow closeheisuntilit’stoolatetobackdownwithoutshowinghow healso isn’t affectingme “Thenwe’regoingsomewhereelse” “No,we’renot,”hesays,lookingdownatme.Hisimpressiveheightisawholeheadtallerthanme,andhiseyesstareasif theycansee more thantheyshould,makingmystomachchurn.Whenhis challengingsmile returns andhe’s still this close,I realizeImightbetotallyfuckedasheadds,“Areyouafraidofbeingalonewithme?”
Istomptowardhim,eatingupthedistancehe’screatedwithmylengthenedstrides Whenhe’swithintouchingrange,Ifist thebackofhisshirt,forcehimtofacemeagain,thenslamhimagainstthesideofthemotel.“Let’sgetonethingstraight.You don’t see shit Youdon’t know me and you’re not going to know me More importantly, I don’t need you Youmight have knownitwasbettertogetoutofthathouseearlier,buteverythingafterthathasbeenamess,thankstoyou.Inthemorning,I’m goingmyownwayandyou’renotgoingtodoanythingtostopme.WhateverDawsynthoughtshewasdoingbysendingyouto me,itendsnow”
As Irip into him, mychestheaves and Ifind itharder and harder to breathe especiallystaringinto his greyeyes that aren’tnearlyas smugas theyseemed two seconds ago WhenI’mdone, there’s a weightoffmyshoulders thatIdidn’teven know Iwascarrying.ExceptwhenhegrabsmyfingerthatIalsodidn’trealizeIwaspokingagainsthischestandthatstupid fuckingtinglereturns,theweightcomesrightback,twiceasheavyasbefore.
“You’re hangry,” he states calmly. “Itookso longinthe motel because Iasked the receptionto order youa pizza. Now, you’regoingtogointotheroom,takeashower,eatthefuckingpizza,andsleep.Tomorrow,wecansortoutwhatweareand
Somethingtellsmethisistheirversionofasuite,andI’mnotpleased MostlybecauseofthepersonI’msharingitwith You’re having quite the conundrum over your feelings,mywolfpointsout. Going from one extreme to the other. Maybe you should just settle on one and quit giving yourself whiplash
AsneerformsonmyfaceasIstepintotheshower. How about you just mind your own business?
We might be two souls, but we ’ re trapped in the same body, she says matter-of-factly. Your business is very much my own, fuck you very much
That alone makes this complicated, and that’s something I don’t do. He’s not my fated mate. I killed mine. More importantly,I’mnothis Withthewaymybodyandwolfhavereactedtothisman,I’mnotwillingtogamblewithattachments whenhecouldonedayleaveuswithouthesitationfor theonemadejustfor him.Hell,hemightalreadyhaveher.Icouldbe overthinkingthiswholesituationfornoreason Eitherway,I’mdone
Why? Mywolfasks,hervoice almostshockingly filledwiththeutmostrespect We’ve been on our own for years and I’ve understood why, but if you ’ re truly ready to move forward with your life, putting the past behind you, then isn’t it time we start doing things differently?
You don’t trust anyone,mywolfreminds me. But that isn’t what I’m arguing here. Dawsyn sent Kyler to help us. She said as much in her text She’s your alpha Or she will be soon You should trust her I hear you, but
Shecutsmeoff. No buts. You’re still part of the East Texas pack. If things go well here, that could change, but until then, trust your alpha She warned you to stay away, knew you wouldn’t, and sent reinforcements for a reason One that has already been validated when men were waiting for you to show up, ready to kill you. Whycan’tshejustcontinuetobethehorny,littlewolfinmyheadinsteadofmakingsomuchfuckingsense?
I’m tired and hungry and I don’t want to think about this any longer,isallIhavelefttosay. Thankfully,sheacceptsthatandIfinishshoweringwithoutanyotherverbalslapstotheface.Idryoffandwrapthetowel aroundme,wishingI’dgrabbedmybagoutofthetrunkbeforegettingoutofthecar
