“I know you didn’t. But now…in this new world you live in, what you say, more importantly, how you speak matters. Rosemary is a submissive wolf. She was so terrified by what happened that it took me an hour to get her out from underneath the table.”
My eyes widened when I realized how stupid I had been acting. This was no longer about me anymore. I was in a whole new world whether I accepted it or not. The last thing I wanted was to die over dumb words. Dumb choices. And Rosemary. My ignorance put her in danger.
“I wanted to kill him for touching you. Tato was wise to send him off. But I think…you wouldn’t want me playing hero for you. You are clearly not weak. And…I think it is time to teach you how to speak our language. How to fight our way. So that when the time comes, you’ll know how to protect yourself.”
I was exhausted, exasperated, and in pain. She was right. “How is Rosemary?”
Rikki smiled. “She is well. Concerned for you.”
I nodded. I was still acting like my life never changed. I needed to learn and adjust.
“I’m sorry.”
Rikki reached out her hand to brush my cheek. “You are learning. And it means a lot to Rosemary and me that you are willing to try.”
I leaned into her palm. The warmth of her hand brought me comfort.
“And to be clear, we are still investigating the rogue. I should have kept you informed.”
“I want to be involved.”
“Bonnie.” Rikki sighed heavily.
“I want to be involved. Do whatever you must. Teach me how to be a werewolf. Teach me how to defend myself and let me help. I can’t sit on the sidelines. That rogue destroyed my human life.”
Rikki lowered her head in acceptance.
I smiled weakly in relief. I needed her support. “I should…go talk to Rosemary.”
*
I found Rosemary sitting on the couch in the main house. Tato sat beside her, speaking softly in her ear. When they noticed me, Tato got up and gestured for me to sit in his place. I did so without hesitation.
“So, I guess I fucked up.”
“You didn’t know any better, Bonnie. I am not—”
“Please, don’t make excuses for me. It’s too late. Rikki has already made me feel extremely guilty. I was reckless. Stupid.”
Rosemary fiddled with the buttons on her shirt. “I appreciate you saying that.”
“I mean it.”
“I know you do.” Rosemary shoved my shoulder playfully. “Stop looking so defeated. I’m okay.”
I patted her leg.
“Have you at least told Rikki about you returning to work?”
Well, so much for a pleasant conversation.
“Nope. Being knocked unconscious for a while pretty much delayed that particular discussion.”
“The longer you wait—”
“Are you planning to tell her?” I asked.
“You should tell her,” Rosemary urged.
“That wasn’t a no.”
“She’s my Alpha. If she asks me, I have to tell her the truth.”
I scowled. “Fuck, Rosemary! I respect how you feel about the pack laws, but this is my life. My choices.”
Rosemary stared at her feet. “I get it. All I’m saying is that until you know what you can handle, perhaps you should lean on me or Rikki. We are both here for you.”
Rosemary gave me a cheeky smile as I headed for the front door after we shared an embrace. Ready to face the Rikki roller-coaster, I grumbled and made my way back to her shed.
As soon as I opened the door, I realized I should have knocked first. I heard Celtic music playing in the background. Rikki wasn’t in sight. Closing the door, I called out in a small voice, suddenly feeling like a creeper sneaking in.
“What am I doing?” I mumbled to myself.
I turned to leave and then a door opened. One I hadn’t seen before. It was on the other side of the shed next to the kitchen.
Rikki emerged, naked and wet.
Silence. Not even a fucking cricket.
Damn.
“Bonnie.” My name being called shook me out of a trance.
I looked up to meet her eyes.
“I…oh...” I swallowed. “I came…”
I had to really think about why I came. Gosh. Snap out of it, Bonnie.
Rikki waited. Staring. Naked and wet.
I shook my head and put my hand over my eyes. “Can you like…put on clothes?”
“This is my space,” Rikki said.
As she went to her room and dressed, I explained, “I should have knocked. This is your space and—” I stopped myself and frowned. “Wait…you knew I’d be coming back, right?”
“I can’t read your mind, Bonnie. If I could, I would have avoided you stabbing me with a pen.”
I ignored that.
“No,” I retorted. “You are a werewolf. You had to smell me coming. Or Rosemary sent you some magic signal. You did this on purpose. You wanted me to catch you…like this.”
Rikki laughed. “Then explain to me…how was I to know you’d just barge into my shed? Maybe I thought you’d knock.”
She had a point there. Son of a bitch. How could I counter that?
“Bonnie, the last thing I want is to seduce you into my bed…only for you to regret it later. Like you said, whatever is happening between us is the last thing on your mind. We will have our time.”
Now that she was dressed, she sauntered past me to the kitchen.
“You should eat.”
“Is that an order?”
“Why do you take everything I say the wrong way?”
“Because you make it so easy.” I smiled, enjoying the playfulness of our conversation.
There was something about her that made me feel relaxed. I was reluctant to let go of that feeling.
“I should go. I will grab something to eat on my way home.”
Rikki nodded.
I was about to leave but turned back to face Rikki. I reminded myself of why I came back to her shed. “I know the big issue has been me learning to trust you, but I ask you trust me too. There is something I’m not telling you, but…I just…I want to figure it out on my own.”
Rikki looked as if she wanted to say something, but she didn’t.
“I promise to talk to you about it once I sort it all out in my own head.”
“Fair enough.”
That was it? No argument? I smiled, relieved and partly disappointed. I couldn’t help but enjoy our quarrels. “Okay then.”
I clapped my hands together, signaling the end of the conversation.
Rikki was smiling at my sluggish exit. “You sure you want to leave?”
I rolled my eyes. “I was only going to give you an invite. My roommates are throwing me a ‘you’re still alive celebration.’ Since you like parties…” I was referring to the gatherings Rikki created with her pack. I knew a pack gathering and party was two different things. “I wanted to invite you. And Rosemary, of course. Even Tato. I don’t know much about the others.”
I meant her entire pack. The last thing I wanted was to invite every werewolf in Mill City.
“Are you asking me because you want me there or are you afraid I’ll just crash it anyway?”
“Both. But, more than anything…I would like you to be there. So please come.”
Rikki arched both brows in amusement.
I smiled. “Just be there.”
I walked out with Rikki still giggling behind me.
Chapter Thirteen
I could hear people trickling into my house. I was hiding out in my room. I didn’t know how to face anyone yet, especially those friends and my family that I’d been neglecting since my attack. I regretted agreeing to this night. Lying to everyone was the last thing I wanted to do, but I couldn’t tell the truth. The party that Sandy and Alicia organized for my recovery seemed like it was in full-swing. I knew I should be out there enjoying it too.
I must have grabbed the doorknob at least ten times, bel
ieving I was ready to greet everyone. So naïve. I counted to three on the eleventh attempt, and then opened the door to a barrage of various scents which invaded my nostrils. I had to wipe my watering eyes. Perfumes, food, and human sweat. The scent of old blood. It was probably lingering on one of my coworkers from an earlier shift on the rig.
“Oh, there she is!” Jr. cheered.
A few turned to acknowledge me, wide smiles adorning their faces. A few hugged me.
“You look good,” Sandy remarked.
I smiled politely. “Thanks. I feel good.”
As soon the focus was no longer on me, and I finally relaxed. I think I managed to eat about three hamburgers before Alicia surprised me with a tight embrace from behind.
My entire body froze. My eyes burned and my gums ached.
“What’s up with your eyes?” Jr. asked, bewildered.
“Yeah. They are gold,” Sandy noted.
“Are you wearing contacts or something?” Jr. asked.
“Is that even a thing?” Alicia wondered aloud.
I could not speak. I could feel my teeth changing and if I opened my mouth, they all would see. I shut my eyes and turned away from my friends, deciding to head to the kitchen to calm down. Being grabbed from behind triggered something inside me. My hands shook and images of torn flesh flashed through my mind.
I balled my hands into fists and slammed them against the countertop.
“You okay, honey?” It was my mother.
She grabbed my arm and I snarled, yanking my arm free of her grip.
Everything was quiet. What the hell am I doing here? Rosemary warned me. Rikki warned me. All I wanted was one fucking normal night.
“Did you take your pain meds?” Rosemary. She held me firmly.
I knew she was saying that for the benefit of anyone within earshot who didn’t know I was a werewolf.
I shook my head.
“How about I help you to your room? I’ll give you your meds, we will splash some cool water on your face, and you’ll come back out looking brand new,” Rosemary offered, continuing to speak loudly.
I only nodded. I walked to my room with Rosemary’s assistance. She shut the door behind us. Rikki was already inside waiting with a plate of steak in her hand.
“Eat. And don’t argue.” Rikki held the plate out for me.
I listened.
After finishing a pound of rare steak, I sat on my bed calmly.
Rosemary stood. “I will give you two a moment and let everyone out there know you are okay.”
“Thanks.”
Once the door was closed, Rikki came to my side, lifting my chin up to meet her eyes. “You scared me.”
“I scared myself,” I admitted.
Her hand was soft on my skin. Listening to my own heartbeat, I relaxed knowing that I wanted to be honest with her.
“I was afraid,” I said, my hands resting in my lap. “I thought…I was going to do something I couldn’t take back. I am really glad you came.”
“I promised.” Her smile was infectious. Her eyes softened.
My heart was sputtering. It was difficult for me to resist Rikki’s comforting arms. I leaned into her embrace. I never thought I would need others this much. Rikki was right about werewolves needing to be touched. This was another strange and new sensation in this strange and new world I now belonged to.
The door to my room opened. My mother walked in from the hallway. I looked from over Rikki’s shoulder and observed my mom’s lips pursed in an inquisitive expression.
“Um, honey? We, uh, we’re waiting on you.” She left as quickly as she had arrived.
“Shit,” I muttered. “Why didn’t you tell me—”
Rikki laughed as I shoved her away, flustered by her nearness. “You have a nose of your own. Use it.”
“Whatever.” I ignored Rikki’s grin. She was laughing at me. “You know what’s going to happen now, right?”
“What’s that?”
“My mom’s going to think we’re together now.”
Rikki straightened her shirt as she rose from her place on the bed. “Bonnie, it was just a hug.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let’s go.”
*
The party continued without a hitch. At nearly midnight, most left except for a few stragglers. Rosemary approached me when Rikki needed to make a phone call.
“You two look cozied up,” Rosemary pointed out.
I snorted. “I’m sure that pleases you.”
“Only if you don’t take it all back later,” Rosemary said. “I know there’s a lot you have to work on, but I hope you can at least get to know her and our pack.”
“I enjoy our back and forth bantering, though,” I joked.
I spied my mom staring at me from the living room. My brothers had left with the first wave of guests some time ago. I waved Rosemary off and headed to the living room where my mom was sitting on the couch.
“Hey, mom.” I smiled sheepishly.
She studied me for a minute and then her attention was drawn to what was left of the crowd in the house. “You have supportive friends.”
“Yeah.”
She found Rikki amidst everyone and frowned. She still wouldn’t look at me. “You’ve always told me about your love life. You are not one to keep secrets from me, Bonnie.”
I lowered my head and started fidgeting with the belt loops of my pants. “I know, mom.”
“Then why?”
What was I supposed to say? I was attacked by a werewolf and not a wolf? I was no longer human? I was beginning to like a woman who was from a world that was anything but mundane? I couldn’t say anything like that. It was true that Rikki and I had a strong attraction to one another despite how I acted toward her, but I was in no shape to entertain that possibility right now. Although, I didn’t want to pretend as if there wasn’t anything between us at all.
“At least tell me about her?” She finally looked at me. Her gaze was piercing, searching for some truth only I could provide.
I raised my head slightly, and my fingers found employment with the bottom button of my shirt.
“She’s…” I stopped and reconsidered my answer. I had to be cautious. “Rosemary was my nurse when I was attacked. Well, we’ve known each other through work for a few years.”
She popped the knuckles of her left hand. She remained seated. Staring. “I know Rosemary. She took great care of you and told us how she enjoyed working with you when you brought patients into the hospital.”
I knew she wasn’t looking for information regarding Rosemary.
I took a deep breath. “Yeah. We became close friends during my stay in the hospital. She thought I needed some therapy to help me cope with the trauma of the attack. That’s how I met Rikki.”
I had her complete attention at the mention of Rikki’s name.
“Rikki owns some land in Mill City and sometimes, she invites me out there to stay and escape for a bit. It’s peaceful out there.”
“And she…?” My mom flicked her wrist forward, urging me to continue.
I licked my lips, suddenly feeling more nervous than I thought I could be in this situation. “She’s a friend, mom. Right now, she is just a friend.”
“Well, all right.” My mom gave me a knowing smile.
She couldn’t keep her eyes away from Rikki for very long. I was certain that my mother could sense my feelings for Rikki. She was an incredibly perceptive person. I only hoped that she would drop the subject for now since I still wasn’t sure of my own feelings. I also was certain that Rikki heard everything I’d said to my mom.
“I only want happiness for you, Bonnie. You know that.”
“I know, mom.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Rikki took the initiative to come and introduce herself to my mom. That caught me by surprise, but I wasn’t against the idea. They exchanged small talk for a while before my mom was ready to leave.
*
I was saying my goodbyes and feeling ready to c
ollapse onto my bed when Rikki suddenly stiffened.
My brows knitted quizzically. “What’s wrong?”
“Uninvited guest,” Rikki mumbled angrily.
Rosemary shifted her weight on her legs nervously. “What do we do?”
“Just keep yourself in control.”
“Stay close to me,” Rikki ordered.
The doorbell rang.
Rikki opened the door to reveal an incredibly masculine man. Seriously masculine. His smile was haunting. His power was palpable. Familiar. We were linked. Soil and roots. Moon and tides. I let my eyes linger on him for a time, trying to think of where I’d seen him before. My flesh tingled, and I knew there was something threatening about his presence. He smiled at me, but there was something in his eyes that made me want to flee.
His brown eyes were fixed on mine. “I am so glad to see that you are all right.”
He took a step into the house and coldness flooded me like an icy river.
“I am the man who saved you.”
That was the last thing I expected to hear. I always wondered about the man who had rescued me from certain death the night I was attacked, but it couldn’t be this man standing in front of me now. The aura around him was unsettling and savage, but I was drawn to him like a magnet. No, it can’t be him.
“Oh, my God! Yes!” Alicia clapped her hands together. “We met you the night of her attack. He stayed with you until we came.”
I glared at Alicia, stunned that she never mentioned him being at the hospital. “This is really him?”
“Yes!” Sandy replied excitedly. “I invited him here tonight. I thought you’d want to meet him.”
He ignored the gaze of everyone else in the room. There was only him and me for a time. The others slipped away into the background, almost as if they were simply extra decorations for the party. Didn’t matter. As much as I wanted to hide from him, I wouldn’t let him intimidate me.
“Perhaps we should postpone this. I can see my presence is upsetting.” He smiled coolly, his head tilted slightly to the side. “Until next time.”
He turned around and disappeared into the night air without another word. Alicia and Sandy were speechless as they stared at the doorway where he had been only seconds before. Rikki shut the door without hesitation, probably wanting to rid the room of his memory.
A Night Claimed Page 9