His words sent a shiver down my spine. It was clear how worked up the topic was making him, and knowing that didn’t help my anxiety any.
“Yeah. Pretty much,” I said.
“We need to get to him before he has the chance. We have to take him out first,” Eli said.
“No. Capture him,” Julian corrected Eli. I might as well have Eli on speaker with the way Julian was listening in on our conversation. “Without killing him. That was the deal.”
“Yeah, capture him without killing him,” I repeated.
It was for Julian’s benefit. No one else’s. I wasn’t sure Roman going unharmed was an option now. He’d bit me. That changed everything. If it came between my life and his, I was damn sure going to end him before he could end me—even if it meant starting a war with Julian and his sisters.
“I’ll call a meeting,” Eli muttered. His tone was low, controlled, but I knew it was an act for Julian. Eli felt the same way about Roman as I did. This wasn’t about capturing Julian’s brother anymore; it was about life or death. My life and death. Also, it was clear where Eli’s loyalties remained—with his pack. Blood bond be damned. “Now that you’ve been bitten it changes things.”
Julian’s eyes fixed on me. I knew he was picking up on what I was putting out via his empathic skills, and he’d heard Eli. Still, he didn’t say anything more about the subject. Maybe there was a part of him that understood.
“Where are you?” Eli asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Caraway Inn.” Pretty much. I was in the woods behind it.
“Go home. Let your Gran tend to your neck. Rest. I’ll be home as soon as I can. I’m going to gather the others and do one more quick sweep here. I want to make sure he didn’t come back since he was run off.”
“Okay.” I didn’t argue with him because I didn’t have the strength. Now that my adrenaline had worn off and my sense of shock was dissipating, I was exhausted. What I was feeling could also be from blood loss, though. The thought of Gran sent warmth through my chest. I needed her, but I didn’t want anyone else to know what had happened to me. My next words came out rushed. “Don’t send someone over to babysit me, okay?”
“What? Why?” Eli ground out, making it clear that was going to be his next move. “I don’t want you alone right now. It’s not safe.”
“It will only alarm the others. I don’t want anyone worrying.” In fact, I didn’t want them to know I’d been bitten. Period. It would cause panic through the pack. I thought of Taryn. Gracie. Mom.
Gran was the only one who needed to know. She could handle it.
Besides, Roman wouldn’t come for me anytime soon. He’d just began his little game. Tomorrow might be a different story, though. I’d be more likely to get a visit from him then.
“Fine. I won’t tell the others specifics yet, but I am going to tell them to be more alert,” Eli said.
“And no babysitter. You’ll be home soon. I don’t need one. Plus, I’ll be with Gran. I won’t be alone.”
“Mina,” Eli started to argue with me, but I cut him off.
“No babysitter. I’ll be in the park. Everyone is already on alert there.”
“Okay. All right. Fine.” He released a long sigh. “I’m not going to argue with you anymore on this. I’ll be home soon. I love you.”
“Love you too,” I said before hanging up. I handed Julian back his cell. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Is she going to be okay?” I nodded to Octavia.
“Yeah. It will take her some time to heal the break in her neck, but she’ll bounce back soon.”
A smirk twisted my face.
“What’s so funny?” Julian asked.
“Nothing. It’s just,” I said. A tiny laugh escaped me. “I bet she’s going to be pissed when she wakes up.”
“Oh yeah. She definitely won’t be fun to be around.”
Julian started toward the house.
My smirk faded. “Are you just going to leave her there?”
“Didn’t you hear me when I said she won’t be fun to be around?”
“Well, yeah but I didn’t think you meant you were leaving her here. In the woods. All alone.”
“Relax,” Julian said. He glanced over his shoulder and adjusted his glasses. “She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself. She’ll need some time to cool off. Trust me. Besides, it’s not like Roman is after her anyway.”
He had a point.
I started toward Caraway Inn behind him. He paused, allowing me to catch up.
“How is everything at the inn? Benji doing okay now?” I asked.
“For now. Ivette was able to compel the guests who witnessed everything to forget, and Lucy Appleton’s neck is now bandaged up. Her husband’s nausea has subsided as a result. And, Benji’s hunger is sustained. Well, for the near future anyway. So, I’d say my work here is done.”
“Awesome.” I flashed him a small smile. “Then think you can take me home? I’d like to rest.”
“Sure. Want me to bandage that up first?” Julian pointed the back of my neck. “You said you didn’t want anyone else to know. Figured I’d offer so you don’t have to let your Gran in on it either.”
I thought for a moment, considering his point. If I went to Gran with this, Mom might see, or Dad and Gracie, then they would all freak out. I swatted a branch out of my way and bent to bypass another, causing my blood-crusted shirt to pull at my skin. It reminded me that from the back I probably looked like something from a horror movie.
“Actually, that’s a good idea,” I said. “Sure. Bandage me up, doctor.”
“I’m a vet. Not a doctor. However, you are a wolf so...step into my office,” he joked while motioning to the inn.
I chuckled and followed him up the porch steps.
8
Headlights flickered through the living room window. My muscles tensed as my heart pounded inside my chest. I knew the likelihood of Roman driving to my trailer to murder me was unlikely. Still, I couldn’t get the fear out of my head. Neither could my wolf. She was on high alert, same as me. Moonshine paced in front of the door. Obviously, she wasn’t concerned with whoever it was.
A vehicle door slammed shut, and my mouth grew dry. Should I look to see who it is? Should I run? Shift? Someone tried the knob, but I’d locked it after Julian left. Keys jingled until one was inserted.
Eli. It had to be him. No one else had a key to our place.
When the door swung open and Eli stepped in every inch of me relaxed. His eyes sought me out.
“Hey. Everything okay? You look upset.”
I licked my lips. “I’m fine. Just wasn’t expecting you home so soon is all.”
I’d barely been home for ten minutes.
“It wasn’t hard to find the others,” he said as he closed the door behind him and locked it. We both knew it wouldn’t do any good. If Roman wanted in, he would find a way, locked door or not. We didn’t have a spell like the Caraway Inn had to keep him out. Maybe I should ask Ridley how to go about having one created, though. “When I told them something happened to you and I needed to get home, they said they could handle conducting another sweep at the game without me.”
He walked to the kitchen counter and emptied his pockets onto our catch-all area.
“Did you tell them I was bitten?”
“No.”
He crossed to where I was on the couch. My wolf relaxed when he sat beside me. She craved his nearness as much as I did. Eli pulled me into him, his lingering empathic tendencies must have clued him into what I needed most—to be held.
I was glad he was home. I was glad he was holding me. I’d never admit it, but tonight had scared the shit out of me. I’d honestly thought I was going to die.
“You’re shaking.”
I tried to get a grip on myself, but it did no good. Mentally, I was all over the place. My entire system had been shocked tonight.
“It’s nothing. I’m okay.” A little white lie, yes, but
those never hurt anyone.
Eli’s hands moved to my arms. He put enough distance between us so that he could look me in the eye.
Had he picked up on my lie? Most likely.
“I see you’re all bandaged up. Did you visit Gran?” he asked.
“No. I let Julian do it. I didn’t want to worry Gran with all of this. Also, I didn’t want Gracie or my mom or dad to ask questions.”
“They’ll find out eventually,” Eli insisted.
“Maybe. Maybe not. It’ll be mostly healed by tomorrow.”
His lips twisted into a smirk. “You always surprise me.”
“Good. At least I know I’m keeping you on your toes.” I returned his smile and then buried my head in his chest.
“The others should be back from searching at the game soon. I meant what I said when I said this changes things. I know you don’t want everyone knowing what happened tonight, but I do have to tell some of the pack. Especially since Roman has marked you.”
A shiver slipped along my spine at his words. I didn’t want to think about what that meant for me, but knew I needed to. I also knew Eli was right; he would have to tell some pack members because my being around them was now a danger. Roman could come for me and harm them if they tried to get in his way.
An image of how he’d froze me in place when Ridley was hauled off by him and Lilith flashed through my mind.
There was a real possibility he could use me to harm them or vice versa. No one knew for certain what the hell he was capable of.
“I can’t guarantee Roman will be handed over to Julian and his sisters alive any longer either. Not if this comes down to your life or his. You know who I’ll choose, who the entire pack will.”
“I know. I think Julian does too.”
“Good,” Eli insisted. His brows pinched together. He didn’t like what that might mean for our pack any more than I did but knew if push came to shove, it would be necessary. He wrapped his arms around me tighter and moved to lie back against the couch cushions, bringing me along with him. “Have you eaten?”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
His hand smoothed along my back, tracing a lazy pattern with his fingertips that soothed my frazzled nerves. I loved his hands. “Okay. Then just rest.”
“Okay,” I murmured.
My eyes grew heavy and my mind fuzzy as I drifted off into a dreamless sleep in no time.
The sound of someone banging around in the kitchen woke me. I was no longer on the couch, but instead found that I’d been moved to our bed. My hand reached out to feel for Eli, but he wasn’t there. The sheets were cool to the touch, letting me know he hadn’t been beside me in quite some time. I stretched and yawned before slipping out of bed. Sunlight streamed through the mini blinds.
It had to be late morning.
The scent of burnt toast hit my nose as I started down the hall to the kitchen. Eli came into view. He was in front of the stove, cooking.
“What are you making?” I asked. Another yawn slipped from me as I continued toward him.
“Breakfast.”
“Well, duh.” I rolled my eyes. When I reached him, I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my face against his bare back. His skin was warm, and the soap he used filled my nose. I loved his scent. “What are you cooking for breakfast? You never cook.”
“Sometimes I do, not often, but sometimes.” He spun around to grip my hips.
“Yeah. That plate of burnt toast right there is proof you only cook sometimes.” I grinned as I pointed to it.
A wide smile stretched across his face. It was boyish and absolutely adorable. Butterflies burst to life inside my stomach at the sight of it.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll eat the burnt toast. I’m making you fresh toast right now. It won’t be burnt. Promise.”
I stood on the tips of my toes and pressed my lips to his. Wasn’t that what every woman wanted? A guy who didn’t mind eating a little burnt toast for her every now and then? How had I gotten so lucky?
Eli smoothed a few wild hairs away from my forehead. His eyes sought mine out. They were bright green and filled with worry.
“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
My fingers moved to the bandage Julian had secured on the back of my neck. I hadn’t thought about it until now. There was no pain to remind me.
“I’m good.” I wondered if my werewolf healing had already taken care of the wound. “It’s a little tender but that’s about it.”
Eli’s lips pinched into a frown. “I still can’t believe Roman bit you. I’m going to make him pay for it.”
My hand dropped to my side. “I can’t believe it either.”
Last night I’d been scared, shaken up about the whole thing. My body and mind had been locked in a place of shock. This morning it was gone. My mind was clear, and I was certain I would make Roman pay for his actions myself. When I was finished with him, he’d wish he had never tasted my blood.
I didn’t know how, but I knew I’d find a way to make it happen.
The toaster popped, releasing two perfectly toasted slices of bread. Eli stepped to retrieve them. Then he moved back to the stove and resumed cooking. I glanced in the pan. Scrambled eggs. My stomach growled at the sight.
When was the last time I’d eaten? I couldn’t remember.
“Grab a plate.” He nodded to the cabinet. “Let’s eat.”
Was it just me or did he seem in a hurry?
Skepticism pooled through my lower belly, tightening my core. “Do you have somewhere to be?”
“Work. There’s a liquor shipment coming in I need to sign for. Then I need to restock for Eddie.”
“Oh.” I couldn’t keep my disappointment from leaking into my words. “I don’t have any classes today. I don’t have to work either. I was hoping we could spend the day together.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I promised Eddie I’d do this for him. With everything that’s been going on lately, I don’t feel like I’ve been as reliable as I usually am for him.”
“I get it.” I pulled two plates from the cabinet. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll find some way to occupy myself today.”
It was rare that I ever had a day off from both school and work. I honestly didn’t know what to do with myself.
My cell rang. I headed to the living room where it sat on the end table charging and retrieved it. Ridley’s name lit the screen.
“Who is it?” Eli asked. He was still on edge about the whole being marked by Roman thing. I didn’t blame him because I was too.
“Ridley.”
“Tell her I said hi and that I hope she’s doing well. Was Rowena able to create a talisman to help stabilize the other side for her?” Eli asked while he scooped eggs on both plates.
“I will. And, yeah Rowena did make a new necklace for her.”
“Hope Benji’s still doing okay.”
“Me too.” I swiped my thumb across the screen and answered Ridley’s call before it went to voicemail. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Hi. How are you? Feeling okay?” Ridley asked. Concern reflected through her voice.
“Yeah, I’m good. I went to bed early last night, and I’ll probably rest all day. I don’t have classes or work.” I situated myself on the couch. “Go figure, right? The one day I could have gone and done something fun, and instead I’m lying around, healing from a vampire bite.”
Comedy seemed like the best way to get through this.
“I know but I think rest will be good for you. Last night was crazy.”
“It was.” I moved to the refrigerator to grab a stick of butter. I cut off a square and placed it on our toast before the bread cooled. “How is Benji doing? Is he still okay?”
“He’s all right. Julian’s sisters drove him home. He packed his stuff and moved in with them. Julian and his two beautiful sisters.” There was an edge to her tone I picked up on. She was uneasy about the fact Benji now lived with them.
“You have nothing to worry about. Benji would never do anything with either of them. You know that, don’t you?” I asked once I’d closed the door behind me. “Benji loves you.”
Ridley sighed. “I know, but you’ve seen them. They’re drop dead gorgeous. And, what if he doesn’t think of me the same now that he’s a vampire? What if more than his taste buds and diet have changed? What if he doesn’t want to be with me anymore?”
I situated myself on our bed with my plate of food.
“He would be an idiot to not want to be with you. Besides, I don’t think that’s how this sort of thing works. Yes, his diet may have changed, but he’s still Benji. At least I thought he was.”
“He was. Right down to the moment when he tried to dip.”
I laughed. “No, he didn’t. Seriously?”
An image of Benji with his vampire fangs descended and black crap from his dip crusted across them flashed through my mind. I couldn’t contain my laughter.
“He did. Thank goodness he’s lost his taste for it now. I honestly thought he was going to vomit.”
“Now he knows how the rest of us feel about it. It’s disgusting. I could never be with a guy who dips. Never,” I insisted.
Ridley laughed. I was glad to hear it. She’d been through a lot and laughing was always the best remedy, especially when it came to stress.
“What did his parents say when Benji showed up with two vampire chicks and packed his stuff to leave forever?” I asked. I couldn’t imagine what Gran would have done if I’d attempted to pull off something so bold.
“I don’t think they said much. Ivette used her gift on them.”
“Right.” I crammed a forkful of eggs in my mouth. “Her gift is definitely useful.”
“It is. So, Benji will be living with the Montevallos at their mansion now.”
“Exciting,” I said even though it didn’t seem as though Ridley found it exciting at all.
I did though. Sort of. The place was massive and so artfully decorated.
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