by Casey Lane
I rubbed my forehead. “No one. It’s just me.” He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it. Will someone mail me my diploma?”
“Of course. And please know, we’re all very sorry for your loss.” A moment later, I realized the call had ended.
For a second, I stood on the concrete staring out over the mountains. It was so beautiful, so peaceful. My wolf paced insistently. I knew she wanted to run. Not now. Soon.
The door behind me opened. “Is everything okay?” Quinn soon stood behind me.
Somehow, I had no idea how to respond. Sometimes it felt like nothing would be okay ever again.
Chapter Eight
“Let me come with you. I’ll help you.” Quinn followed me to my car.
“I’m perfectly capable of packing up my room.” I huffed and turned to face him. “I’m not some helpless chick who needs rescuing. I’m strong. I’m tough. I can do this.” I glared at him for emphasis.
The sides of his mouth twitched. I soon realized he was trying to hide a smile. This happened a lot around me. My cheeks began to burn. This seemed like a pretty normal response to being completely humiliated.
“You don’t think so? You think I’m some damsel in distress?” I unlocked my car door, yanked it open, and sank down in my seat while I jammed the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, but before I could close my door, Quinn had squatted down beside me.
“Don’t be mad,” he murmured.
I looked away. If I stared into his eyes, I’d melt. I didn’t want to soften in the least. “I’m not mad,” I grumbled. Quinn laid his hand on my thigh. I could feel the warmth soothing me. Frowning, I stared down at my leg.
“So, what is it then? How did I upset you?” He stared at me silently.
I shook my head. We couldn’t discuss this. Anything we said would make me feel like the girl I claimed not to be. Instead, I pasted a smile on my face, took a deep breath, and faced him. “I’m fine. I’m just gonna go take care of some business.” I shrugged then reached for the door handle.
“Wow. I earned a ‘fine.’ You’re seriously pissed. Well, I’m gonna go take care of my business. I’m designing your house. Think you’ll be back tonight?” Quinn leaned in until he was inches from my face. “Because I’d love to show you some preliminary plans. I know you’re in a rush.”
I closed my eyes. Dammit. Why won’t he let me be mad? That would be so much easier. Inhaling deeply, I nodded. “Yeah. This won’t take long. I already started bringing stuff home during spring break a few weeks ago.”
“Stop by.” He smiled. “I’ll make dinner.”
“It could be late.” I bit my lip.
Quinn chuckled. “Then I’ll make a late dinner.” He took a step back so he could shut my door.
God help me, I nodded. I agreed. What the hell had I agreed to? Then I gave him a slight wave as I drove away. I spent the rest of the drive thinking. What was Quinn’s motivation? Why was he being so nice to me? If he was a shifter, I’d have suspected he was in line to woo me. I groaned. I was already fighting off Tanner, who apparently hadn’t given up, judging from his interactions with me in the meeting last night. I shivered as I recalled how he stared at me while Lennie sat demurely at his feet.
Crap. I’d forgotten to tell my sisters what was going on. As soon as I parked in front of my dorm, I sent them a group text.
* * *
Me: Had the initial meeting with the architect. Now packing up my dorm room. When I return to Asheville, I’ll meet with the architect again to finalize the plans. Home much later. Sorry! Dallas is in charge in my absence.
* * *
They were in class, but Shelby still managed to find a way to respond. While I climbed the steps, I heard my phone chime.
* * *
Shelby: I’m going to need to hear more about this architect. We haven’t met him yet.
I laughed. She had been groomed for mother’s role and seemed to be taking to it like the proverbial duck to water.
* * *
Me: We’ll talk later, Shelby, not that there’s anything to say.
* * *
Even as I typed it, my cheeks burned. The way he looked at me, this man was trouble. I took a deep breath as I reached my door. Though I had literally been here yesterday, it felt like years had passed. Walking in, I glanced around, wondering what I should take, what really mattered to me. The rest I’d have to haul out to the dumpsters. I could feel my wolf growling. She hated this kind of labor. Maybe I should’ve let Quinn join me after all.
For a moment, I leaned on the doorframe. The task seemed ridiculously time consuming, especially when time felt so precious. There was a tap on my shoulder. When I turned, I found my RA standing beside me holding her clipboard. “I seriously haven’t even done anything yet. Another violation?” I sighed. Over the past few years, I’d been in trouble more than once for silly infractions like music being too loud and the time I accidentally started a fire with my hot pot.
She shook her head sadly. “No violation.” She swallowed hard. “The Dean told me…everything. I’ve organized people to help you. I know you probably don’t even want to be here. Your sisters…” Her eyes watered.
“Please don’t cry. You’ll make me cry and so far, I’ve managed to hold it all in. I need to. I don’t have time to mourn yet.” My shoulders heaved and suddenly, I found myself in a hug, which soon turned into a group hug. So many arms wrapping around me, offering support. When they finally released me, I realized the jocks had joined us.
The RA sniffled. “Okay then. Tell us what goes where and we’ll handle it.”
“Seriously?” My brows peaked. I glanced in my room to see my old roommate from my freshman year yanking my suitcase from under my bed.
“I’ll load your clothes.” She smiled shyly.
My shoulders sagged from relief. “Thank you,” I whispered.
An hour later, we’d finished. I passed on my posters and most of my décor, keeping only my college mug and all my family photos. The time passed so quickly, I didn’t even have time to feel, which was precisely what I needed.
Finally, I returned to my vehicle. The RA had joined me. “I really appreciate all the help.”
“Of course.” She grinned shyly and then frowned. “Wait. If your house burned down, where are you going to keep all this stuff?”
I slapped my forehead. “You make a valid point. Guess I need a storage unit.” I hopped in my car. “Take care,” I murmured, my attention already on my phone as I searched for a place near the homestead. Then my phone rang. I recognized the number. “Hello, Quinn.” My heart beat erratically for a second.
“Hello, Savvy.” His voice positively caressed me through the phone. “So, I was wondering how everything was going, if you had an estimate for when I should plan dinner…” His voice trailed off and I knew it was my cue to fill in the blank.
“Yeah. I’m on my way back.”
He clapped his hands together. “Perfect. I’ll start prepping for dinner.”
“Whoa, Chef Boyardee. I still have a few things to do before I can stop by.” I shook my head at his impatience.
“Oh. Want me to come with you?” There was an edge to his voice.
I frowned. “No. I’ve got it.”
“Right. Tough. Strong.” He sighed. “I didn’t forget. Still, I’m coming with you. This is for your safety.”
The idea of companionship was truly tempting, but I had responsibilities that were meant for me and me alone. “That’s silly. I’ll see you soon.” Then I ended the call.
I drove straight to the Public Storage closest to the homestead and rented a unit. With all the people staying at Phoenix House, I didn’t need to clutter it up with anything more than my clothes. Plus, we’d need a place to store anything we managed to salvage from the fire. Then I unloaded my vehicle and secured my unit with the lock the manager provided. This was the easy part. Now, I needed to go to the homestead. There were secrets
I needed to hide before demolition and then construction began.
As expected, by the time I arrived, the rest of the pack had returned to Phoenix House. I parked as close to the house as I dared. The sun was slowly descending in the sky. My wolf paced impatiently. Tonight, I promised her. Once more I made my way to the study. Before opening the bookcase, I closed my eyes and listened. Greeted by silence, I finally unlocked it and punched the code into the safe. There were bank bags, the kind that required a key to access. And while I’d taken the check ledger earlier, I now turned my attention to the gold which had been dug out of our mines. Pulling out my keyring, I unlocked the bags and quickly loaded them with nuggets and containers of gold. Then I locked them, pocketed the keys, and stuffed the bags in my satchel, which now felt considerably heavier. Careful to cover my tracks and return everything as it had been, I finally moved toward my vehicle.
When I reached the porch, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Something had changed. I sniffed the air. Shifters. I smelled two. My heart beat erratically. I wanted to jump in my car, but I knew instinctively they planned to prevent my escape. While the eyes in the forest had stayed away yesterday with so many people around, tonight, on my own, I wouldn’t be so lucky. “Well, fuck. Just fuck,” I muttered. Sure enough, the moment I stepped off the porch, the wolves came racing out of the tree line. I couldn’t shift and leave the gold unattended. The most I could hope for was I’d somehow evade their efforts. As a human, I was definitely no match for them. Before I fully prepared, they were within fifteen feet of me. While I stood there, bracing for impact, an animal cut them off and knocked them over. My protector looked to be part Siberian Husky, part wolf. While the shifters were distracted, I threw the gold in the car and locked the door, ready to step into the fray. Only I soon realized I wasn’t needed. The huge husky had backed the shifters into the woods while snarling and snapping his jaws. Finally, they disappeared, but he remained on guard, the hairs on his neck at attention, a low growl coming from his throat.
“It’s okay, boy.” I stiffened. What made me talk to him? He certainly wouldn’t understand me, and as soon as he took one whiff of my hand, he’d turn on me too. My spray had surely worn off by now, and I hadn’t taken the time to reapply. Raking my hands through my hair, I leaned against my vehicle. “Quinn is waiting on me.” I sighed. Then I felt the fur against my legs and the comforting pressure of a warm body pressed against mine. “Thank you,” I whispered. He whined and nuzzled my hand. I stiffened at first, expecting a snarl, but instead, he licked me. With a laugh, I murmured, “I like you too.”
Feeling particularly brave and confident, I squatted down beside him. Then I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his fur. He wore no collar, but he seemed too comfortable around me to be a stray. “I’ll be back tomorrow. If you’re still around, I might just take you home with me.” I bit my cheek. The last thing I needed was a dog. Then Quinn’s words echoed in my head. Having a guardian might not be so bad after all.
Chapter Nine
By the time I arrived at Quinn’s place, I was barely holding it together. The realization of how close I came to being killed had hit me. The idea of leaving my sisters alone wrecked me. No one should have to deal with so much loss so close together. What if I wasn’t the last victim of these shifters? My need to protect the pack was strong. I’d eat a quick dinner, approve Quinn’s design, and hurry back to them.
Taking a deep steadying breath, I opened my car door and a hand appeared. Apparently, Quinn had been watching for me. “Hi,” I whispered.
His head tilted while he studied me and helped me out of the vehicle. “What’s wrong?” His frown deepened. “You’re safe, but rattled. Everything okay?”
“Yup. Just fine,” I lied even though I lacked any true skill in that department. Further proof: I couldn’t even meet his eyes.
“Great!” Quinn’s voice grew low. “Now tell me the real story.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and walked me into the house once I’d grabbed my satchel and locked the door. “I opened a bottle of wine.”
I shook my head. “Can’t. I’m driving.”
“Not for hours. We have much to discuss. You can have one glass to soothe your nerves.” He pulled out my chair and waited for me to sit. I settled into the chair, dropping my bag beside it. Then he walked around the table, poured me a glass of merlot, and set it beside my plate when I failed to reach for it.
“I had a run in with some wild animals.” I sighed. This part wasn’t a complete lie. We’d barely met. How the hell could I talk to him about shifters? How could I let him into my world? And this is when I realized the hopelessness of my situation. Even if I liked him, even if I was attracted to him, this had no future. Any time and energy spent on him took time away from my hunt for my mate. I stared at my plate. He’d prepared chicken parmesan with angel hair pasta, in addition to a Caesar salad and garlic bread. My eyes watered at his kind gesture.
“You hate it? I thought this would be safe.” Quinn bit his cheek and stared into the kitchen. “I can throw some steaks on the grill.”
With a sniffle, I murmured, “It’s not that.” Finally, I met his eyes. “This is perfect.”
Quinn grinned. “Whew. You had me worried.”
“I’m sorry. Everything is overwhelming right now.” I felt raw, like I could lose it at any moment. I didn’t want to be that girl, crying in front of him, but I was the Alpha and there was no place for me to vent, nowhere safe for me to be vulnerable. This was why I needed a mate. This was why I shouldn’t be with Quinn. I sniffled. When I looked up, he was squatting beside me.
“You’re safe here, Savvy. You can let it out. Have you even had a chance to mourn?” He reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear.
I shook my head vigorously, already afraid to talk. Words might be replaced by sobs. Instead, I breathed. Quinn let me. He simply stroked my hair. “Too many people rely on me.” I struggled to speak, every word caught in my throat. “I look after the family.”
“Your sisters?” His brow furrowed.
I swallowed hard. “Everyone.”
His eyes widened. “All the…homesteaders?”
“Uh huh.” I nodded. I think I expected him to argue with me, question the veracity of my statement.
Quinn sat down hard on the floor. “Wow. I had no idea. I’m…surprised.”
My eyes narrowed. “Because I’m so young?”
He started to speak, but apparently thought better of it. “Right.” He rubbed the back of his neck, stood, and returned to his seat.
I began to pick at my food, stuffing a forkful of salad into my mouth. Then I reached for a slice of bread. All the while I could feel Quinn studying me. After swallowing the food in my mouth, I glared at him. “What?” The word came out not as merely a question, but also as a challenge. I dared him to speak his mind.
Quinn dabbed at his mouth with the linen napkin. He seemed to be carefully choosing his response. “I heard your father…managed the homestead. I didn’t realize you had…inherited the position. That’s all.” He shrugged.
My brow arched. “I didn’t inherit,” I snapped. “I earned it.”
“Like a lottery? Drew the longest straw? How did that work, exactly?” He folded his hands on the table.
I licked my lips. “I proved to be the most fit candidate for the position. Satisfied?” Inside, my wolf bared her teeth.
His head tilted as he struggled to process my explanation. “Sure.” He picked up his glass and then frowned. “Only…”
“Only what?” I growled impatiently.
Quinn took a quick sip before setting his wine on the table again. “If you’re in charge, you’re in more danger now than you were before.”
I rubbed my forehead. He was right. I wouldn’t admit this to him, of course, but mentally, I prepared defense strategies. Glancing at the clock, I realized I should’ve been back to Phoenix House already. “Can we talk plans now? I’m going to be that horrible guest who eat
s and runs.”
With a nod, Quinn pushed his plate to the empty spot beside me and grabbed an iPad from the counter before sitting. “This is what I worked on. Two story home. Four bedrooms, three and a half baths. Huge gathering room and dining area. Tell me what you think.”
Taking a bite of bread, I reached for the tablet. “I need an office on the main floor,” I announced.
“Of course. Now that I understand your position, I can adapt the home more to suit those needs. Would you like a safe room?” He spoke evenly.
I laughed. “No. Someone with my position doesn’t run and hide when faced with danger.” I pushed my chair back from the table. “Time for me to get back to the pack…of people waiting for me.”
Quinn chuckled. “Right. And where are you staying? I could run by with the new plans for your approval in an hour or so.”
“We have a place in Asheville. My father invested in some real estate.” I bent over and picked up my satchel. “Given the circumstances, I’m not exactly sharing our location these days.” I winked.
“Understandable, I suppose.” Tugging on his chin, he murmured, “Invested in real estate, huh? Not bad for a modest homesteader.” His brow rose in challenge.
“He was really good with money.” I shrugged and then turned toward the door.
He huffed as he grabbed my arm. “Wait, Savvy.” He raked a hand through his hair.
I blinked a couple of times while I waited for him to say something. Meanwhile, my mind raced to figure out what he might want. “Oh, right. The check.” I reached into the satchel and pulled out the ones I’d taken from the safe earlier. My father had made me a proxy on the account when I turned eighteen. I marveled at his forethought. In a matter of seconds, I’d scribbled off a check for five thousand dollars and passed it to him. “There. That should be a decent start and instill your confidence in me.” I forced a smile even though my mind was a million miles away.