by S. D. Grimm
I blushed. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right.” He grabbed my hand in his and brushed his thumb back and forth across my skin. “As we were walking back, Tommy spotted something in the grass. A silver spoon. He said it belonged to the marquis. I told him he should return it.” His thumb stopped moving. “He returned it, and that’s what got him in trouble. I told him to return it.”
“That’s hardly your fault.”
“It’s not Tommy’s, either. He didn’t deserve to be whipped.”
I gripped his hand tight. “Neither did you.”
He started to sit up.
“For heaven’s sake. You shouldn’t be moving.”
He stopped, wincing, but managed to sit. “My back is on fire.”
I gave him the wine. “This will help.”
He drank all of it, every movement slow and stiff. “What time is it?”
“Late evening. You slept for nearly the whole day.”
“What?” His eyes snapped to life and panic seemed to pulse into him. “I have to go.”
“Tommy is taking care of your duties. My brothers are helping him. Don’t worry about your chores. We’re all pitching in after what you’ve done. So rest. Please.”
He touched my cheek. “When did you learn to tend the injured?”
“I’ve been studying under the wise woman.” I smiled. “And the wise woman thinks you should be resting.”
He dropped his hand from my face and looked out the window. His body seemed to tense as if something out there were hunting him. Making him uneasy. I followed his gaze. Red bled into the sky, painting it so many colors. Reminding me of the innocent blood that had been spilled today.
“Ava?”
Wyatt drew my attention back to him.
“Do you have more of that wine?”
Of course not. I’d have to go back to the house to get it. It shouldn’t take me very long. I touched his knee. “I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.”
I headed out the door, but his words stopped me.
“And, Ava?”
I turned toward him, hand still on the doorframe.
He smiled. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Of course. Sometimes Andromeda has to care for her reckless hero, Perseus.”
He shook his head, that half smile still brightening his face. “I’m not a hero.”
“You are to me and Tommy.” I raced to the house before he would see tears fill my eyes and let the evening wind clear them.
When I returned, he was gone.
Where on God’s green earth would he go? How could he even travel in that condition? I set the wine down and changed into my hunting clothes and gathered weapons from my chest of belongings.
Wyatt couldn’t have gotten far with his back shredded like that, and I had a feeling he’d headed for the stables—who knew why—but my brothers would be out in these woods tonight with all kinds of monsters, and I couldn’t have Wyatt, injured as he was, stumbling upon something made of nightmares.
I didn’t need a light. My eyesight was good enough and the full moon bright enough. I headed toward the stables. “Wyatt?” I whispered.
Nothing.
A rustle behind me caused me to turn. Something in the woods. I raised my silver stake. Ready to protect this house from anything unnatural. I headed closer to the woods. Sniffing. Listening. Something shuffled behind me and I spun around.
A howl broke the night. A howl I recognized.
The howls grew louder. Oh, Wyatt. I could only hope he wasn’t stupid enough to come out here.
I stumbled upon a cave in the ground, hidden by twigs and a hedge.
The whooping howls of werewolves came from the opening, and I held my knife tight. I had a pistol with a silver bullet already loaded, but pistols took forever to fire. The stake was quicker. Easier. Even if I had to get close. I was ready. If only I knew where Wyatt had gone. My heart clutched at the idea that one of these monsters could get to him.
I tiptoed closer to the entrance. Sounds of screaming and bones cracking told me exactly where I was. A werewolf den. And they were changing. Getting ready to go on a hunt. I clutched my knife tighter. Everything in my weapons stock was coated in silver for tonight.
Full moon night.
All the creepy monsters did their worst this night. It was like the werewolves being there gave them a blanket of cover since most of us Phoenixes were busy.
Nick and Cade had to be worried sick that I wasn’t where I said I’d be.
“You have to use the chains!” one strangled voice yelled, and I paused near the entrance to the cave.
Chains? For what?
“You idiot, Wyatt. Why would you bring chains? You’re coming to hunt with us.”
My chest stilled. What was Wyatt doing trusting werewolves?
“I’m not hunting with you.” Wyatt’s shaky voice came through the depths of the cave. “Give me the chains.”
“They won’t keep you from escaping.” Denton spoke low and ominous. “You can chain yourself to the rock all you want. Your werewolf form will figure out how to escape. It has two instincts. Survive and kill.” The chains rattled and Denton said, “It would serve you best to embrace what you have become.”
“No, Denton, don’t chain him. Let him run with us,” someone else said.
I blinked back tears. Wyatt—my Wyatt—was a werewolf. I sank to my knees, clutching my weapon. Tears streamed down my face. Not only had I fallen for a human, but I’d fallen for a werewolf. A monster. A sob clawed to be let out of me, and I fought to hold it in. To remain quiet.
“No.” Wyatt’s scream was recognizable. He was changing. My heart clutched. Despite Nick’s warnings, I had let myself feel. And Wyatt—he was nothing but a good, brave man. A soldier. And here he was—wait, Denton?
The new servants the marquis had hired used to be soldiers. He wanted them since the property was on the border and he had to protect England. Did he know some of them were werewolves? He must not. He’d hired my brothers and me to keep the monsters away.
But the werewolves were good at hiding their scents, especially the older ones. But packs taught every member their secrets. Still, I should have scented Wyatt tonight. Cade would have. He was good at detecting them.
One grotesque beast clawed its way to the entrance. I hid behind the hedge and leapt forward, plunging my knife into his lung. He fell with a whine. The second was much louder. With my presence known, I wouldn’t be able to stand a chance here. Yet Wyatt needed my help.
Three came to the tunnel entrance. They weren’t exactly changed yet. Still in between. Most vulnerable. I could take them out. Maybe save Wyatt and get him the antidote if they’d bitten him. I kicked at one and spun and plunged my knife into the mouth of one as it came near me.
A snarl rent the night and I turned. Something in the haughtiness of this one’s face told me it was Denton.
“Looks like your little tagalong came.” His voice was a growl.
“Ava?” Wyatt’s voice was strained. His face. He was one of them. There was no doubt it was Wyatt, though. New, healing scars covered his back, and when he looked at me, I could see him in his face, almost as if the monster were a mask I could see through.
My heart ached. I’d have to kill him.
My breathing stalled, and Denton managed to grab me in a crushing grip. “We can turn her and have a female.” He brought his elongated muzzle toward my neck, and all I thought to do was look into Wyatt’s eyes and plead with him to not be evil.
He stared back at me. Fisted his grotesque fingers. “Let her go.” His voice boomed out in a growl.
Denton laughed. “Or what?”
Wyatt leaped at him. Denton tossed me to the ground where three other werewolves pounced. I shot my pistol. One fell. But Denton had managed to knock my knife from my hands. I tried to reach another, but his grip was too strong. His fangs too close. How had I let myself become so distracted?
Denton
screamed and rolled off of me. The other werewolf that had pounced lay unmoving at the feet of a huge, hairy beast and sharp teeth tore out its throat.
Then the beast looked at me. Crouched low over me. Blood dripped off its muzzle. The growl resounded through my core, but I recognized him. Somehow, through the monster, I saw the man. And it was Wyatt.
“Wyatt?” I whispered, and scooted back across the dusty earth. I’d found my knife and clutched it in my hand, holding it between us, my arm shaking. My elbows pushed me back as he continued to advance.
He lunged at me, mouth open. Teeth dripping with poison. Hot breath heated my neck.
My blade touched his chest, but I couldn’t push it in. I lowered the weapon. “It’s me, Wyatt. It’s Ava.”
Slowly, he backed his head away, still towering over me. But he closed his mouth, looked at me, and something in his eyes seemed to flash blue for a moment. A sound like a gunshot in the distance made both of us flinch. His claws dug into my skin as he moved. Searing pain sliced through my neck. He faced me again, growling. I gasped and touched the wound.
He backed away from me and whined, ears laid back like a scared dog.
“Wyatt, it’s okay.” I sat up, but warm blood gushed through my fingers. It was deep.
He shuddered, crouching away from me and bumped into a dead werewolf’s body. He whined again.
I swallowed. “You killed him.”
His eyes closed and he turned his head away, shrinking back into the shadows. Everything I’d heard about werewolves was that they couldn’t control their impulse. Their desire to kill. Even the kindest person in the world would kill if turned.
“Wyatt?” I stepped forward, one hand on my wound. Silver knife in my other hand.
He whined again. Then a cloud moved. As moonlight made his pupils smaller, a growl rumbled in his throat. He stalked closer, growling.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I yelled.
He stopped. Closed his eyes. Shook his head.
“The moon. It makes you lose your mind.”
He seemed to realize what I’d said and retreated toward the cave. I should leave him, but if I did, would the animal side take over?
Slowly, he padded closer to me, and I froze. He sniffed my neck, but the wound was almost healed. I became hyperaware of his hot breath on my skin. The smell of blood. The carnage in the mouth of the tunnel. I looked up at him and the bit of blue leaking back into to the gold in his eyes.
Another shot rang out, closer this time. It had to be Nick and Cade.
Wyatt growled.
I touched his shoulder. “Run. Hide. I’ll protect you.”
He darted into the cave, and I picked up my weapon and stood at the entrance.
“Ava!” Nick raced up to me. He hugged me close then looked me over as Cade raced closer. “You okay?”
I nodded, breathless. “They’re dead. They’re all dead.”
“Were you bitten?” Nick touched the traces of blood on my neck.
“No.”
He breathed out a heavy sigh then started chuckling. “Nicely done, little sister.”
Cade nudged one of the bodies. Then he bent down and stood up with a soldier’s button in between his fingers. “Look at this.”
Nick took it. “The soldiers. Wyatt came over with the group of them. Do you think—?”
“Yeah.” Cade looked at me with sympathy in his eyes.
Nick winced. “Sorry Ava.”
“You don’t know Wyatt was one of them.”
Nick shook his head. “No. I don’t. But regardless, I hope you’re guarding your heart.”
“Because we couldn’t live a long and happy life together here?”
“Don’t start. You know the rules.” A deep sadness overtook his features. “Come on. We have some monsters to bring to justice.”
I glanced back at the mouth of the cave before following my brothers.
Then the memory swirled and tried to pull me into something new. But I’d hardly caught my breath. Wyatt was a werewolf?
No wonder Nick wanted me to stay away.
I pressed my hand against my heart. If Wyatt was on my cycle…had I…I must have healed him. A werewolf? Why would I do that?
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ava
I needed to know how I’d convinced Nick and Cade that Wyatt was good. Because I must have eventually. Right? Except just today Nick had basically encouraged me to take Wyatt out.
Another memory pulled me in, and I let it take me back in time.
Morning came softly, waking me as sunshine poured between the trees. I was in the woods and memories of the night came back to me. I’d found Wyatt on full moon night. I pleaded with him to let me stay, but he protested. He’d seemed scared more than anything. He didn’t want to hurt me, but I’d convinced him to let me stay. This was the first time I’d been with him when he changed. He hadn’t hurt me. Hadn’t even tried. The first chance he’d gotten, he ran like a scared dog.
I’d found him. Calmed him.
My brothers would be wondering where I was, possibly searching these woods right now. But I’d found Wyatt, and I would stay with him to make sure they didn’t hurt him.
Wyatt still lay asleep, but the sun had changed him back into a man. I placed the blanket I’d brought over him and touched the side of his face. His arm was healing.
I gave him some space now, not sure how he’d wake. He slept soundly underneath the blanket. Mud, dried and gray, caked his arms and hands. And blood dotted his cheeks in the same frequency as the stubble on his face.
His eyes opened, once again blue, but wide and frightened as he jumped back with his hand out in front of him. Chest heaving, he tilted his head in an almost animalistic way as he stared at me. Then he gathered the blanket around him, as if a small, frightened child hiding from things unseen in the dark.
“Ava?” His voice creaked like a seldom-used door.
I settled back on the ground and tossed him what was left of his clothes. “I didn’t want to leave you.”
His face scrunched up and he turned away from me, as if he was embarrassed and disgusted all at once. And his words returned to me: Sometimes we have to do what little good we can. I have to hope it builds over time. Like a snowball. And then maybe it shows who we really are despite the times we lose control and act in evil.
“Wyatt?”
He still didn’t open his eyes. He just sat there, shaking his head. “I-I can’t believe you—” He pressed a palm over his eye.
“Wyatt, are you…crying?” I moved closer.
His gaze snapped to vivid life and met mine. “Stop. Just stop. Please.” The intensity in his gaze dimmed and he looked away again, shoulders shaking.
I didn’t listen and drew nearer still. “Wyatt?”
“Go. Ava, please.” He choked on his words. Then very quietly added, “Please. Go.”
Everything inside me shook. I knew what I’d seen. But more importantly, I knew what I saw right in front of me. My trembling hand touched his shoulder. “I’ll not leave you.”
That gained me eye contact. “You should.”
I leaned closer to him, pushing my dress farther into the squishy ground with my knees and smiled at his face. A few tears had streaked through blood and grime. “I’ll turn my back while you dress. I dare say it shouldn’t be so difficult for a grown man to show a little decency, Wyatt Wilcox.”
He laughed softly. “Yes, ma’am.”
I turned away until he cleared his throat. Unsure if that was his signal, I slowly glanced over my shoulder. The lopsided smile that met me had me flushing. He stood there in the shirt and tattered pants. “That’s more like it.”
“Don’t tell me I look acceptable, Miss Elderson.”
“Call me Ava. And you don’t. You’re covered in mud and…”
He fingered some of the ruddy brown mess on his arm. “Blood.” His voice had grown dark again. Tentatively he looked up, meeting my gaze. “I’m surprised you didn’t leave.”
“If we’re being honest, I am, too.” I walked over to him. “But I’m glad I stayed.”
He stared at me through squinted eyes as if trying to figure out how I could be glad of such a thing. “And even now. When you’ve seen…” He expelled a shaking breath. “You’ve seen the real me.”
I stepped up to him, still fighting for his eye contact. He wouldn’t give it, so I touched his cheek. That got him to look at me. Into me. As if it might hurt him less if he could figure out what I was going to say first.
“I see you, Wyatt.” He started to turn away again, but I held his face between my hands. “And I see a good man.”
I dropped my hands from his face, but he stared at me. The intense look in his eyes grew stronger. Pulled me closer as he remained still as a frightened doe.
Then he moved. At once, his hands brushed the sides of my face and he kissed me with strength and vulnerability. With heat and desire. With an understanding that I was both wanted and needed. This man knew me. He understood me like no one else ever had, and at that moment, I had understood him. Every part of him. And his hand cupped my neck so gently, and his other arm pressed me up against him with a strength I could not—would not—break. Because I’d accepted all of him.
I hadn’t run.
I hadn’t attacked.
He left me breathless, and I looked up into his eyes. Traced my finger over his bottom lip. “Why, Mr. Wilcox, do I detect a smile?”
“For now.”
I took a step back. “What a strange thing to say.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Ava. You can’t be around for that ever again.”
I brushed my fingers over the curve of his ear. Down his neck. “I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can.”
But he didn’t. And when my brothers found out I’d helped a werewolf, they would try to kill him.
The memory shot me out as my heart beat faster.
I’d fallen for a werewolf.
I looked out the car window at the moon. Big and bright and full.
If I could find him tonight, I’d get my answers.
And then I nearly choked on a breath. Nick and Cade would be hunting tonight. I couldn’t let them kill Wyatt.