“I’m just looking out for you.” Steve sighed. “That’s all.”
“Well, I appreciate it.” She sat back down. “But I don’t need you to look out for me. I have enough of that here. I just need a friend.”
“You mean that?” Steve questioned, making her frown again.
“Duh, dude. I said it, I mean it.” Leda watched a squirrel dig through some brush, looking for food to store for the winter. She loved sitting still and watching the wildlife around her go about their daily routines.
“Okay, chill.” Steve chuckled. “So other than seeing how you were doing, the other reason I called is to ask you something and if you say no, I will totally understand.”
That got her attention quick. “What is it?”
Silence again.
“Steve, what?” Leda urged.
“I’m ah, well, seriously, Leda, if you don’t want to do this, just tell me straight out.” Steve edged past the point he was trying to make. “Because even though it would mean the world to me, if you can’t, I get it. You know.”
“Actually, no, I don’t know because you won’t spit it out.” Leda chuckled. “What do you want to ask me?”
“See, I’ve asked Mira to….” Silence.
“To… what?”
“Ah….” Steve must have pulled the phone away, because she heard him cursing in the background.
“Dammit, Steve.” Leda was really anxious now to know what the hell he wanted to ask her. “Spit it out!”
“Marry me!” Steve shouted, then cursed.
“What?” Leda stood again, scaring the squirrel away.
“I’ve asked Mira to marry me, and I want your blessing. I also want you here.” Steve spoke so quickly that Leda had to think about what she just thought she heard. “Leda?”
“Yeah?” Leda said, trying to figure out what her emotions were. Was she angry? Happy? Sad? A little mix of everything?
“Listen, I know this is weird, and I’ve thought long and hard about it, but you out of everyone other than Mira have been behind me. You see me for who I really am, and well, it just wouldn’t be the same without you there.”
His words pulled at her heart. “And what does she say about this?”
“She’s fine with it. She really wants to meet you,” Steve replied, his voice sounding hopeful. “She’s really a great person, Leda, and I know you guys will get along great.”
Leda walked around, her thoughts jumbled. Her feelings for Steve were complicated at best, but she wanted so much to be a part of his life and if that meant swallowing her mixed emotions, then so be it. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Steve whispered. “Okay, you will or okay, I’m a piece of shit for even asking?”
With a grin, Leda waited for a long minute before answering, hoping to make him sweat. Hey, what were friends for anyway? “Okay, I’ll be there.” She laughed at his sigh of relief and loud whoop! “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Thank you!” Steve said, and she could hear the relief in his voice. “I’ll try to bring her and Drew up in the next week or two. I want you to meet her.”
“Why? If I don’t like her, then you won’t marry her?” Leda snorted, loving to give Steve shit.
“Ah, no, because I know you will love her,” Steve replied in a serious tone. “But there is one more thing.”
“You’re really pushing it, buster,” Leda teased, as she kicked a rock out of her path. Her eyes rose, and she could have sworn she saw something dodge behind some overgrowth off the trail.
“She’s a witch,” Steve’s reply came just as the overgrowth moved.
Leda squinted, moving a step closer, trying to see what the hell was hiding, but she didn’t want to seem obvious, so she kicked at another rock as if she was just walking around, having a talk on the phone. Her gut feeling told her something or someone was watching her. And did Steve just say she was a witch? What the hell?
“What?” she asked, sure she misheard him.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Steve’s voice became instantly alert.
“Nothing,” Leda lied, making sure not to turn her back on the possible threat. “I just didn’t hear you.”
“Where are you?” Steve asked, his voice totally changed from the laid-back tone.
“Did you say she was a witch?” Leda knew she sounded distracted, because she was. Something was there, and it was definitely watching her.
“Dammit, Leda,” Steve responded with a hiss. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Listen, I have to call you back.” Leda knew she was either going to have to make a run for it or confront whatever was there. She wasn’t a pussy by any means, but she was out here alone. Yeah, she wasn’t a pussy, but she wasn’t stupid either.
“Don’t hang up this phone.” His voice shook like he was running. “Where are you?”
A man stepped out from behind the overgrowth and smiled while holding his hand up. “Don’t be frightened.”
“Then don’t be sneaking around,” she countered, making herself stay put. Show of fear was out of the question, but she knew without a doubt he was a shifter and would be able to smell her fear. “Who are you and what are you doing in Lee County Wolves territory?”
“Ah, so I’m in the right place.” The man stepped closer, but stopped when Leda narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m looking for someone.”
“Leda!” Steve yelled in her ear, but Leda ignored him.
“Most would walk into town asking for the alpha, which is Garrett Foster.” Leda nodded up the hill. “Not sneak around listening in on people’s phone calls.”
“Fuck!” Steve sneered. “Don’t piss him off, Leda. I’ve got Jared calling Garrett right now. Are you anywhere near the main trail?”
“Yes.” Leda replied to Steve.
“Yes, what?” The man looked confused for a second, until his eyes went to the phone at her ear. His nice demeanor turned in a flash. His eyes narrowed as he took a threatening step toward her while he looked around. “Listen, all I need is some information. I don’t need to talk to your alpha.” His eyes roamed her body. “Talking to you will fulfill my need.”
Leda knew she was in trouble by the way the man looked at her. If she didn’t do something and quick, he would be on her, and it would be too late.
“Run,” Steve ordered, his voice angry and tense. “Fucking go, Leda! Run!”
She knew the man heard Steve over the phone, because he gave her an “I bet I catch you” grin. “Shit!” She turned and took off. Her legs and arms pumped as fast as they would go, but she heard him behind her, and he was way too close. She had to shift. She wasn’t really confident shifting on the run, but she’d better do it, or she was going to get caught.
All shifters who were not looking for trouble knew to not sneak around asking anyone other than the alpha questions. It was not done. It was not the way things were run. Without missing a step, she shifted and was damn proud of herself, but then realized she had lost her phone… again. Double shit!
She knew the woods well, and that was one thing she had over the asshole chasing her. He was fast, but she knew cutoffs that she took at the last second. He had shifted too, and she knew she was losing ground. The idea that crossed her mind instantly scared her to death, but unless her knight in shining armor came in the next few minutes, her situation was going to be dire. Taz’s image crossed her mind, and she almost stumbled, but her wolf knew exactly what to do and kept her going.
Seeing the edge of the cliff, she prayed she didn’t take the wrong turn, and this was the right cliff. If not, she would die horribly and dammit, she wasn’t ready to die. Knowing he was close, her wolf pushed harder, not slowing as she reached the edge. With power, her wolf pushed off, and it was as if she floated in the air. She quickly looked down, relieved at the water below and shifted in midair. Turning, she saw the other wolf stop and watch her, then lift his head and howl. Before she began the descent toward the water below, she flipped him off, then prepared to hit the
river. She knew it was going to hurt. Hitting anything from that height was going to be painful, and she hoped she would be able to take it.
Suddenly, she felt regret at her decision, and her scream of anticipation of the cold water below echoed through the forest surrounding her.
Chapter 6
Dell slammed the hood of the car just as Garrett, Marcus, and Hunter came barreling down the street. Tossing his tool to the ground, Dell chased after them.
“What the hell’s going on?” He fell into step with Hunter as they took the cutoff into the woods.
“Steve called. He was on the phone with Leda.” Hunter slid down a steep slope with Dell right beside him. “He said someone was asking for information. A male.”
Everyone slid to a stop, trying to pick up the scent. “Where the fuck is Taz when we need him?” Garrett cursed.
“That way.” Marcus pointed before racing ahead.
Dell watched the ground and could see Leda’s tracks as well as someone much bigger following her. Suddenly the tracks changed when she shifted, and so did whoever was chasing her. They rounded a bend that ended with a cliff. It was also where Leda’s tracks ended, but not the man’s.
“Son of a bitch.” Garrett looked over the edge of the cliff. “I swear to God, when I catch this bastard—”
“She’s fine.” Hunter was looking over the edge. “She can swim.”
“There is no fucking way she could survive that.” Garrett cursed again as he peered down at the man’s tracks. “Dammit!”
Marcus had already taken off to go search, but Dell’s eyes were on the man’s tracks. Before he could say anything, James, Les, Devon, and Josh ran toward them. The first thing he noticed was that Ross was not with them.
“Where’s Ross?” Dell demanded, his eyes narrowing.
“Her, Taz, and Josh are trying to find Leda.” Devon looked pale.“She fucking jumped off that cliff.”
“Did she resurface?” Garrett growled. His whole body tensed for everyone to see. He was on edge. Hell, they were all on edge.
“Yeah, but the current took her down. She jumped the cliff and shifted in midair. She even turned around and flipped the wolf off,” Devon replied, his eyes round in awe.“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Did he shift?” Hunter asked, his voice low with anger.“Did you see what he looked like?”
“No, he spotted us and took off.” Devon shook his head, then pointed.“We were down there. When we saw what was happening, Taz dove intothe water, but couldn’t get to her in time. Ross is running the bank area searching while Taz and Josh are in the river. Us three headed up this way to try to find the son of a bitch.”
“You guys go ahead and keep looking. Follow his tracks.” Dell nodded down toward the ground.“We’re going to go help find Leda.”
“Sure thing, boss,” Devon replied, his eyes going toward the cliff.“Never saw anything like it. It was a badass move.”
Dell glanced at Garrett, who looked ready to explode, so he nudged Devon on down the trail.“You find him, bring him back to the garage and wait. I want him alive.”
“Yes, sir,” Devon said, as James and Les nodded.
Once they disappeared, Dell followed Hunter and Garrett down the side of the cliff, his eyes following where Leda had jumped into the water. He had a bad feeling in his gut that Garrett was right. There was no way Leda could have survived that fall, even into water.
******
Leda woke confused, in pain, and scared. Taking a huge gulp, she realized she was underwater, her body being twisted and turned like a pretzel. Hitting something hard sent a shock through her body, as well as her brain, and she suddenly remembered what had happened. Oh God, she was going to drown, one of her worst fears.
Finally, her head surfaced, and she dragged precious air into her lungs, but then she was pulled under again,because her arms felt like they were weighed down with ten-pound weights. The harder she tried to pull herself back to the surface, the more her body was yanked under. She felt unconsciousness edging closer and knew if she didn’t get air soon, she was going to die. Yeah, jumping the cliff had been a really bad idea.
With one last effort, she kicked her way to the surface and just as she started to see light, her foot got caught in something. Tugging took every last ounce of energy she had left, and it was of no use anyway. Whatever had her foot was not letting go.
Bubbles escaped her nose and mouth as her body fought for air. Her eyes widened with fear, while her heart bled for what was not going to be. And she knew without a doubt what she wanted more than breath was Taz, because his image flashed in front of her eyes just as her body gave way to the water that surrounded her.
Something tugged at her leg, and then suddenly, she was being lifted. Strong arms held her tight. As she broke the surface, she struggled for air, but all that was happening was water flowing out of her mouth and nose. She gagged, coughed, and gulped, trying to fill her lungs, but it wasn’t happening fast enough. She was lightheaded. Not knowing what was up and what was down, the one thing she did know for sure was that it wasn’t just Taz’s image she’d seen. It was Taz, and he was taking her to shore. She tried to help, but couldn’t. She was dead weight. All she could do was keep her head above water the best she could, because no way in hell did she want to go under again.
“Come on, Leda.” Taz’s voice was close to her ear.“Just keep breathing and let me do the rest. We’re almost there.”
She knew they were close because her knees were dragging the bottom. Arms grabbed her, pulling her from the water.
“Lay her on her side,” Taz ordered, as he pulled himself out of the water next to her.
Leda lay heaving water and taking sweet, but painful breaths. Her chest hurt like hell, and her face was smashed against the muddy bank, but she didn’t care. She was out of the water. She had never been more terrified in her life. Tears of relief mixed with the wetness of the water and mud, but it wasn’t the time to act like the badass shifter she tried to be. She was scared, had been scared. Now was the time to cherish life, and that was exactly what she did.
Shaking withfear and cold, she was grateful when something was placed on her naked body. Leda glanced over to Taz. He lay on his back, his head turned as he stared at her. His breathing was rapid and harsh.“Thank you.” Her voice croaked, and she hacked another mouthful of water.
“You scared the hell out of me,” Taz said, as he turned his head and stared up at the sky.“Never do that again, Leda.”
Before Leda could make that promise, Garrett was bending over her.“Dammit!” He stared down at her, his hand on her arm.“Are you hurt?”
“I don’t know,” Leda replied, her breathing still coming in gasps as if she couldn’t get enough air. She really didn’t know if she was okay or not. All she knew was that she was out of the water,so that made things okay.“I don’t think so.”
Garrett sat back, staring down at her.
“Well, as soon as we find out that you are okay, you best be ready for an ass chewing.” Hunter came into her line of vision. Then he looked at Taz.“Good job, my man. You okay?”
Taz nodded, then stood. He looked down at Leda before turning and walking away. He then stopped and stared out over the water.
Sitting up, Leda slowly moved her arms and legs. Nothing felt broke, only sore, but other than that she seemed okay.“I’m fine.” She coughed, then leaned to the side and puked water.
“Famous last words.” Hunter grimaced with a chuckle.
“What in the hell were you thinking?” Garrett growled after she’d stopped throwing up water.“Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? You had no idea if that water was even deep enough. You could have hit the bottomand died instantly.”
“I think she gets the idea,” Hunter added in his usual smartass mocking tone.
“Hunter, I swear if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to beat the hell out of you,” Garrett bellowed as he stood to face his brother.
“Give her a break for a minute, bro.” Hunter threw up his hands.“At least another five or ten minutes. She almost drowned for shit’s sake, and you’re already raining down the hellfireon her. Chill out. She’s fine. She learned her lesson, and all is good. Right, Leda?”
Leda nodded, a little nervous. She’d never seen Garrett so angry before.“Right.” She saw the worry on his face and suddenly knew her decision hadn’t been the right one. Then again, she didn’t know who that man was or what she would have faced if he had caught her.“Did you catch the guy?”
“No.” Marcus frowned.
“Devon, James, and Les are looking for him now,” Dell replied, his face a mask of anger.“But we will find him.”
Leda nodded, wrapping the coat that had been laid on top of her closer to her body. She noticed it was Roslyn’s jacket. Hunter took off his shirt and handed it to her.“Here, put this on.”
Everyone turned away as she dropped the jacket to put on the shirt. Before she could drop it over her head, her eyes met Taz, who was not looking away, but straight at her, and that’s when she knew her true feelings for him,because she didn’t care that he saw her naked. All she wanted to do was crawl back into his arms and feel safe again, just like she had when he was pulling her from the water. She wasn’t surprised by this realization because deep down she always knew her true feelings for Taz. Even though the day Steve showed up to say he had found someone else, she had been sad, but far from heartbroken. Now she knew with definite certainty why.
“Let’s go.” Garrett helped Leda up.“The quicker we get her back, the quicker we can start looking for the son of a bitch.”
“What exactly happened?” Marcus asked, his eyes scanning the area before looking back at her.
“I was on the phone… Oh, damn, I have to call Steve.” Leda searched herself before realizing she had lost another phone.
“Lost another one, huh?” Hunter chuckled.“Don’t worry, I’ll buy this round. I’ll call him real quick before he has an army of Warriors down here.”
A low growl hit her ears, and she glanced at Taz. He looked pissed.
“Leda.” Garrett captured her attention.
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