by Anya Nowlan
“Now, Sara…” the voice managed to get out before Sara hung up.
Sara was furious, both with Keith and her boss. Several years with nothing but a stellar record, and now one douchebag makes a call and suddenly her reputation and capability to do her job is called into question?
Spineless bastard, Sara’s inner voice growled when she thought about her boss. Where would I put those damn parts? Decorate my damn bunk with rotator blades? Come on!
Sara could feel the men shift uncomfortably; Evan gave out a little cough. Sara relaxed her hold on the phone, noticing her knuckles had turned white.
“Is everything okay?” Everett asked, standing from his seat.
Sara turned to face the brothers. She couldn’t help the fury echoing from her words as she spoke.
“Gentlemen, I think the situation has just been inflamed.”
Ten
Everett
Everett listened to Sara relay her conversation with her boss with a rising temper. The wolves can take shots at him all they want but messing with Sara’s livelihood? They had definitely crossed a line.
“They know I’m leaving once the truck is finished, why do this now?” Sara said, thinking aloud.
“I’m guessing Everett hurt more than Keith’s jaw with that punch – he wounded his pride. Keith can’t take Everett in a fight, so now he’s trying to hurt him through you. Besides, the way Everett stepped up for you, they may think your plans have changed,” Evan said, typing something into his phone.
“Who cares what they think,” Everett rumbled. “Can I go kick some ass now?”
“For what? Because Keith made a formal complaint? Think about this for a second,” Evan noted, being the voice of reason.
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing!” Everett shouted in frustration.
Evan and Sara exchanged a glance Everett couldn’t read, Sara giving his brother a little nod.
“Why don’t you take me back into town. I need to hit a few stores, I’m running low on clean clothes and such. We can have dinner later,” Sara said, making her way to Everett’s side and wrapping her hands around his shoulder.
Her presence calmed him instantly.
“I’ve got to get going, too. I’ll talk things over with Ethan, see what he has to say. You try to keep your head on straight,” Evan stressed, pointing a finger at Everett.
Everett gave a resigned sigh before taking Sara’s hand and walking outside. Evan got in his truck and drove away first. Sara and Everett followed suit, climbing into Everett’s pickup in silence. They were halfway into town when Everett finally spoke.
“I’m sorry you got mixed up in this,” he said, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly.
“I blame my truck,” Sara replied with a sly little smile.
“I should swing by the shop and see how Noah is doing. The faster you get out of here, the better. Who knows what else those mutts are up to,” Everett finished.
If Sara got hurt somehow, he would never be able to forgive himself.
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself,” Sara said, leaning on the passenger side door, looking a little morose.
“I know you can. I just don’t want to take any chances,” Everett sighed while rubbing his neck.
Every muscle in his body felt tight, like a coiled spring.
Everett dropped Sara off in the middle of town. She gave him a quick kiss before running off to do her shopping. Everett sat in his car, looking at her until she disappeared out of sight. The old truth still held. He hated to see her go but he loved to watch her leave.
Then, he made his way to the shop. He found Noah hard at work on Sara’s truck.
“How’s it going?” Everett asked, not sure what kind of a response he preferred.
“Would probably go faster if you were working on it instead of me,” Noah responded, humble as ever.
“I would love to get my hands dirty, but I have some other business to take care of,” Everett replied, looking over Noah’s shoulder at the rig’s exposed insides.
“Shouldn’t be more than a day or two,” Noah said with a shrug, wiping his hands on his overalls.
“Keep up the good work,” Everett sighed, patting the man on the shoulder before heading to his office.
Two days. That’s not a lot of time.
He was way behind on paperwork. Maybe that would distract him.
Everett did his best to concentrate on the task in front of him, but couldn’t keep Sara out of his thoughts. She was unlike anyone he had ever met and the attraction he felt towards her was almost overwhelming.
Was this how his brothers had felt when they met their mates? They didn’t tend to discuss their feelings much…
An hour passed before Everett couldn’t restrain himself any longer and texted Sara.
How’s the shopping going? he typed, fidgeting with his phone until he got a response.
I hate it. Heading back to the motel now, Sara’s message read.
Meet you there in a little while? Everett fired off.
I’ll be waiting! read Sara’s prompt reply.
Anticipation took over Everett’s mind. He finished responding to some e-mails before rushing out of the shop. He decided to walk over to the motel, maybe clear his head a little. Keith’s smirking face was still etched in his mind and he definitely didn’t want that image in his brain when he finally got the chance to hold Sara in his arms again.
No interruptions this time.
The closer Everett got to the motel, the stronger the scent of wolf became. He didn’t notice it at first, too preoccupied with thoughts of Sara and perhaps growing too accustomed to the stench of mutts all around as of late. Warning bells went off in Everett’s head as he picked up the pace. He grabbed his phone and dialed Sara’s number. She picked up after a couple of rings.
“Hey, you on your way?” Sara asked, her voice slightly raspy and inviting.
“Sara, make sure your door is locked and stay inside,” Everett rattled off, not bothering with niceties.
“What? What’s wrong?” she asked, alarmed and confused.
“Probably nothing. Just that the way to you is covered in the smell of wolf,” Everett said, trying to remain calm.
“Oh, is that all,” Sara noted sardonically.
“I’ll be there in a couple of minutes,” Everett added before hanging up and bursting out in a sprint.
His bear beat down on the walls inside him, roaring and thrashing.
When Everett reached the motel parking lot, he immediately spotted two wolves stalking towards the building. The fur on their backs was bristling, their tails low to the ground.
“Hey!” Everett shouted, prompting the wolves to turn and snarl at him.
Everett sniffed the air. None of them were Keith, but the grey wolf’s scent was familiar. He had tracked it once before, starting from this same parking lot.
Everett let out a roar as the shift took him. Fur erupted from his skin, his body twisting and growing along well-known patterns. Power surged around him as his tall frame was replaced by that of a hulking grizzly bear.
The wolves stared at Everett tentatively, probably getting more than they had bargained for. The grey wolf took a step forward, saliva dripping from his gnashing teeth. Everett growled, getting on his back paws.
The grey wolf ran towards him, claws raking across the asphalt. He jumped up a second before reaching Everett, teeth aimed at his underbelly. Everett brought his huge paw down in a quick swipe. The wolf went flying backwards, whimpering as it hit the pavement.
The other wolf started slowly pacing in his direction, yellow eyes following Everett’s every move.
The grey wolf got back on its feet, lunging at Everett’s legs. He almost managed to sink his teeth into him, but not before the bear grabbed him by the throat and tossed him aside like a sack of potatoes. The other wolf stopped in its tracks, looking at the lifeless body of its companion. Next thing Everett knew, the remaining wolf sprinted across t
he parking lot and into the woods beside it.
Not letting you get away this time, Everett thought before charging after him.
Eleven
Sara
Sara was burning a hole in the carpet, nervously walking back and forth in her room while staring at her phone. Everett had told her to wait inside, but what if he needed her help?
And what are you going to do against a bunch of werewolves? Sara thought, admonishing herself for being stupid. You’re not exactly Buffy.
The best she could do was stay out of Everett’s way.
A roar ripped across the parking lot in front of the motel. Sara rushed to the window, straining to see what was going on.
A huge grizzly bear stood amongst the parked cars, facing two snarling wolves.
Holy shit, is that Everett? Sara thought, mouth agape.
She watched as the bear took down the attacking wolf with ease and chased the other into the woods. Sara stayed near the window, wanting to see when Everett returned, and also to keep an eye on the wolf, to make sure it stayed down. Adrenaline rushed through her system, making her feel keyed up.
After a while of no movement, either from the wolf or the woods, Sara told herself to calm down. She sat down on the bed, feeling useless once more. What if this was all part of some plan to lure Everett into the woods and into an ambush? She scrolled through her phone, looking for the number for Everett’s shop.
She dialed it, hands shaking from nervous energy. The voice that answered was somewhat familiar.
“Grimpaw Auto Repair, how can I help you?” it said.
“Noah, is that you? It’s Sara, the one with the truck,” she said, rushing over the words.
“Oh, hey. Yeah, it’s me. Everett’s not in right now –” Noah began before being cut off.
“I know. Look, I think Everett might be in trouble, can you get me Evan’s number please?” Sara asked, rummaging the motel desk for a pen and paper.
“Sure, just a moment,” Noah replied, the sound of rustling papers in the background.
Noah dictated the number while Sara scribbled it down.
“Thanks!” she quickly exclaimed, before hanging up on Noah and calling Evan.
“This is Evan,” a gruff voice answered after what felt like an eternity.
“It’s Sara. Everett was just attacked by two wolves out on the motel parking lot. He followed one of them into the woods about fifteen minutes ago. I thought I should let you know, I didn’t know what else to do,” Sara said, feeling panic rise inside of her.
“It’s okay, he’s probably just tracking the wolf. But I’m coming over just in case. Try to stay calm, Everett can handle himself,” Evan assured her, offering Sara some relief.
“Thank you,” she said softly before hanging up.
Now there was nothing left to do but wait. Minutes ticked by with no sign of Everett or Evan.
A knock on the door made Sara jump up from the bed.
“Everett?” Sara called out, rushing to the door.
Her hand remained hovering on the lock when no response came. She looked into the peephole to see Keith standing on the other side of the door.
“What do you want?” Sara growled, anger rising in her belly instead of the panic that had been there before.
“You’re not going to invite me in, Miss Sawyer? How rude,” Keith said menacingly, a chuckle in his tone.
“I suggest you leave before Everett wipes the floor with you. Again,” Sara hissed, her anger fueling her boldness.
“I just came to warn you. We don’t look kindly on thieves around here,” Keith’s voice sounded through the thin wood, almost sing-songy.
“I’m not a thief! We both know there was nothing missing from your shipment,” Sara said, hands balling into fists.
“Who’s gonna believe you, stranger?” Keith laughed, banging his fist against the door.
The hinges shook. Sara backed away, anger giving way to fear.
“Step away from the door,” a voice thundered from the hall. Sara recognized it as Evan’s, her body slumping in relief.
“Why? I have legitimate business with the lady here. Pack business. Stay out of it,” Keith countered angrily.
“Her business is my business. I won’t repeat myself,” Evan noted matter-of-factly, his voice sounding closer now.
“Is that so?” Keith asked, feigning interest.
Evan was silent.
“This isn’t over,” Keith called out towards the door after a moment of silence that had felt like an eternity.
Footsteps started, heading towards the parking lot.
“Sara?” Evan’s voice rumbled.
Sara opened the door and let Evan in, before rushing to the window. She watched as Keith got in his car and drove away. The wolf that lay on the pavement was gone.
“Thank you,” she said to Evan, sinking onto the bed.
The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving her spent.
“No problem,” Evan replied, looking around the room, concentrating on the door.
“They’re really pressing hard on the whole missing shipment angle. If Everett hadn’t gotten here when he did, there might’ve been three wolves at my door, instead of just one,” Sara murmured, considering the scenario with a shiver.
“I’d like to say that I’m shocked by them attacking a defenseless woman, but I’m really not.”
“Hey, I’m not defenseless!” Sara protested, before realizing how absurd it was.
What was she going to do, kill three werewolves with the bible in her bedside drawer? Or maybe she could read scripture to them, the whole ‘thou shalt not kill’ part springing to mind as particularly relevant!
“You know what I mean,” Evan chuckled.
“Shouldn’t you go and find Everett?” Sara asked, raising a brow at Evan.
Evan sniffed the air before responding, “No need. He’s already back,” before taking a seat at the rickety desk, his hulking body looking far more relaxed than Sara’s.
As if on call, Everett stormed in through the open door, eyes scanning the room wildly.
“I smell him. Where is he?” he demanded, before realizing it was only Sara and Evan in the room.
“Mind closing the door?” Evan asked, pointing behind Everett, who looked confused, aggravated and ready to rumble.
Everett did as he was asked and sat down on the bed next to Sara, slicking a hand through his hair.
“I shouldn’t have chased that wolf, I should’ve stayed here and made sure you were safe,” Everett said, running a hand down Sara’s cheek.
“Hey, not a shrinking violet here, remember? Did you catch him, the wolf?” Sara asked, glad to see Everett safe and sound.
She leaned into his touch. A little part of her wanted to agree with him – tell him to never leave her – but thankfully she still had some of her senses.
“He gave me a little runaround before growing tired and deciding to stand his ground and fight,” Everett said, something unfamiliar to Sara glinting in his eyes.
“And?” she asked, already sensing the answer.
“He won’t be bothering us anymore,” Everett assured with steel in his voice.
Twelve
Everett
Everett watched as Sara turned slightly paler than usual. Fighting, death – this was a part of life for shifters. Normal rules did not apply. There was no sense in shielding Sara from it when she was already so involved.
You take a swing at a bear, you better not miss, Everett thought grimly, the sound of bone breaking fresh in his mind.
“What are we going to do now?” Sara asked, her voice a bit shaky.
“You can’t stay here,” Evan said. “Anything more than a tap and that door is off its hinges. Not to mention the windows,” he continued, assessing the room from a tactical viewpoint.
“She’s coming home with me,” Everett spoke up, the decision clear in his mind. “We’ll be safe at the cabin until her truck is fixed. I’ll have the advantage there if they dar
e try anything else,” he said sternly, planning to keep Sara well in his sights.
“Do I get a say in this?” Sara piped up from the bed.
Both brothers turned to look at her with brows raised, as if saying ‘you have a better idea?’
“Right, cabin it is,” Sara mumbled, finding her lap very interesting all of a sudden.
“Okay then, I’ll leave you to it. Call me if you need anything,” Evan said, pulling Everett into a quick embrace. “And I mean it. Anything. Both of you.”
“Want me to help you pack?” Everett asked after Evan had left.
“Don’t have a whole lot. I’ll be fine,” Sara answered, already emptying the drawers into her backpack.
Everett couldn’t help but notice she was avoiding looking at him.
“Are you okay? The whole thing with Keith must’ve shaken you up,” Everett said as Sara continued to dash around the room, collecting her personal effects.
“Yup, totally okay,” she muttered without looking up.
Everett stood in front of her, forcing Sara to a stop and look at him. He was no Romeo, but he could read a woman well enough to know something wasn’t quite right. Well, he could read this particular woman, at least.
“Hey, you don’t have to lie. Whatever it is, I can take it,” he said, gently grabbing hold of her shoulders.
Sara finally looked at him, her eyes glistening.
“You had to kill someone because of me,” she sniffed, her voice choking with emotion.
Everett sighed, shaking his head.
“It wasn’t because of you. The Clearponds are always looking for excuses to cause trouble. That wolf had a choice and he made the one he thought was right. Don’t take that away from him. He knew what the consequences might be. We live in a predatory world, that is the hard truth. There’s no time for blame and regret,” Everett said forcefully, hoping the words penetrated.
Sara was silent for a second before nodding and giving Everett a brief smile.