by Maddie Foxx
“I know, and not to worry. Angus is there at Shadow Creek. He’ll defend the ranches by scattering the livestock. That way they won’t be killed.”
“But Angus is only a llama shifter,” Tessa replied. “You can’t mean you’ll sacrifice him like that.”
“Angus is more resourceful than you think. Not to worry, like I said.”
Tessa wasn’t so sure, but she followed the men back to their vehicles. She took the ATV when it was obvious that Raphael and Maxwell wanted nothing to do with her, and who could blame them? She was responsible for Melody being taken. Why didn’t she tell them Jason was dead, at least? Especially when she found out he hadn’t been the one who attacked Carrie. She’d have to deal with her next. After it was all said and done, she’d not only have to leave Silver Creek, but Creeksboro, too. She’d no longer be wanted there by any of them.
Brendan and Raphael arrived at the edge of town before Tessa finally rolled up. She joined them in front of the cars that had been set up no doubt to protect Creeksboro. It was actually a pretty good idea. Hopefully, Katlyn and the babies were safe since there were bodies of dead full-bloods littering the ground and atop the cars.
“Looks like Creeksboro found a way to defend themselves,” Tessa remarked.
“Yes, and let’s hope they were able to take care of any full-bloods that might have made it across,” Brendan said.
* * *
Seth came up to the cabin and it was all he could do to be patient. He could hear his daughter squawking inside and he had to wait it out until whoever was inside brought her out. It wasn’t nearly the wait he thought it would be, though. He saw a dove take flight and return ten minutes later. When it left again, two men and a woman exited the cabin, the woman holding a birdcage he knew contained his daughter. Then something nothing short of miraculous happened: a bald eagle swooped low, snatched the cage from the woman’s hands by the loop, and flew away with it.
“What the hell?” the woman screamed. “I didn’t know Creeksboro had any bald eagle shifters.”
“It doesn’t matter, keep moving. By the time we have the shifters cornered, it will be easy to pick them off while the rest of our brothers burn down the ranches. It’s too late for all of them, but above all, kill Maxwell.”
Seth raced away. He had to warn Raphael and protect Maxwell. If the full-bloods wanted him dead that bad, his life had to be pretty important.
He took to the outskirts of the road, but not a car was in sight, nothing moving in either direction. It worried him to no end. What would happen to Creeksboro if the full-bloods won?
When he finally made it to the edge of town, Brendan and Chase were there with many more shifters he didn’t recognize. A bald eagle appeared out of nowhere, setting the cage down with Melody inside. Maxwell raced to open the cage, freeing her. Instead of transforming into human form, she perched on his shoulder.
“Watch the talons, would you?” Maxwell complained.
Four full-bloods came at them at full speed and Seth took on one while Tessa tangled with another. Dust took to the air as bodies rolled in the dirt until there was a cloud above their heads. Thunder from feet was heard as two grizzly bears entered the foray and by the time it was over and the dust settled, a wounded Tessa and Seth came out, falling to the ground. Seth changed back to human form with a wound to his chest and shoulder, whereas Tessa had lacerations across the back of her shoulders.
Shifters and humans alike came over the cars to assist them, and Tessa and Seth were helped to the other side and taken to Dr. Evans’s office.
* * *
All of the ranches owned by shifters were attacked, but the assailants were fought off by the shifters of Creeksboro. None of the ranches suffered any fires and the full-bloods not killed were taken prisoners. When Melody shifted back, she informed the prisoners how Hugh and Rowanna had killed their alpha and lied when they told them it was the shifters from Creeksboro.
The full-blood who had attacked Carrie, as well as their leaders Hugh and Rowanna, were among the dead, ending their leadership.
“What should we do with the rest of them?” Chase asked.
“Turn them loose,” Maxwell urged. “It wasn’t their fault they were lied to, but I think they should be allowed to stay here if they want to. Isn’t there an empty ranch next to Shadow Creek? It should be donated to any of them who want to stay.”
“Perhaps they are right about you, Maxwell. That you’ll be a peacekeeper one day,” Brendan said. “But I’m not sure how I feel about just letting them go.”
“I agree,” Raphael stated. “But perhaps we should let the decision be up to the judge. We can’t be looking over our shoulders and worrying about when they’ll turn on us again.”
“We’ll bring in the humans on this,” Brendan told him. “It would be the right thing to do. This affects them, too.”
CHAPTER NINE
Tessa grimaced as Dr. Evans cleaned her wounds and stitched them closed. In the next room was Seth who sustained a chest and shoulder wound. His injuries were much worse than hers, although at the moment, she felt hers were pretty bad.
She frowned because Raphael hadn’t acted like he even cared she was injured. Perhaps he felt she deserved it, or he might just have been too busy with wrapping things up. She didn’t know if the ranches were intact or if they were also attacked. She just hoped Angus was okay since he was like a brother to her.
Katlyn raced inside. “Oh, Tessa, are you okay?”
“I suppose, but my back hurts horribly. Did you see Raphael out there anywhere?”
“He’s at the jail right now. They’re trying to figure out what to do with the remaining full-bloods.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “I had hoped that he’d…oh, never mind. I screwed up big with him and I’m not surprised he’s not here to see me, but I thought he’d at least give a shit that I was injured trying to save the shifters and Creeksboro. He obviously can’t find it in his heart to forgive me.”
“Forgive you for not telling him Jason and Earl were dead and you thought you had killed them?”
“Paige told you?”
“Yes, and okay, perhaps you should have told him, but it’s too late now to change that. The full-bloods were coming no matter what you did. Melody is okay. Maxwell is okay. So ultimately, what you didn’t tell them didn’t hurt anyone.”
“I wish he saw it that way, but Maxwell hates me, too.”
“He’s a child and he was worried about Melody. Give it time; they’ll both come around eventually. There’s just so much to wrap up now.”
“You’re right, but I can’t help but wonder if I had told him what would have happened.”
“I guess there’s no way to know that,” Raphael said from the door.
Katlyn smiled and left, leaving them alone.
“How are you?” he asked stiffly.
Tessa didn’t want to smile, but tears filled her eyes that he was actually there. “Good under the circumstances, I suppose. Can you check on Seth? I’m wondering how he’s doing.”
“I did that already, but he’s been sedated. His injuries aren’t life-threatening, but he’s not out of the woods yet.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Dr. Evans came into the room. “Time to take your temperature again, Tessa.”
He put the monitor into her ear and when it beeped, an alarm sounded.
“I’m not used to treating vampires so I’m not sure if a temp of 85 is good or bad. If you were a human it would be quite bad.”
“Like how bad?” Raphael asked.
“Hypothermia bad. I’ll get some heated blankets and ask Paige. She’s in the waiting room.”
Warm blankets were brought to Tessa, but Paige laughed when she came in. “Well, Tessa. How do the blankets feel?”
“Nice. Raphael wouldn’t climb in bed with me to warm me up.”
Raphael didn’t even crack a smile at the joke, excusing himself as he said, “I need to get Maxwell and Melody home. There�
��s no sense in them hanging around with Seth if he’s sedated.”
“Oh, the children are here?”
“Yes. Don’t take it the wrong way, but Maxwell is still angry at you. I’ll tell them you’re okay.”
When Raphael left, Tessa turned to Paige. “See? I told you the children hated me.”
“I think it’s just Maxwell, but give it time I tell you.”
“C-Can I come back to Shadow Creek? I won’t stay where I’m no longer welcomed.”
“Don’t make any decisions until you’re feeling better.”
Tessa nodded but couldn’t stop the tears, which flowed out of her eyes.
“Oh, Tessa,” Paige soothed. “I’m so sorry this has happened. I feel responsible. I should have told you to tell Raphael what happened and how you couldn’t remember.”
“I-It’s not your fault. I’m the one who made the decision. I had many opportunities to tell the truth, but disregarded them all.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes.”
Tessa doubted what she said. It was impossible for her to think that anything she did or didn’t do would affect how Raphael felt about her anymore.
When Katlyn and Paige left, Tessa cried herself to sleep. Her life was hopeless, and it hurt to love someone so bad who didn’t love her back. She tried not to think about how it felt to be in Raphael’s arms and loved by him. She remembered the first time in the bathtub, how fun it had been and how very erotic. It hurt that it might be the only memories she had of Raphael. She loved the children, both of them. She had no idea that they’d hold a grudge, but she needed to give all of them time to forgive her, if they ever would.
* * *
In the early hours of the morning, Tessa went into Seth’s room. He was snoring and Carrie was asleep in the chair next to him until she opened her eyes.
“How is he?” Tessa whispered.
“Good so far, but he’s been out. I wanted to thank you for getting involved enough in who hurt me to go after them. Seth told me he was the one who killed Jason and Earl, and those poor sheep.”
“So that’s it? I didn’t think I did it. I must have been passed out.”
“Yes, Seth said when he came into the cabin Earl was trying to rape your unconscious body. He saw red and the rest is history.”
“How did he become a shifter like that?”
“I asked him, but he has yet to answer that question. He fell asleep when I asked, actually.”
“Can’t say I blame him. He’s injured quite badly.”
“Paige said he’ll be moved to Shadow Creek tomorrow where she can keep a closer eye on him. She’s really a great person to have around.”
“You have that right. She’s saved me more than once.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Sore. Look, I’m so sorry about not telling anyone Jason was dead. I never even thought Melody and Maxwell would try to go after him.” Tessa sighed. “Maxwell hates me now and Melody, too, probably.”
“I don’t think Melody does at all. She was happy that you got involved. Things will settle down soon.”
“I don’t expect everyone to forgive me so readily, but my heart was in the right place. Had I known where things would go, I’d have told Raphael right away.”
“You’re really too hard on yourself. Believe me, I’ve made too many mistakes to count. Whatever you do, don’t leave Silver Creek. Don’t let Raphael bully you to leave.”
“Thanks. I’ll try to stay, but I can’t stop myself from thinking that nobody at Silver Creek wants me there.”
Tessa went back into her room and stared at the ceiling, only falling to sleep once it was daylight again, which was normal for her.
CHAPTER TEN
Nightfall of the second day, Tessa went back to Silver Creek and Seth was taken to Shadow Creek to recover. She entered her cabin where she was quite alone. A bag of blood was on the table with a glass next to it. Obviously, she wasn’t going to be welcomed to the main house anytime soon.
After she drank a glass, she heard a hesitant knock at the door. When she opened it, Maxwell and Melody were standing there holding a handful of wildflowers.
Tessa took them, smiling slightly and inviting them in. She used a glass as a vase since there wasn’t one and added water to it, setting it on the table where they all sat.
Tessa sat there waiting for Maxwell to speak first, since there was a barrage of emotions coming across his face.
“Stop being a dummy and say something, Maxwell,” Melody demanded before turning to Tessa. “He’s really been a butthead.”
Tessa frowned. “Now, Melody, that’s not very nice. Maxwell doesn’t have to talk to me if he doesn’t want to.”
“I-I don’t hate you,” Maxwell stated. “I was just angry because Melody was taken and I almost was, too, but Uncle Raphael reminded me that you were injured protecting us.”
“And nobody told us to go looking for Jason,” Melody added.
“Still, I should have told you Jason had been dealt with, but I didn’t want to go to jail for killing two humans or worry how your uncle would feel when he found out what I did. I can see now it was the wrong thing to do.”
Maxwell grimaced. “I was the most angry when you told me Mira was a full-blood. I was so angry when you said you killed her. I just had set myself up thinking she was really my mother. It was easier thinking my mother was out there somewhere searching for me, that she was told to leave Silver Creek by Palina.”
“It would have been better if they had told you, but I’m sure Palina had a good reason not to. She was trying to protect you.”
“I-I know that now. It makes me sad to think I’m an orphan.”
“I guess you are in a way, but you have plenty of people who love you, like your uncle, great-grandmother, and an entire pack of werewolves.”
“It’s too bad. Mira really had me fooled. I really thought I was helping her.”
“Yes, and that was very kind of you. That’s a great quality for a future alpha.”
“I don’t understand everything that’s been dumped on me. How am I supposed to go back to Montana one day and become a peacekeeper for both the full-bloods and half-bloods, and who knows what other breeds now.”
“Perhaps they should just call you all werewolves. You each have your own unique abilities and place.”
“They let some of the full-bloods go and live in the ranch next to Shadow Creek. Do you think that’s a good idea or not?”
Tessa interlaced her fingers and set her chin on them, her elbows on the table. “I guess it’s okay as long as none of them hurt anyone.”
“The government sent a few mediators and they were able to sort the good from the bad. With their leadership gone, the rest of the full-bloods gave up.”
“Once they found out the leaders had killed their alpha,” Melody added.
“What else is going on?”
“I think my mom and dad like each other now,” Melody said.
“How do you feel about that?”
“I’m not sure.” Melody paused as if she was lost in thought. “I think it’s okay if my mom makes a real effort to change this time. She does seem much different since she was attacked.”
“Give her time. It’s not going to be an easy road for her but with your dad’s help, she might just surprise you.”
Maxwell hugged Tessa and tears leaked from her eyes. “Th-Thanks for not hating me. I love you both very much,” Tessa said.
“I love you like a mother. I hope you and my uncle patch things up.”
“I don’t know if that’s possible, but I’m open to it.”
Tessa waved at the children when they left and saw Raphael walking toward her with a picnic basket. The sun had nearly gone down, but there was something about Mira’s blood that continued to improve her resistance to daylight, although she didn’t push it too much. She always remembered to wear the clothing Paige had ordered her and a large floppy hat, in black of course. Some thi
ngs never changed. She also seemed to be healing at an accelerated rate.
“What’s the picnic basket for?” Tessa asked.
“For us. You don’t see me with anyone else, do you?” He smiled.
Tessa wasn’t sure what to make of Raphael’s appearance and the offer of going on a picnic with him. He just didn’t seem the picnic type of person.
Tessa grabbed a blanket and joined Raphael as he walked deeper into the woods. Rabbits hopped past, deer lifted their majestic heads, and butterflies flew over the wildflowers. When they went near a stream, Raphael took the blanket and fluffed it out, laying it on the ground.
He patted the blanket as he sat opposite her. When she sat down, Raphael produced a rare steak wrapped in tin foil.
“This one is for you. I like mine a little more well done.”
He continued to take out items from the picnic basket and they soon were munching on potato and noodle salad, chasing it down with wine from a bottle he had also brought. They shared it not from wine glasses, but straight from the bottle. Tessa dumped a good portion on herself and squealed as it was cold.
Raphael reached over and wiped a drop from her lips, his fingers massaging her cheek. “This was hard for me, Tessa. I knew you were hiding something, and I just wish you had felt comfortable telling me what it was. In the end you were never the one who killed those men, but I almost wish Earl could be brought back to life just so I could kill him again.” He frowned. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, and never think that whatever you did would affect how I feel about you. I fell in love with you the first night you were at Silver Creek. The way you were with the children was very heartwarming. Maxwell needs that kind of woman in his life.”
Tessa was struggling for air. Had Raphael just said he loved her?
“I-I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. The way I treated you after you were injured was just awful. I guess I was just so overwhelmed about so many things that I clammed up. I do that when I get overly emotional. Alphas aren’t supposed to be emotional. We protect our mates no matter what, but you were the one protecting us.”
“It wasn’t just me. We all did what we could do to stop the full-bloods.”