Someone must have called her. This was not good. All she needed was for Cody to blame her for his mother learning his bedroom habits.
“It’s not what you think–”
“Stop that now. As if I didn’t see the way you two always stare at each other. I expect both of you for dinner sometime soon.”
“We’ll be there on Friday,” Cody said from behind Misty, his arm circling her shoulders. The voice rolled through her, sending a bolt of pure lust spiraling down her gut.
She shivered and felt his arm tighten around her.
“Friday it is. Bring dessert.” Then she left them alone.
“I wasn’t the one who told her,” she said, turning to him.
“I know.” He leaned down and placed a firm kiss against her lips. “I missed you.” And wasn’t that just perfect?
“I missed you, too,” she managed before his lips swooped down again, this time ravishing hers. His tongue swept inside, burying her under a tidal wave of need. All she could do was grip his shoulders and trust him to see her through.
A couple people around them clapped after they broke apart. A part of her wanted to hit him for the boorish display of possession–he might as well have told the skulk, “hands off, she’s mine.” But another part of her leapt for joy. It wasn’t as strong as marking her, but they had just had sex for the first time last night. To think two nights ago, she’d been ready to leave. All things considered, she’d made remarkable progress.
“Come on. Let’s get this show on the road.” Leading the way, he pulled her into the building and sat her in the first row. The rest of the skulk filed in behind them. Cody took the stage and quieted the crowd.
At first, Cody’s words flew past her as she studied him, devouring him with her eyes. Everything about him showed control. Power simmering just beneath the surface. As a fox, he didn’t have the strength of the wolves or the speed of the cats, but in a fight, she trusted him to hold his own. By whatever means necessary. And he was all hers.
Without warning, the hall exploded in whispered conversations. Misty looked around as tension blanketed the room. Maybe she should have been paying attention instead of ogling Cody.
“Did he say the fire was deliberately set?” Jen asked from her right. When had she gotten there?
“Everyone calm down. We are still investigating the matter. But until we figure this out, we need the whole town to be on alert. If you see anything suspicious, call me, or Brad. For now, it would be best if everyone stick close to home for a few days. Don’t go out of town unless absolutely necessary. If you do leave skulk land, be extra vigilant. That’s all we can do until we have more to work with. As long as we stick together, there’s nothing to fear.”
A sense of peace filled her. Such confidence infused his voice, she had no choice but to believe he would make everything okay. As she looked at the other members of the skulk, she noticed a few worried faces, but most held a trust similar to what filled her. Cody was their Premier, not because he was among the strongest–although he was–but because he inspired confidence. They would all follow him wherever he led.
Chapter 10
“Would you stop fussing? You look fine. It’s just my parents.” Cody grabbed Misty’s hands to still them as she fiddled with her hair.
“Exactly! I’m meeting the parents. I need to look perfect so they’ll like me.” Her eyes were earnest.
“You aren’t meeting the parents. You’ve already met my parents. Last week I saw you and my mother having lunch.”
“But that was last week. Now I’m the girlfriend. If they don’t like me, they could order you to stop seeing me. I need to make a good impression.”
His heart jumped a bit at the word girlfriend.
He shuffled his feet a bit, trying to ignore his discomfort. They’d yet to discuss the terms of their relationship. Considering they’d spent every night together the past week, it wasn’t a leap to call Misty his girlfriend. But something held him back from fully committing. There were questions he needed answered.
“You’re being silly. They already love you. Come on.” He tugged a bit to get her up the porch stairs. As he rang the doorbell, she made a strangled sound, almost as if she were in pain. Amazed, he studied her profile. She really was nervous. Raising her joined hands to his lips, he offered her comfort. Maybe she knew something he didn’t. Should he be nervous?
“There you two are,” his mom said as she opened the door. “Well, come on out of the heat.”
“Hi Mrs.–” Misty began.
But his mother cut her off. “How many times do I have to remind you to call me Mom?”
He rolled his eyes at the shock on Misty’s face. It seemed silly that he’d ever doubted their reception. His mother had treated Misty like a member of the family for years. Things wouldn’t change now that they were an item.
“Your father is waiting in the living room. I’ll just stick this in the kitchen.” And grabbing the pie they’d brought, she disappeared down the hallway.
“She still wants me to call her Mom.” Misty spoke slowly, no doubt considering the implications.
With a smirk, he leaned against the wall and remained silent, letting her come to her own conclusions.
She glanced up, caught the look on his face, and frowned. “Don’t you dare say ‘I told you so.’”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Although of course, he had considered it.
* * * *
Laughter drifted from the direction of the dining room as Cody plunged another plate into the soapy water. It always amazed him that Misty was able to get that kind of laughter out of his father. Although not an uncaring man, his father had always been a bit aloof. Few things made him smile and even fewer made him laugh. But whenever Misty came around, the intimidating facade cracked.
“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” His mother placed more dishes on the counter for him to wash.
“How do you know something’s bothering me?” He thought he’d hidden it pretty well.
“You’re my son,” she said as if that explained it all. And perhaps it did. As his mother, she knew him as well as he knew himself. Maybe better.
“How did you know Dad was your mate?” he asked after a pause.
“The moment I met him, I knew. Of course, we took some time before we tied the knot. It took longer for the human side to fall in love. But my fox knew immediately.”
And there was the root of the problem. Everyone he’d ever spoken to said that their inner animals knew their mates instantaneously. But his fox had recognized Samantha. Not Misty. No matter how drawn to her he felt now, he’d felt nothing until recently. Years had passed before he’d even noticed she wasn’t one of the guys. How could he trust what he felt now? Especially on the heels of meeting and losing Samantha.
“Why?” she asked, pulling his head up until their eyes met.
“I didn’t recognize Misty until recently. How do I know what I feel is real?”
Emotion flooded his mom’s eyes. Sorrow mixed with a touch of pity. He hadn’t meant to be so blunt. But he needed advice. Every night, it got harder to resist bonding with Misty. When he was with her, he felt right. Whole. But mating lasted forever. The bond would never be broken. How could he tie them together without being one hundred percent sure?
“Sometimes, familiarity blinds us and our inner beasts. When you met Misty, you didn’t even know about those needs. It’s possible your fox didn’t connect what it knew before, to what it needed after. But only you can know whether or not she’s the mate for you. Be sure before you act on it, because once you do, there’s no going back.”
Before he could process her words, he saw a figure standing in the doorway. He hadn’t noticed the lack of laughter until then.
“We should get going. I have an early class tomorrow.” The hurt in her voice had him rushing forward.
“Misty…” He grabbed her shoulders.
“Thank you so much for dinner, Mrs. Mattherson. Every
thing was lovely.”
It frightened him that she wouldn’t meet his eyes, staring over his shoulder. How much had she overheard? He squeezed his eyes shut as he scrolled back through the conversation. Shit.
On the ride home, he tried to talk to her but she sat next to him in silence. Even once they’d arrived at her place, she didn’t speak.
Not knowing what to expect, he followed her inside. The only time he’d ever seen her this quiet and composed, she’d shut him out and planned to move away from him.
He had to explain. Needed to do something to take that dazed look off her face. “I was trying–”
“Stop.”
Reluctantly, he complied. At least she wasn’t crying. Although he’d prefer tears to this silence. Why wasn’t she at least raging at him? He’d prefer anything to this eerie silence.
“So you’re still not sure of me, huh?” There was something odd in her voice. Something that had his pulse hammering in his veins and his throat tightening. She didn’t sound sad. She sounded…resigned.
“Misty.” His throat tightened to the point of pain.
“When you came to me last week, I thought you’d realized you loved me as much as I love you.”
His heart skipped a beat before leaping in joy. She loved him. Everything else was forgotten. All that mattered was the woman he was coming to realize meant the world to him, just told him she loved him. The overpowering urge to tell her he felt the same way assailed him.
“I lo–”
“No. I don’t want to hear it. I can’t hear it right now.”
A fresh wave of fear swept over him. This was worse than he thought.
“I keep betting on you, and I keep getting hurt. Just when I’m about to give up, you do something or say something that gives me hope. And if you say those words to me right now, I’ll throw my hat back in the ring–even if you don’t feel the emotion behind the words.”
He tried once again to speak, but she was beyond listening.
“It would be comical if it weren’t so pathetic. To think I even tried to get you drunk so you’d sleep with me. Which is just so fucking stupid.”
Wait. What? “When did you get me drunk?” he demanded, not letting her cut him off this time.
“Movie night a few months ago. I brought over tequila.” She waved her hand absently, her mind already moving onto something else.
He remembered that night. Well, kind of. Vaguely. About an hour in, everything went a bit hazy. Now he knew why.
“We slept together months ago?” His voice rose. How had he forgotten something so monumental?
“No. It didn’t work. I should have known then it never would. A few days later, I went to talk to you and saw her walk out of your bedroom wearing your clothes.”
He didn’t have to ask who she referred to. There’d been no woman in his life for months, except one. With a jolt, he realized there was no longer the aching tug at his heart when he thought about Samantha. She no longer held his heart. Misty did. Everything inside him ached for Misty.
He shook his head, focusing back on the woman he loved and the confession she’d just made. Flashes of them tangled together flitted through his mind. The same images had played through his mind in spurts for months. Not a dream, but a memory.
“I can’t believe you’d try to trick me like that.” It was so unlike the woman he’d known all his life. He wasn’t mad. Not really. But he couldn’t keep the sense of betrayal out of his voice.
“Because you don’t believe I have the guts, or because you find it detestable?”
He wished she’d turn around, look at him. The longer she stood facing away, the more fuel got thrown on the fire. Here he was, trying to work on their problems, and she shut him out. And on top of that, to find out she’d tried to trick him into sleeping with her.
“No, because it was deceitful. I thought we were friends, but friends don’t manipulate each other that way.”
“Friends,” she echoed in a whisper. She turned to him then, staring at him with haunted eyes. “I can’t believe you don’t feel how right we are together. Can’t feel what I feel inside.” She paused, and he watched her chest rise with a deep breath. “Seems we both have a lot to think about. It might be best if you didn’t stay the night.” With that, she turned and walked into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
He could have told her he did realize how perfect they were for each other, but Misty’s emotions were as closed to him as the door between them. Nothing further would be gained tonight. With one last reluctant look at the closed portal, Cody left.
Chapter 11
Misty rubbed her hand over her face as she listened to the woman prattle away. Excuse after excuse. None of this made sense.
“You’re a vet, he’s sick. How can you turn him away?” Hysteria bled into her voice. What was she supposed to do? This was her baby.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we only take domesticated pets. Dogs, cats, birds. We don’t treat foxes.”
Her mind went completely blank. Something was wrong with Oscar, but she didn’t have the first idea what it could be. Without the vet’s help, she was clueless. Why wouldn’t they help her?
“You might try the vet over in Oakville. One of the doctors at that practice used to work at a zoo. He may be able to help.”
Throwing a quick “thank you” over her shoulder, Misty ran outside. Oakville was a bit farther away from town than she wanted to go, especially with all the hoopla about staying close to home, but her options were limited.
When she’d woken up this morning, Oscar had still been asleep. Hours later, he woke, but had still not been his energetic self. She’d known something was wrong. Just known. And she needed help to figure out how to fix it.
Briefly, she’d considered calling Cody, but her wounds from the night before were too fresh. In all honesty, she wasn’t ready to talk to him yet.
No, she’d handle this on her own. Oakville wasn’t that far. She’d get Oscar the help he needed and be back before anyone even missed her. After settling him in the back seat, Misty got back behind the wheel and took off. Everything would be fine.
* * * *
They wanted to keep him overnight. But he would be okay. Misty kept repeating it to herself as she walked out of the vet’s office. He was going to be okay. Her heart could finally return to its normal rhythm.
When she’d gotten home from her early morning class to find Oscar still asleep… She wouldn’t think about that. The vet assured her he would make a full recovery. That was the only thing that mattered. In a few short days, they’d be back in the woods hunting up breakfast. Well, his breakfast. Misty had never understood the appeal. Give her eggs and a muffin over raw rodent any day of the week. She’d just have to watch him more carefully. Make sure he didn’t eat anything he wasn’t supposed to. Who knew acorns were toxic? But the vet suspected eating them had caused the pancreatitis in Oscar. Thank God she’d managed to find him treatment. He was going to be okay.
Now that the drama of the morning had settled, Misty’s spirits soared. Her relief filled every part of her, making her almost lightheaded. There wasn’t even any room left for the resentment she’d felt last night. Maybe she’d call Cody and they could hash things out over lunch.
This morning had given her a bit of perspective. As long as they had their health, everything else would fall into place. She wasn’t willing to be used for sex, but she couldn’t believe that’s what Cody was doing. He cared about her. She knew he did. So if he needed time to figure out his emotions, she’d give him time.
Certainty gave her a sense of euphoria. She felt as if she floated ten feet above the ground. Which might explain how she’d been blind to the swarm of people until they were upon her.
“You think you’re better than us?” one shouted in her ear.
Who were these people, and what were they talking about? She shook her head frantically and tried to deny the accusation, but it was too late.
As if a da
m broke, everyone ran forward, shouting in her ear. Misty slammed back to reality hard. The breath whooshed out of her as she looked around. Frowns marred everyone’s faces. No, frown was too mild a word for the rage reflected in the faces around her.
Trying to get away from the advancing crowd, Misty turned to run back to the vet’s office. To any building. But found more people coming from that direction. Her heartbeat pounded furiously inside her chest as every muscle in her body tightened in fright.
Desperate to escape, she spun in a circle, searching for a path out. All she saw was a sea of angry faces, shouting at her from all directions. They called her bitch, slut, pure bred whore. There was no way out of the mass of furious people.
The anger around her snowballed until she barely understood one word from the next. Frantic to shut out the angry voices, she covered her ears with her hands. But the effort was futile.
Fear threatened to overwhelm her as she found herself surrounded. Ruthlessly, she pushed it down.
A man stood in front of her and when she met his eyes, he spit in her face. She flinched as it hit her cheek. The shock of their hatred had her freezing in shock as tears filled her eyes.
“You stupid bitch!” Someone screamed in her ear right before a hand reached out and yanked on her hair. Pain burst across her skull as another hand wrenched her hair from the other side.
Another flash of pain.
Then she was pulled from all sides. Hands tore at her clothes, at her hair, scratching her without thought.
Misty called for help, but the crowd drowned out her words. With a sob, she begged those around her. They either didn’t hear her or didn’t care.
She turned to try another direction when a hand flew out of the crowd and pushed her. Hard. She stumbled, falling into a body in front of her. The woman she’d fallen into slapped her face with enough force to turn her head. Breath whooshed out of her lungs and her hand flew up to cup the offended flesh. Her cheek tingled with a mix of pain and numbness.
Worth Fighting For (Alpine Woods Shifters) Page 10