I sat up in bed as the smell of bacon and eggs drifted into the room. As I climbed out of bed, pulling on a pair of gray yoga pants, I remembered what happened in the night and what I had learned. Since we had company, I brushed my hair and then walked out to see who was cooking.
I was surprised that Nate wasn’t alone in the kitchen. Joseph was making toast and taking plates out of the cupboard.
I turned around at the sound of Lauren’s door opening. She yawned, wearing a pink tank top and cotton shorts. She had gone home a few days ago to get some things. She looked sleepy, like she had just gotten out of bed, but her hair was brushed and it looked like she was wearing makeup. “I smell food. I’m starving.”
Nate turned to me and smiled warily. “Good morning.”
“Sit down, girls, breakfast is ready,” Joe announced as he set the plates and silverware on the table, going back to the kitchen for the toast. He sat down between Lauren and me. Nate carried the food over and set it on the table in front of us.
I avoided Nate’s searching eyes as I dipped my toast into my egg yolk. “How did everyone sleep?” Lauren asked, sensing the tension.
I just continued to eat, but heard Joe answer. “I slept like a log. Nate, your couch is so comfortable.”
I looked up at him. “Really, you slept like a log? You didn’t get up in the night at all?” I asked, challenging him.
His cheeks reddened slightly as he fidgeted in his seat. “Nope.”
Nate stared at me with sad eyes. “Megan.” His tone of voice made my name alone sound like a scolding.
“So, what’s going on today?” Lauren asked, glancing at each of us.
When no one spoke she cleared her throat and continued to eat.
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I think I’ll go and spy through people’s windows.” Everyone’s eyes fell on me.
“Did I miss something?” Lauren asked me.
“Could I see you in the bedroom?” Nate asked, standing up and holding out his hand for me to take.
“No, I’m not finished eating,” I answered defiantly, avoiding his eyes.
“Then eat quickly.” He was annoyed now.
I took my time finishing off my toast, taking slow bites. Everyone else was finished and was cleaning up the dishes. As soon as I took my last bite, Nate was there picking up my plate. He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the bedroom, tossing my dish into the sink as we walked by. “Excuse us, we won’t be long. Help yourselves to the main washroom shower,” he yelled to Joseph and Lauren as he slammed the bedroom door. When he turned around to face me I was lying on the bed looking out at the lake.
“Will you talk to me, please?” I felt the bed dip when he sat down on the other side.
“What’s there to talk about? You spied on me for years. Who knows what you saw. But I just have to accept it because I’m in love with a werewolf.” I didn’t look at him, just continued to stare out the window.
“If you think I watched more than you sleeping, fully covered by your blankets, you’re wrong and you don’t know me at all.”
I spun my head around to face him. “I thought I knew you, but the Nate that I fell in love with would never spy on me,” I yelled.
He jumped off the bed and rushed over to sit on the edge of the bed beside me. His hands held each side of my head making me look at him. “Listen to me. Sit up and listen to me.” His tone had me doing exactly what he said, but I still refused to look him in the eye. “Your problem is that you think it’s not normal to watch someone else sleep. It’s not normal to worry about the person they love so much that it almost kills them to be away from her. Your problem is that you think I’m normal. I’m not.” I glanced up at him briefly. His eyes were yellow, his face intense. “Do you know anything about wolves?” I shook my head and he continued. “Last week you called Lauren over here because you could see how agitated Joe was without her. Did you think his behavior was typical, or did you know that was a werewolf thing?”
“I thought it was a werewolf thing.”
“And you told me before that you could understand why I killed those people, after I explained a wolf’s perspective. But can’t you understand that when we find our mates that it’s the wolf in us that found you? I smelled your scent, that’s how I knew. The wolf in me only thinks of keeping you safe, only to be with you. That’s it. It doesn’t think of personal space or if it’s appropriate to stare in your window. There is no gray area for a wolf, only black and white. He has his mate and he wants to be with her. It was hard enough to stay away from you as a human, but as a wolf I couldn’t. I’m sorry I upset or deceived you, but this is what I am.” He looked away for a few seconds and when his eyes turned back to mine they were once again blue and full of sadness. “I can’t change that.”
“But what about our agreement to be honest? You told me there would be no more secrets. And yet I had to find out because I caught Joe doing it. How do you think it makes me feel, first of all that you watched me and then that you didn’t tell me?”
“I did tell you and not just because you found Joe doing it. I could have kept quiet, but because of our agreement I told you, even though I was afraid you’d react this way.” He stopped talking and sighed, running his hand through his hair. “Can you forgive me?” When I only looked away, he stood up and walked over to the door. “If you don’t want to be with me because I’m not human, I understand. I love you and I want you to be happy, even if it’s not with me.”
“I need some time alone,” I blurted, without thought.
He spun around, his face weary. “What do you mean?”
I wasn’t sure what I meant. I hadn’t even meant to say those words, but now that they were out, having time alone to think sounded like a good idea. “I need to think and it’s hard to do that with you werewolves in the cottage. Can you two go to the main house and I’ll meet you up there?”
He shook his head, his face hard. “No. I will not leave you alone.”
“I won’t be. Lauren will be here and you can leave the gun.” His face softened a little, making me think he was considering it. “We could even call when we’re on our way and you can watch from the house. Please, I need time,” I pleaded, now feeling desperate. The more I thought about it, the more it was true. Everything that was coming at me was hard to digest and I hadn’t had any privacy to truly do that.
His eyes were tortured. He didn’t want to leave me but I knew he would, because I begged him. “Fine, as long as one of you carries the gun and make sure you call me.”
I sighed with relief. “I promise.”
“After I check the area, Joe and I will go. If I smell his scent, I’ll be back.” He paused as if the idea of leaving me unguarded was more than he could bear, but he would because I needed him to. He took a deep breath as if making a decision. “I’ll lock the doors when I leave. Stay away from the windows.” With that he walked out, shutting the door behind him.
I stood up and leaned against the patio door watching the two werewolves climb into Nate’s car. Just before he pulled away he looked up and into my eyes, as though he could sense me watching him. He nodded and then pulled away.
I watched his car disappear and, remembering last week when Rowan came through this room, I checked the lock.
Staring at the lake, I wondered what was wrong with me. I was sure that I had accepted who he was. I thought that I loved every part of him. But did I? If I did, would I get upset every time I learned something new?
I thought about the three things that bothered me so far; that he had sniffed me out, that he called me his mate and that he had been watching me for years. I knew what he meant about animal instincts. They were about survival. Like Lauren said about the mother bear protecting its cub. They don’t wonder if what they are doing is right or wrong, they just act. I understood this in theory and I thought I had accepted Nate for what he was. I loved him so much. But did I love the shell of him, the part that looked human, like a normal teenager. Or did I
love him, the person he was inside? Because if I loved him, I had to love everything that he was. If I accepted this new information and got past it I had to stop getting upset every time I learned something else about him that was different. Like he said, he wasn’t human and there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
Could I let him go and try to find someone normal, someone like Brandon? Could I look into another guy’s face and feel the same way? I gazed out at the lake, watching the waves crash against the shoreline, trying to picture this. Finally, I had my answer and I needed to tell him as soon as possible. But first I had to get dressed.
I raced into the bathroom, having a quick shower and dressing so fast I wasn’t sure if I put on my clothes or Nate’s.
Out in the living room Lauren was reading a magazine. She had showered and was wearing a yellow sundress. “Let’s go to the main house. I need to talk to Nate.” I rushed past her, sliding my feet into my sandals and opened the door. “Grab the gun!” I yelled over my shoulder.
Lauren tossed the magazine onto the table and picked up the gun Nate had left. She held it at her side using the tips of her fingers to hold it, obviously uncomfortable.
“Are you okay? He said you two had a fight,” she asked once we were outside on the porch.
“Yes. But I feel better now.” I raced down the steps, almost tripping. I was desperate to tell him my news and I couldn’t get to him fast enough.
As we climbed into her car, she told me about a conversation with Joe she had the night before. “I think he was about to admit he liked me, but when I got a text from my father he clammed up again.” She sighed, hitting the steering wheel with frustration. “Now, I know how you felt when Nate wouldn’t admit what he felt. God, Joe is gorgeous. Has he said anything to you about me?”
“No,” I lied, unable to say any more. I was preoccupied with my decision and I couldn’t think about Lauren’s problems. I had enough of my own at the moment. We’d have to deal with hers later.
Lauren parked behind Nate’s car. She climbed out, the gun once again in her hand. I saw Nate turn away from the living room window. As I followed Lauren, I tripped on a rock and fell behind.
I was about to walk past the edge of the house when I felt a pull and was yanked around the corner. A large warm hand covered my mouth and the other was tightly wrapped around my arm.
“Tell her to go in without you, or I will kill her,” I heard a deep voice whisper from behind me. His now familiar scent frightened me. I had a feeling that the pungent, feral smell was from his desire to kill me. “If you believe me, nod your head.” I believed he’d do anything right now to finish what he’d started, so I nodded.
When I took a deep breath, he let go of my mouth, but held onto my right hand. I stepped around the corner. “Lauren, go on without me. I forgot my purse in the car.” She turned around and glanced at me, confused.
I smiled so she wouldn’t feel she had to wait. “Okay, but hurry up.” She climbed the steps and disappeared into the house with the gun.
I was yanked back around the corner and shoved in the darkness behind the bushes. Rowan was gripping my wrists with enormous strength. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you yet. I have plans for you.” His eyes gleamed with need and I knew what he had planned for me would be horrible. Bile formed in the back of my throat and a lump of terror knotted in my stomach. I wanted to stomp on his foot and run, but I knew he’d catch me. He peered around the back corner of the house. Since the coast was clear he swung me over his shoulder and took off running toward the woods behind the house. I tried to think of a way out of this, but I knew anything I did would only make it worse. So I lay still and made no sound, his shoulder digging into my stomach with every movement. I felt the sudden urge to vomit.
Just as he was about to run through the trees, I heard a voice. “Stop, Rowan, or I will kill you.” Rowan froze and turned around.
Nate stood in the center of their well-manicured lawn pointing the gun at him. He smiled viciously. “Put her down.”
“I don’t think so.” He started to turn away. A shot rang out and a bullet pierced the tree beside his head. He turned around and laughed. “Are you serious? You think a bullet will kill me?”
Nate nodded toward the tree. “Look at it.”
Rowan hesitated, but leaned over to examine the bullet. He reached for it and when his fingers touched it his skin sizzled. “Silver,” he hissed as he pulled his finger back.
“You’re not the only one who can find silver bullets. Put her down, or I will shoot you.”
Rowan wavered as Nate walked slowly toward us. He glanced at Joe, who stood with his arms poised at his sides ready to fight and then he looked back at Nate. The gun was steady in his hands, a look of pure hate and determination in his eyes.
Rowan made a low puffing sound and then threw me. Wind whipped against me as I was flung incredibly fast up into the air. I closed my eyes and screamed. I didn’t want to see what I landed on.
My scream was cut off with an “Umph” as I landed safely in someone’s arms. I knew who caught me before I opened my eyes. The strong, firm arms were familiar. I opened my eyes and saw Nate staring down at me with a look of relief and guilt.
When we turned around we saw that Rowan was gone.
“I won’t lose him this time,” Joseph yelled running after Rowan.
I wrapped my arms around him tightly and when he sat me down on a chair on the patio he had to pry my arms apart. I felt his hands on my face. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head, but didn’t speak.
“I’m so sorry I left you. It doesn’t matter if you were mad at me, you should have been right by my side. From now on I’m not leaving you. You got that? You’re stuck with me.”
I looked up at him and smiled. “I’m okay with that.”
He sighed, yanking me into his arms and hugging me tightly. “Oh God, I thought I’d lost you. When Lauren came in and told us she was sure he was out there, I panicked.”
“Lauren knew I was lying?” I asked, my voice muffled by his shoulder.
“She said you told her you were going to get your purse, but she knew you didn’t bring one. Is that why you said it?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t sure if she would understand.”
We heard the sound of someone running in the woods. Nate pulled me up and shoved me behind him.
Joseph came out of the trees. “I lost him. It was like he ran around in circles so I was chasing trails that led to other ones.” He turned to me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Yes, he didn’t hurt me, just jostled me around on his shoulder.”
Nate took my hand and led me to the house.
Chapter Thirty-one
Determined
Once we were inside, Lauren burst out of the office. “Are you all right, Megan?”
“Yes, thanks to you.” I let go of Nate’s hand as I was pulled into a tight hug from Lauren. The smell of her papaya shampoo was comforting.
“I’m so glad you’re not dead. I was afraid when I heard the shot outside, but Dad wouldn’t let me go out.”
I gave her another hug then turned to Nate. “Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
“Sure, come into the den.” He took my hand, leading me to a doorway near the front door. I saw Joseph and Lauren head into the office as Nate closed the door behind us.
The walls were lined with awards won by Will and the company. A few were Lauren’s, from what looked like soccer and baseball when she was a child. On the other side were shelves lined with trophies with the name Nathan Riley scrawled on the front. Lauren’s brother, whom I had yet to meet since he was away at summer camp.
Nate sat down on the edge of a plush burgundy chair as I prepared what I wanted to say.
I spun around with my hands clasped together. “I’m sorry about earlier. You said I have to decide if I love you as a whole, because you can’t change what you are, right?”
“Yes and it�
��s true, but since you were almost taken from me I can’t bear to be without you.” He stood up and his arms went out, about to wrap them around me.
I raised my hand to stop him, I wasn’t finished. “I will accept what you are, even the weird things. I have to. I love you and I’m not willing to give you up either.” He smiled, taking a step closer. I took a step back. His smile disappeared. “But, you have to remember you’ve been dealing with this for what? One hundred and twenty years? I’ve only known for a few weeks. You’re going to have to get used to me freaking out at something strange, but that doesn’t mean that I will leave you. Eventually this werewolf thing will be normal to me. But for now, you have to accept that I might not always be okay with everything.” He smiled, his face turning from worry to pure joy. I stepped toward him until I was standing a couple feet away. “I don’t want someone normal. I want you.”
He laughed. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” He took my hand, drawing me to him. “That sounds good to me, because I’m sorry, you can’t go anywhere. Like I said before, you’re stuck with me.”
“And like I said before, I’m okay with that.” We grinned at each other, knowing that nothing could tear us apart.
He leaned in to kiss me with a desperate need, holding on to me tightly, as if someone was going to rip me out of his arms.
Just as we were about to take things further, the door swung open and Joe and Lauren stepped in. Lauren had a portable phone in her hand.
“Sorry for interrupting, but Mona’s on the phone,” she said, handing me the phone. I had given her this number if she couldn’t reach me any other way.
Nate let me go, sitting back down on the chair.
“Hello?”
“Hey, girl, there’s mail for you and I just made brownies. Why don’t you and Nate come for a visit?”
After almost being abducted by a deranged werewolf, speaking to Mona felt like a different life. And picking up mail and eating brownies sounded very trivial. But maybe that’s what I needed. “Sure, sounds good. We’ll be over soon.” I hung up, glancing at everyone in the room. “Who wants brownies? Mona says I have mail and she just took a batch out of the oven. Who’s in?”
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