The room fell silent. I snuck a glance at Eva and was surprised to see her crying.
“It’s not your fault, Adrian. You couldn’t have known. Besides, you’d be dead too,” Marisa comforted him softly, further evidence of her maturity.
“No. They wanted me alive. Charlotte had seen me come home that day with my backpack and guessed that I was their son; she wanted our money. We lived in a big house, so she knew we must have had plenty.”
“She did all of that for money?” Eva rasped, something that resembled rage flashed in her eyes.
He nodded. “That’s what she does.”
“She died trying to take over my friend’s family business. She had turned a family member into a werewolf and they were trying to get him named in the will,” I added.
Eva’s face was filled with remorse as she looked up at Adrian. “I’m so sorry. I met her the week before. She came into the coffee shop I was working at and realized I was a werewolf. She said she had no friends and we started talking. That was the last I saw of her until she showed up at my apartment with Marisa.”
My phone beeped with a text message and I stood up to check it in Marisa’s room. I needed a break from the emotion that was simmering in the air. I stood next to the window and vaguely noticed a pigeon’s nest on the sill. It cooed as I checked Nate’s text. I shook with anticipation when I read his words. He was here and he wanted the address so he could meet us. I popped my head around the corner of the doorway, peeking into the living room. Marisa was speaking to Eva quietly. I was too distracted to listen. “Eva, what’s the address? My husband’s plane just landed and he’s going to meet me here.”
Her eyes were weary as she told me what I wanted to know. It was as if she was still unsure of us. I could hardly blame her, she trusted a woman ten years ago and look how that turned out.
I typed in the address and went back out to the living room. The room was once again quiet. Adrian was shooting Eva guarded glances. The situation was complicated and on top of everything they had just learned about each other, they were also mated. I hoped they could get past this.
“So what do we do now? Can we go with Adrian?” Marisa asked Eva.
I wanted to point out that since Adrian was her brother and Eva had been keeping them apart all this time, she didn’t really have a say. But since it wasn’t my business, I kept my thoughts to myself.
“You don’t have to ask her. You will be leaving with me.” Adrian’s tone was final, no room for argument.
Eva stood, tipped her head up to glare into his eyes. “I won’t let you take her from me.” Her face was hard, her jaw set.
The air in the room was suddenly thick with tension.
Adrian squared his shoulders, puffing up for a fight. “And you think you can stop me?”
Marisa turned to me, apprehension clouding her face, her eyes were a desperate plea.
Sensing a scene, I stood between them, facing Eva. “He didn’t kill his parents and you’ve been keeping him away from his sister,” I pointed out. “You can’t stop him.”
The anger in her face melted away, leaving only sorrow. “I love her,” was her shaky response. “I have raised her for the last ten years. She doesn’t even know you. I don’t know you.” The tone of her voice was similar to a mother protecting her child and I guess that was how she saw herself. She had taken care of the girl for most of her life. She loved her and would do anything to protect her. Coming from parents who treated me like a burden, I found myself envying Marisa. Eva reminded me of Mona, I wasn’t her child but she treated me like her own. It was strange coming from a girl who appeared to be younger than me. But being a werewolf you couldn’t judge a person’s age by their looks.
“I’m sorry, but now that I have found her you will not keep her from me anymore. She is all I have left of my family. You have no right to her.”
Eva looked speechless as she continued to glare at Adrian. But what could she say? Adrian was right. She may want to keep Marisa, but she had no claim on her.
As the two stared each other down, I caught a whiff of werewolf and my stomach fluttered. My mate was here! Yay!
I rushed to the door, but before I could get to it, it flung open, banging against the wall with a thud.
I gazed at Nate. His grin was wide when he spotted me, but it faded as he shifted his glance to the two other werewolves. His face went white, his eyes awash with confusion and…fear? “Sadie?”
Chapter Ten
A Blast from The Past
I followed his gaze to Eva who was now gaping open-mouthed at Nate. Within seconds, several emotions flitted over her face: surprise, fear and then finally, happiness. Before I could understand what was happening, she was rushing past me and jumping into my husband’s arms. The green monster reared its ugly head for an instant. Who was this girl Sadie and why was she hugging my man? It was stupid to be jealous, I knew that. Nate was my werewolf mate and he could never love anyone the way he loved me. The wolf inside wouldn’t let him. However, knowing those facts didn’t help as I watched a girl I thought was named Eva, now hugging and kissing the man I loved.
When they finally pulled apart, Nate stared at her face with that odd look of confusion and fear. “How are you here?” he whispered, his hand raising up as if to touch her and then closing it into a fist.
She stepped back, out of his arms. “We have a lot to talk about.”
The dazed expression remained. “But…What…How?” He turned his gaze to me, his eyebrows creased, his eyes full of questions.
I shrugged, shaking my head at him. He stepped toward me and reached out to grab my hand. I had missed his touch. It had only been a day and a half since I had felt him, but it seemed like so much longer. When he continued to stare at Eva-Sadie, I squeezed his hand. He turned and grinned sheepishly at me, leaning into kiss me.
“That’s better,” I said when he pulled away, his vivid blue eyes still locked on mine.
“Can we get back to our problem?” Marisa’s voice cut through the giddiness that had flooded my mind since Nate appeared. “Adrian, why can’t she come with us?”
I pulled Nate to the chair I had vacated. He sat down and I perched onto the arm, leaning on his shoulder. I couldn’t not touch him; it was as if I had to make up for lost time. I was pathetic. It had only been thirty two hours, but I couldn’t wait to get him alone. Although gazing at the people around me, with all the unanswered questions and everything up in the air, that wouldn’t be happening too soon.
Adrian nodded toward us. “Hey Nate, this is my sister Marisa.” He pointed to the girl with her long black tresses falling over her one shoulder. “And I guess you know Eva. She’s the one who’s been keeping her from me.”
Nate turned to whatever her name was, as she returned to her seat, she tucked the gun under the material of her skirt. “Eva?”
Her lips twitched, as if she was attempting to smile, but couldn’t quite follow through with it. “I changed my name.” Her tone of voice sounded like an apology.
Nate’s jaw locked, his eyes flashed with determination. “What is going on? Tell me how you are here.”
She finally smiled, but it was edged with guilt. “Can you wait just a few more minutes?”
He sighed and squeezed the hand I was holding. “Fine. But Sadie.” He pointed a demanding finger at her. “I want answers.”
“I know, but first we have to settle what to do about Marisa.”
Adrian stepped forward, glaring at the girl that was both his mate and tormentor. “She is coming with me, there is nothing to discuss.”
“Adrian, please let her come. She can live with us.” Marisa stood up and stared into her brother’s eyes, her voice pleading. The only thing missing from her sentence was a droopy lip and the word pretty please.
I knew the moment he caved. His shoulders slumped and he pursed his lips. “Fine, she can come back to Creekford, but she can find her own place to live. You will be staying with me on the Riley Estate.” He turn
ed to Nate. “Is Joe’s place still available?”
Nate nodded. “He comes home sometimes for holidays with Lauren, but he can stay at the main house.”
“No, I want her to live with us,” Marisa whined showing her age for the first time since we had found her.
“Mari.” There was a lot of frustration in that one word. “She kept you from me. I can’t live with her.”
Marisa pouted and was about to continue to argue when Eva stopped her. “Marisa, it’s okay. Give him some time to get to know me. I’m fine with just being in the same city as you.”
Marisa folded her arms in front of her and plopped back down onto the sofa, dust flew up into the air as she landed, but she didn’t protest any longer.
Eva glanced at Nate who was still staring at her as though she was a ghost. I really wanted to know how they knew each other and why he was so shocked to see her.
“Um…Marisa, why don’t you go and pack up your things.” Eva-Sadie suggested eyeing Nate wearily.
“I am packed. We just got here, remember?”
“Well then go with your brother and start loading the car.”
She obviously wanted to be alone with Nate and Adrian picked up on that. “Okay kiddo, let’s get your stuff.” He held out a hand for Marisa to take.
She glanced at the hand he had stretched in front of her and then looked up into his eyes as she reached out, allowing him to pull her off of the sofa. “You know, you can’t call me kiddo when you only look a few years older.”
I couldn’t help the laugh that snuck out of me.
Adrian’s lip curled. “So, Eva’s turned you into a wise guy, has she?”
Marisa giggled as she let go of her brother and began to follow him into her room.
Once they were gone, Eva-Sadie turned to Nate. “I faked my death.” Her small sentence fell out of her mouth like an anvil. The weight those four words carried seemed to suck all the sounds from the room. I was frozen next to the man I loved, not truly understanding what was happening. Nate’s face was blank, as if what Sadie had just told him had taken away all his emotions…and words apparently. He only stared at her. I didn’t even think he blinked for several seconds.
Finally, after what seemed like days, he breathed in deeply and his face went red. Then in lightning speed he jumped up, making me fall into the chair. “You what?” he yelled, shock and anger lacing his words. “How? Joe said your heart was shattered. He buried you and when I was well enough I cremated your remains.”
She took a deep breath. “He lied.”
Nate’s eyes popped out of his head as they turned yellow. He balled his hands into fists and clenched his teeth. I had a feeling that if Joe was here right now, his face would be connecting to those balled-up fists. “He what?” His words were a low growl. “Why?”
“Because, I asked him to.”
“Why would you do that?” he asked her incredulously.
“The bullet landed right above my heart, similar to yours and Joe was able to get it out. When I woke up, you were still asleep. I asked Joe what had happened and he didn’t know. He said he came by to meet you and found us unconscious and dying from silver bullets lodged near our hearts.”
Nate ran his hand roughly through his pale blond hair. “I cannot believe this is happening.”
I had been silent long enough. “Uh Nate, are you going to introduce us?”
He glanced at me as if he just remembered I was in the room. “Oh,” he murmured. “I’m sorry, Meg. This is Sadie, my friend that I told you Rowan killed. I guess I was wrong. And Sadie this is my mate, who is also my wife.”
The smile that crossed Sadie’s face was pure sunshine. Her whole face lit up. She looked so different from Eva who had been fighting for her child. It was like she had multiple personalities. “You found your mate?” Nate nodded, returning the smile and a private look between them. “I’m so happy for you?”
Nate’s smile faded. “Thank you. Now continue please. I can’t believe Joe has been lying to me for fifty years.”
She gazed up at him from her perch on the sofa. “First, tell me who Rowan is and how do you know he was the one who shot us?”
“Because I saw him point the gun and shoot you and then aim for me. It happened so quickly I didn’t have time to react.” He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, they were back to blue. “He was the one who killed my father.”
Her expression fell and she closed her eyes. She held her face in her hands, wisps of dark hair threaded through her fingers. “I can’t believe I wasted fifty years for nothing.”
“What do you mean?” He paused, as Adrian and Marisa came out of her room holding boxes. Adrian glanced at me curiously. Clearly wanting to know what was happening. He must have heard the conversation, but without knowing the background, he’d be confused. I barely understood. I mouthed the words ‘I’ll tell you later’ before they disappeared out into the hall. Marisa’s chatter echoed through the closed door.
Sadie sat up and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “I thought it was someone who was after Miles.”
“Miles? The man who made you a werewolf?”
She nodded sadly. “Yes, his name is Sebastian Mears and he’s been searching for him for a long time, he found him once when I was with him. We barely got away. I thought it was him at your house. I thought he was after me, so I could lead him to Miles. I didn’t want to get you involved, so I convinced Joe to help me disappear. I told him that if you were to stay near me, you’d be in danger.”
I couldn’t believe that Joe lied to Nate for so long. They were best friends and he kept something this big from him for over fifty years. I hoped Nate could forgive him.
“Why is this Sebastian after Miles?”
“Like you, Miles was turned by a selfish, sadistic werewolf. And he tried to get Miles to be like him. The man and his gang went out on a full moon and attacked some hikers—a man and two teenagers. One teenager was killed and the man was bitten. Sebastian’s friend, Aiden King, was the one that was killed. Sebastian and Aiden’s father got away.”
Nate’s eyes snapped to Sadie. “What did you say?”
“I said Sebastian and Aiden’s father were the two that survived.”
“What did you say Aiden’s last name was?”
Sadie narrowed her eyes. “King. Why?”
Nate’s face softened. “No reason.”
There was something odd in her whole explanation. Nate had werewolves in his life that wanted to harm him. He was afraid for the people he loved, but never afraid for himself. But Sadie looked terrified…of a human? “Can I ask you something Sadie?” I spoke up for the first time since she began her explanation.
She nodded her answer.
“Why are you running from a human? You’re a werewolf. I know many and I’ve never met one that would be afraid of anyone. We are stronger and no match for a normal person.”
Her eyes washed with an emotion I didn’t recognize. “I never said he was a human.”
Now I was confused. “You said the father was bitten by the werewolf, not the second teenager.”
She paused, wringing her hands together. Whatever she was about to tell us, she really didn’t want to. “Years after the attack, Sebastian…changed.”
I glanced at Nate, confused by her cryptic answer. He shrugged, clearly as baffled as I was. “Changed? Into what?” I asked.
She sighed, shifting glances between the hall, the window, to Nate and then to me. She turned the mood ring on her finger and jiggled the leg that was hidden beneath the long flowing skirt. She obviously was not comfortable with my questions.
She stood up and looked out the window. I assumed she was making sure Marisa was still safely outside. Finally she turned around and faced us. Her expression was determined, but it was also underlined with fear.
Nate was now standing next to me with his hand settled on my shoulder. His touch made my skin tingle.
“He’s a vampire,” she whispered.
&
nbsp; Chapter Eleven
Vampires
Once again I gaped at Sadie, the girl who appeared to be a few years younger, wearing a tank trimmed with lace and a messy braid. “You’re not serious? You actually believe in vampires?”
She raised an eyebrow at me. “Tell me again what the three of us in this room are?” When I only rolled my eyes in answer, she went on. “As a werewolf I’d think you wouldn’t be surprised that other supernatural species exist.”
I turned to Nate. “Did you know they existed?”
He held his breath for a moment and let it out slowly, reminding me of a deflating balloon. “Yes,” he answered softly. “There aren’t many and they value their privacy. They don’t like to be spoken of.” That explained why Sadie was so nervous when I asked what Sebastian was.
“Did Miles kill his friend?” I asked, because if he did maybe he deserved what he got. I know Charlotte did. However, Nate had killed two men in his life and I would fight to the death to save him from the same fate.
Sadie shook her head. “No. Miles is a doctor and he strives to help people. He would never do that. Like I said, his maker was sadistic and wanted Miles to follow him. He had three other werewolves with him and they forced him to go to that forest on the full moon. But when they attacked the humans he refused to be involved.”
“Why didn’t you just tell Sebastian that?”
She laughed without humor. “He didn’t exactly give us a chance. Vampires are more of an act-first type of people. He is determined to kill all the werewolves that were there without question. I’m not sure he’d care if he knew the truth.”
Riley's Redemption (A Moon's Glow Novel) Page 9