by Olivia Gayle
Ever turned to Aidan. “Am I flying some giant freak flag I can’t see?” she asked, throwing her hands up into the air. “Do I stink? Because just about everybody in this town but my landlady has treated me like I’m some flipping boogeyman!”
“We’re a small town,” Aidan said, shrugging and buttoning his shirt. “Takes a while to trust outsiders.”
“Outsiders?” Ever stared at him incredulously. “Is this… Are you some…” Cult? She couldn’t finish the sentence, and just made another angry sound. “Come on, let’s go find that lead.”
The faster Ever put this stupid town behind her, the better.
Chapter 9
The woman beside him was a distraction, more so because Aidan’s mind kept going back to earlier that morning and his delicious wake-up.
“Are you even watching the road?”
The waspish question from the woman beside him made Aidan realize he’d been driving over the bumps on the outside edge of the road for a while. He pulled back into the middle of his lane and murmured, “Sorry.”
Beside him, Ever sighed. “No, I’m sorry for being snappy. I’ve just got a lot on my brain.
Join the club. “You and your sister weren’t close?”
She shook her head. “Once upon a time we were, but time and different circumstances pulled us apart.” She peered gloomily out the window. “Life sure enjoys its curveballs.”
The need to ask questions and get to know her was strong, but Aidan kept his mouth shut. He could interrogate a suspect for hours on end, but every time he opened his mouth with his mate he only shoved his foot deeper. As much as he wanted to tell her, there was never a right time.
After all, how did one go telling a human from the mundane world that there were such things as shapeshifters?
“Tell me though, what’s up with this town? Why is everyone so weird?”
Well, there was as good an opening as Aidan could expect. Still, he stalled. “How do you mean?”
She gave him a dirty look, but answered anyway. “When I went looking for a house, the first four places I visited shut me down hard. Like, I’d step out of my car and barely say hello before they’d tell me the house was taken, or otherwise unavailable.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t that…”
“Four times,” she interrupted over his excuses. “In a row, one right after the other. They’d look at me, screw up their noses like I stunk, and send me on my merry way. And then there’s that woman at the hotel, Carly, her reaction when you introduced me. Seriously, do I like have a wanted poster plastered around town? She looked almost scared of me.”
“Some people in Arcadia like their privacy.”
The scathing glare Ever gave him could have peeled paint, and Aidan knew he had to tell her. She’d get to the bottom of it eventually, or see an errant child Shift. It had been close with little Amanda, and perhaps that would have been easier.
Ever seemed like a realist. Even if he told her the truth, she’d probably need physical proof. A child was one thing, but having her see him turn into a giant bear might scare her off. Permanently.
He couldn’t risk that.
“So where are we going anyway?”
“To talk to the owner of that house your sister lived in. Well, what’s left of it anyway.”
“We should have gone last night, that information must have been found easy enough.”
“It was after eight when we left my father’s house.”
“I don’t care who I have to wake up if it means my sister OH MY GOD!”
The last words were screamed as a truck right in front of them suddenly moved fully into their lane. Aidan hit the brakes, and at the last minute swerved to the right. The truck followed, clipping the front bumper and sending the patrol vehicle into a tailspin.
Straight into the deep embankment alongside the road.
All the airbags deployed the moment the bumpers collided, but that didn’t help as the car tipped sideways, then they were rolling. Aidan heard Ever’s scream over the shattering of glass and metal, then he blacked out.
When he came to, they were stopped, but top down in the thick wet grass. Aidan groaned, blinking his eyes blearily and touching his skull. It came away bloody, but he knew his name at least so hopefully that would heal up quickly. He moved around, testing his body, and found that his legs were pinned beneath the dash. Putting his hands on either side of the steering wheel, he pushed and heard plastic crack, but the damned console wouldn’t budge.
The smell of gasoline and oil surrounded him, as well as grass, mud and blood, not his own. The last one startled him, and with a rush he remembered his passenger. His fragile human passenger.
“Ever,” he wheezed as smoke filled the cab. He looked over to see her passed out in the passenger seat beside him, a red gash on her forehead dribbling blood into her hairline. One cheek was puffy, likely from where she hit the airbag, but she wasn’t responding to his shakes. Gas and oil had been lit somewhere nearby, and it was only a matter of time before it engulfed the car.
The dash wasn’t budging, even when he pushed at it with his free leg. His seatbelt held him inside the vehicle, and unhooking that he lowered himself gently to the roof. His leg wasn’t broken, just stuck, and nothing he did seemed to help.
More smoke was billowing inside the cab, choking Aidan. Ever began coughing, although her eyes stayed closed. He’d need to do something fast or neither of them might make it.
His preternatural strength in bear form was easily four times that in his human form, and Aidan was out of time. He kicked off his shoes and started the Shift, the change rippling up his body. Socks split, torn asunder by the sharp claws, and the car shifted as his wedged foot grew as well. This time the dash caved in easily, giving him a handhold so he could stick a paw in and peel up the crumpled dash keeping him bound.
The door was nothing to the bear; he pushed it out onto the grass and climbed out of the car, coughing in bear form. He didn’t waste any time however, shuffling quickly to the other side of the car. Grabbing the passenger door, he tore it off its hinges, tossing it out toward the street as he reached inside.
As carefully as his form would allow, he pried the opening free and cut the belt holding Ever in place before pulling her out. She was limp in his arms, and he didn’t wait to change back into human form. Tucking her under one arm, he ran on three legs away from the car, putting as much distance from it as he could.
Just in time, too. There was a loud explosion, and the shock wave made Aidan stumble. He fell sideways, pulling Ever into a bear hug, and rolled over to his side, shielding her from the blast. Bits of metal and burning shards hit him but nothing horrible, so he dragged himself a little further and looked back.
The car was on fire, the blaze scorching the overhanging trees. Aidan needed to call it in, then realized that his belt radio, along with his phone, had been shed along with the rest of his clothes, and was on fire with the rest of the car’s belongings. They were out in the middle of nowhere, with no way to call for help.
Lying Ever down on the wet grass, Aidan stood on his hind legs and scanned both directions of the road. The truck that had hit them was nowhere to be seen. That didn’t mean the danger was over, but at least he wouldn’t have to deal with more enemies. The bear was ready to do battle, enraged that its mate had been hurt.
Aidan echoed the sentiment.
Ever wouldn’t likely find any comfort if she woke up with a bear standing over her, so he knew he needed to shift back into human form. Aidan had no idea how he’d explain being naked after the crash; maybe his clothing had caught fire and he shed them? He’d figure that out when the time came.
The shift lasted only a handful of seconds, and Aidan’s human skin felt the prickle of cold more keenly than the bear. Even the heat of the burning car wasn’t enough to cast any warmth. Aidan knew if he was chilled then the fully human Ever was going to feel it even more.
He needed to get her to shelter, at least off the
wet grass.
Turning around, he moved to gather her in his arms when he realized her eyes were open. Wide open, and staring up at him in horror. With a jolt, he realized she’d probably been awake to see his Shift from bear to human.
Dammit, this wasn’t how he’d wanted to let her know.
“Ever…”
Drawing in a deep breath, his mate opened her mouth and screamed bloody murder.
Chapter 10
Ever crawled backwards over the ground, eyes never leaving Aidan’s naked form. Her hands and feet slipped on the wet grass but that didn’t stop her.
“Wait, we need to talk.”
Fuck that! Jumping to her feet, she turned tail and bolted sideways into the forest.
“Ever!”
She ignored Aidan’s yell, too caught up with running. The trees weren’t dense here, but brambles and undergrowth were in places. Ever ran blindly, not caring about the twigs and branches that pulled at her clothes and scratched her skin.
There was no way what she saw was real. No way. And yet, she’d seen it with her own eyes. She’d freaking felt the fur and claws.
Oh yeah, running like hell seemed a perfectly viable option.
She didn’t know she was being pursued until an arm wrapped around her belly, pulling her up short. Ever screamed again, expecting to feel the same furred claws, but only found a very human arm. She kicked backwards, thrashing in Aidan’s grasp, but he was like a rock. Nothing she did seemed to make a dent.
“I’m not your enemy,” he said in a low voice, grunting when one of her elbows connected with his ribs. “I’d never hurt you, I promise.”
Ever stopped fighting, but couldn’t control the trembling in her body. She refused to look at him as he set her back onto her feet, but neither did she run away again. “What the hell are you?” she asked in a low voice, staring at a nearby bush.
Aidan sighed. “You know what a werewolf is?”
This time she finally looked at him incredulously. “That wasn’t a wolf,” she said, pointing back the way they’d come. At least, she thought that was the right direction. Her voice sounded shrill to her ears but she didn’t care. “Whatever that was…you were not a wolf, you were…FUCK.”
He didn’t answer her and Ever started to pace. She had too much nervous energy to stay still now that she wasn’t running, the adrenaline still flooding her system. Her thoughts were too jumbled to form any coherent words so she gestured wildly, indicating size and shape and teeth, and pointing at Aidan.
But it was insane. Completely, and utterly, insane. He’d said werewolf, which didn’t exist, and yet… “Tell me I’m not hallucinating,” she murmured, sinking to a crouch and covering her eyes with shaky fists.
“You’re not insane.”
Aidan’s voice was gentle, but the words did nothing to calm her nerves. “So I really saw you change from a bear back there,” Ever said, still not quite believing the words coming out of her mouth.
Beside her, the man sighed. “Yes.”
“Oh, lovely.” Ever’s voice cracked on the second word. Aidan’s words weren’t a comfort, but at least she wasn’t alone in her delusion. Or, maybe it was delusional for her to believe the delusion, when both her eyes and the man in question had told her otherwise.
Gah. So confusing.
“Okay,” she said, blinking her eyes open, “so you’re saying that you changed into a bear…” Her words trailed off as she just stared. “Um, you’re naked.”
“It’s a side effect of the Change, especially as a bear.” Aidan cocked his head to the side, watching her curiously. “Clothing doesn’t usually make it.”
Well. So apparently modesty wasn’t high on his list of priorities. Noted. Clearing her throat, Ever stood quickly, tearing her eyes off his junk and looking back into his face.
It was a very human face. So hard to believe it had been a bear at one point.
“So.” She didn’t know what to say. Either she believed him, or she didn’t. Right then, she wasn’t sure what she believed, but there were other things to worry about. “You need clothes.”
Aidan looked down at himself, utterly unabashed, and shrugged. “Probably.”
It was something mundane that Ever’s mind could latch onto. “You have any in the car?”
She didn’t realize what she’d said until she saw his cringe and remembered the twisted, explody wreck. So much for that.
Easier to think about a wreck than…yeah. The wreck, think about that. “Okay, then,” she said, moving toward the road. “I’ll find somebody while you stay hidden in the trees. Then we can get you covered and hopefully on our way.”
“Ever.”
She paused and looked backwards. Aidan hadn’t moved, and pointed his finger the opposite direction. “Car’s that way.”
Lovely. Ever said nothing, just turned around and marched the other direction.
Damn him, if he wasn’t right.
* * *
Ever managed to flag down a passing motorist and borrow a cellphone to call for help. Neither of their phones had made it; Ever’s had fallen into the car during the crash, and Aidan’s had been crushed. Fortunately, help wasn’t too far away.
“Wow, you certainly know how to go out with a bang.” The female deputy stared at the wreckage, whistling appreciatively. “That’s not gonna buff out.”
The flames had been put out quickly enough once the fire department truck had arrived. The officer, who Aidan had introduced as Deputy Mackenzie, had arrived first, and given Aidan a blanket to cover himself with.
Good. Because Ever hadn’t liked the idea of anyone but her seeing the Sheriff’s junk.
Which was beyond silly. He wasn’t hers or anything.
Mine.
She was really going to need to get her head checked after this.
Aidan moved towards the wreckage, bypassing the firemen to check the trunk. He rattled it but it wouldn’t budge, then he hunkered down and, with one arm, snapped the lock and bent the thinner metal back from the bumper.
Just like that. Smooth as butter.
“You okay, sweetie? You’re looking really pale all of a sudden.”
Ever indeed felt lightheaded, and looked over at the female officer. The other woman was short and curvy, with blonde hair cropped close to her face and inquisitive blue eyes. They stared at Ever with some concern before looking over at Aidan. “Not many people would have survived something like this.”
“I know.” Ever’s words were shaky, but heartfelt.
“You were lucky to have him with you.”
She could feel the deputy’s eyes on her, but Ever didn’t look back, just watching as Aidan rummaged through the wreck then pulled out a pair of pants. He checked them over quickly, then lifted out a pair of boots from the wreckage before pulling them both on and shedding the blanket he’d been holding around himself.
She drew appreciative eyes down his lean frame. Now, there was something Ever could stare at all day. God, she wished her glasses hadn’t been lost with the car; the devil was in the details here, and she remembered the feel of him beneath her only that morning.
That pleasant memory became sharp when a female firefighter turned her head to watch him as he passed. Ever’s lip curled, a low growl rumbling in her chest.
Oh hell no, bitch.
“Well now.” The surprised, and pleased, exclamation from the deputy drew Ever’s attention back to the woman beside her. The toothy smile on the other woman’s face was genuine, like she’d been holding back before. She clapped Ever on the back with one hand good-naturedly, sending the girl forward a few steps. “I think you and I will get along just fine.”
Ever stared at the deputy with bemusement as Aidan strode up. “Mac, I need your car.”
“Aw, man!” The blonde woman’s shoulders slumped. “I just had it detailed, I don’t want your smokey ass inside it.”
The woman sounded less like an employee and more like a sibling. Aidan, for his part, just held out his hand
, waiting, and with a groan Mac gave him the keys. “One scratch though,” she warned, “and I’m taking it out of your sorry hide.”
“Noted. Let me know if you find anything out about that truck.”
Both of them had already given their statements as the fire was put out, and the paramedics had checked out and released Ever. Aidan seemed anxious to get back on the road, an emotion that Ever appreciated. Her sister was still out there somewhere, and she needed to find her quick.
If this “accident” had been related to the other girl’s disappearance, she needed to find Sonya even sooner.
“You didn’t give me much,” Mac said, her mouth twisting ruefully, “but I’ll see what I can find out. Here.” She tossed him a cellphone, then unclipped and handed him her radio. “I’ll pick up another when I get to the office.”
“Thanks.” He turned to look at Ever as the woman moved off. “Come on, let’s go find your sister.”
Chapter 11
She’d seen him. She knew.
But he had no idea what she was thinking.
Aidan found it difficult to keep his eyes on the road, too intent on the woman beside him. His nose told him she’d calmed down, but he couldn’t get anything else from her scent. She’d spoken to Mac, and he’d wanted to grill the deputy about what all had been said, but not with Ever standing right there.
At least she wasn’t freaking out any more.
No, that was Aidan’s department now, it seemed.
He’d never intended to break the news to her like that, but now the cat was out of the bag. She’d seemed unwilling to believe her own eyes, but that would pass. She’d want to know more.
Then she’d want to go back to her world. Except, that option was closed to her now.
Goddammit.
The silence was eating at him. He’d expected questions, anger, fear—the nothing he received was alternately worrying and confusing. Finally, he couldn’t take it. “So, what are you thinking?”