“You guys are getting really good.” Adrian’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. He was standing between us with his arms folded in front of him, assessing our movements. As always, he was wearing jogging pants, but this shirt was a long sleeved sweatshirt rolled to his elbows. His short black hair was spiked today. “Are you ready to fight each other?”
Both of us froze, hands mid-swing. The bag swung back and hit me, nudging me off balance. “What do you mean?” I gasped, dizzy from both his words and the impact.
“You need to learn to fight with something that will fight back, so you can react. Fighting a person is a lot harder than fighting an inanimate object.” He pointed to the bag swinging slightly in front of me.
Lauren and I exchanged a worried glance. I had no interest in fighting her. She was my friend. I didn’t want to hurt her.
“You can use protective gear. You won’t hurt each other.” He moved toward the back of the room to a shelf that held various supplies. He held up two round leather puffy things that looked a bit like masks. One was pink, the other was blue.
“This is called head gear,” he said. “It’s to protect the face. There are all kinds of gear here that will protect you.”
When we still hesitated, he puffed out a breath. “Fine, then fight me.”
We grinned and turned to each other. “Okay,” we said at the same time.
Adrian shook his head as he dug into the shelf, picking us each out what we would need. When we joined him at the shelves, he handed us each an item, naming what they were, mouth guards, body protectors, and shin guards.
When we were fully suited up with Lauren wearing the pink head gear and me the blue, I stood facing Adrian, feeling nervous and excited. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, and I also knew my body could take a hit. I had had a few scrapes over the last few weeks that healed in seconds. It was a little freaky to be honest.
“Go on, hit me,” Adrian encouraged, waving his arms for me to make a move. When I hesitated, a lopsided smile tugged at his lips. “Or are you chicken?”
I wasn’t born yesterday. I knew he was trying to egg me on so I would hit him, and yes, it worked. Before he could say another word, my arm shot out with the urge to wipe the smile off his face. He blocked the move easily and countered with another. The impact of his glove on my face made my teeth rattle and shoved me backwards. Before I knew what was happening, he swung his leg, sweeping me off my feet. I was on the mat with the wind knocked out of me, staring up at the white stippled ceiling. There were clumps of dust stuck to the jagged points.
“What just happened?” I mumbled.
A deep chuckle sounded above me. “I knocked you on your ass.” His hand appeared in my line of sight, and I reached out to take it. He pulled me up, and I could see the glint of laughter in his dark eyes. He was mocking my poor fighting skills.
“Now, do you see why you need to fight with someone? People are not punching bags. They fight back.” He smiled as he pounded his gloves together.
Lauren, who was off to the side watching, giggled.
I shot her a narrowed glare. “Do you want to give it a try?” I asked her.
Her eyes went round, her face terrified as she shook her head.
“That’s what I thought.” I held my laughter in, trying to hold on to my dignity after the stomping I had just received.
For the next half hour, Adrian talked about how to anticipate our opponent’s moves and how to take them by surprise. By the time the hour was up, we were panting and sweating, and I was sore everywhere. Thankfully, I could feel my skin tingling as my aches began to heal. But all the pain was worth it; everything he had shown us was paying off. The last time I took Adrian on, it took much longer for him to knock me off my feet.
Once he was positioned in the driver’s seat of his jeep, Adrian asked, “Lunch?” as he did every day. When we agreed, he headed to our usual spot, Tom’s Diner. It was always crowded with lots of laughter and voices, and the smell of gravy and bacon filled the room. Since I had turned into a werewolf, I think it was my favorite scent. Yum. We didn’t even open the menus because we ordered the same thing every day—the special. I had lived here my whole life, and it was Adrian who introduced this meal to me. And from that moment, Lauren and I were hooked. The special was the French dip, and I’m not talking any ordinary French dip. This was sliced savory beef stuffed into fluffy, buttery Yorkshire Pudding. The gravy dipping sauce was to die for. “Let me guess, the usual?” Nicole the waitress asked with a cheerful smile on her face; a hand resting on her hip. She didn’t need to write down our order since she took it every day for the last week. She was younger than us, maybe a senior in high school. Lauren said she went to Everest, but I didn’t remember her. That wasn’t surprising considering I had spent most of my time there trying to be a snob like my friends.
“Yes, please,” Lauren answered for all of us.
Nicole nodded and winked at Adrian. She might be younger, but she wasn’t at all shy. She had been hitting on him every afternoon since he found the place. He told us later in the car that he was afraid that one of these days she would work up the nerve to ask him out. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings because he liked someone else. He wouldn’t tell us who it was though. I had a feeling it was ‘the one’. As a werewolf, when you found that certain person, there was a look in your eye when you spoke about them. I had seen it in Nate and Joe’s eyes, and now Lauren’s. But he never offered the information, and I never pried.
“You guys are really doing well,” Adrian said, as I took a sip of my water. “You won’t need me much longer.”
For some reason the idea of stopping our sessions left me feeling empty. What would I focus on to take my mind off of Nate? It was all I could do not to think about his vivid blue eyes and his dimples.
“You’re not abandoning us are you?” I asked, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.
He leaned his elbow on the table, head on his hand. “No, of course not, I just mean that you’ll be able to handle yourself soon. But we can continue to train. There’s no harm in being too prepared.”
I relaxed, feeling stupid for panicking in the first place. I glanced at Lauren who was fidgeting with the salt shaker. “Are you coming with us for a run today?” I asked her.
She lifted her head until her eyes met mine. “I don’t think I can. Joe’s starting to wonder where I’ve been lately. He wanted to come with me this morning.”
Again, panic fluttered in my chest. “Doesn’t he work?”
“Not on Saturday.”
The days were running into one another, and I never knew what day of the week it was. I didn’t have any reason to. I had called the shelter the day after I returned home from the island and told Julia that I was taking some time off. She didn’t question me, just said that she’d hire a replacement that could help me out when I returned. She squealed when I told her that I had bought the house. We had agreed to wait to discuss it further when I was ready.
“Is Nate back to work?” I asked in a whisper.
Lauren’s eyes widened. It was the first time I had brought him up since the day in my room when I sobbed on her shoulder. “Not yet. He’s obsessed with finding Charlotte.”
Adrian’s hands clenched into fists; he had taken on a protective role for us since we had gotten to know each other, and when we brought up our time on the island, he would get angry. “Has he had any luck?”
She nodded her head, setting her glass down, her mouth filled with water. “They found the house where the wolves are staying, but every time they go there, no one is home. Nate even camped out over night, but nothing happened.”
Adrian’s eyes went rounder than the tires on his jeep. “They did?”
Lauren glanced over at a kid who yelled for his mother, two tables away. The woman shushed him, looking embarrassed. “Yeah. At first, they were running into problems. The scents they found always disappeared or led to a body of water. Finally, they followed one until it led to
a waterfall. Clever, since the movement of water would screw up all of the scents. Instead of giving up, they crossed it and searched until they found another scent. It led to an abandoned cabin. All of the scents are there, including a few more werewolves that weren’t at the island. They have yet to find them though. They think there may be another hideout.”
It made sense. It had been almost three weeks since we had been kidnapped, and with that many werewolves, you’d think they would have found them by now.
Adrian was about to speak when our food came. It smelled so good; I had the urge to pant like a dog.
We dug in, staying silent as we enjoyed our meal. Working out took a lot of energy, and thankfully, food helped replenish it. Eating so much and not gaining weight was my favorite part about being a werewolf; my newfound strength was the second.
During our meal, Lauren paused, placing her fork onto the table. “I have to tell Joe what we’ve been doing.” Her voice was somber. She knew I didn’t want her to.
I glared at her but stayed silent. Adrian glanced at each of us, confusion written on his face.
“I can’t keep lying to him. We just started dating. You know what lies can do to a relationship.” Her voice was desperate, pleading with me to understand.
“I’m not ready for Nate to know yet.”
Adrian’s brow rose. “Know what?” he asked innocently.
I glanced at him. “About you. How do you think a werewolf who has marked his mate would react if he knew she was spending a lot of time with another werewolf?”
Adrian froze. “True.” His face twitched as he thought this through. “I don’t want to come between you and your boyfriend. I don’t know why you’re apart, and it’s not my business. But I think it must be difficult for both of you to keep away from each other.”
His words hung in the air. I didn’t know what to say. It was hard, and I wasn’t ready to forgive. But I couldn’t talk about that with him, especially in a crowded restaurant.
I was about to say something, but the thoughts disappeared instantly when the door to the restaurant opened, and the scent of two werewolves entered with the cold wind. Adrian, Lauren and I all turned, our nostrils flaring as the man we were discussing stalked towards us. He was so furious that his eyes were yellow; his stare was fixed on Adrian. Joe followed behind, looking just as angry.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Truth
“Let me guess. That’s your mate?” Adrian murmured as we watched the guys approach us. His mint chocolate scent held no comfort for me as I gazed at my boyfriend.
“Yep,” I said dryly, confused why Nate seemed so angry. He had never been the jealous type, but that was before he marked me. Maybe that explained why his arms were shaking as he rushed towards us. I was expecting him to be upset that I was spending so much time with Adrian, but he didn’t know that yet, and as far as Nate knew, we had just met.
“Outside, now,” he growled at Adrian, not even sparing a glance in my direction. I was feeling anxious at seeing him for the first time since we had discovered he had bitten me. How would he act toward me? Better yet, how would I react to him? Would I forgive him like I so desperately wanted to? I wasn’t sure. Right now, I needed to figure out what was going on.
As Adrian, Lauren, and I followed the guys outside, I handed a fifty to Nicole. She smiled when she saw how much it was.
The sun was out and for once the air was warm, well, warm for mid-November. Nate was heading to the back of the lot where we would have privacy. We passed a group of teenagers who were laughing loudly and squealing in delight. A lone man, on his way to the diner eyed us wearily, giving Lauren and I worried glances. Nate and Joe must have looked scary as they led us away.
When we reached the isolated back lot, Adrian and I stood together, backs against his jeep. Lauren rushed to stand with Joe, who grabbed her hand, shoving her slightly behind him.
“Get away from her!” Nate growled at Adrian, his face wild with fury, his eyes still yellow. He moved at wolf speed, yanking me behind him. His scent whirled around me as I peeked over his shoulder at Adrian, shooting him looks of apology. Adrian smiled sadly at me in response. Nate noticed and took a step to the side to block my view of my new friend. His hand was still wrapped tightly around my arm. Despite the death grip, his touch felt warm even through my coat. All I could see was the back of his black leather jacket and his wavy blond hair.
“Leave now, or I will kill you. Tell Charlotte I will find her, and when I do, she will pay for what she’s done.” Nate’s voice was just above a whisper, but it was filled with venom.
I reached out to touch Nate’s arm about to tell him to leave Adrian alone, when his words suddenly registered.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused. “He doesn’t know Charlotte.”
Nate relaxed his grip on my arm and let me move forward. The two of us faced Adrian. Joe and Lauren stood off to the side. Lauren was staring at Adrian with a look of confusion that most likely matched my own.
Nate glanced at me, remorse shone in his now clear blue eyes, all remnants of the wolf was gone. “I recognize his scent from the island. He was one of the werewolves that were chasing you and Lauren.”
The remark Adrian made the first day we met, about my friend changing into a werewolf now made sense. Despite this, I didn’t want to believe it. I shook my head, not accepting Nate’s words. But when I glanced at Joe for confirmation, he nodded. I turned back and glared at Adrian feeling like such a fool.
Before I opened my mouth to tell him off, the jerk spoke.
“I can explain.”
“You lied to me,” I yelled, a stab of betrayal burned in my stomach making me nauseous. What was it with guys I trusted? Why did they keep letting me down?
“I know, and I’m sorry.” Adrian’s voice was filled with regret as he took a step toward me, wrapping his hand around my arm. Before he said another word, Nate ripped his hand from my coat, and blocked him from me once again. This time his arm swung out, and punched Adrian in the face with a sickening crack. I gasped, shocked at Nate’s behavior. I had never seen him so violent. He wasn’t finished with Adrian’s punishment; he pounced on him before I could voice my protests. He threw him to the ground, pounding him in the face over and over. Adrian didn’t fight back. He just lay on the ground and took it. And after getting to know him over the last few weeks, I knew he could have stopped Nate or even worse—fought back.
Despite what Adrian had done to me, I couldn’t see him get hurt. “Nate, stop.” Even though my voice was commanding, and shrill, it was barely audible over the sound of knuckles meeting flesh.
Nate’s hand froze mid-swing. It took all of his control not to move his fist forward. “He tried to hurt you. I can’t let him get away with that.”
He must be referring to the island, because ever since I had met Adrian he had been nothing but helpful and kind. He had eased me into the transition of becoming a wolf and even taught Lauren and me to protect ourselves. And yet, he was lying to us the whole time. I felt anger at both Adrian and Nate—they both betrayed me.
“Why not? You did.” The words slipped out before I thought them through. I didn’t mean to say it, and I wasn’t sure if I meant them. Lauren gasped, coming up to stand next to me as I clamped my lips shut, feeling guilty instantly. I wanted to say I was sorry, but this was not the time to discuss his betrayal or my inability to forgive him.
Nate stood up slowly, leaving Adrian lying on the ground. He turned to me, his striking blue eyes filled with misery. “I’m so sorry.” He rubbed his face with his hand, taking a ragged breath, as if he was fighting tears. The gesture was so raw with pain that my eyes burned, and a lump formed in my throat. I hated that I had made him look that way, and I wished with all my heart I could take away his pain. If I could turn back time to the night I made dinner for him, I would. We were so happy then, but everything had changed the second he lost control.
“Nate,” Joe’s voice called out, slici
ng through the sudden emotion-filled silence as Nate and I stared at each other. Nate reluctantly looked away from me and glanced at his friend.
Joe nodded to a few people wandering to their cars, reminding Nate that we were not alone. Nate looked lost as he gazed back at the guy lying on the ground bleeding from his lip and nose. Instead of continuing his beating, he walked away, heading toward his car which was parked a few feet away. He stood next to his vehicle, staring down at the pavement.
I pried my gaze away from him so I could help Adrian. Lauren and I each grabbed one of his arms and lifted him up as Joe glared at him with hate in his eyes. His face was colder than I had ever seen it. Joe was always in a good mood, never taking anything too seriously. But since I hadn’t seen him for three weeks, things might have changed. I knew he had had a difficult time with Lauren.
“Why are you here with him?” Joe asked, his voice as cold as his eyes. He wasn’t asking me, he was watching at Lauren.
She glanced at me, and I nodded. There was no point in hiding it anymore. But I didn’t want to do it here. I needed to be away from Adrian, the person I had thought was my friend. Each lie he told felt like a stone thrown at me, a constant sting of betrayal. As I remembered all of our conversations, I became angrier at myself for believing him. Had anything he said been the truth? As these thoughts spun through my mind, I was desperate to be alone, but I knew that wasn’t possible.
“Take us home, and we can talk there.” I glared at Adrian, making it clear why I didn’t want to discuss anything here. Joe and Lauren nodded and began to walk toward Nate’s car.
When I turned to follow, I felt a hand grab my elbow. “Please, let me explain,” Adrian’s voice was strained. Of course, it was all an act. I no longer trusted anything he said. I spun to glare at him, and at the sound of a growl behind us, he let go of me. I didn’t have to turn around to know who had made the sound.
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