Chapter 16
Devon
My duffel bag sat open on the bed, half-zipped, already heavier than I remembered packing it. I did another quick check: healer kit, clothes, laptop bag, and the paper bags stacked by the door.
Those bags weren’t part of the plan.
I’d meant to come back early last night to pack, but Rose had pulled me aside before I could sneak out.
I’d thought everyone had gone home, but instead, half the pack, the volunteers, and a few of the kids from my first-aid class were waiting by the clinic entrance, smiling and holding a huge card covered in signatures and thank-yous. I hadn’t expected that.
They’d even brought food, snacks, and small gifts. It was messy, heartfelt, and honestly a little overwhelming.
I made them promise to finish the renovations on time, with no delays or excuses, and the younger ones swore they’d keep up with the first-aid classes I’d signed them up for through the Healer’s Circle.
It had been one of those moments I wished Carter had been there for, but his surprise when I came back to the cabin made up for it. It was just the two of us, and that was enough.
I pushed aside any thoughts of what could have been between us. Instead, I thought about how quickly the week had flown by.
Though maybe that shouldn’t have been a surprise, considering how much we’d managed to get done. Still, a part of me wished I could’ve seen the clinic finished.
Rose promised to send progress photos and even a video tour when it was done.
Maybe I could convince Cooper to let me drop by for the opening ceremony. I didn’t even care if he sent an enforcer to tail me the whole time.
With a small sigh, I locked the door and bent down to slide the spare key under the flowerpot by the entrance. My bags felt heavier than they should have as I carried them to the car.
When I turned back for one last look at the cabin, my chest tightened.
Maybe it was for the best that Carter was already gone this morning. Saying goodbye in person might’ve made things harder.
I wasn’t sure how things between us would’ve gone if I stayed longer. Too many promises, too many maybes.
I slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. The hum of it filled the space, but something in me resisted moving.
I stared through the windshield at the empty stretch of dirt road ahead, sunlight flickering through the trees.
Maybe it was foolish. Maybe I was just tired. But every part of me wasn’t ready to leave yet.
One more week wouldn’t hurt, I thought. I could talk to Cooper. He’d listen.
The thought settled like warmth in my chest, and before I could act on it, my phone buzzed against the dashboard.
Cooper.
I blinked, startled. “Speak of the devil,” I muttered, and turned off the engine again before answering.
“Hey, Cooper. I was just about to leave. But listen—”
“Actually, that’s what I was calling about.” His tone was careful, like he was easing into something. “Didn’t know how else to say this, so I’ll just cut to the chase.”
My stomach dropped a little.
“Carter called me the other day,” he said. “He requested an extension for your stay.”
I blinked. “He—what?”
“Yeah.” I could hear a smile in his voice. “Before I called him back, I thought I should check with you first. Would you be all right working with the Thornebane pack for another week?”
For a second, I couldn’t speak. I leaned back in the seat, heart hammering somewhere behind my ribs.
Carter had called Cooper? He’d asked for me to stay?
A laugh slipped out before I could stop it, half-disbelieving, half-excited. “You’re serious?”
“As serious as I get,” Cooper said dryly. “So? What do you say?”
I tried, really tried, to sound calm when I answered, but my voice still came out a little too fast. “Yes. Absolutely, yes.”
Cooper chuckled softly on the other end. “Didn’t even let me finish.”
“Sorry,” I said, grinning. “You caught me off guard. But yeah, that’s great news.”
“Good. You’ll still need to come back to Pecan Pines first, check in with Ethan and the clinic,” Cooper said. “Make sure we’re squared away before you settle in for another week.”
“No problem,” I said, already thinking ahead. I had to stop by the clinic anyway, restock my kit, grab more herbs and bandages, maybe some burn salve too. Ethan wouldn’t mind.
“Good. I’ll update the files on our end. Anything else you need, just let Ethan know.”
I hummed in acknowledgment, already making a mental list. I’d have to pick up more clothes too, grab some toiletries.
My supplies had been running low since day four, but I hadn’t had the heart to ask Carter for anything. He’d already done too much.
And my parents would be happy to hear the news. Mom would probably insist I stay for dinner the moment she found out, and Dad, well, he’d just grunt, but his ears would turn pink the way they always did when he was happy.
And Carter—
“Devon?” Cooper’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“I was going to call Carter after this,” he said.
“I’ll tell him myself,” I said quickly, cutting in before he could finish. “Don’t worry about it.”
“All right then. I’ll see you when you check in later.”
“Thanks, Coop,” I said, still smiling as I ended the call.
For a second, I just sat there, the phone still warm in my hand, my heart thudding somewhere in my throat. I exhaled slowly, then laughed under my breath. “Well, damn.”
What now?
Should I unpack some of my things? Leave a few bags behind so he’d know I planned on coming back? No, that would ruin the surprise.
The idea of catching Carter off guard, seeing his expression when he realized I wasn’t actually leaving, made something warm spark inside me.
I could already picture it: showing up at the cabin before he got home, maybe even having dinner ready this time.
Or if he was already there, watching those blue eyes widen and the slow smile forming when he saw me walk through the door again.
Would he run up to me? Kiss me?
My stomach flipped at the thought. Actually, maybe dinner could wait. There were still leftovers from last night anyway.
We could just celebrate. A quiet night in. Maybe a movie. A couple of beers. Maybe even something more.
I caught myself grinning like an idiot and scrubbed a hand over my face.
Still smiling, I started the engine again. The cabin’s windows glinted in the morning light as I pulled away from the drive.
Just one last stop. I’d promised Rose I’d drop by the clinic before heading out.
Technically, I was still leaving, just not for long. And if I skipped it, someone would notice.
Word spread fast around Thornebane, and the last thing I wanted was anyone spoiling the surprise.
No, best to stick to the plan. Everyone should still think I was leaving for good.
That way, Carter wouldn’t suspect a thing.
I leaned against the fence surrounding the clinic garden, watching Rose crouch by the rosemary patch, dirt on her cheek and her hair pulled up in that loose knot that somehow never stayed neat.
“Hey,” I called, stepping closer. “Did you remember to tell the contractor to finish up the shed by this week?”
“Yes,” she said, not even looking up.
“Good. And make a checklist of what plants we’ll need for the greenhouse. Send me an email. I’ll look through it.”
“Already on it.”
“And make sure you order the dehydrators soon. It’s going to be winter before we know it, and the weather’s been unpredictable lately. Better to get them in early so we can dry the herbs quickly for ointments.”
That got me a snort. Rose stood, brushing her hands on her jeans. “Yes and yes! You said all of this yesterday, Devon. I’m not going to forget.”
She gave me a look. “Why are you still here anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be leaving today?”
I grinned. “Thought you might need help.”
She frowned.
“And because you’d miss me,” I added.
That earned me an exaggerated eye roll, but her mouth twitched before she could stop it.
I laughed. “I’ll miss you too.”
For a second, I almost told her I’d be staying another week, but I stopped myself. Better to keep it quiet for now.
“Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything,” I said instead.
Rose sighed. “I’ll be fine.”
Then her expression shifted. “Oh wait, I need to check the delivery. The materials for the shed and greenhouse came in this morning.” She turned toward the path leading to the back.
“Stay,” I said quickly. “I’ll handle it. Consider it my last favor before I go.”
She raised a brow. “Do you want the checklist?”
I was already walking away when she said it. “Don’t need it,” I called back. “I’m the one who made the list.”
I could practically feel her rolling her eyes. The thought made me smile.
The ground crunched lightly under my boots as I made my way to the back of the site where we’d been keeping the construction supplies.
Two guys were unloading sacks and crates from a covered truck parked near the fence.
“Hey,” I started, “could you—”
But I stopped mid-sentence when I caught sight of them. Eli and Jeremy.
I blinked. “What are you two doing here?”
Eli grinned, shifting the box in his arms. “Relax. We signed up yesterday. You can check the volunteer list if you want.”
Jeremy set down a box and wiped his hands on his jeans. “Yeah, doc, let us help out, yeah?”
My instincts prickled. I wasn’t sure what about them threw me off. Still, I nodded.
“Right. Then put them over there,” I said, pointing to the side of the garden.
To my surprise, they followed directions without complaint. I stayed nearby as they worked, stacking bags of soil mix and tools in neat piles.
When they finished, I scrolled through the delivery list on my phone and frowned. Something didn’t look right.
“You sure this is everything?” I asked.
Eli scratched the back of his neck. “Pretty sure. We just picked up what they gave us.”
Jeremy nodded. “Yeah, that’s all they loaded.”
I glanced at the half-empty truck, then at the two of them waiting by the crates. Maybe they weren’t so bad after all. They’d signed up, showed up on time, and were doing exactly what I asked. Still, my wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin.
I looked down at my phone again, checking the list a second time. Some items were definitely missing.
“That’s strange. We didn’t have any trouble with orders from the builder’s yard all week,” I muttered.
Jeremy shrugged. “If you don’t believe us, I can check the truck again. We’ve got another delivery, but we haven’t unloaded it yet. Maybe it’s with those boxes?”
He disappeared into the back of the truck. Jeremy’s head popped out a moment later.
“Actually,” he said, scratching his jaw, “I don’t even know what I’m looking for. You want to come take a look?”
My instincts pressed hard against my ribs, claws raking under my skin like a warning. But I ignored it.
This was just a quick check, and I wanted to get this done before heading back to Pecan Pines. I stepped up into the truck.
That’s when someone yanked my arm.
The force spun me sideways. My shoulder hit metal, pain flashing up my neck before a second hit came.
It was a fist, or maybe an elbow. My head cracked against something hard. The world went fuzzy at the edges, black dots crowding my vision.
I caught a glimpse of Eli climbing into the truck, his face a blur before the doors slammed shut behind him.
Jeremy grabbed the back of my shirt, dragging me across rough sacks. The dust burned my throat. I coughed and tried to push up, but a hand shoved my head down hard.
“Hold still,” someone hissed.
A gag jammed between my teeth before I could snarl. I growled anyway, feeling my fingers stiffen and elongate, nails hardening into claws. They scraped against something that could have been skin or cloth.
Someone yelped. Then a sharp command cut through the chaos. “Get his hands!”
I twisted and kicked. The air reeked of sweat and metal. It was too thick to breathe.
Pain flared bright and searing around my wrists when they tied me with rope soaked in something that burned through my skin. Silver.
I bit back a cry, but my wolf howled inside, thrashing against the restraint. I couldn’t shift; the pain made sure of that.
Someone patted down my pockets, muttering, then I heard my phone clatter somewhere far away, outside the truck.
Eli leaned close. His breath was hot and sour against my ear. The stench of him made my stomach turn.
“Can’t believe he’s just letting a healer go like this,” he said.
My head spun. I could taste blood where I’d bitten my tongue.
Fingers slid through my hair, gentle but mocking, then yanked my head back until my neck strained. I caught Eli’s grin through the haze, the sharp glint of his teeth cutting into my vision.
A hard tug at my collar made buttons pop and scatter across the metal floor. Cold air kissed my skin as a hand traced the back of my neck and curved over my shoulder.
My wolf growled low, instincts screaming to fight. Then came the wet, heavy breath ghosting over my nape, warm and invasive.
A jolt of panic ran through me. They were looking for a mate mark.
I felt his fingers press along the bare skin at my throat. Too close, too slow.
Every muscle seized. My wolf was howling inside me, desperate to break free.
Please, no.
I wanted to move, to fight again, but fear held me rigid. My claws scraped uselessly against the ropes. All I could hear was my heart pounding and Eli’s low chuckle.
“Guess he doesn’t have one,” he said finally, his voice curling with satisfaction. “Start the truck.”