9. Sadie
NINE
SADIE
My feelings towards Brian had gradually grown more negative as the days turned into weeks. It wasn’t just a mild dislike; it was a visceral aversion that made me cringe whenever he came near. His constant attempts at flirting felt more like unwanted advances, and I couldn’t understand why he didn’t get the hint. I was done with being polite, even if it was going to cause me issues in this small town. I wasn’t going to be walked all over either. It was over.
Although, I’d been trying to put an end to it for a while, and I wasn’t really getting anywhere. What baffled me the most was Brian’s persistent surprise at my rejection. It was as if he expected me to suddenly change my mind and respond positively to his advances, despite the fact that he knew I was with James. I couldn’t fathom what he saw in me that made him think I’d be interested. To me, Brian’s attention was nothing but creepy, and it set me on edge.
Mookie’s instinctive fear of Brian only reinforced my unease. Animals often had a way of sensing things that people couldn’t, and his wariness around Brian was a red flag that I couldn’t ignore. Gregory, too, had expressed his distrust of Brian, which added to my concerns. If they were freaked out by him, then I had a right to be as well. Especially as I was starting to think that perhaps it wasn’t anything to do with me at all. Just a way for him to get back at James, because of some weird rivalry or something there. I couldn’t be certain, but the thought nagged at me, making me even more determined to keep my distance from the persistent troublemaker.
I had reached my breaking point. Brian’s persistent and creepy advances had gone on for far too long, and I couldn’t tolerate it any longer. After another unsettling encounter where he approached me at the daycare again , I mustered the courage to confront him.
With a voice that trembled only slightly, I said, “Brian, I’ve asked you before, but I’ll say it again. You need to leave me alone and stop coming around the daycare. Your attention is unwelcome, and I want no part in it. I know this is related to James, and I don’t want to get in the middle of it. If you have a problem with him, take it up with him.”
To my dismay, Brian responded with a disconcerting laugh. His eerie, humorless chuckle sent shivers down my spine as he casually waved an unusual signet ring in my face. The ring, with its cryptic design, had always been an unsettling presence.
“You don’t want to do that, Sadie,” he sneered, the ring glinting in the sunlight. “And you know you don’t want it.”
Fear and anger welled up inside me simultaneously. I didn’t know what the ring meant, but Brian’s tone and demeanor were chilling. I felt as if I were in the presence of someone who could pose a real threat.
“What are you talking about?” I asked as I edged myself away from the ring and his hand in my face. “I’m a grown-ass woman trying to run a daycare here, and you are acting all creepy around the kids. I need you to just leave me alone, especially when I’m at work.”
Brian’s eyebrows knotted together in confusion. He waved the ring a little harder, like that thing was supposed to impress me or something. I wasn’t interested at all. I didn’t care even if he showed up with a million dollars to show me, I needed to be left alone.
“I’m not going to leave you alone,” he warned as he stepped back from me. “I will get what I want from you, no doubt about it. Just… give it time.”
I rolled my eyes in an over-the-top, dramatic fashion so he understood that I wasn’t playing games. “It doesn’t matter how much time passes, nothing will happen ever. I don’t want you to wait around here. I don’t want to give it time. I just want you to go.”
But even as I backed away from Brian, there was something so weird and icy in his gaze that damn near knocked me off kilter. I stepped inside and peered through the window just to see him still there, staring at me as if his eyes could pierce through me completely. I shuddered in terror, wondering if I would ever feel safe again.
“What’s going on?” Charlene asked me as she ran her eyes all over me. “You look freaked out.”
“It’s…” Just as I was about to tell her everything, I thought better of it. There was no need for my staff to be as afraid as me. I shook my head and forced a smile on my face. “Nothing. It’s nothing. You don’t need to worry. Let’s focus on work.”
But even as Charlene did as I asked and returned to help the children, I couldn’t stop staring out the window. It wasn’t so much that I feared Brian would hurt me, although that thought definitely played in my head. I was worried about the kids. I didn’t know how far this man would go to get his revenge on James, which was why I took a minute out of work to call him.
“Hi, James, sorry if you’re busy,” I gushed the moment he picked up the phone. “It’s Brian. He… He won’t go. He’s hanging around the daycare and being a massive creep.”
James sighed heavily, irritation burning through the phone. But thankfully, not at me. “I will be there in a moment. This can’t go on.”
I didn’t let go of my phone, though. Not at first. The tight knot of fear was way too intense in my chest. I couldn’t loosen up however hard I tried. I never expected that a move to a small town could ever be as dangerous as this. Then again, I didn’t know this was a place full of wolf shifters vying for power and control.
Moments later, I heard the distinct growl of James’ powerful motorcycle approaching. I watched from the daycare window as he parked it in front of the building, exuding an aura of confidence and authority. As he walked toward the entrance, his strong and resolute presence was undeniable.
I met him at the door, and with an embrace that conveyed both comfort and unease, I whispered, “Thank you for coming.”
James held me gently, reassuring me, and then spoke with a low, unwavering voice, “I’m here to make sure you’re safe, Sadie.”
Together, we ventured outside to confront Brian, who had been waiting nearby. Brian’s posture, once cocky and self-assured, shifted into something more defensive as he saw James’ approach.
James didn’t mince words. He confronted Brian directly, asserting his authority and warning him, “Brian, as your clan leader, I demand that you cease your unwelcome advances toward Sadie and that you keep away from Charlene and the children. You will leave them alone, or you’ll have to answer to me.”
I felt a surge of gratitude for James’ unwavering support and the weight of his authority. In this moment, he was a protector and a leader, willing to do whatever it took to ensure my safety and peace of mind. Warmth spread through me, and all I wanted to do was cling onto him.
“I’ll leave when I’m good and ready,” Brian spat, his voice tinged with anger and arrogance.
James, his brow furrowed with frustration, said in a low and commanding voice, “Brian, you’re testing my patience. This is your clan leader speaking. I suggest you think twice before you challenge me. You keep doing this, and I can assure you that it won’t end well.”
As tension filled the air, the two wolves, both alphas in their own right, locked eyes. The challenge was clear, and the only way to resolve this was through dominance. With a sudden, ferocious burst of energy, they both burst free from their human skin into wolves.
James’ transformation was striking. He became a sleek and lean wolf, his fur a storm cloud gray that seemed to ripple with power. His eyes, still filled with the same intensity, were now a deep, piercing gray. But what caught my attention the most were the black ‘socks’ on his feet.
Brian’s transformation was a stark contrast. He turned into a black wolf, his fur as dark as the night with eyes that were eerily black, devoid of any familiar light or color. It was a sight that sent shivers down my spine.
The daycare’s surroundings transformed into an arena, the scent of the earth mixing with the musk of the wolves. I watched with a mix of fear and awe as the two powerful creatures circled each other, muscles rippling beneath their fur. The fight was on.
Brian lunged first, his teeth bared and a fierce glint in his eyes. He was a formidable opponent, but James was no pushover either. They clashed in a storm of growls, bites, and snapping jaws. Each bite, each strike, was a battle of wills, a test of strength and dominance.
I couldn’t bear to watch but couldn’t look away either. The spectacle was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. It was clear that James was not just fighting for me, but also for the integrity of his clan.
In the end, it was James’ unyielding determination and leadership that won the day. With a final, decisive move, he pinned Brian to the ground, his powerful jaws inches from Brian’s throat. He growled, a deep, menacing sound that left no room for doubt.
Brian, defeated and humiliated, submitted. He whined softly, acknowledging James’ superiority. Reluctantly, he shifted back to his human form, his eyes filled with frustration and bitterness.
James, with a final, unrelenting stare, warned, “This is your last chance, Brian. Stay away from Sadie and the daycare, too.”
Brian, begrudgingly admitting defeat, nodded, and turned to leave. As he walked away, the tension in the air slowly dissipated.
I stood in awe of James’ strength and resolve, my heart swelling with a mixture of admiration and affection. I knew in that moment that James would always protect me and those I loved, no matter the cost.
James and I stood there, catching our breath after the intense confrontation with Brian. The tension had lifted, but now there was a different weight on our shoulders, one that had been looming for a while.
James turned to me, his gaze still filled with the remnants of the earlier battle. “We need to talk, Sadie,” he said, his voice soft yet serious. “I have been thinking a lot about what you said before. About not being with someone else in a decade. I want to talk about what that means… for Gregory.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. It was a conversation that had been delayed for far too long, and I couldn’t put it off any further. When I made that comment, I never thought about James working everything out. But maybe that was for the best. It was out there now, in the open. I had to just deal with it. “You’re right, James,” I admitted, my voice tinged with regret. “I’m sorry for not bringing it up sooner. It’s just… I didn’t know how to start.”
He reached out and gently took my hand, his touch comforting. “I understand, Sadie. It’s not an easy topic, but we need to address it.”
I met his eyes, and there was a vulnerability in his gaze that I hadn’t seen before. “I know it’s time to talk about Gregory,” I said, my voice shaky. “I should have told you a long time ago, but I was scared. Scared of how you would react.”
James squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Sadie, you can trust me. We’ll figure this out together.”
I let out a sigh, relieved that he wasn’t angry or upset with me for keeping this secret. “Thank you, James. I’ll tell you everything, I promise.”
As we stood there, hand in hand, I knew that this was a turning point in our relationship. The truth about Gregory had been a heavy burden on my shoulders for too long, and I was ready to share it with James, the man I was falling in love with all over again.