Chapter 16
Effie Harlow
“Effie.”
The soft, familiar feminine voice drew me from my sleep as it had in the clinic.
I didn’t need to open my eyes to know it was her but I did anyway, meeting a pair of bright blue eyes that were watching me with interest. I sat up slowly, looking around and realizing that I wasn’t in my bedroom…
Actually, I wasn’t anywhere that I recognized.
“You’re dreaming,” the woman explained. “I figured it was the easiest way to talk to you, especially with you being in wolf form.”
I almost smiled at that, nearly having forgotten I’d shifted and curled up with Coffin.
Julian’s wolf was so incredibly large, larger than Dakota, even.
He had filled the space of my bedroom in moments, making me realize he couldn’t even get on my bed without most likely breaking it.
It was both impressive and terrifying. My wolf loved it, which was why we were hopefully still curled up with him.
“Why did you need to talk to me?” I asked with a frown and then shook myself. “I didn’t mean to be rude, it just sounds urgent, the way you’re saying it.”
A serious look covered her face as she reached out and squeezed my hand. “It is a bit urgent. You’re in danger, Effie. Terrible danger. I need to give you something in person. I need to show you something, but I can’t appear just anywhere—”
“Who are you?” I asked, wanting to be crystal clear about who I was working with before I got into the details of me being in danger.
“Someone you used to know,” she whispered, her eyes shaded with concern. “You can call me Mona.”
I nodded in understanding. “Okay… And the danger, how do you know about it? Why do you want to help me? And what exactly do you have to give to me?”
“I promise I can answer all of these questions far better in person.” She ran a hand through her hair in frustration—something that seemed odd considering how cool and collected she’d been last time—before fixing me with a look.
“We are running out of time. You can bring your mates if you want, or you can come alone, but you must meet me.”
“Where?” I asked in confusion.
Her hand reached forward as she pressed a single finger against my temple.
An image of a forested path flashed in my mind.
I seemed to be taking a walk through a wintery section of woods, but everything was moving fast around me.
When I came to a small cottage that was tucked away and practically blended into the background, the vision stopped.
“There. Just call my name when you arrive. The sooner the better. I don’t want you or your mates to get hurt, Effie, and I am worried your show of powers has put you directly in the line of fire. Promise me that you will come there.”
“What if I forget where I am supposed to meet you?” I asked, not promising directly because all of this felt like some convoluted dream.
“I will leave you with this memory of us talking,” she promised before offering a warning. “Do not tell anyone more than you need to. If the wrong person finds out, they could stop us from talking. Only trust your mates, Effie.”
I went to respond, but with a soft touch to my head, I felt my entire body sag as if I was being put directly to sleep…
I woke up to a lick against my face. I let out a yawn and stretched, realizing fairly quickly that I had shifted back into my human form.
But Julian hadn’t, his massive obsidian wolf looking down at me as I opened my heavy eyes.
I was tucked so comfortably against him that instead of being intimidated, I ran my fingers through his thick fur, noticing the gold streaks even more in the morning light.
When his nose glided across my cheek, I wrapped my arms around him, loving that he was showing this side of himself.
“As much as I don’t want to interrupt…” Caedmon’s soft but sincere voice sounded from the door. He was fully ready for the day, his hair damp as if freshly showered. “You’re going to be late if we don’t leave soon.”
I groaned, putting my head down. “I’m starting to wonder if I should even bother. I feel embarrassed. I have never even been to these classes, and it’s the end of the second week.”
“Hey.” Caedmon crouched down and cupped my cheek, seemingly far more himself this morning. “It’s three classes, you can easily make those up if you want. Okay?”
I nodded, feeling insecure, Coffin’s nose brushing my shoulder in a comforting manner. I finally got up, and Caedmon looked at Julian’s wolf, shaking his head but not saying anything. “I’ll wait outside, mon ange. I am going to walk down there with you.”
“Did Ryder make it back?”
Julian’s wolf stood before nudging me gently, and I hugged him tightly as he left the room.
Caedmon’s face shaded with darkness. “No he didn’t. Do you want to stop by his office?”
“Yes please,” I whispered, thinking about how the news of his grandfather would have affected him.
I didn’t want to believe he would pull back, but if he was worried about the family and such a direct connection to that part of his life…
It was possible he would. The idea hurt my heart as I tried to ignore how horrible that would be.
Wanting to see Ryder, I got ready quickly, brushing my teeth and hair before changing into fresh undergarments, leggings, and a long-sleeve shirt that was loose around my hips.
I pulled on snow boots and a coat before looking at Caedmon, who now stood at the door, having waited for me while I was in the bathroom.
He walked over and tucked my scarf around my neck before nodding, as if happy with its placement.
Sliding my bag on my back, I intertwined our fingers, and he led me through the main room and towards the elevators. I leaned into him once inside, and he tucked me underneath his chin.
“I’m worried about you,” I whispered.
He pulled back and examined my face. “I hate that he’s here, mon ange, but I am far more worried about you and him knowing about your healing abilities.
The man is power hungry, and I will do anything to keep you safe from him.
Just promise me that tonight at the event, you’ll stay by one of our sides constantly.
Don’t go off on your own, even if they make it seem like you have to.
We aren’t letting that shit happen, especially with so many dangerous individuals gathered. ”
“Dangerous?” I asked as we left the elevator, walking through the hall and out into the cold, brisk weather.
I knew his father and the university president were dangerous, but Caedmon made it sound as if everyone gathering would be on the same level—something that made me far more hesitant about tonight than even before.
“Extremely so. Once we get through tonight, we need to talk about our plans moving forward. Whether or not you want to stay here—”
“I want to be wherever you guys are.”
His eyes lit up with authentic pleasure. “I promise you, we won’t be apart. Ever.”
I hoped he was right. For the rest of the walk down to the academic buildings, we talked about the houses they had gone to visit, and I could tell from his tone alone that he wasn’t in love with any of them.
I didn’t know how to phrase it, but I wanted to ensure that this house was perfect for all six of us.
That we all loved it completely, even if it meant not finding it right away.
I wanted it to be a true home, because I could feel that the pace of our lives was picking up, and I wasn’t going to be the one to derail it.
I wanted this with them more than I could ever explain.
When we reached the academic building, we walked up towards the office, and Caedmon came to a stop, looking towards Ryder’s office door.
I offered him a questioning look as he took a seat on a long bench in the lobby, motioning for me to continue to the office.
Clearly Ryder, was in there, but for whatever reason Caedmon thought I should go alone—
I came to a stop at the door, taking in the scene in front of me.
Ryder stood behind his desk looking pissed, his arms crossed as he glared at the woman from before—the blonde.
She walked the length of his office, saying something to him that I couldn’t hear over the buzzing of jealousy thrumming through me, wearing an extremely low-cut blouse and dressed in skin-tight pants with heels.
She smiled as he said something to her before rolling her eyes and waving her hand dismissively.
For a moment, I considered running.
I considered leaving this situation and figuring it out later.
Then I thought about everything Ryder had said to me and the moments we’d shared.
I thought about the mark I had on my arm and how strongly he felt about the mating situation in general.
How sincere he had been about me ever having room to doubt him.
I thought about how he quit his job to be with me.
No, I wouldn’t walk away.
Instead, I knocked on the door frame, and both of their gazes snapped towards me.
Ryder’s smile and the relief in his posture had me crossing the room, wrapping my arms around his center and leaning into his chest, not allowing any room for insecurities between us.
His massive arm wrapped around me as his lips brushed my forehead, removing every ounce of envy.
“Are you fucking serious?” The woman’s tone was harsher than I’d ever heard it before, almost screechy.
“Amanda, I made it very clear that I had found my mate. I made it very clear that was why I was leaving my position here. I explained all of it very plainly, using precise, unambiguous words. I don’t know why you’re surprised.”
I didn’t look at her, but I couldn’t help the smile on my lips.
“I thought you were joking!” she exclaimed. “That girl already has four mates. She can’t be yours too.”
Ryder’s chest rumbled in a low, dangerous way as the tension in the room grew.