Chapter 8 #2
The dreams I’d been having recently were of the same note.
One of them stuck out crystal clear, Effie round with our child, standing barefoot in a beautiful garden at nighttime, the moonlight making her seem like she was glowing.
It had been fucking perfection, and the only thing that could replace it was the reality.
The part that I’d loved the most? The true happiness that radiated from her. We could give that to her, and I wanted to. I wanted every part of the future I could so easily envision with her. So why did it feel just slightly out of reach?
It was the danger we faced—one we needed to extinguish, and soon.
“If we’re done here, I’d like to get Effie to the hotel in the city—it’s been a long day,” Ryder said, ignoring his grandfather’s assertion.
His grandfather frowned. “We aren’t trying to hurt her, Ryder. We’re trying to bring her into the family.”
“I don’t want her to be part of this family.
I don’t want to be part of this family,” he said blatantly.
What caught my attention, though? The envy on Caedmon’s face at the ease with which Ryder handled his family.
I’d been impressed by my friend standing up to his father at Hastain’s dinner, so hopefully this would embolden him more.
I had no doubt we would see the bastard again.
“Yes, I gathered,” his grandfather drew out before looking at Ryder’s parents. “Maybe it’s best if we bring the girl back.”
“After school,” Ryder’s mother suggested, trying to hide her fear at the suggestion.
Something was up here. I didn’t understand it completely, but the not-so-veiled threat had Ryder growing angry as Effie vibrated with tension in my arms. She didn’t realize just how much she was affected by our emotions, and while I loved it, I also knew we were a reactionary group.
I didn’t want that burden on her—five shifters’ emotions could be a lot to handle.
“I expect you back here, Ryder. And Effie, whether you like it or not, you have a purpose to this family—a meaning. You have expectations on you now.”
Effie stared at him but didn’t respond, his demands of her making me furious at the old man.
Ryder shook his head. “We’re leaving. Mom, Dad, always good to see you. Uncle, can’t say the same.” The man didn’t even look away from the fireplace, but both his parents offered nods, their gazes watchful and reserved.
As we left the room, I kept Effie insulated between us, and relief filled me the minute we were out in the rain. So much so that I swung Effie up into my arms as we strode towards the car, carrying her with ease.
“Is this ride safe?” Tore asked Ryder.
“I’m driving, but they don’t know that yet,” he explained easily. Good. I didn’t think his grandfather would risk Effie and him getting hurt considering their ‘importance,’ but it was pretty obvious how he felt about us, so I didn’t want to risk her being caught in that crossfire.
“When we get where we’re going,” Effie said as we settled in the car, “we need to talk about what happened. Unless you think we can talk now, Ryder?”
“I would wait,” he murmured. “We’ll stay overnight at a hotel in the city and figure out our next move there. I don’t trust that this car hasn’t been bugged.”
Taking that into account, our ride was fairly quiet as Effie stayed tucked into my side. My head was starting to thump, and I knew it was because of the influx and change of magic in my environment and, more importantly, with my mate.
The silence only enhanced the feeling, so I was relieved when we pulled up to a luxury hotel.
The valets took our bags, and Ryder arranged to have the car sent away, officially ridding us of anything that belonged to his grandfather.
Although, I was going to suggest getting rid of our clothes, too.
I didn’t think we’d had anything planted or put on us, but I also didn’t want to risk it.
The lobby’s black and cherry wood decor captured Effie’s attention as Ryder went to check in.
Caedmon walked next to me as she wandered from art piece to art piece, the lobby quiet and peaceful.
Effie moved to admire the trickling water of a fountain, and at this point, I had a feeling she was just moving to stay awake.
I could see in the droop of her frame that she was growing tired, but until we were in a room, I didn’t want to bring it up and remind her.
Effie was likely running on pure adrenaline right now.
“We need to get her some food,” I murmured to Caedmon.
“I need to know what happened in that room. I don’t think any of our wolves like that she’s gone through a change, mostly because we don’t understand why.”
I agreed completely. It wasn’t that the change was bad, but it was unknown, which meant our wolves would view it as a potential threat to our mate until we understood it.
When Ryder called us over to the private elevator bank, I kept Effie tucked between us, watching in concern as she leaned against the elevator wall.
I picked her up once we got to our floor, taking her straight to the master bedroom of our four-bedroom suite, knowing the others would order food for her.
Sitting her on the edge of a square marble tub in the luxurious bathroom, I turned on the bathwater. Effie let out a sleepy sigh as I helped her undress, my eyes catching on the flames tattooed on her back, wondering what the addition meant and if she knew about it yet.
As I washed her sexy frame with some lavender scented soap, I tried to ignore how hard I was—which was easier than I would have assumed, mostly because I was so damn focused on taking care of her.
I didn’t like how fast she was wilting, her arms shaking as if sore as she leaned against the tub.
After about five more minutes, I wrapped her in a robe and dried her hair with a towel before leading her to the bed.
“Rest your eyes,” I said, helping her pull on an oversized shirt. “I’ll bring your food when it gets there.”
“Okay,” she murmured, closing her hand around the pendant on her neck.
My eyes caught on it, realizing that the sun side of it was far more vibrant than before—almost like it was lit from within.
But then it was hidden from view as she laid down and rolled onto her side, immediately falling asleep.
After a moment of watching her slow, peaceful breaths, I kissed her forehead and slipped into the main room to see what the others were talking about.
“We’ll need a jet. My grandfather’s won’t be available, obviously.”
I nearly cursed at that, having forgotten the jet would be returned to that bastard. I hated the idea of Effie’s scent from us mating being there. I liked that it was intertwined with mine, but it pissed me off that someone could have access to it.
I had to put it from my mind for now; there was nothing I could do, unfortunately.
“What the hell happened back there?” I demanded. “She’s exhausted—just knocked out—and her magic feels completely different.”
Tore nodded in concern as Julian walked in from the kitchen with drinks. Apparently this was going to be a long conversation. Caedmon paced by the windows, my gaze falling on Kyoto at night. It was beautiful, of course. I could hardly enjoy it with so many questions ringing through my head.
“Some type of metamorphosis,” Ryder finally answered. “And that’s not even including what Mona told her.”
“What do you mean?” Caedmon turned around, looking confused.
“Effie has more than one type of magic.”