Chapter 41 Maverick
Maverick
Raven’s unanswered text message taunted me, but as badly as I wanted to see her, my head was a mess. I needed time to get my shit together. To forget the horror of the last few days.
I picked up a bottle of moonshine, splashed some into a glass, and slumped into my chair on the deck. It was late, well past the witching hour, but the forest had come alive. Creatures chittered, branches swayed in a light breeze, and high above, the moon gazed down upon me with accusing eyes.
An image of my mother’s tearful face came into focus. My father, stoic but grieving. And our close friends, devastated.
None of them had blamed me, but they didn’t need to. I’d carry the guilt of what I had to do to my grave.
I sipped my drink while staring into the darkness, letting the sadness roll over me.
There had been a moment of lucidity before I ended my uncle’s life. A brief glimpse of the male he’d been before booze and life took him.
The male trapped inside the raging, feral bear had understood. He hadn’t blamed me for doing what needed to be done. His eyes had filled with sorrow for a fraction of a second before he dipped his head, acknowledging me. Submitting to his fate.
A heartbeat later, it was over. My uncle lay dead at my feet. We burned his body a few hours later.
I curled my fist as my bear lay silent, grieving in my chest. He’d been quiet since we left the mountain, paralyzed with anguish. I wallowed in memories of the uncle I’d adored as a cub.
Boon had called me as I drove back to campus. A catch-up, he’d said, but I knew he must have heard the news. In a small community like ours, it didn’t take long for bad news to spread.
Cases were on the rise, Boon told me. A pack alpha from a neighboring state had turned feral two days ago.
He’d killed his luna, an omega, and five betas before the rest took him down.
Now the entire pack was under house arrest, locked in their homes by mages, in case any more wolves succumbed to the disease.
The whole thing was a fucking nightmare, and if we couldn’t figure out who was behind it, shifters were in danger of ending up like the vamps. Wiped from the history books.
By the time less than a third of the bottle remained, I could finally breathe a little easier. Just as I decided I ought to catch some sleep, a small figure came barreling out from the trees, her midnight-black hair flying like a banner in the breeze.
“Is your phone broken?” She cocked her hip while glaring at me.
This was the first time she’d displayed such an attitude, and despite the blanket of grief weighing me down, a small spark of amusement flickered like a lightning bug in my head.
“I figured it was, seeing as how you left me on read, even though you disappeared with no explanation, which I find really rude and not at all nice and definitely not something a so-called mate would do!” The word vomit ceased when she ran out of air and had to take a breath.
I dropped the bottle. It clanked on the deck and rolled away, spilling precious liquid, but I gave no shits.
“Are you quite finished?”
A small huff of annoyance told me no, she wasn’t.
“I’m upset. Upset and pissed off.” Raven didn’t cuss, so the fact she’d used a swear word told me how much my absence had bothered her. My bear woke up and grumbled at me. He thought we needed to make things right with our mate.
I scrubbed my beard and sighed. She was right. I should have messaged her back. In my defense, I had planned to go find her in the morning, before classes.
“I’m sorry. It’s been… a long few days.”
The little witch’s scowl vanished, her gaze softening as she took in my exhaustion. I’d barely slept for two days. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. Smelled the coppery blood. Heard my mother’s agonized roar as Seamus dropped to the floor.
Raven’s small hand stroked my cheek. I inhaled her sweet chocolate and cherry scent, letting her nearness calm my chaotic emotions.
She crawled onto my lap, and despite the lateness of the hour, and also the fact we were outside, where any passing shifter or cloaked magical could see us, I didn’t protest.
“Why are you so sad? Your aura is dull and pale.”
Raven could read auras? Such a gift was rare in witches or mages. I wondered if anyone knew she had it. Her hands cupped my cheeks, stroking my beard.
“My uncle turned feral. I had to put him down.” I almost choked on the words.
“Is this the same thing that’s affecting wolves?”
Raven’s violet eyes darkened with anxiety.
“Yes, bears have been immune until now, but it looks like we’re no longer safe.” None of the other bears on the mountain had shown symptoms yet, but everyone was on their guard. All trading had ceased, and the lumberyard would remain closed for the next few weeks.
“I’m so sorry.” She snuggled into my chest and carried on stroking my face. If I were a cat shifter, I’d have purred. Instead, a soft rumble vibrated through me, making her smile.
“Is that your bear?” She chuckled with delight.
“Yes. He loves having you close. He’s missed you.”
“What about you?” Her voice caught at the end, betraying her hurt.
“Of course I missed you, baby.” She wiggled on my lap and almost immediately my cock hardened, which she noticed.
But I refused to get sidetracked. My mate needed to sleep.
A sensible bear would have escorted her back to her dorm before anyone saw us together, but I was much too tired and sad to do the right thing.
“Come, little mate. You can stay with me tonight.”
“Is that a good idea?” She scrambled off my lap, her cheeks pink. I noticed her gaze slide down my naked chest before skittering away. Arousal scented the air, and my bear perked up.
“Probably not, but I need you.” I grabbed her small hand in mine and pulled her into the cabin, locking the door behind us.