Chapter 15 #2
Stark leans against one of the bed posts. His dark hair points in all directions, and his arctic eyes have red around them. He’s safe. My heart slows a bit from its anxious rhythm.
“I heard you’ve been helping with injuries. I wanted to thank you in case no one’s bothered to.”
“I don’t mind. I’m good at healing.” Time is no longer standing still while I’m stuck here.
“I remember.” He runs his hands under his shirt and pulls it up to where four scars should be. A well-defined six pack stares back at me, and I swallow at the sight of a V angling below his waistband.
“I, um, that’s different. I’m helping by holding hands and passing supplies over.”
Good thing he drops his shirt. It’s distracting.
The man gave me a book, and it’s all I think about whenever I’m not helping wounded werewolves.
I should resent him for not letting me leave, though I know he doesn’t make the final decision.
No one has given me a book, not in that way.
Pratt did to occupy me and educate me. Stark pays attention to me, though I can’t figure out why he bothers, with so much on his plate.
He got so close with that book, but he has no idea.
“Still, thank you.”
“Is it bad now? What changed these past weeks?”
He sighs and sits on the rug at the end of the bed. I take the cautious choice and sit across from him on the edge of it, crossing my legs. My hair drips onto my bare shoulder.
“I don’t know.” He wipes his face. “We can’t risk going closer, and most of these wounds are from long-distance shots.”
“Oh, that’s . . .” I don’t have a good comment to make, so I give up and wait to see what else he will say.
“If we knew their plan, anything about them, it’d be helpful, but we can’t just waltz in and ask. In human form, we can blend into a large crowd, but a camp hunting us is different, and it’s a huge risk I refuse to take.”
“What can you do then?”
“We’ve taken out a few—the odd one who comes further into our territory. We’re working on solutions, and all the Elders with Alphas are coming here to discuss a plan, but since I know you won’t tell anyone, it’s not hopeful. Fighting a blind fight is asking for things to go wrong.”
“I could see that being a tough wall to climb. Jocko’s looking good again, though. Faira was not happy when he asked me to stay.” She hasn’t thanked me in a direct way, but she doesn’t ask me to leave anymore. I’m accepting the win for what it is.
Stark studies me. “You care for him.”
“I do.” I smile. It’s nice to have a friend or two here. Lirea might become my next friend with all the time we’re spending together. She loves to talk about men, and I can’t say I hate it.
Stark sighs and stands. When the door shuts, my brain runs through every word Stark said.
There’s one thing I can do that they can’t.
In daylight, my plan begins. I find my phone and charge it for the first time since Pratt’s passing. When the green bar lights across the screen, I open my messages. Only one name looks back at me.
Be good, Alo. The last text my brother ever sent to me. My eyes blur, and I wipe the tears away with the back of my hand.
If only he knew what I’m about to do.
I close the app and switch to the camera before heading to Stark’s office. I take a few close photos of the map and do my best to mentally remember the roads. Our roads aren’t on human apps.
I head back to my room to pack, except all I have are a few sweaters and thin leggings made for humans in the summer.
I’ll need to make a stop, but I throw the essentials in.
I toss the bag in the bathroom to hide, then it’s time for another freezing shower.
When I step out, I find my towel and wipe the mirror, dripping from a thick layer of condensation.
This new cooling method is helping, but I am needing showers more than ever before.
A door slams in the house, and I head to the main room.
“What was that?” I ask Nikki. She’s been helping with meals.
“Kiya got hurt, but it’s nothing major.”
I start walking toward the med room before she can finish.
Kiya sits on the edge of the table while Faira inspects her hand.
“What did you do?” Faira asks.
“I heard a shot and took off. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and . . .” She waves her bloody hand in the air.
I hand Faira a wrap to bandage it, and Kiya’s good to go in no time.
Lirea goes to check on the two who are still in bed after yesterday.
“Faira,” I say, but she keeps tidying up supplies. “I know you don’t like me.”
Her hands halt on the gauze rolls.
“So that’s why I’m asking. Do you know where the keys to my SUV are? If you do and could kindly leave them in here in the top cabinet, that would be—”
She raises her face to look at me, and I stop.
“Why?”
“Do you care?” We haven’t become friends by any means.
“I care about him, and I don’t want to create trouble.”
“I need to get something, please.”
Her arms cross and I hate that she’s got the height on me.
I lean back to look her in the eyes. “Wouldn’t you rather I be gone?”
“Okay,” she says, and I give her the smallest half-smile and leave. I don’t need her changing her mind on me.
I join Jocko and Kiya at the table, along with a few others, for dinner. Lirea headed into town with Nikki to do a supply run. Jocko is walking better and joining the rotation tonight.
I eat quick and go back to the med room. The nerves clash with the magic energy inside me, and my arms burn. My pulse slows before opening the cupboard. The black fob sits alone. I pocket it, and the cabinet snaps closed.
It’s time for another shower. With the full moon in two more nights, everything is going haywire.
Twenty-seven days have passed since I got to see my ruby fur—an excruciating record.
I have yet to figure out the rest of my plan.
I got the map, bag, and ride. I still need to figure out how to leave.
The full moon means everyone will be out of the house, but it’s still a risk. Last time, Stark stayed.
The days creep by, and I sink against the icy wet stone walls.
I hope for another book from Stark to occupy my brain, but nothing comes.
He has only stopped in once to thank me again for helping with the healing.
Tonight, I have to act. If he’s gone, things at the border aren’t better.
I’ve heard the talk in the house, and many are getting nervous to go on their shifts as injuries grow in frequency.
By dinner, I have everything tucked under the curtain by the window. It’s all about timing. The house is extra busy for dinner, and the mood in the room has shifted. Smiles fill most everyone’s faces.
“You joining us this time?” Hudry asks.
“No, you guys have fun.” I smile back at him.
Jocko leans in my direction. “You have the inside man. He mention anything about fixing the house yet? Sometimes it’s so hot in here.” He fans his face.
I drain a glass of water before answering. “Uh, no. I know he’ll figure it out though.” I thought it wasn’t so noticeable in the main room. The med room is a different story, as the space is too confined. Faira brought a small fan in yesterday.
A few head out to Lake Fawnett right away, while others gather in groups around the main space, chatting. I head off to get ready, slipping into a pair of black leggings.
The door swings open as I stick my head into a black sweater.
“You look better in red.”
I try to hold off from smiling as I pull my face through the hole. “Did I ask you for your opinion?”
Stark skips over my question and steps closer to me. “You can’t go melting snow tonight.”
I give him my best shut-your-mouth glare. He’s been good on his promise but there are still lots of ears around. “You going to break another door?” I need him gone.
“I won’t be here. The younger members won’t have enough control, and I can’t risk them running into humans tonight. They’re heading off to the lake like normal. Jocko, Mitus, and I are continuing watch.”
“Oh,” I say. Perfect.
“Red, I mean it. Stay in this room. Even if everyone’s got used to you over the past few weeks, it’s not enough when they can’t control themselves. You could get hurt.”
I move toward the door, hoping he’ll take the hint and leave. He comes close—too close—and I take a step back next to the handle, keeping my eyes down on his chest. Tingles skate the side of my face as he lifts my chin up. My heart pounds and the heat in the room changes with me.
Stark lowers his head and his breath hits my lips. “Look at me, Red.”
I’m obligated to do so by his tone. Those eyes stare into mine.
I go to move back further, but my heels hit the door, and I fail to keep an even breath.
His eyes are dreamy—blue like snow reflecting off clear ice on a lake—and his body .
. . I can picture every line, even with his shirt on.
Muscles stretch down his arms to his back where that tattoo lies.
If I rose up half an inch, our lips would meet.
I gulp. This is wrong. He has a mate.
I push him back, but his body doesn’t react.
He’s an Alpha in control, as he speaks again. “You better listen to me.”
I lift my shoulders against the door.
“I have no desire to kill more werewolves.”
“What?” I gasp. There’s no sarcasm in his face.
He lifts up my open jaw, letting his finger trace back toward my ear, tucking loose strands of hair behind it. “You think I let those two who hunted you in my home live?” The silkiness of his voices circles me.
Of course I did.
Knees sinking, I drop down a bit away from him. “The Elders . . .” My voice wavers.
“The Elders punished me that one time, and only out of respect did I let them. This time, I didn’t.”
Oh . . .
A slight shake trembles over me at the thought of Stark’s wolf form tearing those two men into pieces.
“I . . .” I have no words.
“Behave, Red.” He wraps his hand around the doorknob next to my side and the tingles flutter.
I step away from it as the door shuts. He’s gone.
Stark murdered his own pack members for me . . . that doesn’t happen.