Chapter 21
I pulled my gaze away from the hypnotic flames in the fireplace when Cecilia sat next to me on the sofa.
She offered me a cup of hot apple cider. “That’s the most spontaneous proposal I’ve ever heard. It might even be the most romantic.”
Archer softly cleared his throat from the opposite couch and winked at her.
Joy’s orange-and-white wolf was curled up on the floor behind Lakota’s silver wolf.
Violet hadn’t shifted back to human form, so Joy and Lakota were giving her much-needed comfort the only way wolves knew how.
Joy licked her ears, cleaning the little one as she slept.
Melody shuffled into the room in an oversized white shirt that had a water park logo on the front. She approached the opposite couch and handed Virgil a steaming cup of chicken broth. “Bear wants you to drink this.”
The commotion had drawn Virgil out of bed, and even though he was in pain and still recovering, he stayed in the living room as we recounted the events that had unfolded.
When I glanced down at my borrowed pajama bottoms and T-shirt, I felt the need to apologize to Melody, but sorry seemed inadequate. “I’m sorry about staining the dress you made.”
She plopped down on my left. “Screw the dress. I’m just glad you’re okay. That’s all that matters.”
Robyn and Catcher were sitting by the fire, but I could tell that, like me, her thoughts were elsewhere. She rubbed her worried face. “I feel so guilty.”
Archer jerked back his head. “Why?”
“Because I almost talked Cleo into coming with us. She changed her mind at the last minute. It’s the one time I’m glad she blew me off.
What if she had gone to the bathroom when it happened?
” After standing, Robyn rubbed her eyes.
“Montana sent a message earlier. They won’t be back until morning.
I should get some sleep so he can have the bed tomorrow. Good night.”
Catcher got up and stretched his back, then followed her. It became evident how important it was for the pack to make sure no one was alone during a crisis.
Lakota called the house to let everyone know the situation so they wouldn’t drive out there.
Then he gave us a ride home while the rest stayed to help the injured.
When we arrived, we found out that Hope had suffered a full-blown anxiety attack.
Lakota shifted, and his wolf stayed by his sister’s side.
Although the episode lasted only ten minutes, it took an hour before her heart slowed down.
Only after Tak called did she go to bed.
The pack understood her desire to help, but her medical condition took precedence.
“What’s Bear doing?” I finally asked. “He’s been in the kitchen all night.”
Melody yawned loudly. “He’s making a ton of soup for the injured. Lakota said two people were seriously wounded, and it’ll take a few days for them to heal. They each live alone, so Bear’s just being Bear and helping out. Salem plans to make house calls tomorrow, so he’ll deliver the food.”
“I’ll help,” I offered.
Archer patted a weary-eyed Virgil on the shoulder. “Maybe you should go to bed.”
“I can’t walk up the stairs,” Virgil pointed out. “I’ll sleep on the sectional.”
“Lucian might give you his bed for the night. He’s downstairs in the security room, and Eden left because of the emergency.”
Virgil reclined his head. “I already asked. He refused on the grounds that I sleep in the nude. Maybe you can carry me upstairs.”
Archer snorted. “That’s a hard no.”
“Why? You’re big and strong.”
“I also have one arm.”
“Technically, you have another in the garage. I have no complaints about a little artificial assistance.” Amusement danced in Virgil’s eyes. “I’ll ride on your back.”
Archer stood and stretched. “I’m gonna join Krys outside. We need to guard the property until they catch the moron who did this. Check all the locks on the windows before going to bed.” When he walked out the door, a cold wind slipped in and sent a shiver up my spine.
I drank half the cider before warming my hands around the mug. “There used to be violent acts like this back home in Nebraska.”
Virgil rubbed his bare chest. “Too much fighting in the cornfields?”
“It’s not all corn. Omaha’s a pretty large city. We have our own Breed district like most big cities, and there were a lot of incidents. That’s why I like it out here. Even my mom wanted me to move away because she was afraid something might happen to me.”
Cecilia curled her legs beneath her. “What do you like best about living down here in the country?”
I reclined my head against the sofa and closed my eyes.
“The songbirds. Sometimes I leave my doors open so I can listen to them. At night, I hear the yips and howls of the coyotes. They’re adjacent to my house.
There aren’t any packs around me, so I only hear wolves in the distance.
You don’t get to hear Shifters in the city.
Not like in the wild.” My eyes opened when graphic images of the bomb aftermath flashed through my mind.
“I never thought violent attacks like this happened in small towns.”
Melody wrapped her arms around me and rested her head against my shoulder. The sympathy in her touch was present, but she wasn’t leaking too many emotions at the moment. Probably on my behalf.
“Violence happens everywhere,” she pointed out. “Especially because of land disputes. I’m sorry it had to ruin your date. I’m the one who told Salem to take you there.”
“He was exactly where he needed to be, so maybe it’s fate. No one’s to blame.”
She leaned away and let go. “Nobody except that goon who set off the bomb. I’m half tempted to get my bow…”
Lakota’s wolf growled low in his throat.
She exhaled sharply. “I know, I know. Stay at home. Where’s the fun in that?”
He raised his head and barked.
“You just know everything, don’t you?”
I smiled with surprise. “Can he understand you?”
“Lakota only stays awake for a few minutes, but I swear his wolf speaks English.”
When the wood in the fireplace cracked, Violet’s wolf yipped and whimpered.
Joy nuzzled her baby, tucking her against her belly.
I rubbed my temples. “At least my hearing came back. My ears are still ringing, but not as badly. Salem said it normally takes a day or two before they heal on their own without shifting, but…”
Melody swept her hair out of her eyes. “But what?”
“I can’t shift, so my healing is slower. Especially since I’m sick. Maybe it doesn’t matter.”
“When’s the last time you shifted?”
“Five years ago.”
Mercy strutted into the room and smiled at me. “Bear said if you want a refill, he’s got more.”
“No, this is great. Thanks.”
The gate bell gave everyone a start.
Melody rushed to the window. “It’s Hope’s car. I can’t see who’s inside.” After rejoining us, she curled up behind Lakota on the floor, who stretched out to accommodate her.
I watched the door, listening to the footfalls march up the steps and onto the porch. When the door opened and Salem walked in, I don’t even remember getting up or handing off my drink. One minute I was on the sofa, the next in his arms.
“Salem, Salem,” I whispered.
He clutched me to him, and it was everything.
“Can I get you a drink?” Mercy offered.
He loosened his hold and smiled at me before answering her. “Milk would be appreciated.”
“You want it cold or warm? Nothing like a glass of warm milk to relax you.”
“Either one. I’m exhausted.”
Virgil casually patted the cushion beside him. “Come tell Virgil all about it.”
Salem walked between the two recliners facing the fireplace and glanced at the pile of wolves. He knelt and looked over Violet. “How is she?”
Melody continued stroking Lakota’s face. “Fine. I think the noise and people running were too scary for her to process, so her wolf took over. I’m just grateful nobody trampled her.” Melody reached over Lakota and scratched the pup’s hind leg.
“She’s young,” Salem said. “She won’t remember any of this, but it might affect her wolf’s personality.
It’s actually a good sign she hasn’t shifted back.
Her wolf is strong, and she’s protecting Violet.
We’ll have to keep an eye on her. I think it’s best we pair a wolf with her whenever she’s in animal form.
They can help her with any behavioral issues before they become a problem. ”
When Salem stood and rubbed the back of his neck, the firelight revealed the dried blood on his sleeve, pants, and hands.
I took his wrist. “We’re sleeping in your room tonight.”
“No need. They caught Mr. Blackwater, the man who set off the bomb.”
Melody shot up. “What? When?”
“The perpetrator did everything discreetly, so he didn’t think anyone would make the connection. He wanted to linger at the crime scene and make sure the job was done. His victim was a longtime foe.”
Mercy returned with a glass of milk, which Salem gulped down.
“Where’s everyone else?” I asked.
He wiped his mustache after Mercy collected the empty glass.
“They’re cleaning up. Tak called his former tribe, and a few are coming down to help.
Atticus can’t open the club until he repairs the room, and the longer they stay closed, the more of a financial loss it’ll be.
He wants to keep the upstairs portion running and set up outdoor tables, but not everyone goes there for the food.
” He rubbed his forehead. “Atticus hired professional cleaners to remove the blood and emotional imprints. The incendiary device sent out shrapnel everywhere. It’s on the ceiling, embedded in tables and chairs—it’s going to take work to restore everything. ”
“Did anyone die?” Virgil glanced over his shoulder into the darkness. “Hope you didn’t bring any specters home.”
“Besides the target, only one died. A Shifter was impaled in the heart.”
Archer leaned forward. “Anyone we know?”