Claimed: Gem Creek Bears, Book Three

by Snyder, Jennifer

  My two worlds had collided.

  “Should I take her inside?” Liam asked, jerking me from my thoughts.

  I blinked. “Uh, yeah. Follow me.” My voice sounded strange, almost robotic, and my movements were stiff. A numbness had settled in me I couldn’t shake.

  Was this what shock felt like?

  I crept up the steps to our trailer and opened the door. The familiar scent of Mom’s favorite plug-in air freshener lingered in the air. My throat pinched tight at the smell as the threat of tears stirred inside me. I swallowed hard, forcing them away, and stepped to the side so Liam could get through the door. He stood in the living room with Mom’s sleeping form hoisted in his arms. I planned on directing him to her bedroom, but the sight of my favorite fuzzy blanket on the couch gave me pause. It was spread out as though she’d been lying with it. There was an old photo album, a box of tissues, and an opened bottle of wine with an empty glass on the coffee table. Used tissues littered the floor.

  Had leaving the way I had upset her that much?

  “Do you want me to take her to her bedroom, or lay her on the couch?” Liam asked, his eyes on me.

  “The couch. I think that’s where she was when they took her,” I said.

  Liam nodded in agreement as he stepped around the coffee table. He carefully placed my mother on the couch. I crossed the living room to cover her with my blanket and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

  “I love you,” I whispered. “I’ll call soon. I promise.” My voice shook when I spoke, but I didn’t feel the tiniest bit self-conscious in front of Liam. A tear trickled down my cheek, and for the first time in forever, I didn’t worry about someone seeing me cry.

  Liam moved to wrap his arms around me, pulling me close. I buried my face into his chest and let myself break. Tears streamed from my eyes as my body shook with silent sobs.

  “I don’t even know why I’m crying,” I muttered into his chest. “But I can’t stop.”

  “Your last few twenty-four hours have been hell. It’s okay to cry,” he whispered, and my heart warmed. “Everything is okay.”

  For a long drawn out moment, we stood in the living room without speaking. I cried, and Liam just held me. It was exactly what I needed.

  Once I’d pieced myself back together again, I wiped my nose with my hand and untangled myself from him. I didn’t know how much time had passed, but I knew it had been enough. Maybe not enough to process things fully or to feel what I felt on the level I needed to in order to heal, but it was enough to take away some pressure inside me and to ease the insanity inside my head.

  “We should probably go. My mom will wake up soon, and she’ll freak out if she sees me here with some guy she’s never met.” I wiped more tears from beneath my eyes, sniffled, and then shoved my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. “Plus, I’m sure everyone is wondering what the heck is taking us so long.”

  “Sure,” Liam said. His gaze fell to the open photo album on the coffee table and he smiled. “You were a cute kid. You still look the same.”

  “Awesome. You think I look like a cute kid.” I wiped a lingering tear and flashed him a smirk.

  “Not what I meant. I’m just saying you were cute as a kid.”

  “So, I was cute, but now I’m not?” I teased.

  “No. I mean yes.” His brows scrunched together, and he exhaled a long breath. “You know what I mean. I’m just saying it wrong.”

  I chuckled and stepped to the door. “I know what you mean, and thanks. I’ve seen pictures of you from when you were a kid. You were cute too.”

  He grinned and shook his head as he exited the trailer first. Before I closed the door behind me, I cast a glance back at Mom. She looked peaceful. As I stared at her, I reiterated my promise of calling her soon and then closed the door, locking it behind me.

  Everyone stood huddled together while leaning against both vehicles, chatting, when we stepped out.

  “Is she okay?” Penny asked.

  “Yeah, she’s fine,” I said. “Still sleeping.”

  “Good. Well, I guess I’m heading out, then.” Penny pulled me in for a hug. “What are your plans? Are you staying here, or heading back to the campground?” she asked once she released me.

  “I guess I’m heading back to the campground.”

  “Indefinitely?” she asked.

  “Most likely.” I shrugged. I wasn’t part of this world anymore. I’d been pulled into another one, one that I couldn’t walk away from. Not being what I was—the Mystic.

  “That’s what I figured.” A wide smile spread onto her face. “I’m coming to visit you soon. Let me make sure I can get a couple of days off work first.”

  “That would be awesome.” I pulled her in for another hug, excited at the idea of her staying in Ruby with me.

  “Call me later, okay? I’m sure I’ll have lots of juicy gossip to talk to you about since I called the cops after we left the old sawmill and reported that I thought there was satanic stuff happening there that needed to be checked out anonymously. They’re probably about finished picking through things at the scene now and will release something soon to the public.”

  My brows lifted to my hairline. “Oh, wow. That’s going to blow all the old ladies’ minds at Violet’s Salon.”

  If you ever wanted to know any of the gossip in Opal Pine, that was the place to be. The old ladies who frequented there, sometimes daily if there was a good story to tell, always knew everyone’s business and didn’t mind sharing it with others.

  “Yep. I’m betting it’ll be featured on the front page of the newspaper this week and gossiped about for months too.”

  “For sure,” I said.

  Opal Pine was small. Rarely anything happened here. A satanic cult performing rituals in an abandoned building in the woods would likely be a top story for a while.

  “I’ll see the rest of you sometime soon. Thanks for helping rescue me and my girl here,” Penny said. Her gaze drifted to Liam and her expression grew serious. “Take care of her and treat her well.” She spun toward her car then, tossing a wave to everyone behind her. As she drove away, she honked out a melody, and then she was gone.

  God, I loved her and I was so thankful she was safe. That we all were.

  I didn’t know how Penny planned on explaining her cuts and bruises to her mom, but I knew she’d figure something out. She was good at telling a story. And it wouldn’t surprise me if she came forward as the person who’d called in the tip on the sawmill. Not because she was attention hungry, but because it was a good story.

  And Penny loved a good story.

  “So,” Liam said as he folded his arms over his solid chest and stared at me. “You’re coming back to the campground to stay. Indefinitely.” He arched a brow.

  “What? Did you think I’d run for the hills after all that?” I asked with a grin as I opened the passenger door to his SUV.

  He rounded the front of the vehicle while everyone else climbed in the back. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

  I smiled at him, but didn’t let my words free—Gem Creek felt like home. Liam pulled away from my trailer. When he cut a left out of the trailer park, my muscles relaxed. After a few miles, my eyelids grew heavy, and I fell asleep.

  Chapter Eight

  I jolted awake to someone gently shaking me while saying my name. Adrenaline rushed through me, causing my muscles to tense. My gaze snapped around, taking stock of where I was.

  Liam’s SUV.

  “Whoa,” Liam said. His hands lifted in surrender. “It’s okay. We’re back at the campground. I was just waking you up.”

  I smoothed a hand over my face and exhaled a slow breath, wishing I hadn’t woken so freaked out, but it had been unavoidable because I’d been dreaming of Jessica. An image of her holding my head beneath the brackish water of the pond and laughing while I drowned flashed through my mind. In my dream, I’d tried to fight her off, but my arms were like wet noodles. I hadn’t been able to put any force behind my
blows because of it.

  “Are you all right?” Billie asked from the backseat. She’d shifted forward to lean between the seats and placed a hand on my shoulder.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” I flashed her a half-hearted smile. “It was just a bad dream.”

  “I’d say the entire night was a bad dream for you,” Cato insisted. He popped open the back door and slipped out. I noticed him yawn and stretch from the corner of my eye.

  I rubbed my temples. “A complete nightmare, yeah.” He had no idea. “Thanks for the ride,” I said to Liam before opening the passenger door. The words seemed odd, the moment too. Was I supposed to thank everyone for coming to my rescue? For reviving me? I didn’t know what I was supposed to say.

  “No problem. We’re glad to have you back safe and sound,” Liam insisted. He smoothed a hand along the back of his neck, and I knew he was as uncomfortable with this moment as I was.

  I flashed him a smile and then slid out of his vehicle. “Oh, wait.” I paused, remembering everyone needed me to heal them. Liam especially. He’d been injured badly back at the old sawmill. “Should I heal your wounds before I go?” Maybe that was how I could thank them for what they’d done for me, Penny, and the other girls without having to say anything.

  Liam shook his head. “Nah. I think we’re all fine for now.” His fingers gingerly touched the wound at his side. “But I’ll definitely take you up on that offer tomorrow after you’ve gotten some rest.”

  I frowned at him. Why was he always so dang concerned about my well-being? He was too nice sometimes. I wasn’t used to it, especially not from guys.

  “I don’t mind. I mean, I did just take a two-hour nap.” I gave him a wry smile. “Let me heal you now so you don’t have to suffer all night and can get the rest you need.”

  “I’m good. Really. You can do it tomorrow,” he insisted.

  “Okay, well. I’m out. I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Cato said as he walked away, tossing us all a wave over his shoulder. “My bed is calling to me more than my pain. Night.”

  “I think I’m gonna follow Cato’s lead and call it a night too,” Billie said. She made her way out of the backseat. When Rafe didn’t follow, she motioned for him to.

  “Night,” I said to her and Cato.

  “What?” Rafe shrugged at Billie. “I like their back-and-forth thing. No one’s ever stepped up to my brother the way she has. It’s comical to watch. I need popcorn.”

  We weren’t doing any back-and-forth thing. Liam was just stubborn. Plain and simple.

  Billie cleared her throat, and I heard a snapping noise. Had she just snapped her fingers at Rafe? A smirk twisted my lips at the thought.

  “All right, fine,” Rafe grumbled like a kid being told it was time for bed. He slid from the backseat and slammed the door shut with more force than was necessary. He nudged me with his elbow when he walked past, a wicked smile spread on his face. “I think you might be his match. Just sayin’.” He winked.

  “Anyway.” Liam dragged the word out. “Have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  There was a finality to his voice that let me know he was done with the conversation. The problem was, he wasn’t my alpha and the conversation would be over when I said it would.

  Healing him was my way of thanking him for what he’d done.

  “No, not until you let me heal you.” I narrowed my eyes on him. “Get out. Come inside. And let me heal you.”

  We stared at each other for a while, neither of us blinking. His jaw worked as he chewed along the inside of his cheek. I wasn’t sure if he didn’t care for the way I’d spoken to him, or if he was contemplating doing what I said. When he popped the door open and slid from behind the wheel, I fought not to smirk. Instead, I headed toward Ruby’s steps. Once I climbed them and stood in front of the door with Liam directly behind me, I realized I didn’t have my key.

  “Crap,” I huffed. “I lost the key.”

  Liam leaned forward, pressing his solid form against my backside, and pounded his fist against a few areas of the door. It swung open.

  “No key needed,” he said, his warm breath tickling my ear. “Remember?”

  “Right. I forgot about that.”

  “I’ll get someone out here to fix it over the next few days. I’ll have a new key made for you too,” he insisted.

  “That would be great. Thanks.” I flipped the light on as I stepped inside.

  Ruby was a little stuffy from the day’s heat having built inside, but I didn’t mind. The tiny RV still felt undeniably like home.

  Liam rubbed the back of his neck as he entered the space behind me. “I’m sorry I didn’t jump on getting it fixed for you after I pointed it out the first time.”

  “Well, you’ve been preoccupied lately.” I shrugged. “We all have.”

  “True.”

  His eyes were on me. I could feel them. When I shifted to look at him, he looked as though he was about to say something regarding the night. My stomach churned. I didn’t want to relive the night’s events any more than I already had. All I wanted to do was forget.

  “Take your shirt off,” I blurted. Liam’s eyes widened at my demand. I cleared my throat before speaking again, my cheeks heating with the embarrassment of my words and the way I’d said them. They’d sounded so bold. “That way I can get to your wound and heal it.”

  “Oh. Right.” He peeled his shirt off and balled it up in one hand.

  His abs were on full display, but I tried my damnedest to ignore them. I stepped closer, my gaze locked on the blood-soaked bandage covering his wound. My fingers trembled as I moved to grip the corner.

  “You won’t hurt me,” he said. “At least not for long. I mean, you are about to heal me.”

  I looked up at him through my lashes and smiled. He had a point.

  Still, my teeth sank into my bottom lip as I peeled the corner of the tape away from his skin and then gently tugged at the bandage. His wound was grizzly looking. Loose flesh that looked angry and slimy peered back at me, and I swore I could see bone.

  “That looks awful.” I winced. “Painful.”

  How had he fought as hard as he had with it? How had he even been able to move?

  “It’s not as bad as it looks,” he insisted. “I cleaned it some before putting the bandage on earlier.”

  “Still.”

  I hovered my hands over the wound and closed my eyes, focusing on calling the Mystic magic to the surface. The desire to take his pain pulsed through me. I pictured his wound stitching together again, and seconds later, I could sense the skin moving beneath my palms. I opened my eyes to look. The golden light of my Mystic magic illuminated Liam’s skin as his wound healed. Warmth filled me at the sight, followed by a twinge of something else.

  Something unexpected.

  “That was fast,” Liam insisted with a grin. He took a step back, placing enough distance between us so he could slip his shirt on without bumping into me. “You’re turning into a regular pro.”

  “Yeah,” I breathed, my attention still focused on the twinge of oddness in my chest.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay.” I smoothed a hand over my forehead as the telltale signs I’d recently healed someone swept through me. My head felt fuzzy and the interior of the RV swayed a bit as nausea pooled in my stomach. I ignored it. I ignored all of it.

  All I could focus on was the strange sensation twisting through my chest.

  What is that?

  “You sure?” Liam took a step forward, his hand outstretched as though he was ready to catch me should I fall.

  I nodded. “I just. I don’t know. I felt something strange when I was healing you.”

  “Like?” he prompted when I didn’t elaborate.

  “It was odd—familiar—but odd.” My brows pinched together as I searched for a better description but came up short.

  “What was familiar about it?”

  I thought for a moment before answering, trying to decide. W
hen an answer came, it struck like a bolt of lightning and I locked eyes with Liam.

  “Ezra was right,” I said, my eyes widening. “There is another Mystic. I can feel her.”

  Liam shook his head. “That can’t be right. I mean, it’s never happened before. There’s never been more than one Mystic at a time. It’s not how it works.”

  I pressed my fingertips to the center of my chest, feeling where the sensation lingered. “There’s a first time for everything.”

  Liam ran his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  We stood in silence, each of our minds spinning.

  “I guess it makes sense,” he said, breaking the silence after some time. “I mean, you did die. You weren’t even breathing. I had to revive you. That must have given the Mystic magic the go-ahead to choose someone else.”

  Flashes of Jessica forcing my head beneath the icy pond water filled my head. I swallowed hard as I felt the sensation of her hands wrapped around my throat again. My heart rate sped up.

  I knew I’d died, but that didn’t mean I’d accepted it.

  “Clearly, you still have your Mystic abilities,” Liam said, oblivious to my thoughts.

  “Yeah,” I said, my mind still swirling. I moved to lean against the kitchen counter, steadying myself. My arms wrapped around my middle as though I was struggling to hold the pieces of myself together. “Is there enough magic for there to be two Mystics?”

  Liam didn’t answer right away. When I glanced at him, the area between his brows had wrinkled while he contemplated my question. “I’m not sure. Her Mystic magic might be weaker than yours since you’re the original,” he said without looking at me. “Or maybe the magic itself is strong enough to be wielded equally by the two of you.”

  “Maybe,” I whispered, hoping that was the case.

  “Having another Mystic is probably a good thing, though.” Liam grinned. “Everyone will focus on finding her and leave you alone.”

  My stomach somersaulted.

  I didn’t want that for whoever she was. No one needed to go through what I had with Ezra’s pack.