He smiles. “Of course.”
The idea distracts me from how very good Jack looks when his lips curve. “College is something I forgot about a long time ago. After my dad died, I figured it just wasn’t in the cards for me.” I bite my lower lip. I usually don’t talk with people about my dad because they inevitably ask questions—how did he die, when did he die, how old was I, what happened to me afterward?
But Jack doesn’t. “You can do whatever you want. We all pool our resources so everyone in the pack is taken care of. If someone wants to go to school, we always pay for it. Business ventures need to be approved by the alphas and betas. Typically, unless the idea is completely nuts, we say yes to those, too.”
I allow the information to sink in. I had pretty much resigned myself to a lifetime of crap jobs and pitiful wages. For the first time in a long while, possibilities begin blooming in my mind. I could do anything with my life. I could even do several things, like Jack has.
When life is what’s ailing you, sometimes death is the cure. It’s what the man at the bar said to me the night I was stabbed. It’s amazing how prophetic the words came to be. I didn’t die, not exactly, but I have been reborn into something new. Maybe being mugged was the best thing that could’ve happened to me.
Jack stops walking and gestures to the one-story cabin before us. “Here we are. This is your new home.”
Home. That word hasn’t held much meaning for me since I moved from the house I lived in with my dad, but I fill with warmth at the sound of it now. It’s made of the same rough-hewn timbers as the other houses on the property, and it has a large covered porch. I can almost imagine what it would look like with some hanging baskets overflowing with flowers and a swing in the corner. “It’s beautiful.”
There are five other similar cabins nearby, all nestled around a small hill. Jack motions to the one situated atop the rise. “That’s my place.”
My cheeks burn at the prospect of him living so close. “In case I ever want to come visit?”
He smiles. “In case you ever need me. For anything.”
The way he says it sends a chill through me and I shiver despite the warmth of the night. I get the feeling he isn’t talking about popping by if I need to borrow a cup of flour. The promise of anything sounds much more intense—and romantic.
He nods once before turning toward his cabin. Before I can stop myself, I’ve grabbed his hand. I tug him until he’s facing me again. There’s a question in his eyes I can’t answer. I don’t know why I’ve stopped him; I just know I don’t want him to leave. I should apologize, but I can’t find the words.
The confusion in his eyes shifts into a look so intense it makes my insides melt. His free hand cups the side of my face and he steps in close. He holds his face inches above mine for a second before bringing his lips down to mine. The kiss is hard but tender, and I don’t want it to end. Something opens up inside me. I want to live in this moment forever.
When he pulls away, it takes a second for me to catch my breath. He looks down at me, a new question in his eyes, one I can’t decipher. I want to pull him back, to kiss him again and never let go, but he takes a step away. My skin feels cooler as the distance between us increases.
“Goodnight, Ava,” he murmurs before turning and striding toward his house, leaving me to wonder what just happened.
Chapter Six
“Keep your knees up!”
It’s been two days since I joined the pack and Lillie has me on day two of agility training. I’m stronger and faster now than I was as a human, but none of that matters if I’m a klutz who can’t keep her feet under her.
We’ve set up in the same clearing the bonfire was in. The picnic tables have since been moved back to their spots on the meeting house hill, and Lillie has set up a kind of obstacle course that I’ve convinced would trip up an Olympic athlete. I have to jog through tires, weave through cones while kicking a ball, jump over bars of varying heights, and play some kind of demented version of hop scotch through a series of ropes.
I was getting pretty good at each of the activities by the end of the day yesterday, but today is another story entirely. I feel every bit the awkward teenager in gym class as I fall on my butt yet again.
At least I’ll learn just how quickly bruises heal when you’re a werewolf.
I feel like crap. I didn’t sleep well last night. I tossed and turned, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’m hungry, but nothing I can think of sounds appealing. For breakfast, Lillie made bacon and eggs, insisting I’d need the protein, but even though I ate everything she heaped on my plate, it didn’t satisfy me. I wonder if my tastes have somehow changed along with the rest of me.
By the afternoon, the hunger has given way to weakness. I do my best to keep my knees up as Lillie ordered as I attempt to make my way through the tire obstacle. But three steps in, my foot catches and I careen face-first into the grass.
“I need a drink,” I say, pressing myself to my hands and knees. My voice is rougher than usual.
Lillie nods and leads the way over to the cooler she hauled down from the meeting house. I scan the vicinity as I struggle to my feet. Lillie has assured me no one is going to come watch my training, and I’m glad for it. I don’t want anyone to see what an uncoordinated mess their new beta really is.
Lillie pulls out a plastic bottle and hands it to me. Before I’ve twisted off the lid, she’s brought her own bottle to her lips and chugs it down as if she’s the one who’s been doing all the work. I unscrew my cap, but the thought of actually drinking it turns my stomach. It’s strange—I’m so thirsty. But I feel like swallowing this cold, clear liquid will make me retch.
Under Lillie’s watchful eye, I press my lips to the rim and pretend to take a sip. This has to be my body adjusting to being a werewolf. I bet if I tell her how I’m feeling she’ll understand, but I can’t bring myself to say what’s bothering me.
“You ready to get back to it?” she asks.
I force a smile. “Can’t wait.”
I really do want to be good at this. Lillie has spent a bit of time explaining just how important my role as beta is to the pack. I’ll be consulted regarding pack matters, and my vote will carry as much weight as Sawyer’s or either of the alphas. If our pack is ever challenged, I may be called on to lead a battalion of wolves into battle. And if something happens to Skye, our alpha female, I’ll take her position as co-leader of the pack alongside Jack. The weight of all that responsibility is more than a little overwhelming.
Lillie and I move back toward the tires. There are only eight of them. I should be able to get through to the end without falling over. Although she’s said nothing to make me think she sees me as incapable, I still want to prove to her I’m not. Or, more likely, I’m desperate to prove it to myself.
I don’t wait for her to say go before starting my run. I suck in breaths as if I’m breathing through a wet cloth, but I manage to make it to the end before collapsing to my knees.
Lillie claps. “Good. I knew you could do it.”
It’s the first compliment she’s paid me in the hour since we started, and it’s enough to bolster my confidence. When I move on to the uneven jumping bars, I feel like I might actually stand a chance against them.
I take in a deep breath and prepare to spring over the first hurdle, but a wave of dizziness washes through me. Pinpricks of black creep in along my periphery and I sway on my feet. A crunching sounds behind me and I do my best to ignore it, to keep my attention on my task. But when I attempt the first jump, my balance is off and I fall sideways, my skull banging against the cool earth.
My head swims. I should get up and keep trying, but I can’t make my muscles cooperate. After a beat, Lillie is at my side.
“Maybe we should call it a day,” she says as she helps me to my feet.
I want to say no, to insist I’m okay to keep going, but it wouldn’t be the truth. “Okay. I think I’ll go back to the house and lie down.�
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“Lillie, can I talk to you?”
I jump at the sound of Jack’s voice. He must have been the one who caused the crunching noise. Lillie’s eyebrows draw together as she studies me for one last second before turning to our alpha. “Sure, Jack,” she says, moving to his side.
I keep my head down as I start for the dirt road. I’ve done my best to avoid Jack since my first night. Neither of us has mentioned the kiss. I don’t know what I expected the next morning, but Jack acted as if nothing had happened between us. I’ve been taking my cue from him, even though it makes my stomach twist. I was so sure the two of us had some kind of connection, but maybe I was imagining things. Maybe I feel drawn to him simply because he is my alpha. It’s entirely possible he kisses all the new she-wolves—and if that’s the case, I don’t want to encourage his advances. I don’t want him to think he has some kind of claim over me simply because he’s the pack leader.
I’ve made it just past the meeting house hill when I hear heavy footfalls behind me. Someone is running to catch up, and I don’t need to turn to know it’s Jack. His campfire smell reaches me long before his fingers brush down my arm.
I stop, doing my best to ignore the sparks that dance over my skin where he touched me. Even in whatever weird state of flux I’m in, my body is still reacting to him.
“Are you all right?” he asks.
I can’t meet his eyes, but staring at his lips is also not an option, so I settle for looking at his nose. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. Lillie says your reaction time got slower the longer you sparred. What’s the matter?” He shifts, ducking down a fraction of an inch so I have no choice but to meet his gaze.
I blink and look away. “Nothing. I’m just feeling a little off today. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”
Jack’s fingers go to the side of my face and turn my head gently until I’m looking at him again. His brow creases as he scans me. “Weres don’t get sick. You’re not… avoiding me, are you?”
My stomach drops. “No. Why would I be?”
His eyebrows arch. “You haven’t been able to look me in the eye since the other night. When we kissed.”
It’s my turn to be surprised. At this point, I was convinced he was going to pretend like it never happened. But maybe that was silly—even a little childish. Jack is more than a hundred years old. I can’t imagine he’d be embarrassed by what happened between us. And I have been avoiding him, but for what reason? Because I read more into what happened than he anticipated?
He sighs. “It was probably a stupid move on my part. After everything that happened that day, all I did was add one more thing to the chaos.” He steps in closer, leaving barely a whisper of space between us. My skin heats in anticipation of contact with his. “I thought you felt it too—the connection between us. Maybe I was wrong.” He brushes a finger under my chin, lifting my head until I meet his gunmetal-blue eyes. “You’re my beta. We need to trust each other and work together. There can’t be this awkwardness between us, so if you don’t want me to kiss you again, tell me.”
The last thing I want is to never kiss Jack again, but something keeps me from saying that. The burning sensation in the pit of my stomach ratchets up and I’m afraid I might vomit. Great. He’s giving me this opportunity and I’m going to ruin it by blowing chunks on him. “Are you sure weres don’t get sick? I feel terrible.”
Worry flickers across his face and he presses his fingers to my forehead. “Your change was different than any I’ve witnessed before. You turned faster than anyone I’ve ever seen, for one. Usually it takes at least three days for the body to accept the change. Maybe you’re still adjusting.”
His hand drifts to my cheek and I curse whatever it is inside me that’s making me feel so awful. This gorgeous man is standing in front of me, practically asking for me to kiss him again, and I can’t. “I think I should go lie down.”
“That’s probably for the best. We can talk more when you’re feeling better.” He pauses for a moment before leaning forward and pressing his lips against my forehead. “I’ll come check on you later.”
The corners of my mouth twitch. “I’d like that.” I hope he understands from my words that a visit from him isn’t all I’d like, but I’m suddenly so weak all I can think about is getting off my feet.
I turn and start toward my house. I feel Jack’s eyes on me for several moments before I hear the scrape of his shoes against the gravel as he turns back toward the gym.
My vision swims. Is Jack right? Am I feeling like this because I woke up too early after he turned me? I hope that’s the case. I hope all I need is a long nap and then I’ll be back to feeling normal—my new normal.
It’s getting harder to walk. I drag my feet as I continue up the road, and then I stumble. My knees collide with the ground, the sharp gravel digging into my knees. I try to push myself back to my feet, but it’s hard.
I should call for help, but my throat is too dry. I’m so thirsty, but the idea of water or juice—of anything—makes bile rise in my throat.
I need help.
Something deep in the back of my mind tugs at my consciousness. There’s help somewhere. I just need to get to it. I’m not sure where it is, but I know I can find it. I need to.
The burning sensation in the pit of my stomach sweeps through the rest of my body. Somehow, the pain gives me enough strength to struggle to my feet. I have to leave this place.
Several cars are parked at random intervals along the road. Lillie told me yesterday that the vehicles can be used by anyone in the pack. I stagger toward the nearest one—an SUV larger than anything I’ve ever driven before. The door is unlocked and the keys are in the ignition. Without a clear idea where I’m going, I start the engine and put the car in drive. I need to find help, and I need to find it now.
Chapter Seven
I have no idea where I’m going. I just know I need to get there—and soon.
I can barely see the road ahead of me well enough to drive, despite the fact that it’s still midday and the sunlight is bright overhead. Driving like this reminds me of the one time I decided to drive home after far too many beers. I know I shouldn’t be behind the wheel, but I also have the sense something very bad will happen if I pull over.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been driving, but I’m getting close. The trees are thinning. I’m nearer to civilization than I was in the enclave. It’s possible I’ve driven through this town before. I think it’s near to where I was living before everything changed.
There’s a house on my left. I can’t see it behind a large hill near the road, but I know it’s there. I pull into the driveway. It’s long—probably a quarter mile. I’m halfway up it before a rambling mansion comes into view.
This is the place. I don’t know how I know, but I do. There’s something here I need.
The burning in my body reaches down into my bones. I bite back a yelp of pain when I jam the gearshift into park and cut the ignition. It hurts to move, but I don’t need to go much farther now.
I climb out of the car and stumble toward the intricately carved heavy double doors. I bring my fist down on one side to knock, but almost no sound reverberates through the wood. There’s no way whoever is inside will hear me.
I lean forward, pressing my head against the door. “Please help me,” I murmur.
The door beside me cracks open. If I weren’t so weak and out of it, I probably would have jumped in surprise. But in my current state, I barely manage to glance over at the person staring at me.
The girl appears to be about my age, with long blonde hair and an irritated expression. “Who are you?”
“I need help. Can you help me?” My voice is weak.
She wrinkles her nose. “I think you have the wrong place.” She disappears back into the house and the door hinges creak. I want to protest, but nothing comes out of my mouth.
Before the door can close, a man speaks. “Who’s there?”
; The hair on the back of my neck stands up. I know that voice, but I can’t place it.
“Some girl wants help.”
I grab for the handle of the door I’m still pressed against. I need something to help keep me upright.
The man’s face appears through the open door. I know him, but from where? There is something so familiar about the lines of his jaw, the electric blue of his eyes.
A smile spreads across his lips. He recognizes me too. “I was wondering if I’d see you again.” He steps out onto the porch and slides an arm around my waist. At once a memory flashes through my mind. He’s the guy from the bar the other night—the one who bought me drink after drink. He’s the one who danced with me, who made the odd comment about death being the cure for life.
Is that why I’m here? Is he the one who can help me?
He guides me into the house and I don’t fight him. I wouldn’t have the energy to even if I wanted. I’m fading—the same way I was the night I was stabbed, before Jack bit me. Despite the fact that as a werewolf I’m supposed to be immortal, I can’t help feeling like I’m on the brink of death again.
I only catch glimpses of my surroundings as he guides me further into the house. There are paintings on the wall and cut glass decanters filled with amber liquids on small, ornately carved wooden tables along the walls.
He leads me to a black leather couch and I sink into it. “Dinah, please bring me a glass from my private collection.”
The blonde sucks her teeth. “I’m not your waitress, Luke.”
He glares at her. “I don’t believe I was asking.”
My eyelids flutter. It’s getting harder to keep them open. “What’s happening to me?”
He traces a strong finger along the side of my jaw. “You’ll be better in a moment, I promise.”
Fate Bound (Fate Bound Trilogy Book 1) Page 4
