by Jade Alters
Suddenly the smell was forgotten when I heard movement from the direction of the front of the shed. Everyone did, apparently.
Clay and I were on one side, still crouched low, but now with guns ready. Manny was on the other side with Granite at his knee, the brown hair on his back standing straight up all over.
Clay made eye-contact with me and then looked over at Manny and Granite before standing up slowly and waving his arm for them to advance. Manny slipped around one side with Granite on his heels and Clay slipped around the other and I followed him.
I'd been involved in many of the security jobs we'd taken on, but none with the possibility of a gunfight. My adrenaline was surging and my heart was pounding. I had my gun out and I was clutching it so tightly that I could feel my hand tingling as the blood tried to make its way through.
We made it around the side, almost to the center of the wall of the shed when a shadow suddenly appeared from around the front of the house. Before we could even process that, a volley of shots broke the silence of the night.
Clay and I hit the ground, and returned fire. The man dove back behind the house, but we heard gunfire from that direction...and then suddenly, nothing.
Manny got him, or he got Manny...but that was doubtful. We heard a low whistle and if there was any doubt, that settled it. We made our way the rest of the way around and there was McAvoy...truly dead now, with a hole in the center of his chest. Manny was already on the porch and ready to open the door of the cabin.
Granite was standing by, but since he was still in wolf form, I went to help. Manny and I had our weapons ready as he kicked in the door. Clay was covering us from behind as we stepped into the doorway, guns drawn.
My heart was racing, but there was no need to worry. Every one inside was already dead.
Four men lay on the floor in the center of the room, one piled on top of the other in a stack. They were all nude, and now that I was close I could smell, obviously dead. I didn't smell blood and I didn't see any, and their bodies seemed to be intact, at least what I could see. Maybe they'd been strangled, or poisoned, but whatever happened was recent and that's why Clay and I hadn't yet been able to pick up the smell of death.
We searched the rest of the place. It was only one room with a bathroom, so it didn't take any time at all to realize it was clear, save for the bodies. Counting the one outside, we now had five bodies, and I knew that it was going to be a long ass night.
Cheyenne
“You know we love you, Chey, but it's been three weeks and you're as nervous as a cat all the time and only leave the house to go to work. I think something happened to you that night that you're not telling us.”
Marta and Bonnie had ambushed me on Saturday morning, before I'd even had my coffee. I'd been so jumpy for the past three weeks, scared of my own shadow, that when I stepped out of my room and found them waiting for me in the living room, I actually screamed.
I walked past the both to the little kitchen as I said, “You just startled me is all. You shouldn't sneak up on a person first thing in the morning.”
I got a mug out and began to pour my coffee.
The kitchen and living room are separated only by an island. I was wishing it were a wall when I realized they were both turned backwards on the couch, staring at me.
“This is us, Cheyenne. We only want to help you,” Bonnie said.
“I don't need any help. I got drunk, wandered around lost for a while, woke up in the woods and came home embarrassed as hell. I'll get over it.”
“That story doesn't even make sense. What did you eat, drink? Where did you sleep for two nights? Those woods are full of creepy-crawling creatures. You expect us to believe you just curled up and slept on the ground?”
“Yes, I do. If you love me as much as you say you do, you'll believe me. I already have to deal with the daily calls from my mother, urging me to come home. I feel lucky I was even able to convince her and my father to not come out here. Do me a favor and next time I go missing, please don't call them.”
Bonnie rolled her eyes as I walked back through the living room, trying to make it back to my room.
I was surprised when Marta stepped in front of my door.
“Huh uh,” she said, “You've been avoiding this conversation for weeks and things are only getting worse. Bonnie says you're even distracted at work all the time, looking out the window and jumping every time the bells on the door ring. You have to tell us what really happened.”
I sighed. I wanted to growl, or scream even. I just wanted them to leave me alone.
I had nightmares about hairy beasts every night. I was scared to death that they were coming to get me...and at the same time, I couldn't get Ridge off my mind. Not the Ridge that kidnapped me, but the man from the bar.
The hot, funny, sweet, interesting man that I truly thought liked me. I knew it was crazy to think anything about him, or feel anything toward him other than anger...but those crazy feelings like I belonged with him still ate away at me.
Go figure, I'd fall for a man who was part animal, and who would rather hold me captive in the woods than take me out on a real date. I feel like I'm losing my mind some days, and I want to talk about it.
But then I picture them...all three of them, turning into wolves in front of my eyes, and Chelsea's veiled threats. What confused me most was when I pictured Chase, or Chelsea with those babies... They were so soft and loving towards them... How could they be both monster and nurturer? None of it made any sense and I longed for the old days when I was simply a chubby, plain girl with a boring life.
“I already did,” I said. “Now if you don't mind, it's my day off and I'd like to spend some time organizing my closet today.”
“No.” Marta said, folding her arms across her chest.
I raised my eyebrows at her. “No?”
“No.” she said. Bonnie came over and stood next to her. Great, my roommate and my co-worker were going to push me around now too. “You're going to tell us the truth, Chey.”
“Please,” Bonnie said, “We love you. We can't let you go on like this.” It was like an intervention. They were telling me, in a way, that I'd have no peace unless I told them “the truth”.
My mind was racing as I tried to think of a story to tell them that would satisfy their curiosity, but I was coming up blank until Marta said,
“That guy, Ridge...he hasn't been back to the club since that night. I told the police about him when they finally came out, but because he works for the Pack, I don't think they even looked into it. Did he do something to you, Cheyenne? Please tell us, it's okay.”
“No. I mean,” I turned my back to them and walked toward the couch. I was a terrible liar. I'd told the one about wandering in the woods, drunk, until I almost believed it...but now I had to start all over.
It made my stomach hurt. I took a deep breath and said, “He didn't do anything to me, as in, hurt me. But...” I sat down and they practically rushed over and sat in the recliners opposite me.
Their eyes were wide, like they were about to hear some racy gossip...so, I decided to give them some. “I left with him that night, and I wasn't drunk.”
Marta and Bonnie exchanged a look and Bonnie said, “Okay...and?”
“I live with a roommate, he lives with a roommate...so, we went looking for a place where we could...be alone.”
Marta's mouth was hanging open. “You had sex? For two days?”
I nodded and I probably looked ashamed.
It wasn't about the “sex” however, it was the shame of telling such an outrageous lie. “We went to a place his friend owns in the woods...and we had, amazing, incredible, hot sex. I lost track of time. For two days we only got out of bed to eat, shower and do it all over again. I swear, I was just so caught up in it that I didn't even think about time passing or people being worried about me.”
Bonnie was shaking her head, slowly. I could tell by the look on her face that she didn't believe what I was saying, but she didn't
say that outright. Instead, she said, “Why not tell us this before? I mean, you're over 21 and single, and so is he, I assume...so why hide it?”
Again, I went for the lie.
“His roommate, is a woman. They have a baby together. He's working on leaving, but it's complicated. I promised him I wouldn't tell, anyone.”
My friends exchanged another glance and then Marta crossed her skinny little arms again and sat back into the chair with her lips pursed.
Bonnie looked like she was trying to process it all, or maybe she just didn't believe a hot guy like Ridge would want me. “So... this creep is married, with a baby?” Marta said, “And he let you tell some bizarre story and be embarrassed in front of the cops, us, your parents...most of the island, to protect him?”
“He didn't ask me to lie, and honestly, I did it as much for me as for him. I knew about the girlfriend before I left with him, he was honest with me. I wanted him, so I did this, and then I was ashamed of myself so I lied.”
“I don't believe you,” Marta said.
“Me neither,” Bonnie chimed in.
I know, since I was a big, fat, liar, it wasn't fair, but I did my best to turn it around on them.
“So what don't you believe? That this hot guy wanted me? That any guy wanted me?”
“No! Stop that,” Marta said. “Of course he wanted you. You're gorgeous even though you have no idea. That's not what we're saying. It's just, the idea of you being with a man who is cheating is so out of character for you, and the sneaking around, not answering your phone and making up stories. None of that is in character for you.”
“I know,” I said. “I've always been the good girl. But I have urges like anyone else, and...there was just something about Ridge, I was drawn to him from that first night we met. I've never been that drawn to anyone.” At least this part was true. “I thought about him all the time and the highlight of going out, was seeing him. He was so attentive. He told me I was beautiful...I needed all of that, and I got lost in it. I'm truly sorry that I worried everyone, and that I lied. But haven't either of you ever done anything foolish because you were crazy over a man?”
They were quiet for a long time before Bonnie said,
“I have, more than once.”
“Me too,” Marta said. “But I have one more question...two, actually.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Okay?”
“Are you still seeing him?”
“No. I told him I couldn't do it, not unless he takes care of his relationship first. Question two?”
“The jumpiness, nervousness, always looking over your shoulder...what's that about?”
“That has nothing to do with Ridge,” I said, trying to think of a story as I went along. “Or maybe, it does. But I'm not afraid of him, or anyone in particular. I guess my conscience is just stronger than I gave it credit for.
The guilt is eating away at me...like the Tell-Tale Heart.” They weren't avid readers like I was and they both looked at me, blankly.
“Edgar Allan Poe?” Still nothing.
I sighed and said, “It's a book, about a man who commits a grievous sin and then loses his mind over the guilt. Don't worry though, I'm not losing my mind. I'll be okay. I just need some time to work through it.”
I stood up and the girls did too. Bonnie suddenly hugged me and then Marta hugged us both and said,
“Please don't think you can't tell us things. We won't judge you.”
I truly loved them, and I despised lying to them even more because of it.
They trusted me and that caused an ache in the center of my chest.
I whispered a “Thank you,” and hugged them back and then I went back to wondering just how long I was going to wake up every morning with a knot in the pit of my stomach, and fall asleep every night with the face of a man I simultaneously wanted and feared, seared into my brain.
Grayson
It was Sunday, my day off. I was relaxing at the compound, thinking about going for a run along the beach and just having a peaceful day.
Then my phone rang...and the man on the other end did his best to change all that. I listened carefully to what Ridge was saying, reacting silently to a lot of it, but not speaking a word until he wrapped it all up by saying,
“Grayson, before you say no, please remember everything we've been through together...”
“Oh that's low.” Ridge was my hero, my savior, and he knew it. He's a good guy, but he's a self-centered guy and he doesn't hesitate to use what I “owe” him to get what he wants.
“I'm sorry, Gray. You're right, it sucks for me to do that to you. I just can't explain how badly I want this.”
“I know you, Ridge. When you want something, you want it badly and you'll do anything to get what you want, including pulling me into this mess. I'm 19, Ridge. I grew up an orphan wolf so all I know about any of that came from you. I've only lived as a human for a year, so I don't know much about that either. If I get expelled from this pack, I won't make it. I have to wonder how much you value our friendship when I think about you putting me in that position.”
“I'm sorry,” he said, sounding genuinely remorseful.
“Why not ask Chase?”
“Chase will be expected at work tomorrow. I heard Clay say you have this week off, that's what made me think of you.”
“Right, that and the fact that I never say no to you. Where will they think I am all week?”
“Running in the woods. You know they don't keep tabs on us on our days off. You don't have to stay all week...just a few days. Just find out if she's thinking about me, or talking about me. Find out if she hates me, or if there might still be a chance....Come on buddy. You're the right color and your eyes are blue...they'll believe you're a dog, a husky or whatever.”
“Thanks, it's nice to know I look like a dog.”
He growled a little and said, “Okay, never mind. I'm sorry I asked. I have to get back. The police are still combing through the scene and asking questions. I'm so fucking tired. We were here all-night Friday, most of the day yesterday and they called us back out first thing this morning. Maybe I just need to sleep. maybe I'm just not thinking straight.” I thought he was finished and then he said, “I just ache for her, Gray. I can't even describe it. It's hard to breathe.”
Damn it.
A surge of guilt washed over me. Ridge has never had anyone. He was told to watch me and for years, that's what he did, alone in the woods.
He raised me, he kept me safe, and he never left me to go looking for a mate or a new pack. If Chelsea and the other alphas had wanted him and not me when they found us, Ridge would have refused to go with them, I know it in my heart.
Now he has a chance to be happy, and I can help him, but I'm refusing because I'm afraid of getting into trouble. I'm not a pup anymore. I guess it's time to start acting like the adult wolf and human I am. “Ridge, wait. I'll go.” There was a long pause and I thought maybe he'd already hung up.
Finally he said, “Really?”
“Yeah, I'll do it.”
“If you're worried about getting into trouble...”
“I am, but I owe you my life. Being afraid of a little trouble makes me feel like a coward and I don't want to feel that way.”
“Thank you, Gray. I promise, if somehow they find out, I'll take all responsibility.” We ended the call and I thought about what he said. I didn't doubt Ridge would step up because that's just who he is. But he and I both know that's not how it works in the pack. Each man or woman is responsible for his or her own actions. I knew what I was doing could get me into a lot of trouble and if I got caught, the responsibility for making that decision would be on me.
Period.
Grayson
Surga doesn't have any big department stores or chain grocery stores where I could go and discreetly make a purchase.
I was going to have to go straight to the vet's office to do this, and I hated going there. In any other town that wouldn't even be an option on Sunday...but our
vet was open seven days a week, and even on holidays.
I walk by the office all the time, but I had only been inside once, with Chelsea about six months ago. We had found a cat and honestly, I'd tried to eat it.
Chelsea stopped me, reminding me that we were more than animals.
The cat was domesticated and on the blue collar he wore around his neck was a tag that said, “Hank” and an address. She said some child was probably crying herself to sleep at night, looking for her cat.
Chelsea grew up human, so she knew more about these things than I did. I wouldn't argue with Chelsea even if I thought I knew more, I had too much respect for her than that. Anyways, Chelsea and I took the cat to the address but the house was empty.
The neighbor told us they had recently moved. So, Chelsea's next stop was the vet's office. She was going to take the cat in, but about that time, baby Christopher began to cry.
The babies were only a few months old at that time and Chelsea was breast feeding them. I left her to feed Christopher and I went inside.
The smell of the place was overwhelming for a wolf, or maybe to everyone, I wasn't sure.
All I knew was that there were things in the air that made me cycle from hungry, to aggressive to horny in a matter of seconds.
I could hear the dogs barking out back before I even went inside, and I hated thinking about them being in cages. I know I couldn't survive being caged in.
On the other hand, dogs don't like us usually. They can smell our wolf and it makes most of them aggressive, so I was safer with them in cages I suppose.
Anyways, apparently they have some kind of “chip” they somehow poke into domestic animals and then the vet can scan them, like a grocery item, to find out where they live.
When they scanned him, his old address came up, but there was a note in the computer about him getting lost and a new address. A little girl got her cat back...so the trip was worth it. Of course that didn't make it any easier to go inside this time.
The bells jangled as I pushed the door open and a lady at the reception desk looked up and smiled. I made myself smile back and hoped my voice wouldn't crack from nerves when I spoke. “Um, yeah. I got a new puppy and I was looking for one of those machines where I could make a tag for him, in case he got lost or something.”
