“Daniel? Safe?” He gave a sarcastic laugh.
“He was popular, which gave me security. And I knew he liked me. Since I wasn’t crazy in love with him, the risk was minimal. Safe.” I glanced at my knees and noticed my old, faded T-shirt and ratty sweats. It didn’t do much to bolster my confidence, but I’d come too far to stop now. “But I don’t want safe anymore. Not if it means losing a piece of myself. If I want something, I’m going to stand up and fight for it. And so should you.”
He sighed, his eyes drifting lazily around the room.
I forged ahead, determined to break down his resistance. “I got to thinking. I couldn’t figure out how you could do everything you’ve done and not want me enough to be with me. You went all-out with the Mustang. You could’ve let me go on and on searching endlessly, but you jumped in, found me the perfect car and made the deal for me.”
Zack rolled his eyes. “It’s called a job. You were paying me.”
“Quiet. I’m not done yet.” I waved an index finger at him. “You protected me over and over again from Daniel, had me for dinner at your house, double dated with me when you didn’t have to, watched over me in the woods when you were a wolf, helped me figure out who and what I was, told me everything you knew about our kind.” I took a moment to breathe, softening my voice. “You kissed me, touched me. You did all these things like you really cared about me.”
“Autumn—”
“Shhh. I’m not done and my fifteen minutes aren’t up. I get an extra minute, by the way, because you keep interrupting. Add another minute because you’re being impatient.” I raised one brow.
He growled.
“As I was saying, all these things were going through my head while I tried to figure out how anyone could do all that and not care deeply about the person. I kept buying into your explanations, but they never completely sat right with me. Then it hit me.” I smiled. “The answer is so simple. I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out before.” I paused a moment to let it sink in. “The answer is… it’s not possible. That’s the answer.”
“What?” He looked baffled.
“It’s not possible. You can’t do all that and not want me.”
He blew out his breath. “That’s what this is all about? A guy would have to be dead not to be attracted to you. That’s all there is to it.”
“And I understand that. But you’re trying to convince me that you only like me as a friend. That I don’t mean any more to you than Ashley or Maya. But I know your feelings run deeper than that. I know this like I know your kiss, the color of your eyes and hair. Denying it doesn’t change what I know. It’d be nice, though, if you admitted it.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Keep talking. Three minutes left.”
“You think it’s easier if you leave and pretend you never felt anything and I’ll get over it. You think you’re protecting me, protecting yourself and you’re saving us both a lot of pain. But it’s not easier. Sometimes easier isn’t easier.”
“Don’t go into philosophy.” He smirked. “No one would understand you.”
“You know what I mean. It’s like when you don’t want to do your homework. You think it’s easier not to do it. But later, when you get grounded for getting an F, it’s so much harder and you wish you’d taken the time when you had the chance.”
“How does that have anything to do with us?” He moaned and sat at the other end of the couch.
“I’m getting there.” I got up to pace. “You think you’re doing me this huge favor by pushing me away. You think it’s honorable, but it’s actually stupid. According to you, the plan is to walk away in the end, go our separate ways. And you know that’s going to hurt. Your rejections have hurt me more than anything else you could ever do.” I stopped in front of Zack as he absorbed that, his face softening. “And it hurts you too. I know it does. So what if we’re together, then we have to split up because one of us has to run? Okay. We knew it could happen. Separating is a risk in any relationship. But for the next few weeks, we can live every possible moment like it’s all we’ve got.”
“It’s too dangerous, Autumn. It’s not safe for you to be around me. What if the scouts realize what you are?” He stood up and we were toe to toe. “Don’t you see? Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for you.”
That was probably as close to an admission as I was going to get. It was good enough for me. I laid a palm on his cheek. “You would have left me believing that you didn’t care enough. It’s unthinkable.” I sniffed as a tear escaped, remembering one of his lectures. “You have to do what’s right, even if you’re afraid of the consequences. Otherwise, life isn’t worth living.”
He hung his head and sighed. “You’re impossible.”
What did that mean? After all my effort, would he still blow me off? How much of the last three minutes did I have left?
“You have no idea how exhausting it’s been.” He looked into my eyes. “I tried to hate you when we met and I was doing pretty good until you wore that damned purple dress.”
I grinned. Zack was finally mine. And he knew it. I leaned in and snaked my arms around his neck.
“Autumn.” He held my shoulders, like he was about to push me away. “This doesn’t change anything. I’ll still be leaving in a few weeks and you won’t be able to come with me.”
“Then we don’t have much time together. We’d better make it count.”
“This is crazy.” He snagged my waist and pulled me closer. “It’s stupid to risk your life that way.”
“Haven’t you listened to anything I said?”
“Shhh.” He laid an index finger across my lips. “I heard you, but I need to make sure you’ve considered everything.”
“I want to be with you.” I turned his hand toward me, then dropped a kiss in his palm.
He rested his forehead against mine, then squeezed me tighter and buried his face in my hair. “You just couldn’t give up on me, could you?” he whispered.
“No.” I savored being this close to him. “Believe me, I tried.”
He drew back slowly. “We can’t afford to get weaker. I can’t risk your life by putting myself in a position where I’m incapable of protecting you.”
Zack, thinking of me first, as he always had. “We’ve kissed before and it didn’t affect our powers,” I reminded him. “We can do all of that we want.”
He smiled, a dimple appearing, eyes lighting up. “I can live with unlimited kissing.”
So could I. When I rose up on the tip of my toes to get started, he held me back.
“One question,” he said.
“Zack, I know I forced you to talk to me, but no more talking now, okay?”
“I’ll be quick.” He laughed deeply, his firm abdomen moving against mine. That made me want him more. “Do you still want to wear that dress you have wrapped up in your closet?”
“You mean…” My eyes narrowed.
“Would you go to prom with me? As my girlfriend. Officially.”
Now that was worth the interruption. I beamed. “Yeah. Now, don’t open your mouth again, unless it’s to kiss me.”
Holding his grip on me, he backed up and we tumbled to the couch, me on top.
“Easy,” he warned. “I’ve already used up my resistance against you.” Entwining my legs with his, he turned us and maneuvered our bodies so I lay sandwiched between him and the back of the couch. “There. Now you can’t get away.”
Like I wanted to. I was about to tell him to zip it when his warm, soft lips covered mine. Yeah, that was what I’d been waiting for. Only this time, I wasn’t worried he’d leave me. I melted against him as his hands grasped my hips and he pulled me closer. Hot tendrils of sweet sensation spread through me as I snaked my hand under his shirt. I wanted him with a yearning like nothing I’d ever felt before. All of him.
I wished this perfect moment, this perfect kiss could last forever. But we needed to stay strong. I had to resist. I could do it. I would do it.
My head buzzed with questions and worries. Like what was Zack going to do about Charles? Could he really survive on his own without a pack? Were my parents shape-shifters or had I been adopted? I wasn’t going to get any answers just yet, but right then, I didn’t care. I locked away those mysteries in a corner of my mind for later. For now, Zack was finally mine. And I would find a way to keep him.
THE END
WOLVES AT THE DOOR
Shapes of Autumn, book two
Veronica BLade
SUMMARY
Their forbidden love could cost them their lives...
Autumn’s just learned she’s a shape-shifter — something her parents should’ve told her long ago. Unless they adopted her and didn’t know she wasn’t human. Either way, learning the truth has the same outcome: her parents lied. Zack is the only one she can count on, but he’s a werewolf and the king’s decree forbids contact between the species, let alone love. Zack’s planning to leave after graduation, but letting him go isn’t an option. He’s becoming more a part of her every day, a part she would fight for, give up everything for — even kill for. If she’s not killed first.
If Zack’s experience with his own kind has taught him anything, it’s that werewolves can’t be trusted. He’d rather die free than live in a pack under the rule of the werewolf king. So, instead of preparing for college like any other senior, he’s planning to go on the run after graduation. Escaping won’t be easy with the werewolves guarding him. But until that day comes, Zack knows he’s endangering Autumn every moment he’s around her. If it’s this difficult staying away from her now, how hard will it be to leave her behind in just a few weeks?
Chapter One
Trees whizzed by me. I listened for Zack following behind, but couldn’t hear him over the thump-thump of my paws striking the soft dirt. In my cheetah form, I smoked his wolf ass.
Okay, show off, Zack said telepathically. You win.
I eased to a mellow lope and chuckled, which sounded like a cat hissing and coughing.
Hair ball? Zack asked from wherever he was. He might be slower as a wolf, but there was nothing wrong with his superhuman hearing.
The crisp air of the forest tickled my nose as I passed a giant birch tree. When I picked up a different scent, my knees locked into place. My eyes snapped into alert mode as I visually searched the dark woods, inhaling again. A new scent. Another freakin’ werewolf in town? Just great.
Zack, stay where you are. Someone’s here.
Who?
Not sure, but it’s definitely wolf, I answered. We should get the hell out of here.
If you’ve sniffed him out, then he’s definitely already on to you. Run, Autumn!
My heart galloped. Run which way? How could I avoid the wolf if I didn’t even know where he was? A twig snapped, crackling into the night air, and my gaze shot toward where we’d parked my car. Charcoal eyes glinted from just behind a low hanging branch.
The wolf growled and his lip curled up to expose long, white fangs. He stepped forward away from the tree and I got a good look at his dark brown, furry body. This guy was huge, every bit as big as Zack in his wolf form — double the size of an ordinary wolf.
Oh, crap. My chest tightened. Could he tell I was a shape-shifter? Of course he’d know. The wolf couldn’t listen in on my silent conversation with Zack unless he was physically touching one of us, but he’d know that cheetahs weren’t found in the forests of Southern California.
My heart slammed against my ribs as I inched backward and hissed. To warn Zack, I followed up with a feline growl that rivaled nails on a chalkboard. Then I spun, my claws ripping into the ground to give me purchase for flight.
If this wolf was ancient, he’d be stronger and obscenely fast. But maybe, just maybe, he couldn’t catch the fastest animal on land. Except… knowing my overprotective boyfriend, he wouldn’t let me deal with this werewolf alone.
Zack, stay away from us. He can’t know you’re with me.
You’re crazy if you think I’m going to stand by and—
I got this!
I’m not leaving you, he growled into my head.
Please, Zack. You’re going to get yourself killed. As I neared the narrow, winding road and heard a car in the distance, I realized I couldn’t sense the werewolf behind me.
Me get killed? What about you? he asked.
I made a sharp turn, dirt spraying around me. I think I lost him. He’s not nearly as fast as me, but you don’t have that advantage. If he comes after you—
I don’t sense him anywhere, Zack said. No way he isn’t following you though. I’m not going anywhere without you.
He’s nowhere near me. Zack, just go! Damn, why was he being so stubborn? I’m way ahead of him. By the time he gets to this spot, I’ll already have gone in so many circles, he’ll never figure out which way I went. I’ll be fine. I promise. Go to my house and I’ll be there soon.
† † †
I’d run through my neighborhood enough times to know who lived where, who had dogs and how big the yards were. I almost didn’t even need the keen night vision that came along with being a shape-shifter, but the superhuman strength and speed sure were helpful when jumping the neighbors’ fences.
At the edge of the forest, I morphed back into my human form, checked behind me one last time, then made my way toward my house. Three blocks from home, I spotted my silver convertible Mustang parked alongside the curb, which meant Zack had listened and made it safely to my house.
Hiding behind a bush, I slumped in relief and scanned the streets for signs of life. My next door neighbor, Ms. Morales, sat on her front porch. A few houses beyond her, a couple strolled along holding hands as they walked a small, white dog. The street certainly appeared safe enough.
Are you sure you weren’t followed? I asked.
Positive, Zack answered. He was too busy chasing you. You sure you’re in the clear?
Definitely. But just in case I wasn’t, I wanted to avoid the front door where anyone could see me go in and know where I lived. Unlock the back for me, would you?
I’m on it.
I slipped through a neighbor’s gate and jumped her fence to the next yard over, my body flying through the air as if pushed from a giant spring. Several backyards later, I reached my rear door. It opened and Zack folded me into his arms, squeezing me tight. He buried his face in my thick, dark hair and breathed me in.
“I’m glad you’re okay. If anything had happened to you—”
“Likewise.” I squeezed my eyes shut and inhaled the musky wolf scent I’d grown to love. Had it been only three weeks since I’d met him? Being with Zack was so easy now, it was as if I’d known him all my life.
He gradually loosened his hold on me. “How far did you run?”
“Couple miles. I zigzagged through the forest, changed into a dog and cat here and there, even a squirrel, and then doubled back. Left lots of scents all over the place, but it stops a few blocks from here where I morphed to human again. He couldn’t possibly track me.” I cupped Zack’s face and met his eyes. “How did it go with you?”
“I made all kinds of fake trails before morphing back.” He brushed a finger along my cheek. “I only just got here.”
“We’ll have to allow extra time for our runs if this is how it’s going to go.” I relaxed again, resting my head on his shoulder.
Zack reached into his pocket and checked the time on his cell. “Speaking of time, Trevor and Maya will be here any second.”
“We should cancel in case the werewolf finds us. We don’t want to put them in danger. We’ll see them at school tomorrow.”
“That’s assuming he’s looking for us. If he is, being in your house doesn’t make us any safer.” Zack stroked my hair. “In your human form, no one can tell you’re a shifter, so he’ll never connect you with the cheetah he saw in the woods.”
“What about you?” We had no business going out again.
“They won’t connect me either,” Zack said. “He was
ahead of us where I hadn’t left my scent. He couldn’t know I was there. We’re not going to get nailed for mixing species.”
“Not tonight anyway.” More accurately, mixing species would be having sex — which we weren’t doing. We limited our contact to kissing. At night, we hung out at my house and slept for real. My parents were still out of town and since I’d recently turned eighteen, apparently they felt comfortable leaving me on my own. It gave Zack and me lots of time alone together, but I was still baffled by their one-eighty and lack of hovering. “Our luck’s going to run out eventually.”
“We knew that going in.” He leaned away to study me. “Don’t you want to go out?”
“What I want is to hang out with you and my friends, be normal.” I groaned. Zack had officially been my boyfriend for less than three hours and our relationship was already proving impossible.
His brows rose. “Just a few hours ago, you lectured me on living life. I believe your exact words were ‘You have to do what’s right, even if you’re afraid of the consequences. Otherwise, life isn’t worth living.’”
I sighed, knowing he was right. “It’s just unfair. Normal seniors get to date on Friday night without worrying about being captured… or worse.”
Zack pressed a finger under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze, and lowered his voice. “Let’s enjoy the time we have together. Before I have to leave.”
My heart ached at the thought. “All the more reason to stay home.”
“Yeah, but being alone together opens the door to other things we can’t risk doing.”
Right. Sex. Legend had it that mixing species in that way would physically weaken us both — something Zack couldn’t afford since he’d be running for his life soon. I didn’t quite buy the theory though. I figured the werewolf king had made it all up to keep the weaker species — shape-shifters — at a disadvantage. By keeping us weak, he retained his power.
But just in case it wasn’t a myth, we needed to be careful or we wouldn’t be able to outrun things like dark brown, gray-eyed wolves.
Shapes of Autumn (Boxed set, books 1 - 5) Page 27
