by Danica Rayne
“Because you didn’t know how to control it.”
“That, and because I had this need to shift. I can’t really explain it. It’s like my brain and body couldn’t deal with both sides of me, and a war was going on inside, between human and wolf. I spent most of my time after school in my wolf form to let it out of my system or else I would change in school. But eventually I learned to subdue it. I get an urge every now and then, especially when I’m upset or angry. Levi gets that way, too. It’s nice to have someone in the house who understands how I feel.”
“Dr. Caldwell hasn’t shifted to his bear form in over ten years, right? Do you want the same?”
He was quiet for a few seconds as he thought about it. “I don’t know. I guess I never really thought about it. I kind of just take one day at a time, calculating the next full moon and keeping my emotions in check. I kind of turn into a raging lunatic when it’s near the full moon.”
I brought our interlocked hands to my lips and kissed the back of his palm. “I wouldn’t say raging lunatic.”
“What you witnessed at PE last month is nothing compared to what I’m usually like. Well, what I was like. I think I’ve grown calmer since I met you.” Now he lifted our hands so he could kiss the back of my hand. “You make me happy, which makes me less likely to blow up on people.”
I shook my head. “Don’t give me any credit. It’s all on you.”
“Nope. You’ve changed me, Alivia. You lit a fire in what was my lonely, sad, hopeless heart.”
“You, too,” I told him.
He stopped walking and pulled me into his arms. “You make me so happy, Alivia. I can’t get enough of you.” Gently closing his hand over the back of my neck, he jerked my face closer to his and closed his mouth over mine. His lips were eager, desperate, as though he was worried he wouldn’t have the chance to kiss me again. Was he worried the Great Heist would fail? That the demon would open a portal and our world would be destroyed? I wished I could assure him that we’d have all the time in the world to explore whatever was blossoming between us, but I couldn’t make that promise. Not when a part of me shared his worries.
He broke the kiss, smiled, then took my hand again. “Come, we’ll miss it if we don’t hurry up.”
“What exactly is ‘it?’” I asked.
“You’ll see.”
He led me further into the forest, so deep that my slayer ears could hear animal sounds. “Don’t worry,” Ryker said. “I can catch their scents. I’ll know if a dangerous animal draws too close.”
We trekked for another ten minutes before Ryker stopped in front of a tree so tall I nearly snapped my neck looking up. “Wow. This is the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.”
“And it’s so much fun climbing it. What do you say, slayer? Do you like a good challenge or would you rather ride on my back?”
I narrowed my eyes playfully. “Do I look like the kind of person who backs down from a challenge?”
“Nope,” he said as he tapped my nose. “That’s why you’re so awesome.”
“But I don’t exactly know how to climb trees,” I admitted. “City girl.”
“I was a city boy, too,” he said. “Until I got bitten.” For a second, grief took over his face. He shook his head, tossing the memories away. With a big smile, he took my hand and started up the tree.
I was petrified at first, especially when I couldn’t see below since it was getting darker. Ryker was so sweet as he instructed me what to grab onto and where I should place my feet, never once letting go of my hand unless he was one hundred percent sure I was holding onto something stable. One time, a branch snapped under my foot and he caught me so swiftly I didn’t even feel like I was in danger.
“Did you spend a lot of time climbing trees after you got bit and moved in with Dr. Caldwell?” I asked.
“Yeah. I liked being alone. You can’t get any more alone than on the top of a tree.”
“Why did you want to be alone?” I asked as he gently took hold of my waist and hoisted me up a branch.
“I guess I thought I could escape the reality of my life.” He freed a few strands of his long brown hair that had gotten tangled in some branches. “But I soon learned I couldn’t escape who I was. What I had become.”
“You’re so amazing, Ryker,” I said as we took a break halfway up the tree. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re one of the kindest, most warm-hearted people I’ve ever met. You could have grown bitter and lashed out at the world.”
“I am bitter,” he said.
“No, you’re not.”
He tucked some hair behind my ear. “You only see the good part of me, Alivia, but I have a lot of darkness inside me as well.”
“The wolf side.”
“No.”
“We all have darkness inside us,” I said. “We all have our own personal demons.” I wrinkled my nose. “Maybe I shouldn’t say demon.”
He laughed a little, snaking his arm around me and tugging me against his body. “You keep the darkness away. You make me no longer bitter. I’m so glad your aunt brought you here to Edgewood. I mean, I know you don’t like being the slayer and I wish your parents wouldn’t have died, but I don’t know how I would have gotten through these days without you. You give me a reason to live.”
I puffed out my cheeks. “That’s a load of pressure.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way, and I’m a real jerk for making it seem like the only reason you’re here is because of me. I’m ridiculous.”
I cupped his cheek. “It’s okay. I know what you mean. You lost someone very close to you ten years ago and you had a hole in your heart. For years you yearned to fill it. I know what that feels like.”
He slowly nodded. “Your parents.”
“Yeah. The hole is still there. You guys are starting to fill it.”
He pecked me lips. “You get me in a way no one else does.” His head suddenly jerked up. “Shoot, we’re going to miss it. Can you get on my back? I don’t know how much time we have left.”
“Okay.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his middle, and then he took off, climbing up the tree like a monkey. I tightened my arms around his neck as the tree grew steeper, and I made the mistake of looking down. True I couldn’t really see anything due to the dark, and I wasn’t afraid of heights, but I could sense just how high we were. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
“How far are we going?” I called over his shoulder.
“All the way.”
“Will the tree hold both our weights?” I asked.
“You’re as light as a feather,” he assured me. “And I’ve done it loads of times. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”
The air had definitely gotten thinner, and colder. It was a good thing Ryker’s body was warm and I had worn my thicker coat.
“Breathing is a little harder at this altitude,” he told me as his pace started to slow down. “Just make sure to breathe.”
A few seconds later, he crawled off to the side, on a large branch that seemed sturdy enough to hold both our weights. He made sure his legs were wrapped securely around the branch before helping me off his back and holding me close in his arms, my back pressed against his chest.
My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the view. The beach was in the distance, and the setting sun colored the sky purple and orange. Further back were the mountains, they too colored a hint of purple.
“This is beautiful,” I breathed.
“It’s my favorite spot.” His warm breath tickled my cheek. “I wanted to share it with you.”
I reached for his hand, fitting my fingers through his. “Thanks for bringing me here and sharing this with me. I’ve never see anything so beautiful in my life.”
His lips brushed my temple. “I knew you’d like it.”
We stayed like this as we watched the sun set. At this moment, seeing how beautiful our world was, I vowed to do whatever I could to
keep it safe. Over my dead body would I allow supernaturals ruin something so pure and amazing. All over the world, people sat like Ryker and me did (though probably not on the tallest tree in the forest) and watched the sun set. Maybe with someone they loved, creating beautiful memories that would last them a life time. I wouldn’t let any monster take that away from them.
“What is it?” Ryker asked. “You got so tense.”
“I’m just making myself a promise.”
“What kind of promise?”
“To do whatever I can to keep the demon from unleashing hell on Earth.”
“Because of the sunset?” he asked.
“Because I don’t want them to ruin our world. Look around.” I gestured with my hands. “It’s beautiful. I never had the chance to really see it like this. It’s breathtaking.”
He kissed my temple again. “We have just a bit more sunlight left. I want to give you the second half of the surprise.”
“Second half? This is amazing enough.”
He patted his jeans pockets. “Where did I put it? I hope I didn’t drop it climbing up…” He stuck his hand deep into his left pocket and sighed in relief. “Okay, close your eyes and lean toward me.”
“Um?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Trust me.”
I shut my eyes, leaning toward him. I heard him fish something out of his pocket, but even my slayer senses couldn’t pick up what it could be. Then I felt him lean over me, his hair tickling my face and arm. Soon, a cold substance settled around my neck.
He moved back. “Okay, Alivia, open your eyes.”
I opened them. The sun was nearly gone, but I could make out a gold heart pendant resting against my skin. “Ryker,” I gasped as I took it carefully in my hand. “It’s beautiful.”
“It was my mother’s.”
I slowly brought my eyes to his. “It was?”
He nodded, and I could barely make out the grief-stricken look on his face. “My father gave it to her on their five-year-anniversary. Only a few days before he died. She would always tell me how the hospital staff decorated his room so he could surprise my mom.” His smile was pained. “It meant so much to her.”
Tears blurred my vision as I closed my palm over the pendant.
“It means the world to me,” he continued. “The one proof that once upon a time, I had a good life. I had a mom and a dad who loved each other very much. Who loved me very much. When the cops returned it to me after I identified her body, I vowed I would one day give it to a girl who I loved with every fiber of my being. To carry around the love that my parents had for each other.”
The tears were so strong that they rained down my cheeks. “Ryker.” I stretched my arms to hug him, tightening my legs around the branch so we wouldn’t topple over. “That’s such a beautiful story. Are you sure you want me to have it?”
“Yes.” He stroked the top of my head. “I can’t imagine giving it to anyone but you.”
I buried my face in his shoulder. “Thanks. I’ll wear it always.”
We remained in each other’s arms for a long time, with me periodically pressing kisses to any exposed skin I could find, like his neck, his collarbone, his chin. But not his face, because I knew that his face was covered in tears, and I wanted him to cry. I wanted him to let it all out.
After a while, I pushed some hair out of his eyes. “I didn’t know you were the one who identified your mom’s body.”
“It was right after Levi found me. Her body was in the morgue for quite a while because they couldn’t identify her. She and Dad didn’t have any other family.”
“It must have been so hard to see her.” I clutched him, feeling his body tremble. I wished I could take away his pain.
“It was,” he said in a barely-audible voice. “It haunted me for years. Still does.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Did you have to identify your parents’ bodies?”
I shook my head. “Aunt Bea did.”
“You’re lucky to have her.”
“I know. And I’m sorry you don’t have any other family.”
His lips swept over to my forehead. “I have Levi and the guys. I have you. I have everyone I need. I’m so grateful to Levi for taking me in. I don’t know what would have happened to me. I probably would have been put in the system and I would have changed at my first full moon and…” He shook his head. “I don’t want to think about it.”
“Then don’t.” I pulled him close to me. “Just think happy thoughts.”
“I am,” he whispered in my ear. “With you this close to me, I’m the happiest guy in the world.”
Chapter Four
Tonight was the night. The Great Heist.
Dressed in my black jeans and mom’s black shirt, I paced in my room, trying to calm my nerves. It was still far too early to sneak out and head to the Caldwell mansion. The guys and I had decided to meet up at one o’clock in the morning, hoping that would give us plenty of time to get it, swap the book with a fake, and get out. All without getting caught.
So many things could go wrong. I could wake up tomorrow locked behind a cell door.
My phone pinged with a text from Kayden. It’s okay, Alivia. Deep breaths. We’ll get through it and it will be a success.
Who said I’m freaking out?
I bet you’re pacing in your room.
How could you know that?
Because I’m pacing, too.
I smiled. It was comforting to know he was just as nervous as I was, and it was so sweet that he was trying to make me feel better when he was just as freaked out as me.
You have the fake book? I texted. Please don’t forget it.
Don’t worry, we’ll bring it. And it looks amazing. Just like the real one.
Yeah, until the museum finds out it’s a fake.
Deep breaths, Alivia. Deep breaths. We’ve got this.
Thankfully, Aunt Bea had overworked herself during an intense game of virtual tennis, and she was out cold in her room. I forced myself to sit on my bed so I wouldn’t accidentally wake her with my pacing.
The guys texted me over the next hour and a half, probably because Kayden had told them that I was a mess. It was a good distraction, though I didn’t think I would calm down until I was tucked away in my room with the book.
Liam was pretty funny, sending me these lame jokes that were just plain silly. Finn kept me entertained by sending me the most outrageous emojis he could find. Kayden every so often told me to breathe and Ryker steered all topics of conversation away from anything related to the Great Heist. I smiled as I read the texts, warmth filling every cell in my body. These guys meant so much to me. I didn’t know how I could do any of this without them.
Eventually, the clock struck one. Straining my ears to make sure my aunt was still asleep, I slipped out the weapons I had hidden under my bed. I wasn’t planning on fighting any supernaturals tonight, but I needed to be prepared at all times. There was always the possibility we’d run into a supernatural on the way to the museum or returning home.
Once I had all my weapons, I heaved open my window and climbed out. I had parked the car down the street so the engine wouldn’t wake her. My hands were so shaky on the steering wheel as I drove to a small book shop on Main Street, where the guys and I had planned to meet. Somehow, I made it to the rendezvous point in one piece. The guys were waiting outside the book shop, blending into the night.
They walked up to me as I got out of the car. “You okay?” Liam asked.
“No.”
He rested his gloved hand over mine. “It’ll be okay.”
I nodded as I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.
“Let’s double check to make sure we have everything,” Kayden said. “Finn, you have what you need to disable their security system?”
He nodded.
“We have the fake book. We’re all dressed in black. Does everyone have their phone and a flashlight?”
We all responded that we d
id.
“And I have my weapons. Just in case.”
“You might trip an alarm with all those weapons,” Liam pointed out.
“I can’t go anywhere unarmed. Remember what happened that night with the hydra and spider? I’ve learned my lesson.”
Finn signed.
“It’s okay,” Kayden said. “He said he’ll disable all alarms.” He looked at each one of us. “Does everyone remember the plan?”
We nodded.
He released a breath. “Okay. I think we’re ready.”
“Speak for yourselves,” I muttered as I got in the passenger seat of their car. “I think I’ll be ready when we’re on our way home.”
I had hoped the ride to the museum would take long, allowing my heart to stop hammering in every part of me and for my nerves to relax. But we got there in no time, only making my heart beat even faster and my nerves stand on edge.
Kayden laid his hand over mine. “I know you’re nervous, Alivia,” he whispered. “I am, too. But we need to have clear heads for this to work. Take as long as you need to prepare yourself, but we need you one hundred percent.”
I nodded as I took a deep breath and let it out. I could do this. I had faced far worse dangers than breaking into a museum and stealing a book. It should be a piece of cake, right?
I realized that it didn’t matter how I felt. What mattered was stopping the demon and keeping Edgewood, and the rest of the world, safe. It was all in our hands now, and I couldn’t let the world down. With this notion, I raised my head confidently and got out of the car. “Let’s do this.”
“Phase one is just about to start.” Kayden nodded to Finn. “Ready?”
Finn removed two devices from his bag, something he would use to remotely turn off the camera at the door and another that would disable the alarm. Once the camera was out, the museum security might be alerted, which was why it was imperative for them to get in and distract the guards.
Taking a deep breath, Finn signed that he was ready. He aimed the rectangular device toward the camera, and the red light turned off, indicating the camera was disabled. He quickly leaped onto Kayden’s back, and they were gone in a blur. A second later, I saw them at the door, Kayden aiming his flashlight while Finn used the other device to disable the alarm. Once it was off, they once again disappeared inside in a blur.
