by Lila Kane
His sweep proved useless. Nothing had changed and nothing looked suspicious. It frustrated him as much as it relieved him. He wanted to get to Myra and help her out with the store.
When he walked down Main Street and saw Kane exiting the bakery, Ryan raced to the building, bursting inside to find Myra leaning against the counter, her head in her hands.
Her gaze jerked up when she heard him, then she slumped again when she realized who it was.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
He hauled her into his embrace, hands rushing over her arms, and then pulling back to check her face. His thumbs brushed her cheeks.
“Really, Ryan. I’m fine.”
“Damn it! What happened? Why won’t he leave you alone?”
“He’s my brother,” Myra answered.
“What the hell does that have to do with anything?”
Myra pulled away from him, looking frustrated. “He knows me, and he knows I’m not going to give up on Willow. He also knows we’re trying to do something.”
“Of course he does. He had his ridiculous crew chasing us through her backyard. But what does he expect?”
“He has a witch.”
Ryan reached for her hand but she shook her head. He frowned. “We already knew that. Logan said he was there the night they took Willow.”
She twirled her hair between her fingers, something he noticed she did a lot when she was nervous or not sure how to say something. “They delivered the new ovens. I really need to bake something.”
“Let’s talk instead,” Ryan said, folding his arms.
She leaned against the counter, but her gaze wasn’t focused on his. She examined the rest of the room, looking like she was mentally placing tables or decorating walls or…any one of the things her mind kept busy with when she didn’t want to deal with what was in front of them.
“It’s…not worth talking about. Right now, we need to wait for Willow to hopefully take the vervain and come to us, I guess.”
Ryan stepped up to her, knowing she wasn’t telling him something. She was scared. But why?
“Willow.” She placed her hands on his chest. Either absentmindedly, or to avoid what she wasn’t saying. “We need to focus on her. Keep trying to get her alone. Try to talk to her–give her answers if that’s what she needs–”
“We will,” he assured her. “But we’re not talking about Willow right now, we’re talking about you.”
She set her hands on his shoulders and leaned in, pressing a kiss to his lips. She changed the angle, tongue invading his mouth, body firm as she arched against him. He was aroused immediately.
“Myra,” he said, voice hoarse.
“Yes?”
But the word came with another kiss. She nipped his bottom lip, and when she pulled back, he swore he saw the flash of teeth.
“Hold on,” he whispered, trying to grip her wrists.
She eased away with a chuckle, taking his forearms and pulling him close. The strength in her grip surprised him, made him remember she wasn’t as fragile as he kept thinking.
“You’re pretty good at distracting me, but it’s not going to work.”
“Oh yeah?” she asked, nipping his lower lip again.
“Myra–”
She hiked up her legs and he caught them around his waist, leaning against the counter to support them both. His legs didn’t seem to want to hold steady when her breath was hot against his neck and her teeth were scraping his jaw. When her hands were all over him and traveling lower and lower.
“It’s the middle of the day,” he mumbled, his brain cloudy enough not to be able to think of anything more coherent.
“And I want you.”
All rationality left him as he swung her around and deposited her on the counter. Then he realized anyone could walk in at any moment–and they could see straight through the windows.
He stepped back, breath coming out ragged. “Not here.”
She started to get off the counter, but he held a hand to stop her. “Stay there.”
Her lips curved. “What do you think? I’m going to attack you?”
“Yes. So just–” He looked around, trying to remember where he’d put his keys.
When she lifted them off the counter next to her, he swallowed. “Come and get them,” she said.
“Myra,” he growled, halfway ready to jump on her right there. “I can’t–I need to talk to you about this. It’s important.”
“I don’t want to talk right now.”
He saw the movement behind her and recognized the figure immediately. “Myra.”
“You don’t understand–”
“Myra.”
“No, listen to me‒”
“Myra, look.”
He took her arm and turned her to face Willow. She gasped.
“Willow,” she said.
“You can see me?” Willow asked. She looked pale and tired, but she was here.
“Of course I can!” Myra said.
Myra bounded to her, but Willow stepped back, holding up a hand. “Wait. Just wait.”
Myra skidded to a halt. “How did you get here? Did Kane let you come?”
“No, I…no. I projected myself here.”
Myra glanced at Ryan. “What?”
“Astral projection,” Ryan said, nodding. “She’s done it before.”
“I have,” Willow whispered.
Myra angled her head. “So, you’re…ghost Willow?”
“I guess.”
Myra’s fingers went through Willow’s arm when she reached out. “But still, you’re here. Tell me you’re here because you remember.”
Ryan folded his arms, hoping for a good answer. Hoping for the best because was getting tired of bad news.
“I remember a little, but‒”
“I knew it! Ryan, didn’t I tell you she’d remember? Willow, I knew you’d figure out a way to come back. And‒”
The door to the store opened and Logan walked through.
“Willow.” He said it on an exhale, like a man seeing water after days of thirst. With longing in his voice and feelings for Willow that mirrored Ryan’s feelings toward Myra.
Myra brightened, gesturing to Willow. “Look who came to visit.”
“I don’t remember a lot,” Willow said. “But I know what Kane did.”
“You do?” Logan asked.
“I do.”
“Then come back,” Myra said. “Come back to us. Please.”
“I can’t. I‒” Willow’s eyes flickered to the door. “I have to go.”
Logan walked to her, looking torn between keeping his distance and grabbing for her even though she still didn’t remember everything. “Don’t, please. We can help you. We‒”
“There’s no time. I have to get back. Be careful,” Willow said. “Kane is bringing in others. He’s at your house and he’s building an army.”
Logan reached out. “No, Willow‒”
But his hand didn’t connect. And then she vanished.
Myra put her arms around Logan. “I’m sorry.”
“No,” Logan said, shaking his head. “Don’t be sorry. This is good, right? I mean, she’s starting to remember. She was here to warn us.”
“Yeah, that Kane’s starting an army,” Ryan reminded them.
Myra met his eyes with warning, like she was telling him not to mention Kane’s visit. He gritted his teeth. He’d give her today, but then he was going to get the information out of her. And he was going to make sure she was safe.
“You can’t go back to the house,” Logan said. “And you can’t stay alone.”
Myra met Ryan’s eyes over Logan’s shoulder, almost an apology. Logan had no idea Myra hadn’t been spending her nights alone. He’d been there with her. He wasn’t going to let her out of his sight now.
“Stay with me,” Ryan said. “Both of you.”
Logan assented before Myra. Ryan held her gaze, silently mad at her and scared for her and e
ven more in love with her than before. She nodded as well, and he decided right there he didn’t want to keep their relationship a secret anymore. He also needed to tell her how he felt about her–and why.
Chapter 10
Cheyenne joined them that night for dinner. Myra accepted the wine Cheyenne gave her, but she wasn’t hungry. She picked at her food, considering what Kane had said when she’d seen him earlier today. And then thinking through what Willow had told them soon after.
Kane was building an army.
And they needed to stop it.
“Right, Myra?”
Her gaze whipped up to Logan’s. “What?”
He frowned. “I knew you weren’t listening. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
None of them believed her–she could see it in their eyes. But she didn’t want to burden Logan with her problems. He already had enough to deal with. And Cheyenne was doing so much research, she didn’t have time for this. And Ryan…
She met his eyes. He sat next to her, closer than he should have considering no one else knew there was something going on between them. She wanted to tell them, but it made sense to keep it quiet for now. Didn’t it? Again, Logan didn’t need more problems.
“You said he had a witch,” Ryan told her.
“What?” Cheyenne asked.
“This afternoon when Kane visited Myra.”
“Kane visited you this afternoon?” Logan asked, leaning forward in his seat.
Myra glared at Ryan, but he ignored her and addressed the others. “She said he was talking about a witch. Why would he say that? What did he tell you?”
Myra frowned at him for putting her on the spot. She didn’t think he’d bring it up in front of everyone.
She shrugged. “He has a witch. He said if we don’t stay away from Willow and stop trying to interfere, he’ll get his witch to do something.”
Ryan straightened. He reached out, touching her arm. Myra stayed where she was, though she wanted to pull away. But that would just look more suspicious. Cheyenne stared at Ryan’s hand a moment before turning her attention back to Myra.
“He threatened you, didn’t he?” Logan asked.
Myra calmly set down her fork and took a sip of her wine.
“About what?” Logan persisted.
“The witch,” Ryan concluded. His eyes held hers. “He said his witch could make you sick again, didn’t he?”
She tried to control the tremble in her voice when she said, “Yes.”
“That bastard,” Logan hissed. “That piece of shit–he already has Willow, what else does he want? He–”
“Logan,” Myra soothed, shooting Ryan a look. “It’s Kane. He does this sort of thing–”
“And he follows through. He follows through,” Logan repeated, touching Myra’s arm. “I don’t want you sick again, I don’t want any of this–”
“And you want Willow back. I know, Logan, I do. This is so hard on you. What can I do?”
He gave a reluctant laugh. “You always do that. Turn it back around so it’s not about you. Myra, you’re not getting sick again.”
Myra looked away, shrugging again to keep herself on steady ground. “We need Willow to do whatever it takes to put this spell back into place. That’s our focus.”
Cheyenne didn’t answer right away, her lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, she nodded. “You’re right. Like you said, the bigger picture.”
“Damn it, this is ridiculous!” Ryan said, scooting his chair back so hard it tumbled over. Myra blinked at him. “It’s not just the bigger picture. If you’re sick, then what? It’s not going to help anyone. It–”
Cheyenne gaped at him as he broke off. Logan’s eyes narrowed, and Myra clenched her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking.
Ryan put the chair back in its place and turned for the back door. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I need some air.”
Then he exited the room, leaving them all in silence.
She watched Logan’s face carefully.
“What was that?” he asked.
“It’s pretty obvious,” Cheyenne answered for her.
Which is what Myra already suspected. That they were going to start to notice something–or they already had.
“How long?” Cheyenne asked. When Logan stared at her, she said, “How long has he had feelings like this?”
“I don’t know,” Myra murmured.
“The shifter’s got a thing for you?” Logan asked, his voice rising. He stood from his chair. “I didn’t see this. What is he thinking? How can–”
“It’s not his fault,” Cheyenne murmured, and sipped from her glass.
“Bullshit,” Logan burst out, his eyes traveling to the door Ryan had just left. “He might have some flicker of attraction, but hell–he’s a big boy, he can control himself.”
“Logan.” Myra stood as well. “Don’t be an asshole. It’s not just Ryan. I care about him, too. I–”
“What?” Logan asked.
She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She didn’t know for sure, just that her bond with Ryan went beyond shallow feelings.
“He’s a shifter, Myra. He–how can he feel like this toward you? And he fights with you all the time, too.”
That actually made Myra smile until Cheyenne spoke up again.
“I don’t think he can just stop these feelings.”
Myra stared at her. “Of course not. You don’t choose who you care about–”
“No, I think it’s more than that,” Cheyenne said.
“What?” Logan asked.
“I’m not sure it’s my place to speculate, but it does explain why this seemed to happen out of nowhere.”
“Tell me,” Logan said.
Cheyenne shook her head. “Ask him about it.”
“Cheyenne.” Myra returned to her seat. “Tell me.”
“I think he might have imprinted on you.”
“It’s true,” Ryan said from the entryway to the kitchen.
“Imprinted?” Logan glanced from Ryan to Myra and back while Myra sat frozen in her seat. “What the hell does that mean?”
Ryan didn’t answer, only met Myra’s eyes with appeal in them.
“Somebody better explain this to me,” Logan said.
Cheyenne cleared her throat. “Ryan?”
“Go ahead,” he said.
“It’s something that happens with shapeshifters and werewolves. We–imprint on someone. Find our perfect mate, if you want to put it bluntly. It’s the person that’s meant to be ours, heart, mind, and soul. Who we’re fated to be with.”
“And you don’t get a choice?” Logan asked.
Cheyenne shook her head. “No.”
Myra couldn’t move from her seat, couldn’t open her mouth to say anything. Imprinting? She’d heard of it before but…Ryan? He’d imprinted on her? So, he hadn’t chosen this, it was something that had chosen him?
No wonder he’d seemed so unhappy around her.
His gaze still held hers. “Can we talk, please?”
“I don’t think–” Logan began.
“No, it’s fine,” Myra whispered. She scooted out her chair and set her hand on his shoulder as she passed, before following Ryan out of the room.
He guided them upstairs for more privacy. She lingered at the side of his bed, leg pressed against the coverlet and knots in her throat. She’d never been in his room before. She wished it were under different circumstances.
“Talk to me,” Ryan said.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ryan stared at his boots for a long moment. “I don’t know. I–”
“Didn’t want to be with me?” Myra tried to swallow hurt. It wasn’t his fault that this had happened, but he hadn’t told her. She’d thought…
“That’s not it.” He reached for her, but when she stiffened, he dropped his hands at his sides. “I didn’t want the feeling–no. I didn’t want to be told who I was supposed to be with, or who was meant for me
. But then…it didn’t feel like that anymore.”
“So you just let me believe that…what? This was just a fling? Attraction on a basic level? If you knew what this was, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t know how.”
She licked her lips and tried to sort out her emotions. “I feel like…you tricked me.”
“It wasn’t a trick. It hit me out of nowhere and–what was I supposed to do? Walk up to you and say ‘Hey, Myra–so you’re my soul mate. I guess we’d better get to it’? Is that what you would have done?”
Soul mate. The word sunk deep into her heart. Settled her into shock.
“I don’t know,” she murmured.
“Myra, please. I didn’t ask for this, but it’s–it’s what I needed. What I wanted, even if it came in an unconventional way. I want to be with you.”
“I…” She lifted her eyes and met his, mind whirling. “I need some space.”
His eyes searched hers. “I can give you space, but–”
“I probably shouldn’t stay here tonight.”
“It’s not safe–”
“I’ll go to Cheyenne’s.” She nodded, starting to the door. She felt his fingertips brush her arm as she passed, but she didn’t stop. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Ryan was far too restless to wind down that night. It was out there. Everyone knew he’d imprinted on Myra and it relieved him. But her reaction didn’t. Of course, he should have told her. But how?
He walked downstairs, assuming Logan was in the guest room, but instead he found him in the living room. Sitting on the couch in the dark, with his head in his hands.
Logan looked up when he heard Ryan’s footsteps.
He jerked his head in a nod.
Ryan hesitated. The fact that Logan didn’t even look that angry with him anymore bothered him. Sure, he was going to have to get along with the guy if he wanted to be in Myra’s life, but still. This wasn’t how Logan did things. He had to be really hurting over Willow.
Ryan got it. He more than got it now that Myra was in his life.
“Willow’s taking the vervain,” Ryan said. “That’s a good thing.”
