by Brenda Trim
The human’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll pass along your request. Don’t know if she’ll agree to it though,” he replied then turned and walked out of the room.
Ryan looked at the plate of food. Elaine was right about one thing. She treated her prisoners better than Jim. Jensen thought bowls of slop counted as a meal. At least his wife served roast beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
He shoveled several forkfuls into his mouth. He needed the nourishment. If Elaine agreed to his request, this would be the best chance at escape. Probably his only chance. He quickly finished off the meal then pushed the tray aside.
Suddenly, an idea sparked. Ryan’s human counterpart was less threatening. If he could convince Elaine he was in control of the Ravin, she might trust him more.
Closing his eyes, Ryan reached deep and summoned a shift. The Ravin growled, denying the demand. It felt so strange, having someone else was in control. For the first time, Ryan didn’t like the idea of the Ravin making the decisions. Not when it went against his opinions.
He glanced to his hands. Hair covered his flesh and long, sharp claws extended from the tips of his fingers. He was nothing but a monster now. Feared by humans and shunned by shifters. Why did he think this would be a better life? He honestly couldn’t recall now.
The Ravin chuckled. It was at that moment Ryan realized he’d been duped by the creature. The Ravin wanted total control from the very beginning. He made Ryan think they would be a team, but that wasn’t the case. The creature was buying time until he was powerful enough to take over. Now, Ryan was too weak to combat the Ravin.
A faint howl echoed in the distance. Ryan wasn’t sure if the sound was somewhere in his mind or in the facility. Was his wolf trying to reach him? The ability to connect to his animal was gone.
His mind whirled at the acknowledgment. This wasn’t what he wanted. Never did he think his wolf would disappear entirely. What had he done?
Another chuckle vibrated throughout his body. The Ravin was taunting him, and there wasn’t a damn thing Ryan could do about it. Suddenly, the thought of electroshock therapy sounded appealing. Maybe then his wolf could emerge.
Don’t hold your breath, the Ravin murmured.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and Ryan glanced toward the sound. Why was anyone knocking? Like he could walk to the door and open it. Was he supposed to shout come in, like he was welcoming visitors?
The door opened, and Elaine waltzed in, followed by four males. Ryan immediately warned the Ravin to remain calm, but he wasn’t sure the creature was paying attention. All he knew was the Ravin’s gaze was fixated on Elaine’s slender neck. It wanted to ravage her soft flesh and feast on her insides.
“How was your lunch?” Elaine asked as she eyed the empty tray.
“Scrumptious,” the Ravin replied, licking its chops as it perused her body.
Elaine’s nose scrunched in disgust. “That’s nice. So, I hear you’re willing to cooperate, but you would like more space. Is that correct?”
“Yes. My wolf feels trapped in this room,” he rasped and began pacing again.
“That can be arranged. Let’s take him to the lab,” Elaine instructed with a snap of her finger. Two guards jumped to attention and walked toward Ryan. “But, if you don’t go willingly, or even think of putting one mark on my men, I’ll hook you up to a machine so fast, you won’t know what hit you. Understand, werewolf?” she gritted through clenched teeth.
The Ravin nodded his understanding and waited patiently while one of the guards removed his security card and swiped it across the keypad on his cuffs. The metal clasp released, and the guard slipped the cuffs from his wrists then did the same at his ankles. The second guard brought his hand around, and the glint of metal caught the Ravin’s attention. The male was holding a standard pair of handcuffs and reached for the creature’s wrist.
The Ravin immediately backhanded the male holding the cuffs. The human sailed through the air and slammed into the wall on the opposite side of the room. A loud pop told Ryan the male’s spine cracked upon impact, and the human’s body crumpled to the floor like a heavy sack of potatoes.
In the next breath, the Ravin swiped its claws across the other guard’s face, slicing the flesh with ease. Blood gushed from the wound as the male screamed, grabbing his face with both hands.
“Get him!” Elaine shouted, and the two remaining guards rushed toward the Ravin.
As soon as they were in striking distance, the Ravin lashed out and buried its claws in the chest of one guard while its other hand grabbed the other male by the neck and squeezed. A rush of power coursed through Ryan’s body as the Ravin ripped the heart from the guard’s body. Elain’s terrifying screech only enhanced the creature’s enjoyment, and the Ravin bit into the bloody organ as it squeezed the life from the other male. It was pure ecstasy when the male’s neck snapped and lolled to the side.
Ryan couldn’t believe his eyes. He’d never seen such savage behavior. The Ravin was out of control, consumed with bloodlust. If Elaine didn’t get out of the room, she would meet the same fate as the guards. Not that he felt sorry for the female, but he didn’t want her blood on his hands, as well.
Ryan tried to shout a warning, but his voice was trapped. It no longer belonged to him. The Ravin controlled that, too. Elaine turned and fled the room, but the Ravin was hot on her heels. No sooner had she turned the corner when the creature pounced onto her back, knocking her to the floor.
The female scrambled to her knees and tried crawling away, but the Ravin grabbed her ankles and drug her back to his side. Her screams filled the hallway as the creature rolled her onto her back, snarling in her face.
Suddenly, a loud pop echoed, and Ryan felt a hot sensation inside his abdomen. He looked down to see blood pouring from a hole in his stomach. He’d been shot. The Ravin glanced up to see three security guards pointing guns his way.
The Ravin growled, and another shot was fired. The last thing Ryan saw was an image of his wolf and Cassie’s beautiful face before everything went black.
Chapter 12
Cassie’s car bounced along the dirt road leading to Safe Haven. Her small, twenty-year-old vehicle wasn’t designed for off-road adventures, she mused as her foot pressed the accelerator.
“Come on, Maggie. We’re almost there,” she encouraged her older than dirt vehicle and drove around to the rear of the hotel.
She quickly spotted Liv’s Jeep and Lawson’s truck. “Ugh,” she groaned. She’d hoped they weren’t home so she could sneak in and out without a confrontation.
She parked her car and took a deep breath as she stared at the hotel. This was it. Her final farewell to Safe Haven, and Ryan. It was time to move on. She reached around to the back seat and grabbed the empty duffel bag before she hopped out of the car. She made a dash for the back door when cold air whipped across her face.
“Damn, I need a dose of vitamin sea,” she blurted as she rapped on the wood door and bounced on the balls of her feet. Maybe a trip to the coast was precisely what the doctor ordered. Sand, sea, and salt air could wash away her sorrows.
“Come in,” called a familiar voice and Cassie stepped inside to see Ashley standing at the industrial-sized stove.
A smile broke across Ashley’s face when their gazes met. “Hola, Cassie,” shouted the attractive Hispanic woman. “It’s been too long. So happy to see you,” she added as she stirred the contents of a large stainless pot.
“Hola, Ashley. Great to see you, too. What’s that amazing aroma?” Cassie asked as she lifted her nose and took a deep whiff.
“That would be Knox’s mother’s recipe for chicken and dumplings. He’s been begging me for weeks to make it,” Ashley replied then quickly added, “I hope you’ll stay for dinner.”
“Um, not sure if I’ll be here that long,” she answered without getting into the details regarding her visit. She scanned the kitchen and noticed the house was unusually quiet. “Where is everybody?”
Most da
ys, the kitchen was filled with activity. The hotel’s occupancy was continually increasing, and Cassie was surprised to see it so empty.
“Knox and some of the others went for a run. He swears there’s a storm moving in even though I told him the forecast calls for warmer temperatures in the next few days. I’ve learned not to argue with a shifter on that topic. They are way more in tune with nature than any meteorologist,” Ashley relayed with a laugh.
“You got that right,” Cassie agreed.
She’d lost one too many bets with Ryan when it came to predicting the forecast. The guy had the keenest senses of anyone she’d ever met. He could predict how many inches of rain the area would receive, and even the hour when the precipitation would begin. Sometimes Cassie would bet with him just so she could lose because most often her punishment involved sexually pleasing Ryan, which she thoroughly enjoyed doing.
“Is Liv around?” Cassie inquired, reminding herself why she was at the hotel.
She hated that every discussion made her think of Ryan. Being in this place wasn’t helping matters. Too many memories here, which was why she needed to get as far away from Safe Haven as possible.
“She mentioned something about her and Lawson meeting with his sisters to discuss Ryan. Have you heard from him?” Ashley asked as she removed fresh-baked rolls from the oven.
The sight of the large, puffy bread made Cassie’s mouth water. She was going to miss Ashley’s cooking. The woman was a natural in the kitchen.
“No, and I don’t want to. He’s dead to me,” Cassie spat before she could prevent the words from flying out of her mouth.
Ashley walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows furrowed as her warm brown eyes met Cassie’s. “I know he hurt you but don’t give up on him, chica. Ryan is a good man. He’s just lost right now. We must find a way to bring him back to our family,” she explained.
Cassie shook her head. “I can’t Ashley. It’s too painful. He hurt me in the worst way, and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him for that. I’m sorry,” she said then pushed past Ashley and ran from the kitchen.
Tears threatened to spill as Cassie made her way to the small elevator. The metal door slid closed, and she pushed the button for the third floor. She exhaled and fanned her eyes, trying to dry the tears before they trickled down her face. This was so much harder than she anticipated. She planned to march straight to Ryan’s room, pack her shit, and high-tail it out of the hotel with her head held high. Yet, five minutes talking with Ashley and she was on the brink of becoming a sobbing two-year-old.
As Cassie stepped out of the elevator, she plowed into Lawson. She quickly threw her hands up to soften the blow against his rock-hard abdomen. The guy was easily seven feet tall, and Cassie barely reached him mid-chest.
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry,” Cassie spouted as she bounced off his muscular torso. In the next blink, Liv’s face poked around Lawson’s shoulder.
“Hey, Cass. We were just talking about you. I’m glad you decided to come back to Safe Haven,” Liv gushed and threw her arms around Cassie’s neck and squeezed her tight.
“Hi, Liv,” she murmured and hugged her friend. “I didn’t come today because I’m moving back in,” she explained.
Liv pulled back and met her gaze. “What do you mean?”
“I came to get my things. I’m leaving.”
“No, Cass, don’t. You need to be here. And, we need you here. Right?” Liv confirmed with Lawson, pinning him with a glare.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. That’s right, Cassie. Stay. We could use your help in finding Ryan,” Lawson relayed.
“No. I’m done. Ryan and I are over,” Cassie confessed and tightened her grip on the duffel bag.
Liv crossed her arms over her chest and stared Cassie’s way. “I don’t believe that for a second. And, neither do you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Do I need to remind you what happened the last time I saw him?” Cassie practically yelled. “Have you forgotten what that asshole did to me because I sure as hell haven’t.”
“Of course, I haven’t forgotten. And, yes, Ryan was a total jerk for tricking you the way he did. But like I mentioned before, I think he ran away because he didn’t want to hurt you. That awful creature has control over Ryan. He’s not himself, Cassie. Deep down, you know I’m right,” Liv explained.
“Okay, let’s just say you’re right. Have you heard from him?” Cassie asked and looked over at Lawson.
“No, but there are rumors in town about a werewolf attacking a male outside the Whistle Stop Café. I don’t know for certain if it was Ryan, but the time frame coincides with when he escaped the lab,” Lawson muttered as he rubbed his jaw.
The dark circles beneath his eyes told Cassie how worried Lawson was about his brother. She guessed he hadn’t slept much since Ryan escaped. It was stressful enough to lead a pack of shifters, but this was taking a far greater toll on the man.
Lawson’s words sank in, and Cassie couldn’t block the images of an out-of-control Ravin from her mind. What the hell was Ryan thinking?
“What exactly happened at the café? Was anyone hurt?” Cassie exclaimed.
She was more worried about Ryan getting hurt than anything. She didn’t know what she’d do if anything happened to him, but she wasn’t about to show Liv and Lawson how much she cared. Ryan used her for his own means. It was humiliating as hell, and he didn’t deserve her sympathy. She needed to save every scrap of her dignity possible and chasing after him like a lost puppy wasn’t going to help.
“No one was hurt. A couple of human males exited the restaurant and spotted the creature behind the building. Supposedly one of them went to his truck and grabbed his shotgun. He fired at what he called a werewolf. Said the creature disappeared into the forest and that he thought the bullet missed. I just need to find Ryan and make sure he’s okay,” Lawson said with a shake of his head.
“Don’t you get it, Lawson? Ryan doesn’t want to be found. If he did, he would’ve come to you for help. He’s chosen his life, and it doesn’t include you or me. Both of you need to wake up and face the truth. Ryan is gone. He’s a fucking Ravin now, and as far as I can tell, he likes it,” Cassie spouted in a rush.
“If you want to give up on my brother, that’s your choice. I’ll never give up on him. Never!” Lawson countered and stalked into the elevator and punched the button. He glared daggers at Cassie as the doors slid closed.
Cassie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, Liv was staring her way. “You happy now?” her friend asked.
“Yeah, I’m fucking ecstatic. My life couldn’t be better,” she snapped bitterly. “Would you please unlock Ryan’s door so I can grab my things?”
“I think you’re making a big mistake, Cass,” Liv announced as she walked toward Ryan’s room and unlocked the door.
“Well, that’s what I do best, so it shouldn’t surprise you. Men and I don’t mix. My world was much simpler when I was a love ‘em and leave ‘em kinda girl. This love shit is for the birds,” Cassie admitted as she walked into Ryan’s room.
She could still smell his masculine scent, and it sent a pang to her chest. She wished more than anything that her heart didn’t ache for him. She didn’t want to miss him or need him, but she did.
She quickly went to the dresser and rummaged through the drawers. She grabbed t-shirts, sweatpants, and jeans that belonged to her and shoved them into the duffel bag.
“What will you do now?” Liv asked.
Cassie stopped packing and glanced toward her friend. “I’m not sure. I might take a vacation. Go to the beach and clear my head. After that, who knows? Focus on my job, I suppose,” Cassie suggested then masked her smirk while at the same time Liv burst into laughter.
“Yeah, right! When was the last time you focused on work?” Liv snickered.
“Okay, maybe that was a bit much. But you know what I mean. I’ve got to get Ryan out of my head, Liv. I can’t keep thinking abo
ut him. It’s driving me crazy. Do you understand?” Cassie asked as she placed the last few articles of clothing into her bag.
“Yeah, I do understand. When I thought it was over between Lawson and me, I wanted to get as far away from him as possible. Don’t forget, I almost slept with Bart,” Liv declared, rolling her eyes.
“Oh, speaking of Bart. I ran into him at a bar the other night. He mentioned you guys were taking a drive to Nashville. Something about checking out a facility,” Cassie explained.
“Yep. We’re convinced someone has taken Jim’s place and that the kidnappings haven’t stopped.”
“Well, I hope you’re wrong. The kidnappings and abuse have to stop. Touch base when you get back into town,” Cassie said and pulled the zipper on her duffel, closing the bag. The sound echoed through the room, and a shudder ran down Cassie’s spine as she realized her relationship with Ryan was over.
“Why do endings hurt so bad?” she asked Liv.
Liv walked over and embraced Cassie. Her arms were a blanket of comfort, and the waterfall began. Cassie couldn’t stop the tears as they spilled from her eyes.
“Because you love him, Cass,” she whispered.
“I can’t afford to love Ryan. He’s gone, Liv. It will kill me if I don’t walk away,” she sputtered as she buried her head in Liv’s soft sweater.
“Just remember I’m here if you need anything,” Liv replied as she stroked Cassie’s hair.
“I know. Thank you,” Cassie said and took one last look at Ryan’s room.
Their love affair might’ve been short-lived, but he would forever be etched in her heart.
Chapter 13
Muffled voices tickled Ryan’s ears as consciousness returned. He tried to open his eyes, but it felt like he was trying to lift a mountain. His brain was a dense fog, and he couldn’t make sense of anything. What in the hell was going on?
The Ravin growled in his head,, and Ryan sensed the creature’s frustration.
“Elaine, I think he’s coming to,” came a deep voice Ryan didn’t recognize.
