by Brenda Trim
Home sweet home.
His wolf howled again and Ryan felt the familiar transformation of his body shifting. It was the most incredible sensation and he relished the feel. He was one hundred percent wolf shifter with no hint of a Ravin to stop his thoughts and actions. His wolf roared as the two reunited fully. Shifter and wolf connecting as one. The way it was meant to be. He embraced his inner animal, vowing to never leave his side again. His animal growled, swearing fealty to its human counterpart.
Ryan’s eyes blinked open, and his human form came into focus. He was lying on a bed, beneath a light blanket. The next thing he saw was Lawson. His brother’s eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. Overcome with happiness, Ryan reached out and grabbed Lawson’s face.
“What the––” Lawson blurted.
“I could fucking kiss you right now,” Ryan croaked through a dry throat.
“Please don’t,” his brother chuckled then embraced Ryan.
It was the kind of hug men give when they genuinely love one another. Rough and hard to the point they can’t breathe. And it felt great.
“Welcome back, bro. You had us worried for a while,” Lawson admitted as he pulled away and stared at Ryan in disbelief.
Ryan stared into steel-gray eyes. Tears threatened to spill as emotion washed over Ryan. His brother looked like hell, and it was his fault. Dark circles adorned Lawson’s face, and he looked ten years older.
“It’s good to be back, bro,” Ryan muttered then cleared his scratchy throat.
“Here, drink some water,” Lawson suggested and reached to the bedside table for a glass. Ryan took several sips, quenching the dryness.
“I don’t know where to begin,” Ryan admitted. “I’m so sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you and the family. You must hate me for what I’ve put you through.”
“No, not you. The Ravin. That fucking creature is to blame. Trust me, I know. I’ve felt the lure. It’s very appealing and manipulative,” Lawson revealed, shocking Ryan.
“Yeah, but you didn’t fall victim. I let my weakness guide me. I was such a fool,” Ryan confessed then quickly added, “but I’m not looking for pity, or making excuses. I made so many bad choices, and I see that now. I just want the chance to make things right. Can you ever forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive. You’re my brother. We’re family. Blood til the bitter end,” Lawson declared and drew Ryan into another embrace.
“Nothing will ever come between us again. Thank you for saving my life. For the second time,” Ryan muttered.
“Hey, you saved mine, too. I wouldn’t have survived three bullets to the chest if you weren’t there to operate on me,” Lawson countered.
“Well, then I guess I owe you one more,” Ryan replied.
Lawson threw his hands up. “Oh, no. Let’s just call it even. I don’t want either of us in a life or death situation ever again.”
“Am I interrupting?” a female voice interjected, and Ryan looked over to see Liv standing in the doorway.
“Sunshine, you’re just in time. Look who’s awake?” Lawson boasted with a huge grin.
“I see that,” she replied and walked inside the holding cell. She sat at the end of his bed and grabbed his foot beneath the sheet. “How are you feeling?”
Ryan took a moment to assess his physical condition. “I feel pretty good. Everything is still a little fuzzy, and I’m tired. Otherwise, I’m good.”
“And, what about…the Ravin?” she asked with hesitation.
“I don’t feel it inside me anymore. Hard to say if it’s gone completely, but I get no sense of the creature,” Ryan offered. His wolf growled in his head, announcing his presence with authority. It was comforting and a welcome reassurance.
“That’s fantastic. I’d like you to stay here a few more days if you don’t mind. Just to observe and make sure,” Liv said then bit her lip. Clearly, she was concerned about his reaction.
“I’d prefer it, actually. I don’t want to risk leaving right now. I need to be absolutely positive the Ravin is gone,” Ryan explained. As much as he wanted to go home, he couldn’t chance harming anyone at Safe Haven.
“I’m going to call your sisters and give them the great news,” Liv announced and hopped from the edge of the bed. “Is there anything else you need from home?”
“I’m starving. Anything Ashley can throw together would be great. And…” he paused, wondering if he should bring up her name.
“What?” asked Liv.
“I was wondering about Cassie. Do you think I should call her? Or maybe you could test the waters and see if she will talk to me?” Ryan asked, feeling like a teenage boy with balls the size of a peanut when it came to his schoolgirl crush.
“It might be best if I call her. I’ll be sure and let her know you asked about her,” Liv said with a reassuring wink.
“Thanks, Liv. For everything. I owe you big time,” Ryan admitted.
“All you owe me is to get stronger and come home,” she replied then walked out of the room.
Ryan glanced to Lawson. “I can’t believe you rescued me. Again,” he muttered.
“Well, the truth is, I didn’t know you were there. We went to Nashville looking for shifters. You were the last thing I expected to find. How did you end up there?”
Ryan shook his head as he recalled the events leading up to his captivity. “I was sleeping inside this shack in the woods near Hollow Rock. Three humans barged in and shot me with a tranquilizer. Next thing I knew, I was chained to a fucking wall. I had no idea I was in Nashville until you mentioned it just now. That fucking Jim Jensen. His wife is leading the show now. Bitch uses electroshock therapy to manifest an instant shift,” he explained.
“Are you fucking serious? I need to call Bart and tell him this,” Lawson barked.
“Yeah, she’s a piece of work. Cunt, with capital letters,” Ryan growled. He hoped he came face to face with her one day. If he ever got his hands on her, she’d regret the day she hooked him up to a machine.
“I’m just glad you survived, bro. One of the wolves we rescued wasn’t so lucky,” Lawson told him, and Ryan sensed his brother felt responsible for the shifter’s death.
“Hey, it’s not your fault. Those humans are to blame. I hope Bart does his fucking job and takes a stand against it,” he expressed as he clenched his fists. He was sick and tired of shifters being mistreated.
“I think he’s finally come around. After seeing wolves strapped to a table while their blood was drained from their bodies, he couldn’t look the other way,” Lawson replied. “I’m just worried what this will do to the peaceful coexistence we’ve established with humans.”
“Peaceful for them maybe. We’ve been suffering for years at the hands of humans. It’s time for change. If it gets ugly, so be it,” Ryan countered.
Lawson stared at Ryan, and they shared a knowing look. They were shifters and would fight the humans, if necessary. Hell, they’d erect a concrete wall around Safe Haven if that’s what it took to protect their own.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Lawson commented then pulled out his cell phone. “I’m going to call Bart and tell him about Jensen’s wife. I’ll be right back,” he announced and walked out of the room.
Ryan swung his legs off the bed and stood, testing his strength. When his knees didn’t give way, he carefully walked to the small dresser in his cell and retrieved a pair of sweatpants then walked into the bathroom. He turned on the faucet and stepped inside the shower. The hot water soothed his skin. He stood there several minutes, allowing the dirt and grime to wash away.
His wolf howled, and Ryan connected with his animal. He was relieved when the Ravin didn’t intervene. The creature was gone, and Ryan wouldn’t ever let it in again. His wolf growled in agreement.
Ryan’s world felt right again. Well, almost. One thing was missing, and it was the most critical part.
Chapter 16
Cassie grabbed several pairs of panties and socks then toss
ed them into her suitcase. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. She needed to finish packing and get on the road if she wanted to make it to Savannah by dark.
She rushed to her closet and grabbed a jacket, scarf, and gloves. The forecast showed highs in the sixties and lows in the forties. Didn’t look like she’d need a bathing suit for this trip. Oh, well, she thought. Didn’t matter. She had to get away for a few days and regroup, or she was going to go crazy analyzing everything that happened.
She walked out of the closet and tossed the last few items into her luggage then grabbed her tablet. She’d downloaded the latest edition to her favorite mystery series and couldn’t wait to get lost in a gripping story.
Cassie was so engrossed with packing that she jumped when her ringtone sounded. You Don’t Own Me blared from the small device and Cassie rushed over to adjust the volume. She glanced at the screen and noted it was Liv. They hadn’t talked since Cassie went to Safe Haven to pick up her clothes. Cassie mentioned to her friend she needed a vacation, but she never told her where or when. Knowing Liv, she would want the details.
Cassie grabbed her suitcase as she answered her phone, “Hey, Liv. What’s up?” she asked as she walked through the house, turning off lights and appliances.
“Hey, yourself. What’s going on?”
“On my way out, actually. Leaving town for a few days,” she replied as she grabbed her purse off the kitchen counter.
“Where you going?”
“Savannah. Figured the sand and salt air would do me some good.”
“Well, you might want to postpone your trip,” Liv informed her.
“Why? Please don’t ask me to come back to Safe Haven. I’m done with all that,” Cassie replied. She hoped she never laid eyes on the hotel again. Ever. There were too many painful memories there. It was easier if she didn’t think about that part of her life.
“We found Ryan,” Liv interjected, and Cassie froze. That was the last thing she expected to hear out of her friend’s mouth.
“Come again,” she stammered as she slumped onto a barstool. Her heart kicked up a notch at hearing his name. She wished Ryan didn’t have so much power over her feelings. She swore she was done with him and moving on.
“Ryan. We found him at the facility we investigated in Nashville. We thought he was dead,” Liv explained.
“What?” Cassie blurted. “Dead?” she shouted. Panic assailed as she imagined him lying in a gutter somewhere, bleeding to death.
“Calm down. He’s okay, Cass,” Liv reassured, and Cassie’s heart rate slowed a small fraction. Still, she needed more information. Every instinct roared for her to go to him and make sure he was okay. She sat motionless as her emotions tried to catch up with her mind.
“Define okay,” she demanded.
“Well, we got him back to my lab and gave him several infusions of Lawson’s blood. It worked, Cass,” Liv relayed. The excitement in her friend’s voice was infectious and had Cassie’s heart racing.
“Worked how?” she asked. Anticipation wracked her system. If Liv didn’t give her more answers, she was going to crawl through the phone and throttle her.
“He’s back, Cassie. Ryan came back to us. He’s no longer Ravin,” Liv shared in a rush.
Dizziness washed over her, and Cassie set the phone on the counter as she tried to gain her bearings. She clutched her chest as she tried to catch her breath. Did she hear Liv correctly? Ryan was back, and the Ravin was gone. It must’ve been her imagination.
“Cass,” came a muffled sound from her phone. “Are you there?”
Hand shaking, Cassie managed to pick up the phone and put it to her ear. “Yeah, I’m here,” she murmured as sweat beaded her brow. “Did you say Ryan was back?”
“Yes, girl! The Ryan we all know and love. Can you believe it?”
No, she couldn’t. Cassie was convinced Ryan would remain that creature for the rest of his days. In fact, she was certain Ryan wanted it that way.
“Are you sure it’s him? The Ravin could be tricking you, ya know,” Cassie spat. She’d experienced the creature’s manipulations firsthand. He was very convincing.
“I understand why you’d say that, but it’s him. In fact, he doesn’t want to be released yet. He wants to be certain there’s no relapse. You would have to see for yourself to believe me,” Liv encouraged. Those words hit her like a sledgehammer and Cassie’s panic renewed with a flourish.
Part of her wanted to haul ass straight to the lab and see Ryan. She missed him more than she could put to words. She’d never loved a man so deeply until Ryan came along.
“He asked about you, Cass,” Liv murmured.
“He did?” Her traitorous heart swelled and surged in her chest. Tears misted her eyes. Why did he have to ask about her? It was easier when she hated the creature he’d become.
“He would love to see you,” she added.
Elation erupted as Cassie imagined going to him. Seeing her handsome shifter again. His golden-blond hair, warm brown eyes, and wicked smile. Not to mention his incredibly sexy body. She wanted nothing more than for things to go back the way they were before that awful monster entered their lives.
“Will you come by the lab?” she persisted. Liv knew how hurt Cassie was by Ryan or the Ravin’s behavior, and she didn’t believe her friend would encourage her to visit if Ryan hadn’t truly changed. Still, it felt foolish to jump back in without hesitation.
Cassie glanced to the suitcase by her feet. Should she cancel her trip and go see for herself if Ryan had banished the Ravin? She had to admit it was tempting. It seemed like forever since she looked upon his handsome face, and not that of the creature.
Then again, would it really change anything? Ryan hurt her too many times recently. The wounds were still fresh and seeing him might make matters worse.
“Cassie, I know he hurt you,” Liv offered as if she read Cassie’s thoughts, “but he really needs to see you.”
And then Cassie’s confusion turned to anger. Why in the hell was Liv telling her this? If Ryan was so desperate to see her, why didn’t he call her? It’s not like he was in a jail cell with no means of communication. Liv would gladly let him use her phone if he didn’t have his. Why was she speaking on his behalf? Was he that big of a coward?
“You know, Liv. I’ve been putting up with men’s sorry-ass excuses my entire life. I’m tired of getting shit on. I deserve better, and it’s time I start demanding it. I told you I was through with Ryan and I meant it. I sincerely wish him the best, but the answer to your question is no. I’m getting in my car and driving to the beach. I’ll call you when I get back,” Cassie replied, no holds barred then quickly ended the call before Liv could respond.
She grabbed her bag, locked the front door, and walked to her car. She tossed her luggage in the back seat and hopped into the driver’s seat. She cranked the car, and I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor boomed through the speakers. Cassie smiled.
“Damn straight I will,” she blurted and crooned along with the song as she pulled out of her driveway.
Bart stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. The click and flash of reporters’ cameras ricocheted around the room as he adjusted the microphone attached to the podium.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice. A while back, I promised to research the claims of abuse against the shifter community,” Bart began, and a hush fell over the crowd.
“Up until a couple of days ago, I was certain these claims were false. The investigative team I hired visited several locations where this abuse was supposedly taking place, and they found not one hint of any wrongdoing,” Bart continued and glanced toward Kelly and her coworkers. She smiled seductively and winked, and he nodded in response before turning back to the reporters.
“However, I accompanied a group of shifters to Nashville, and what we found there was incomprehensible. I witnessed wolves strapped to tables while their blood was drained. And, I’m not talking small amounts, either. Enough to fill large conta
iners. These poor animals were on the brink of death,” he informed with a raised voice. Gasps filled the quiet space and reporters looked to one another in shock.
“And I’m saddened to say that one of the wolves didn’t survive the ordeal. I saw all of this, and I can honestly say I’m ashamed to be a part of a race that would do such despicable things to others. Let us not forget that shifters are not just animals. They have a human counterpart. How can we think them less than us? It’s barbaric,” Bart exclaimed and pounded the wooden podium.
He looked out into the crowd at shocked and horrified faces. Good, he thought. They should be. Every single person needed to know what was happening in their backyards and join in the movement to ensure it never happened again.
“Furthermore, I am here today, standing before you, promising that this is unacceptable and will NOT be tolerated. Not while I’m in the office. I want it known that any facility conducting such experiments, no matter the cause, will be held accountable to the full extent of the law,” Bart clarified. He glanced toward Kelly again and noticed she was gone. That was strange. He figured she’d want a front row seat since she helped with the investigation.
“One more thing before I go. I want each and every shifter to know you have my support. If you have any information that will help bring these criminals to justice, please contact my office. Also, if you have a family member that is missing, I will do everything I can to help you find them. I will not be taking questions today but, again, thank you for coming,” he finished and walked out of the conference room. Reporters yelled questions to his retreating back, but Bart ignored them.
He stalked down the corridor and walked into his office, shutting the door behind him. His assistant, Patricia, was leaning over his desk as she rummaged through paperwork. She glanced up when she heard him enter. “Hey, how did it go?”
“I guess we’ll know soon enough,” he replied and glanced to the phone on his desk. Every button lit up simultaneously. “Let the chaos begin,” he said with a chuckle.
