I turned to find Wyatt and Wesley walking out of the spare bedroom, fully human, fully clothed, and with looks of contrition on their faces.
“Sorry, Elizabeth,” one of them said, I think it was Wyatt. “We didn’t expect anyone to come through your front door.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his face pink. “I can’t believe we let a human see us as wolves.”
I shook my head. “No, you guys, this one’s on me. I forgot I had her checking up on Charlie, and should have called to cancel.”
Abraham stepped forward, still shirtless, and distracting. “You did good explaining the situation, Elizabeth, I don’t think she’ll cause us any trouble.” He turned to his men. “And, you two were on top of the situation immediately. Good work.” Wyatt and Wesley both perked up at the compliment. Abraham turned back to me. “Who else has a key to your apartment.”
“Just Fiona.”
He nodded and grabbed his cell off the table. After a few taps on the screen, he held the phone to his ear. When he caught my quizzical look, he explained, “I’m getting your locks changed today.”
I frowned. “Why are you changing my locks?”
“I don’t want anyone to have a key to this place but you, or me.”
I raised a brow. “Who said you’re getting a key to my apartment? And don’t you think you should have discussed calling a locksmith with me beforehand?”
He looked confused as he wagged a finger between us. “Isn’t that what we’re doing right now?” The call stopped ringing on the other end, and someone answered with a polite greeting. “Yes, hello, I need a set of locks changed today.”
I threw my hands in the air and stormed back into my bedroom. “Pushy alpha pain in my ass,” I grumbled under my breath.
Apparently I hadn’t spoken soft enough, because one of the brothers barked out a laugh before I heard a slapping sound, and a loud “oomph.”
I quickly got dressed, and stomped into the kitchen to make me, and my houseguests some breakfast. But, after a week with the culinary challenged Del, there was not much besides takeout containers in my fridge. I rummaged around until I came up with a dozen eggs that must be left over from when Callie was here keeping me fed. Next, I ransacked the freezer, and found a bag of sausage patties, and that would have to be enough.
When the egg mixture was cooking on the stove, and the sausages were sizzling beside it, Abraham walked into the kitchen, and wrapped his arms around my waist. He leaned over and pressed his nose into the crook of my neck. “Whatchya’ cookin’, baby?”
Who would have thought I’d be the kind of woman who enjoyed being called something as cliche as “baby”? I had to admit though, every time he called me that in his deep, gritty voice, it made my heart skip a beat, and my stomach clench deliciously.
But, I was still irritated at his high-handedness.
“Breakfast.”
He slipped his hand beneath my loose t-shirt and skated his thick fingers across my stomach. “You look so sexy when you’re cookin’.” I scoffed and felt his lips curl against my skin. “In fact, I bet you’d look sexy doin’ just about anything.” He nipped at my earlobe, and I gasped. “But, I think I might be a little biased,” he confessed.
I rolled my eyes, and used a pair of tongs to flip the sausages. When I didn’t answer, he sighed, and turned to lean against the counter next to the stove. “Are you really that mad that I called to have your locks changed?”
“No, that wasn’t a bad idea.”
“Then, why are you upset?”
I pushed the congealing eggs around the pan. “Because, you did so without consulting me first. This is my apartment, not your lodge, or your pack lands. You don’t get to make all the decisions by yourself, and just expect me to fall in line. It doesn’t work that way. Not with me.”
He sat there studying me while I finished cooking the eggs and placed the sausages on a paper towel covered plate. Finally, he took a deep breath, and ran a hand down his tired face. “Okay, I see your point.” He let that big breath out and reached for my free hand. “I just want to keep you safe. It’s making me a little crazy, because I feel like I’m not doing a good enough job.”
I turned all the burners off and turned to face him. “You’re doing a great job. You just have to get it through your head that I need to have some input on my life. I won’t let you steamroll over me, even for my own safety.”
He smiled. “Your independence was one of the first things I liked about you.”
I raised a brow. “I would have thought it’d be the first thing that drove you crazy about me.”
He laughed and placed a kiss on my forehead. “It’s a love-hate relationship.”
Can’t fault him for his honesty.
Abraham helped me plate our breakfast, and all four of us devoured it within minutes. We needed more food in this house.
Unfortunately, Abraham insisted I couldn't go alone, so all four of us crammed into my little compact car, and went grocery shopping together. We walked down each aisle filling my cart with mountains of food while three giant werewolves shadowed every step. I felt ridiculous, and decided next time, I’d rather send one of them out than feel like I was being protected by the supernatural secret service.
Per Abraham’s request, we spent the rest of the day indoors where he knew I’d be safe. We watched movies, and played a few card games, but the peace didn’t last. The next morning when I was getting ready to leave for work, Abraham informed me I wouldn’t be going alone.
“I am not taking a werewolf with me to work. It’s not happening.”
Fortunately for Abraham, I was running late, and didn’t have time to argue with him. After a few minutes of going back and forth, I finally growled, and stomped off into the bathroom.
“Fine! But, whoever is coming better be ready to walk out that door in three minutes,” I yelled.
I heard Abraham’s exhale of relief, and a pang of guilt shot through me. He wasn’t trying to be difficult, he was just trying to keep me safe. I needed to keep that in mind every time he annoyed the crap out of me.
A couple minutes later, I stormed out of my room, and toward the front door. One of the brothers was already waiting there for me. “Which one are you?” I barked.
“Wyatt, ma’am.”
“Great. Let’s go, Wyatt.”
Before I could get through the doorway, a hand on my wrist stopped, and spun me around. Abraham leaned down, and planted his soft warm lips on mine, kissing me until I’d completely forgotten why I was irritated to begin with.
When he finally pulled away, we were both breathless. “Have a good day, baby.”
I smiled and nodded not trusting myself to speak.
Thankfully, only a few people asked about Wyatt’s presence in my office that day. I explained that he was an intern, and that seemed to satisfy their curiosity. And, having him there wasn’t that bad. He pretty much sat quietly in the corner, either on his phone, or occasionally taking a peek into the hall, or out my window. What he thought he’d find four floors up, I wasn’t sure, but I let him do his thing.
A couple days passed in this fashion, and before I knew it, it was Thursday evening, and I was frantically trying to finish up my work before the long weekend I was taking. We’d decided instead of asking for time off, I’d fake sick, and call out tomorrow. Abraham assured me the pack doc would write me a note to explain my absence.
I stifled a yawn, one of many today, as I drove me, and the werewolf bodyguard du jour, Wes, back to my place. I’d had another wolf dream last night and hadn’t gotten much sleep after it.
In this dream, I’d met the wolf in the clearing again, but this time, instead of circling me, and then walking off, she’d bumped her large head into my hand, and only walked away when she was sure I was next to her. We entered the dark woods, the moon shining through the tree branches, giving just enough light that I could see where we were going.
We walked side by side for a long while before there was a break in the t
rees. When we stepped out of the forest, I found the pack lodge looming ahead of us. I woke up after that, still not understanding what these dreams meant, or why I was having them. Abraham’s warm arms had helped to settle my nerves, but sleep had still eluded me.
I walked through my front door to find Abraham and Wyatt’s bags piled near the front door. “When are we leaving?”
“As soon as you’re changed and packed,” Abraham answered.
“I’ll need to get Charlie’s things together too.”
Abraham nodded. “Yes, I suppose the cat will have to come too, huh?”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, if you don’t want anyone with a key to my apartment, I can’t have Fiona come check on him.”
Abraham shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m allowing a cat inside my home.”
About an hour later, with an unhappy Charlie in his traveling crate, we were on our way out to Asheville. Charlie was still being distant, eyeing me with distrust, or maybe it was betrayal. I’d been his people before, and now I was closer to being like the unwelcome houseguests he barely tolerated. But, there was little I could do about the changes I was going through. He’d just have to learn to get used to it. Hopefully.
As we drove the almost four hours to the mountains, I found myself turning inward as I finally let myself think about the coming full moon. Even now, I could see it in the daytime sky, full, and round, and just waiting for me.
Would I survive the shift?
Abraham seemed to be pretty confident I would, but was that just wishful thinking? On average, seventy-five percent of bitten wolves didn’t survive. Were any of them fated to be mates with other wolves? Did they know they wouldn’t survive? Or were they as ignorant as the shepherd’s wife?
I fell asleep during the long ride, my busy brain finally allowing me a short reprieve from the worries. The tires crunching against the noisy gravel driveway woke me.
When we pulled around to the garages, we were greeted by all four sisters. Evey pulled me into her arms first before I was passed to Del, and finally Callie.
“Glad to have you back,” Beatrice said to Abraham. Wes and Wyatt climbed out of the cab, the latter carrying Charlie’s crate. “What the hell is that?” she deadpanned.
“Charlie,” Abraham answered simply, walking with me past his sisters.
“What is a ‘Charlie’?” she called.
“Charlie’s a cat, dummy, can’t you smell him?” Evey answered.
“You brought a cat? Here? To a house full of werewolves?” She scoffed. “What next? How much are you going to change for her?”
Abraham spun around and stalked back to his sister. He towered over her and lowered his voice to a deadly level. “Beatrice, I understand you’re not a fan of change, but now’s not the time. You need to shut your mouth, and mind your business, or I’ll make you shut it.”
Their stare down lasted a few moments, the air alive with electricity, before Beatrice bowed her head, and Abraham nodded. Spinning on his heel, he stalked back over to grasp my arm, and lead me into the lodge.
“We should have left Raleigh earlier. We don’t have much time before the sun sets.”
We were in his room, and I was looking out the window at the sinking sun, my stomach mirroring its trajectory.
How much time did I have left?
What if I didn’t make it?
What if these are my last hours?
What if this is my last time alone with Abraham?
He’d been rummaging through a dresser drawer, but slammed it closed, and spun to face me. “Stop it. I know what you’re thinking, because I can feel what you’re feeling. You’re gonna’ make it through the shift. You’re gonna’ be fine. I’m gonna’ make sure of it.” He turned back around and dug through his dresser again. He held out a long white t-shirt. “What do you think? This should be long enough, right?”
I frowned. “For what?”
“Usually we all get naked, but I figured you’d want to wear something for your first time at least.”
My jaw dropped. “You figured right.” I took another look at the thin t-shirt. “Is that all you’re expecting me to wear?”
He nodded. “I guess you could wear panties too if you want.” He shrugged. “It won’t last long, so it doesn’t really matter what you wear.”
I swallowed harshly. “How long will it take for me to shift?”
He walked over to sit next to me on the bed, looking at me with serious eyes. “It usually only takes a few minutes.”
“But, didn’t it take the whole night for the shepherd’s wife?”
“Who told you that story?”
“I asked Callie while she was staying with me.” I looked down. “What if that happens to me?” I asked quietly.
Abraham tipped my chin up. “It won’t.” The finality in his voice almost had me convinced. Almost.
I took another look out the window, the seconds seeming to slip away faster, and faster as the sun set. “Abraham, I want you to know, if I can’t shift–”
“You will,” he interrupted forcefully.
I shook my head. “Please, just listen.” He nodded, but his face wasn’t happy. I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes, searching for the words to explain what I was feeling. To tell him how much he meant to me. What his love had done for me.
Because here, at the eleventh hour, I could admit that I knew he loved me. It was clear in every touch, and every look, everything he did for me, and every time he was right there by my side. He’d chosen me over his pack, over his family, and loyalty like that didn’t come easy.
I opened my eyes, and met his blue, blue gaze. Did I love him? I wasn’t sure yet. But, I knew I felt strongly, and I needed to tell him.
“I just want you to know I’m so glad I met you. You, and your family have done more for me in the past month than my entire family has ever done for me in my whole life. And I don’t regret a single second of it. Not being attacked in the woods, not being bitten, none of it. Because it all brought me here, with you, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Chapter 44
After my heartfelt proclamation, Abraham had taken the opportunity to explore my mouth, and every inch of skin he could touch. He didn’t say a word, but I felt his intentions in every move he made.
He loved me.
And, he was afraid he would lose me.
Those words hung heavy in the air, blaring, and yet silent in the minutes leading up to my first shift. I would either join him, and his pack, or he’d lose me forever. All of that was said, and repeated over, and over as he ravished my mouth, stealing my breath, and solidifying his place deep inside my heart.
Did I love this man?
I wasn’t positive it was a yes, but I knew it wasn’t a no. And, that was the best I could do at this time. He didn’t seem to mind as he peppered kisses across my face, making sure not to miss a single inch.
A thrill of adrenaline shot through my system, and we both froze in place. “It’s coming,” Abraham panted. “You need to get changed, and we need to get outside with the rest of the pack.”
I nodded breathlessly and retreated to his bathroom. When I returned, I found him wearing a low riding pair of black basketball shorts, the waistband just barely hanging onto his trim hips. My mouth went dry as my eyes skated over all the skin he had on display. Damn, this man was perfect.
Abraham growled low. “Save that look for later,” he rumbled.
I shook my head. Now was not the time to be ogling. I needed to focus. I needed to survive.
“Is there anything I can do to make sure I shift completely?” I asked, desperate to have some small slice of control.
Abraham nodded as he grabbed my hand and pulled me from the room. “You can focus on becoming a wolf. Don’t fight the change, encourage it. Welcome it.”
I nodded. I could do that, easily. Because I did welcome it. If it meant I got to stay with Abraham, and his family, I’d do anything.
“Just a head
s up, you’re probably about to see a lot more of the pack than you ever thought you would.” I frowned, and he elaborated. “We usually just leave our clothes inside. We’ll ruin them otherwise, so there’s no point.”
My face heated uncomfortably. I was beginning to look forward to this werewolf thing, but to be honest, I could do without the nudity. I nodded and gripped his hand tighter as we descended the stairs.
Abraham lead me out onto the back deck where I’d attended the pack barbecue a few weeks ago. The picnic benches were gone, and in their place stood dozens of people. All of them, to my relief, were at least partially clothed.
Evey came running up to us, wearing a loose t-shirt like mine. “Hey, why is everyone dressed? I just got done telling El everyone would be naked.”
Evey laughed. “We all figured she might not want to spend her first full moon tryin’ not to stare at all of us in our birthday suits. The pack decided to cover up for her.”
My nose burned as my eyes watered. “Y’all wore clothes for me?” I was truly touched that they cared enough about my comfort to ruin a pair of clothing.
Evey slung a thin arm around my waist. “Girl, you’re pack now. There’s not much we wouldn't do for you.”
I sniffed back tears, and wrapped my arm around Evey, pulling her close, and tucking my face against hers. “Thanks girl, I really didn’t want to have to stare at everybody’s feet all night.”
Evey laughed loudly. “Yeah, and if you caught sight of any loose salami’s Abraham might have thrown a fit.”
I snorted at her description of the male genitalia while Abraham rolled his eyes. “My salami is the only one she’s allowed to look at.” I laughed again and slapped his arm as we made our way to the rest of the pack.
Most of them hurried over to us to embrace me and wish me luck on my first shift. I could see the worry in their eyes, and I tried to put on a brave face, but we all knew what my chances were. Another shot of adrenaline zipped through my veins, and I watched those around me twitch simultaneously.
“Not long now,” Abraham warned. He took a seat on the grass and pulled me onto his lap. “We might as well be sitting, since you’ll be on all fours soon enough.”
Shift (Southern Werewolves Book 1) Page 34
