by Sarah Makela
At least one of us could put on a happy façade.
CHAPTER FIVE
Mia
In between Ethan this morning and my ankle, I just longed to fall into bed with a healing poultice wrapped around my ankle and sleep. Instead, I was sitting at Jessa’s bedside.
She looked much better than she had, but I couldn’t fight the stirring guilt I got each time I came by. If I hadn’t waited so long to get in touch with her, I might’ve noticed something was wrong. Only when I needed supplies did I know that werewolf scum had hurt her.
I took a deep breath, then did my best to smile. “How are you feeling today?”
She tightened her grip on my hand. “I’m on the mend. The doctor is pretty cute, so it’s not horrible in here, but I can’t wait to get out.” Sighing, she leaned her head back. “Thanks for running the shop while I’m not able to.”
“You don’t need to thank me! You’re my best friend, and...” If I let on about my feelings of guilt she’d lecture me again, and I wasn’t in the mood for that. “I’m glad to help.” However, with my finances running thin, I needed more money or a better job, and helping out interfered with job interviews.
“What aren’t you saying?” Jessa paled a little.
“Nothing. Everything’s fine.” Part of me wanted to tell her the whole story: that sooner or later I wouldn’t be able to keep helping her because of my own finances. Besides, I might be better off leaving if the werewolf Pack were going to be breathing down my neck. But I couldn’t turn my back on her. Not yet.
“What aren’t you saying, Mia? You’re a terrible liar, so don’t try to hold back from me. I’m here for you. Don’t let this hospital bed torment you. Talk to me.” She propped herself up in the bed a little, but winced and settled back.
“Everything’s fine. Just… my parents aren’t happy with me running the shop. My finances aren’t great and I know you can’t give me any more for helping. Plus, there’s a problem with the werewolves. They’re not thrilled with me after what happened.” I leaned forward in the chair, not wanting anyone to overhear. There had been too much grief already without me adding more to Jessa’s plate.
“Wait, what? You’re dealing with the werewolves again? You should stay away from them, Mia. They’re dangerous. You’ve already seen that.” Concern filled her gaze and she reached out her hand for mine.
I knew she was worried, especially after what had happened to her. She’d had the worse end of the stick when dealing with Jared, but I understood what she meant. However, I couldn’t say I would stay away from all werewolves. Ethan was becoming a werewolf, and I didn’t want to give up my relationship with him, even if I questioned it more and more.
“I didn’t go after the werewolves to talk with them. I just…” I waved my hands, trying to retreat from the conversation before she could pull me into telling her more.
“Mia, hon, what aren’t you saying? You know you can talk to me about anything. I may have a strong opinion on a lot of things, but I’m here for you.” Her tone changed from the mentor to the best friend.
Biting my lower lip, I weighed the pros and cons of filling her in, but I didn’t want to put more stress on her.
She leveled her gaze at me in that strong-willed way of hers.
If I stayed any longer, I would spill my guts to her, and that wasn’t on my calendar. I’d only wanted to check in on how she was healing. I rose to leave, heading to the door, which led to the hallway. The door slammed in my face.
I leapt back from it. My heart raced at the sudden smack of wood against the doorframe. When I looked at her, she frowned with her hand outstretched. The door hadn’t closed from an odd gust of wind. She’d used her powers to keep me here, regardless of the cost to her still healing body.
Any concern I felt shifted away as the lock clicked in place. Once again, she was bullying me into giving her something, and I didn’t have to stand for it. While she was my mentor, I didn’t need the grief that being under her had dealt me. If it weren’t for her, neither Ethan nor myself would be in the situation we were in.
“No, you’re not going to do this. If you don’t back down, so help me.” I clenched my hands into fists. I wouldn’t retaliate with magic. She wasn’t my enemy and I didn’t want to ruin our relationship further.
“What do you think you’re going to do? You’re in a hospital. If you won’t practice your craft in your own home, you won’t do so here.” Jessa leaned back in the bed. The paleness of her skin showed that she’d strained herself with the display. I didn’t want her weakening herself further when I knew how hard she’d fought to get better again.
Her words hit hard. She might’ve been right about that a few weeks ago, but I was becoming a different person, a different witch. Now I knew there was real danger in the world, and I wasn’t willing to charge into battle unprepared, not if it could claim the lives of the ones I loved and who loved me.
The frustration I’d felt withdrew from me. I limped back to the bedside and eased myself into the chair. “Fine. If you want to know, several things happened in the shop. I found the book on werewolves you keep in the office. I read some of it, and... I’m concerned.” Even though I didn’t want to go through this with her, the sooner I got it off my chest, the faster she’d get off my back. “I don’t know how much of it is true and how much is just lore.”
Jessa frowned but she didn’t say anything.
“It’s not just the Pack that concerns me, since I don’t really deal with them personally.” At least I hadn’t until today’s impromptu meeting with Chad. “I’m more worried about Ethan, as I don’t want anything happening to him. It’s already too late to save him from his fate, but if he becomes a monster like what I’ve read about...” I sighed. “How can I be in a relationship with him?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t, hon.” Sadness darkened Jessa’s eyes. “It’s not something you want to hear, but for wolves, the Pack is a stronger tie than anything else. Don’t expect his complete loyalty to be yours once he becomes one of them.”
I hated hearing that because after what I’d read I knew it was true. Besides, I still didn’t know what to make of my encounter with Chad today. He’d been more aggressive than before.
“What happened with your foot?” Jessa prodded. I looked up at her, and she stared at me with a look of utmost patience.
“It’s a long story.” She didn’t want me to be with Ethan. If I told her he was the reason this happened, it would be one more piece of evidence that proved she was right. “One I’m not sure I want to go into at the moment.”
“Give me the short version?” Her lips quirked as mischief chased across her features. “Sounds like an interesting tale, and I’ve been watching too much Jerry Springer to pass up on this.”
“Let’s just say I jumped out of a second floor window. End of story.” That already felt like too much information. She’d probably just ask more questions. However, I was surprised that she sat there silently with wide eyes. “You’re not going to push me into telling you more?”
She placed her index finger and her thumb by the corner of her mouth and pretended to zip her lips closed, then she shook her head. Maybe she was right. I’d put myself, my relationship with my brother and family and more all at risk because of Ethan, yet I didn’t want to separate from him.
We quietly watched each other, and I expected her to pop at any minute with the questions brewing inside her. My thoughts went back to the shop, Chad and the brunette. I wouldn’t tell Jessa about Chad, but Selene was something I could mention before I left.
“There was something else I needed to talk to you about.” I ran a hand through my hair. “A woman came in today named Selene. She told me to ask you about her. She said she knew my grandmother.”
Jessa blinked at me, keeping her face carefully neutral. “Selene? Are you sure?” She shook her head. “I know her.”
That wasn’t exactly the response I’d been expecting. Most of the time when Jessa talked abou
t magic and other witches, she was more enthusiastic and perky. Granted, I’d forgive her lack of perkiness due to being in the hospital, but I was surprised to find her taken aback. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s been a while since I’ve talked with her. What did she want?” She sat up a little in the hospital bed as if this was something she needed to give her full attention.
“She knows I need to build up my skills and that I’ve fallen in with the wrong people... er...werewolves. She said she can help, and that I shouldn’t hide myself from others who could give me assistance.” I scratched the back of my neck, no longer thinking that bringing up Selene had been such a good idea.
“I know what she’s trying to do. She’s luring you away from me. Her group helped me get to where I am with my powers, but I spoke to your grandmother. I know what she wanted for you. They would make you into one of them and harness your powers.” Tightness creased the corners of her eyes and lips giving her a haunted look.
“What do you mean? How could they do something like that? Harness my powers?” I had never heard of such a thing. I’d always thought power and magic were individual abilities. Some witches joined together, but they were still single beings. Just the magic was brought together to greater impact a situation. One person didn’t use the others for their own purposes.
“Just what I said. Don’t trust her, hon. If she comes by the shop again, I want you to call me.” Jessa sounded deadly serious. But what could she do? She was in the hospital. She wouldn’t climb out of her bed and come ‘rescue’ me. Or would she?
“I’ll call.” I glanced at the clock. Visiting hours were ending soon and I needed to get out before the nurse shooed me away.
“When you get home, make a poultice for that foot and keep it elevated. You’re just making it worse. If it doesn’t heal, you could have to see a doctor.” She rolled her eyes and looked around the room. “Don’t forget to add some comfrey to it and rest—”
“Yes, mother. It’s not my first time dealing with something like this.” Maybe not of this severity, but I’d twisted my ankle before. Seeing Jessa concerned about me was sweet, though, especially considering she was in a far worse condition than I was. “Get some rest, and I’ll come pester you in a day or so.”
She smiled. “I look forward to hearing the longer version of that story.”
Grimacing, I knew she did, but I didn’t know if I wanted to tell. Maybe it’d be something funny to look back on eventually. However, Nolan could never know, and if I told Jessa...
I shook the thoughts away and waved goodbye.
CHAPTER SIX
Ethan
The clock ticked as the minutes went by, and no matter what I tried, I couldn’t get comfortable, even with the amount of alcohol I’d consumed. This whole evening was awkward. Partly I wasn’t quite used to spending time together with everyone. From the look on Nolan’s face, he wanted to talk about what was going on, but that wasn’t the best idea.
“This hand will be for the last slice of pizza. Who’s in?” Tony sloppily shuffled the cards, then dealt them out to everyone.
Unfortunately for me, I was running out of time, and the party didn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. I knew from past experience these things sometimes lasted until the wee hours. How was I going to get out of this without offending anyone?
Telling them I was going to bed and trying to sneak out through a window wouldn’t work. I needed my car to get to the location. When I’d been overseas, I’d thought about being back home, wanting to be close to those I loved again. Now I sometimes wished I was back over there. At least life had been simpler. I’d been a normal man, not in the process of becoming a werewolf.
“Fold.” I set down my cards, not really feeling the game anymore.
Tony cocked an eyebrow at me, but he shrugged and returned his drunken attention to the game. Jim was drunker than Tony, and I was pretty sure they’d have to spend the night here, what with the amount of alcohol they’d drunk. However, Nolan had imbibed the least. He sipped on his beers slower, keeping his mind clearer.
The doorbell rang and my hackles went up. Who was it now? If Chad was back, then so help me... However, I couldn’t figure out any reason for him to be here. He’d given me the information I needed to meet the Pack, and I still had time before I had to be there. Although, I did need to start wrapping things up soon. I just had to figure out how I’d do that.
Nolan rose to get the door, but I waved him back to the game. “It’s okay. I’ll get it.”
“All right.” He kept his gaze on me, watching my every move.
I headed off to the door, tired of him doing that. When I opened the door, I nearly slammed it again. What in the hell was Mia doing here? She hadn’t told me she’d be stopping by. She said she would be with her friend until late.
“What are you—” I cleared my throat, knowing Nolan wasn’t far away. The last thing I needed to do was act even more uncomfortable. “Hi Mia. We’re playing poker. Nolan’s right over there.”
She frowned at me. From the look in her eye, there was something bothering her. “Thanks. Nolan called. I’m here to pick up my brush. He said he found it around here.”
I stepped aside to let her in and wondered exactly how much Nolan had said. I just hoped he hadn’t tried to press her too hard; if his behavior toward me was anything to go by, then I wondered if she might’ve been subject to it as well.
Nolan rose from his chair and grabbed a plastic grocery bag from the coffee table. “Here you go, sis.”
“Thanks. I guess I’m off now.” She looked between us as if waiting for something. “Have fun with poker night.” However, she didn’t walk back out the door.
“Do you want a beer or something?” Nolan asked, his eyebrows drawing together.
She sucked in a breath. “Oh no, sorry. Night, guys.” She waved to Tony and Jim, then strode away casting a glance over her shoulder.
When Nolan shut the door, I grimaced. Now I needed to make my escape. If I didn’t go soon, I might be late, and that was the last thing I needed.
“Sorry guys. I have to go to the store, gas up my car, and get a few things, since I start work tomorrow.” Worst excuse ever, but I didn’t know what else to say.
“Aww, man. Really? That’s lame.” Jim set down his cards and stretched back in the chair. “Why didn’t you get it done earlier?”
Good question. “Guess I wanted to savor my last free day. It slipped my mind.” I waved. “Be back a bit later.” I nodded to Nolan. “Night.”
“Good night.” He lowered his voice so only the two of us could hear. “When you get back, we’re talking.”
I forced a smile. “Sure thing.” Then I shoved my feet into my shoes, tucked the laces inside them, and walked out.
* * *
When I’d gotten a little distance from the house, I called Mia. I didn’t have a lot of time to talk, but I wanted to see what her visit had been about. Her phone rang and rang before she finally answered.
“Sorry,” I said. “Were you sleeping?”
“No, I was busy working on... never mind. It’s nothing. I need to talk to you.” The softest wisp of anger filled her voice, and I wondered what was going on.
This wasn’t like her. Something had to have happened. What had Nolan said?
“What’s up? Everything okay?” Then again, I had every right to feel upset. She’d jumped out of the fucking window instead of waiting for her brother to leave. The siblings were trying to drive me crazy. “How’s your ankle?” I asked, letting a little of my own anger slip free.
She sputtered and groaned. “Wait, I can explain. But first, you should tell me what Chad meant when he said there are things you’re keeping from me.”
Damn. Chad had something else coming to him. If he wanted my help, then he needed to promise he’d shut his mouth when it came to Mia. The fact he’d seen her made my blood pressure soar. The Pack didn’t like her at all, so I couldn’t help the fear that someone mi
ght hurt her out of revenge for what she’d almost done to their Alpha. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told you this morning what was going on.”
“Somehow I don’t know if I believe that. I really want to, but it’s hard since it took this morning for me to know the Pack had thought of killing you. It’s possible you’re keeping other things from me.” She sighed, sounding wary. “I want you to feel comfortable talking to me. I’ve told you so much about myself. I just don’t want to feel like you’re pushing me away from your other self.”
If I could have slammed my fist against the steering wheel without second-guessing the force I’d use would break it, I would’ve. This was the worst time for her to be getting into this kind of discussion with me. I appreciated the fact she wanted to know what was going on. However, this werewolf situation was new to me, and I was having a hard enough time trying to take care of her and myself, without our new relationship get stomped down by all the opposition.
“Mia, babe, this isn’t a good time.” Especially since I was getting closer to the location where the werewolves met, which not surprisingly was out on the outskirts of town surrounded by lush woods.
“Why? I’m trying to open up. It’s hard enough to pretend in front of Nolan without things getting too awkward. But when it’s just you and me, I want to feel like you care enough to talk to me.”
The whistling of a teakettle shrilled, nearly making me drop the phone. My ears were too good at picking up sound and loud noises were still something I was struggling with. I didn’t want my hearing obliterated.
“I have to go to a Pack meeting. That’s why. I promise I’ll give you a call later if you’re still awake. Promise.” However, I had no idea how long this thing would last. “I’ve got to go now, babe. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Talk to you later. Love you.” She sounded so sad when she said those words that it ripped at my heart.
