Unchained (Shifter Night Book 3)

by Charlene Hartnady

  “Why is he pushing me away then? I don’t understand.”

  “You’ll have to ask him.”

  The thought terrified her. She’d put herself out on a limb and had been shot down. Edith had gotten the message loud and clear. “No. If Gage decides to take his head out of his ass then … maybe, but otherwise.” She shook her head. “I’m going to say goodbye to Ana and then I’m heading home. Will you take me to her, please?”

  Jacob smiled at her. It was so warm, so sweet. “I hope things work out, but if you ever decide that you’re over that asshole, and you’d like to give a wolf a chance, you’ll look me up?”

  It was so sweet. Exactly what she had been looking for from Gage. It ripped her heart open all over again because it reminded her of all she was losing. Make that, of everything Gage had chosen to throw away. “Shit,” she mumbled as the tears began to fall. “I’m sorry,” she managed to push out through the slew of hot tears.

  Jacob pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “I can also be a really good friend,” he finally said when her tears began to subside. “No strings attached. I swear.”

  Edith choked out a teary laugh. “That’s good to know.” She pulled away and wiped her face. “Thank you.”

  Jacob cupped her cheeks. “You need to know that you are amazing. One in a million. You deserve to be loved and cherished. You deserve the best.” He let her go, brushing some hair off her face.

  “I appreciate that.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I mean it. Wholeheartedly. I find myself wishing I had ignored all the rules and …”

  “Don’t even say it.” She shook her head. “Things happen and don’t for a reason. You’ll find the right person, Jacob. You know that, don’t you?”

  He shrugged. “We’ll see.” Jacob pushed his hands into his jeans pockets. “I’m not really looking.”

  She laughed. “Trust me, that’s the best time, although, it doesn’t always go the way you planned.” They picked up the walk again. “Good thing I happen to know that Ana has double chocolate ice-cream. A whole tub.”

  “What does ice-cream have to do with anything?” He made a face.

  “Ice-cream somehow has the ability to make you feel better when you eat it.” She smiled.

  “It does?” Jacob looked skeptical.

  “Yep, but it has to be straight out of the tub and shared with friends. You should join us and have a try.”

  Jacob frowned. “I’ll have to take your word for it, but I’m game.” He still looked skeptical.

  Edith couldn't blame him. Most times, ice-cream really worked. It could magically heal the soul; only, she got the feeling that this time would be different. This time, she would need a lot more than her favorite ice cream to heal her soul.

  19

  Was his brother right?

  Had he known that Savannah had the hots for Ash when he dumped her? Had he pushed her away for those reasons and not because he couldn’t commit? Did his commitment issues stem from what happened in the past? Quite possible. Likely. Or ridiculous?

  It didn’t matter. All that stuff Ash had said about risk made sense. He needed to put it all out there and then let Edith decide.

  Gage rounded the corner. He could see the two of them up ahead. Jacob and Edith. Jacob was hugging Edith. Held her close, one hand rubbing up and down her back, the other threaded in her hair.

  He bit back a growl. Green was not a good color on him. It was his own damned fault and it didn’t mean anything.

  He kept walking, neither of them noticed him. Then again, he was still a good distance away. Edith wiped a hand across her face as she pulled away. Had she been crying?

  Probably.

  He was a bastard.

  Such a fuck up!

  When Jacob cupped her cheeks, he came to an abrupt halt. Gage’s heart beat so hard, he was sure it might snap a rib. He wanted to charge them head on and take Jacob out. Friends didn’t touch friends in that way. Fuck that! He was close enough to hear what the asshole-pup was saying. “You need to know that you are amazing. One in a million.” The male paused. “You deserve to be loved and cherished.”

  It was true.

  So true it hurt.

  "I appreciate that." Her voice was a soft murmur. Edith didn't pull away. Just stared into his eyes. She said something else that he didn't register.

  Gage had seen enough. “I mean it wholeheartedly,” he heard Jacob say as Gage turned and high-tailed it the fuck out of there. He’d been there, done that and had the bloody t-shirt and war wounds to prove it. Not again!

  If Edith wanted Jacob, she could have him. He wasn’t going to be part of it. Fuck that!

  One week later …

  There was something that could be said about weariness. Absolute and utter bone shattering tiredness. It crept up on you, day by day. It settled in your limbs, weighing you down. Grabbing at you, every part of you. Holding on like it was never going to let go.

  That’s how he’d woken up this morning. So tired he wanted to pull the covers over his head and never get out of bed. It was a good thing he had a play date with a certain young cub, and so he’d forced himself to get up, to get dressed and to turn up with a smile on his face, whether he felt like it or not.

  “Ready?” Gage asked.

  Ethan nodded, his eyes bright and wide. Gage pulled back his arm and threw the ball. Ethan caught it, dead-center in his mitt. “This is getting too easy for you,” Gage yelled at his nephew.

  Ethan threw it back, his throw wasn’t as strong, so Gage had to run forward to catch it.

  “Let’s make this a little more difficult. Are you ready?”

  “Yes!” Ethan yelled, punching his mitt a few times.

  “Good.” Gage loosed the ball, aiming just to the right of where Ethan was standing.

  The little tyke caught it like it was nothing and threw out a giggle. One he felt in the gut. He loved this child with all of his heart. Gage had found himself wishing that the boy was his on more than one occasion.

  Ethan threw the ball back. “Again, Uncle Gage. Again, again!” He jumped up and down.

  “Okay.” Gage threw slightly wide a second time, to the left this time.

  Ethan caught the ball with one hand, laughing all the while. The little guy was growing up.

  “No.” Gage feigned shock. “When did you get so good at this?”

  “I’ve been prac … prac … pra-ciss-ing.”

  Gage bit back a grin. “You’ve been practicing, huh?”

  Ethan nodded in an exaggerated way, as only a four-year-old could. “With daddy.”

  “Well, I can tell.” Gage nodded once.

  Ethan beamed.

  “How about we take a little break and have a snack?” He mussed Ethan’s hair and his nephew giggled.

  “Yes, please.” He clapped his hands.

  They went and sat on the grass. “Let’s see what fun stuff your mom packed for us.” Gage opened a backpack and pulled out a couple of juice packs, handing one to Ethan. Then he pulled out some sandwiches wrapped in grease-proof paper. “Ham and cheese?” He raised his brow. “One with mustard and one without. I’m guessing you’re the mustard fan.” He tickled Ethan, who squeezed his juice box, spraying some of the contents all over Gage’s shirt. “Hey!” Gage pretended to be angry.

  Ethan laughed and laughed. It came from somewhere deep in his belly. Gage couldn’t help but join in.

  “I don’t eat mustard," Ethan announced when he finally calmed down enough to talk.

  “You don’t? Oh well then, this one’s for you.” He handed the sandwich without the mustard to Ethan.

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the food. Then Ethan turned and looked at him, a serious expression on his face. “Why are you so sad, Uncle Gage?”

  “Who, me?” Gage shook his head, he even smiled. “I’m not sad.” He didn’t like the worried look in Ethan’s eyes. The kid was too young to feel those kinds of emotions. Especially where he was concerned.

/>   “Yeah, you are.” Ethan looked at him some more, this time he really looked at him. “Even though you’re laughing and smiling, you’re still very sad inside. I can tell.”

  From the mouths of babes. “I’m just working through some things. It’s not a big deal.”

  “I don’t like it when you’re sad.” Ethan shook his little head, scrunching up his nose.

  “I’m going to be fine.” He mussed Ethan’s hair again, but the little boy didn’t react this time, his whole expression still serious. “Sometimes people get sad.” Gage shrugged. “They can’t help it. I guess I am a bit sad right now, but I’ll get better.”

  “Will you take medicine? Humans take medicine when they are sick. Mommy told me all about it. She’s a human,” he added, just in case Gage wasn’t aware. It was so damned cute.

  Gage chuckled. “Medicine doesn’t work for being sad. You see, it’s my heart that’s not feeling so well.”

  “Your heart?” Ethan’s eyes were wide. Then he nodded as if he fully understood. “What about a Band-Aid? If I hurt myself, Mommy puts a Band-Aid on and kisses me better. You should put one on your heart.” He rubbed his chin, looking like a four-year-old professor. “I also think you need someone to kiss you better, Uncle Gage.” Ethan looked up at him with such innocence.

  “It’s not as simple as that, buddy.” If only. He’d fucked up so badly.

  “Yes, it is.” Ethan nodded, so sincere it was scary, but only because the little guy was right. “One kiss and you’ll be all better.”

  Gage didn’t doubt it. “Maybe you’re right, buddy.” He hugged the little boy. "You're a clever sausage; you know that?"

  “I’m not a sausage.”

  Gage laughed. For the first time in days, it felt real. He felt lighter.

  20

  Edith was selling this house today. She could feel it. Her luck was about to change. Although this new potential client had insisted on texting her instead of having an actual conversation, he seemed really keen. Wanted to buy the house for his girlfriend. He even said that he loved the charm of the place.

  Lucky girl.

  Despite this house being amazing, with views to match, the show day had been a disaster. She’d been there, handing out flyers, only her mind had been somewhere else. Her heart was still back in that shifter village with a guy who didn’t deserve it.

  If only she could just shut her feelings for Gage off. If only. She would and in a heartbeat. Gage didn’t deserve her. Enough! She’d wasted enough energy on him already. Back to the job at hand. This house and her life, dammit!

  Edith needed to get this place ready for the viewing. There was only one problem with this property, the owners had already moved out. It was more difficult to sell an empty home. Most people didn’t have vision. That, and it was easier to see the flaws, especially on a more dated property. A hint of peeling wallpaper, a broken plug point. A chipped window. It was all laid bare like her stupid, stupid heart. The one she had put on her sleeve. The one she had handed to Gage.

  Asshole.

  She flung open another window. The place would be nice and airy by the time Mister Carnivore arrived. What a surname. Poor dude must have been seriously mocked at school with a name like that. It didn’t matter what his name was, she was going to sell him this house. Lucky bugger. It was an amazing house. He and his girlfriend would be really happy here. So happy. They might even tie the knot on the lawn that led to the lake. Maybe they would say their vows on the jetty. Her heart felt like acting up. Her mind wanted to wander to thoughts of … No … she wouldn’t allow it.

  Head in the game, Edith made her way back to her car, carefully taking out the vase of flowers. All in bright, bold colors. Long-stemmed roses, irises, and lilies. She planned on placing them on the center island of the kitchen to give the area a warm, family feel. The front door was still open, just like she'd left it. Her arms were full of vases and flowers. The latter distorting her view somewhat. She should've had them make up something a bit smaller. More manageable for someone who was only five foot nothing. Edith walked carefully up the path and took her time negotiating the steps leading to the front door, which she kicked closed behind her. Edith walked straight into an obstruction and screamed because it wasn't an obstruction but a person. The guy was big and all dressed in black. At least, from what she could see of him through all the flowers.

  Intruder alert!

  Edith did what any woman in her right mind would do and whacked him upside the head with the vase. Flowers be damned.

  The vase cracked. Flowers went flying. Water sprayed, landing on the porcelain-tiled floor with a splatter. The intruder crashed against the wall with a groan. Music to her ears.

  “Gage?” Her voice was laced with confusion because boy oh boy was she big time confused. “What are you doing here?”

  He rubbed the side of his head. “Ow! I forgot how hard you can hit, Curls.” Gage smiled at her. Her heart beat faster. Her whole body felt warm and happy. Very bloody happy that he was there. Good thing her mind had better ideas. More logical ideas. Screw him!

  “You deserved it. I’ve told you how many times not to sneak up on me?” She plonked the cracked vase down so hard it broke in two, the rest of the flowers spilling out. “What are you doing here? I have a client,” she looked at her watch, “arriving in the next ten minutes.”

  “I had a chat with my four-year-old nephew,” Gage said. “He gave me some damned good advice. Ash and I also had a talk, but his advice was convoluted and quite frankly, a little long-winded. It took a four-year-old to put things nicely into perspective for me.”

  “I’m not sure I follow you.” Edith pushed out a heavy breath. Not sure she wanted to listen to what he had to say. “I’m not sure why you’re here.” She couldn’t think of a single reason aside from sex, but that was not going to happen. Not in a million freaking years.

  “The four-year-old is my nephew, Ethan.” Gage’s eyes lit up. “He’s such a great kid and smart too. Intuitive. He knew that I’ve been feeling down. Knew I was sad inside … his words. True though.”

  Edith swallowed hard, not sure if she wanted to hear more, yet unable to tell him to shut up. It looked like he planned on pulling a one-eighty on her. “Look I’m not sure …” A half-hearted attempt to get him to stop. “You made up your mind.” She shrugged.

  “Don’t you want to hear his great advice?” Gage became animated. She’d missed his beautiful brown eyes. His easy smile.

  Edith rolled her eyes. “You’ve come this far, so you may as well tell me. I doubt it will make much difference.” She folded her arms, looking up at him, trying hard to keep her expression neutral. Just because he was here did not mean that this would end up going somewhere. Gage had hurt her.

  “Ethan told me I needed a Band-Aid.” Gage gave her this amazing half-smile. “A Band-Aid. Have you ever heard anything so logical in all your life? Well, I haven’t. The thing is …” He reached out and touched the side of her arm, his eyes filling with … tenderness. “You are my Band-Aid, Curls.”

  Oh shit! That was sweet. So darned sweet. It wasn’t enough though. Gage could be sweet and charming. He’d still hurt her though. He could still change his mind. There was no way she could trust him again. Her heart wasn’t on her sleeve anymore. It was safely tucked away.

  “I know I hurt you.”

  Big time.

  More tenderness appeared in his eyes. Those golden flecks seemed to become more prominent. “I’d like to think that I can be your Band-Aid too. If you’ll let me?”

  “You can’t just come waltzing in here ‒ scaring me half to death in the process ‒ and expect me to forgive and forget. You did hurt me. I know you never promised anything but still … I guess I was stupid enough to think that we had something going on, but you pushed me away. You can’t suddenly change your mind and all will be forgiven. That’s not how it works.”

  “We did have something. Something real and true and it scared the living shit out of me.”<
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  “You should not have thrown that something away then.” She pulled her lips into her mouth.

  “No,” he shook his head, “I shouldn’t have. I let my fear get the better of me.”

  “What is there to be afraid of?”

  Gage sighed, he raked a hand through his hair. “I thought I had commitment issues. I didn’t want to end up hurting you, Curls. I figured if we ended it now before we became too invested, before you became too invested, that I was doing you a favor, but it isn’t true.”

  “That’s crazy reasoning.” She widened her eyes.

  “I know.” His jaw tensed.

  “It’s cowardly too,” she spoke softly.

  "Yes, it is. I can't deny that. I guess I needed to think things through. I've been miserable without you. I had somehow convinced myself that leaving you was for the best. That we were better off, but I was wrong." His Adam's apple bobbed. "I wanted to talk to you on that day when we got back after I pushed you away, but you were with Jacob. I saw you guys together."

  Edith narrowed her eyes. "What? You thought Jacob and me… that …” She made a groaning noise. Anger and frustration ate at her. “You just assumed the worst of me?”

  Gage shook his head. “I didn’t. I knew that the two of you were over.”

  “We were over months ago. I told you that.”

  “I made excuses though. I was … still am afraid. I fell in love with someone once. She happened to be in love with my brother.”

  “Oh.” This was not what she expected. Not even close.

  “It turned out that she was in love with both of us. He was the one who ended up mating her. Her name was Savannah, she was Ethan’s mom. My nephew, Ethan, the smart four-year-old. Anyway, Savannah died a couple of years back. It was a mess. A complete disaster. Being part of a love triangle is not fun. I didn’t so much as lay a finger on her after Ash mated her, but it was like invisible ropes still tied me to her.”

  “A love triangle? That’s not what this is!” she yelled, couldn’t help it because he was so far off base. “I’m sorry that happened to you but there is nothing between Jacob and me. Is that what you’re afraid of?”