*****
“You must have done something to upset The Powers That Be for them not to have found you,” he said to Mitch. The dog crate he was being kept in didn’t allow him to stretch or move in any way. His knees ached from being in the same position for days.
“Good thing I had the decency to come back and look to see if you were still here or you’d die in that crate.”
He’d die in the crate anyway so what difference did it make if he was alone and died of starvation or if he died of a broken body and soul? Mitch had been passed out when Mira had been brought in. They had knocked him out so he wouldn’t be seen or heard until they had her secured. This meant that when her rescue came, he had been in the black pit of his mind instead of doing everything he could to get attention and help.
From what he could gather, this man was all that was left. Of course he was the quietest, most brutal of them all. Someone had called him Shadow earlier but Mitch wasn’t sure that was his name or just an observation that this man was like a shadow, quiet, unobserved and always there.
His crate was in the backseat of a pickup truck, he was naked and tired. The fight was gone from him, fucked out of him to be precise. He had shut down pretty fast. He was not wired for trauma like this. Some people were strong but not him. Mitch was weak.
He didn’t care much where they were headed. He was dead no matter where they ended up. He only hoped that it came sooner rather than later. The trembling came over him like a tidal wave. He couldn’t stop it and didn’t bother trying too. Nothing stopped the shaking. The only thing that helped was knowing that he’d be dead soon.
Chapter Eighteen
“You leavin’?” Zach asked from the door. Her bag was mostly packed and she was collecting her makeup.
“Yeah, time to go back to reality but we are still on for Monday nights, right?” They planned to have a game night every Monday and connect via Xbox or computer.
He had an evil little grin that didn’t scare her in the least; it accompanied the slow nod and eyebrow wiggle.
“I’ll take that as a yes. So you are a wolf too? Seems like everyone in this town is.”
Zach shrugged. “I am, but like my uncle Chuck, I’m submissive. So I don’t regularly attend pack functions. That’s why I’m living here actually. My parents and brothers are all dominant and I was tired of being the black sheep of the family. Chuck gets it. My cousin Marcus used to work here but he had to go back to school so I step in and help when he needs me.”
Now that the secret was out, Mira liked the fact that people were actually telling her the truth. “Well if you need a break, you can always come visit me in Buffalo. I’m moving back in with my mom until I figure out what to do but there is always a couch to crash on.”
“Thanks,” he said and sounded like he was considering it. “Drive safe,” he added as she zipped up her bag.
“Bye Zach.”
Mira headed downstairs. It looked as if the breakfast was officially done. Chuck and Lee had just walked in the front door and she had seen both of them at Owen’s. It didn’t surprise her that Lee was a wolf, but Chuck had been.
“I can’t believe he told her. I mean, she’s human. We don’t tell humans. It’s like the first rule.” Lee was obviously not feeling any love for Mira. But had she ever? She was the one person Mira was not going to miss.
“Well, she is Sadie’s immediate family,” Chuck said in his calm, reasonable voice. “That’s a rule too. I trust her and I know Owen trusts her, you should too, Lee.”
“I just can’t believe he told her,” Lee continued, completely ignoring what Chuck had just said. “He’s never told anyone who wasn’t pack before. I don’t know what he was thinking. It’s not like it could ever work out between them with her being what she is and him being-”
“I wouldn’t say that he told me,” Mira chimed in with a smile. Lee had the nerve to look abashed. Chuck on the other hand greeted her with a smile. “Actually Lee, he showed me what he was.”
Lee’s mouth dropped.
Satisfied with the reaction, Mira handed Chuck his key back. “I’m sure I’ll see you around but life awaits me back home. It was nice to meet you Chuck,” she looked at Lee, “you not so much but can’t like everyone now can we?”
Chuck thought this was hilarious and began to laugh. “Such sass, I love it. Goodbye Sweetheart.” He hugged her. When she was halfway out the door, Mira heard him say, “You had that coming so don’t even start.”
Sadie and Tyson were waiting by Trixie. Tyson had brought her back to Mira with a new tire and all shined up. She patted her Jeep affectionately.
“We were thinking,” Sadie began and looked at Tyson who smiled at her. “Tyson and I are going to come with you. I’ve already called mom and she is ecstatic. We can help you move tomorrow and get settled in at mom’s. Kent is coming too.”
“Really?” Mira asked because she had already been gearing up to do this alone. She was not looking forward to it and knew seeing Sophia would suck but Mira was prepared to deal and get it over with. But with Sadie, Tyson, Mom and Kent helping, they’d have her out of that apartment in a few hours, tops.
“Yeah, really. I need to see mom anyway, it’s been too long. They all need to meet my fiancé too.” Sadie grinned when she said 'fiancé.' Tyson kissed her head with a smile of his own.
“Alright. I was going to head out now but I can wait if you need to pack-”
“No, go. We will be right behind you,” Tyson told her. “We just need to tell Owen our plans and then go grab a bag for each of us.”
Thinking of Owen, Mira felt a pang of sadness. Their goodbye didn’t sit well with her. She felt shaky; anxiety had begun to creep up her spine the closer she got to leaving. It was probably just because she wasn’t looking forward to what awaited her in Buffalo. Having Sadie along helped and having Tyson was a surprising comfort as well. But she was leaving her security blanket here and it was unsettling.
Sadie pulled Mira into a hug. “I’ll see you soon.”
When Mira drove out of town, she felt like she was driving out of a place that had become a second home. The panic that consumed her shortly after was annoying and tiring. She felt every car was following her and every van was just waiting for an opportunity to snatch her. In the last hour of the drive she realized that this had been the first time she was alone since being taken the day before. Had it really just been a day ago? It felt like lifetimes had passed. Her entire trip felt like she had lived a few different lives. There was no doubt about it, she was a different person coming back than who had left.
She wouldn’t be a fearful person though. This anxiety that was imprisoning her chest wasn’t something she was ok living with. Mira had seen what fear could do to a person with Sadie. That wasn’t going to happen to her. She pulled into the rest stop and parked. Mira took out her phone and sent a text to Tyson.
Please don’t tell Sadie I’m texting you. I don’t want her to worry. Don’t tell Owen either. I need to know if there is a therapist you know of who is, or knows about you guys. I’m going to need to talk to someone about what happened.
His reply was almost immediate.
I know of a woman. I’ll contact her and get you her information when I see you later tonight. Are you ok? You can always talk to Sadie or me. We are leaving in a few minutes.
Just knowing that there was help in her future was settling. But she couldn’t talk to either of them. They would make it too personal. She needed someone outside of it all.
Thank you. I’ll see you soon.
Mira pulled back onto the highway feeling a little less suffocated.
*****
Owen stood outside of the room with the pacing wolves. One had changed and was snarling at everything. The other remained still as he sat with his back against the far wall, staring at the door. After the majority of the people had left, he found his way to the holding cells. They were mainly used for wolves that suffered some sort of a trauma and needed to be ke
pt somewhere they couldn’t break out or destroy anything. Owen’s pack rarely had need for any kind of jail or prison; the holding cells did the job when needed.
He watched them and their dynamic. Neither especially liked the other but there was no hate or malice that he could see. The one who had changed was hot headed. He had been the one with his hands on his Rabbit. The wolf stalked around the rectangular space with his head low and his fur on end. The other wolf didn’t pay much mind to his circling partner. He knew someone was watching even if he couldn’t see them.
“Open it up,” he told the guard. Owen walked in with his fists loose and his face blank. Most of the time he reigned in his dominance, he found people had trouble talking to him when all they felt was his power over them. He didn’t like to be intimidating to his pack; he wanted them to feel safe to talk to him when needed.
But these fuckers? He wanted them to know just what they were dealing with.
It felt good to let it go. The wolf had initially started to stalk toward him with his teeth bared, but now stood still, his tail hanging limp, his ears flat on his head. The creature all but fell to the ground in submission. The waves of dominance and power radiating from Owen filled the small room till they were almost paralyzed. The man against the wall hadn’t moved. His eyes stayed glued to Owen’s feet. He had tried and failed to lift them higher. Now that they all knew who was boss, they could begin.
“Many think I’m a soft alpha because I don’t let my dominance rule me. I don’t feel the need to smother my wolves as some do. It only takes the briefest glimpse of my nature to put those who don’t believe in me in their place. I am neither soft nor submissive. I love my pack fiercely and have no qualms doing what is needed to protect them from fuckheads like you.”
He linked his hands behind his back and began to stroll around the room. “Now you took something that belongs to me, something that I care for very deeply. It was a mistake on your part and if it had just been me there yesterday, you both would be crowding that grave with your fellow Canidae. However, I had a voice of reason with me so you were brought here to live another day. If you answer my questions, you will have a few options as to your life, its length and its quality. If you do not, I will do what I had wanted to do to you yesterday as you pawed at what is mine.”
His phone buzzed loudly from his pocket. Owen looked to the wolf. “I suggest you change so you can give your answer or I will assume you choose option number two. Hello?”
“Owen, you busy?” Tyson asked.
He looked to the wolf that was beginning to change back to man. “I’ve got a few minutes.”
“Alright, Sadie and I are going to Buffalo for a few days. We are just about to leave.”
He sighed. “Good. Mira shouldn’t be alone right now. Thank you for watching over her.”
“I’m not doing it for you asshole,” he laughed. “But yeah, she needs people. Sadie and I are her people. I have a question for you though.”
“Shoot.”
“Do you have the number for Sue’s daughter? Isn’t she a therapist or something?”
“I do,” he said cautiously. “What’s up, Tyson? Needing to talk about your feelings?”
“Not for me.”
It was for his Rabbit. Fuck, he shouldn’t have let her go so soon. “Ok. Alright. Yeah, her name is Meridian. I’ll get you a number.”
“I’ll look out for her, Bud. Don’t get twisted about this. See ya in a few days.”
Owen hung up and looked at the panting wolf at his feet. The man had changed fast, had pushed it. He was feeling that forced change now. Owen didn’t particularly care for what either of them had to say at the moment. Maybe in an hour when he had calmed down, he would let them say their piece but for now, he needed a little therapy of his own.
Chapter Nineteen
“Hello?” Owen yawned into the phone.
Mira was regretting this call. It was after two in the morning. She should have just sucked it up and dealt with her problems. Should have but couldn’t. She couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes she saw what could have happened, what didn’t happen. But her mind ran with it and soon that sleep she desperately needed was rough and broken. Mira would wake with a sheen of sweat covering her body and even more tired than she had been when she fell asleep. Ever since Sadie and Tyson had left, Mira had stumbled gaining her footing. Meridian helped. She was great to talk to and really helped her through many of her panic attacks. However, Meridian was a child psychiatrist and when they met up it wasn’t in an official capacity. It was in her home and usually over dinner.
Talking to Owen helped more than anything. She felt utterly safe with him. They had spoken daily since she left and she missed him. God, did she ever miss that Brute.
“Rabbit, did you call so I could listen to you breathe?” Owen asked, his voice rough from interrupted sleep.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have called. Just go back to sleep.”
“Nope I’m awake now. So get talkin’.”
She rolled over in her bed so she was lying on her side. “I can’t sleep.”
“Any particular reason why not?”
“Dreams,” was all she could get herself to say.
Owen made a grunt in understanding but didn’t delve further. “So what would you like to talk about?”
An hour later, Mira had fallen asleep. When she woke the next morning it was with her phone still in her hand and a new message waiting for her.
Sweet dreams Rabbit. P.s. you snore.
She didn’t remember at what point she had begun to get tired but she was still on the phone when exhaustion had taken her. Her body felt more rested than it had it days. The clock told her it was time to get up and get to work.
Being back in her mom’s house was an adjustment. There were good and bad aspects. A good one being that she had breakfast made fresh every morning. No more freezer breakfast sandwiches for her.
In the kitchen, her mom had a cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal waiting for her. Both of them were dressed for their respective jobs and her mom only had a few minutes before she had to leave. Still, every morning they ate together.
“How’d you sleep?” Mom asked.
Like shit. “Fine.”
“I’m your mother so I know when you are lying,” she pointed out. “Let’s try a different one. Who’s the man you’ve been hung up on?”
That…was surprising. Mira had choked on her toast. “What?”
“You’ve been moping all over the place and this has nothing to do with Sophia.”
How in the world? “Did Sadie say something to you?”
That got a smile out of her. “So I am right, it’s a guy. Tell me about him.”
Mira took a nice long sip of coffee and wished really hard that there was some Bailey’s in it. “It’s nothing.”
“I doubt that. It’s never nothing with you, Sweetheart. I’ll be happy to call Sadie if you prefer.”
“No,” she groaned and shoveled some more oatmeal in her mouth. “He’s a friend of Tyson’s. I met him when I went to visit.”
“And…” she prompted.
“And he’s a vet and he has this huge family. He’s the rock of everyone, so solid and supportive. He’s handsome and charming and monstrously huge.”
Her mom cut in. “Everyone is compared to you.”
“True story. But it’s nothing mom. It’s too soon, so please just drop it.”
Her mom looked at her over the brim of her mug. “I don’t think it is. You smile differently when you talk about him, even when you think about him. I’ve seen it come across your face at random moments these past few days. I can always tell when you have this man on your mind. “
“How did you know it was a man?”
“I always knew you’d end up with a man. I think Sophia was darling but she wasn’t right for you. Not for the long run. She wasn’t your equal in the relationship and you need someone who won’t take your sass and let you get your way all the tim
e.”
Mira sighed. Owen didn’t give in to her sass. “We are very different and come from different worlds. It really wouldn’t work out.”
Her mom wasn’t buying that. “Now you are just making excuses,” she chided.
“Still think it’s too soon.”
“Love doesn’t follow a schedule. If it feels right, then don’t ignore it. My guess is that he is a catch and will be scooped up if you wait too long.” Her mom stood and rinsed out her mug. “I’m off to work. Let me know if you aren’t going to be home tonight.”
She was confused. “Why wouldn’t I be home?”
“Just a hunch,” she shrugged with a devious smile.
Mira watched her mom leave. She had no desire to go to work today. She wished Sadie was around so they could play hooky together. She was in a funk; her mom was right about that. Owen was a big part in her mood, a fact her mom was also right about. She hated this distance. They couldn’t move in any direction like this. It had been almost two weeks and yes they talked all the time but it wasn’t the same. She was worried he’d forget about her. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.
But did she have to be out of sight?
It was Friday and the drive wasn’t convenient but if it was for a long weekend then it was totally do able.
Jesus, was she really considering going out there?
Yes, yes she was.
Mira called work first. It was the first time she had ever called in sick. They of course took this as she was dying. When she hung up with them, she called her mom.
“Yes, Miranda?”
“I’m going to go visit Sadie this weekend.” She waited for the “I know you better than yourself” tone mom’s had but all she got was an “ok,” and, “have fun.”
The bag she packed was just a modge podge of clothes. It would be a miracle if anything matched but she didn’t care. Mira was laughing when she left the house and didn’t stop smiling the entire way.
*****
Mira pulled Trixie into the space beside Sadie’s car and turned off the engine. She hadn’t told her sister she was coming and part of her was hesitant to go knock on the door after what happened last time. Then she thought “fuck it” and got out of the jeep. If Sadie was pissed that her uninvited sister was on her porch then she’d just go straight to Owen who would probably be thrilled to have her as a guest.
Fault Lines Page 17
