by L. P. Dover
They’re hunting me. The thought alone gives me chills. My heart tells me I need to talk to Knox to get him to abandon this plan of seeking revenge. I don’t even know why he wanted revenge when it was his family who betrayed the pack. Something tells me I don’t know the whole story.
My phone rings, and when I look over at it on the coffee table, I can see Knox’s name pop up on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer.
“I’m on my way back and thought I’d see if you wanted me to pick up something for dinner?”
For the first time in my life, food does not appeal to me. “No, that’s okay. I’m not hungry at the moment. I’ll probably just fix a bowl of soup later.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Oh, and Kara wanted to know if we’d like to meet her at the bar for drinks. She’s hoping Laila will come.”
It turns out that Laila was intrigued about Kara’s request to meet her. Then again, Laila has nothing to be afraid of with all the power she has. It’d be nice to see her put some fear into Kara. However, something tells me that nothing frightens her.
“I’ll see if she can come. She did just have a baby.”
“I know, Amelie,” he says, obviously picking up on the annoyed undertone to my voice. “I’m curious about meeting her as well. I’ve never met a half-fae, half-shifter.”
Laila is my best friend, and I can’t help but feel overprotective when it comes to her, even though she’s ten thousand times stronger than me. “Forgive me, but why do you want to meet the daughter of the one man you loathe above all else? Laila’s my friend, and I would protect her with my life. I don’t know what you and Kara have planned, but …”
He cuts in before I can finish my sentence. “Amelie, stop,” he says, chuckling. “Trust me. I have nothing but respect for your friend. I’ve heard of what she can do, and I don’t want to be on the receiving end of that. But, honestly, I’m just curious about her. That’s the only reason why I want to meet her.”
I blow out a sigh. “Smart man. Just making sure you know what you’re up against.”
“Believe me, I do,” he laughs.
We say our goodbyes, and I quickly call Laila to talk to her before he arrives. When she picks up, I can hear little Sera cooing in the background.
“Let me guess,” she begins, “I’m being summoned already?”
“Kara isn’t exactly the patient type,” I reply. “She wants me and Knox to meet her at the bar tonight. Your name was mentioned.”
Laila laughs, but there’s no humor to it. “Of course, it was. I’ll be there.”
“Are you sure? You don’t have to do this.”
She snorts. “Yes, I do. It’s time they hear what’s going to happen to them if they go after my father.”
I dread the meeting already; it makes me sick to my stomach. All I want is peace and to live a life without having to worry about looking over my shoulder. I’ve been through hell before, and I don’t want to go back there again.
The sound of a car approaches, and I can feel Knox’s power. “Laila, Knox is back. I’ll see you tonight.”
She sighs. “Don’t stress, Amelie. Everything will be okay. I promise.”
I want to believe her, but everything inside of me feels uneasy. I say goodbye quickly and watch through the window as Knox pulls up. His power is strong, just like Zayne’s, and he wants it known. He knows someone is out there watching him, even though I can’t sense anyone around.
With a smirk on his face, Knox strolls up the porch stairs and opens the front door. His grin widens when he walks in and sees me. In my heart, I know there’s good in him because I saw it when we were together all those years ago. But now, I’m afraid that goodness has been taken over by darkness.
“How long are they going to watch me?” he asks, his eyes regarding me curiously.
I shrug. “I guess until they know you’re not a threat anymore.”
He shuts the door and sits down on the couch. “Do you not talk to them about me?”
I feel as if he’s testing me, and I know I have to play it smart. Turning back to my book, I clench my teeth, hoping he believes my pretend anger. “I’m not a royal, Knox. There’s only so much information I’m privy to. They didn’t even tell me about you and your sister coming to town. If they had, I could’ve told them you weren’t a threat.”
“That’s right. They didn’t tell you, did they?” he says, his voice low. “Obviously, they weren’t worried about your safety.”
On the contrary, it’s why Zayne didn’t tell me in the first place; he wanted to keep me safe. “It doesn’t matter,” I say, keeping my eyes on my book.
“You’re right. It doesn’t.” Knox stands and walks over to me. He takes my book and sets it on the windowsill before taking my hands and helping me stand. I look into his crystal blue eyes, and he smiles. “You matter to me, Amelie. I will always tell you everything.”
“Will you?” I ask.
He nods. “Always. All you have to do is ask.”
There are so many questions on the tip of my tongue, but his phone rings, interrupting my chance to ask. He pulls his cell out of his pocket and looks at me. “It’s a work call. It won’t take me long. When I get done, we can head out to the bar.”
Turning on his heel, he goes out the front door and walks around to the back of the house. My body feels tired as I take the stairs to my bedroom. With everything going on, it’s mentally draining. The last thing I want to do is hang out at the bar, but I have to see what unfolds between Kara, Knox, and Laila.
It’s a Wednesday night, and the bar parking lot isn’t nearly as crowded as it would be on the weekends. Knox pulls up beside Kara’s little red sports car, and she gets out, wearing a pair of tight jeans and a silky red top with red heels. She smiles sweetly and opens my door before I can grab the handle.
“I can’t wait to meet Laila. Thank you so much for talking with her, Amelie.”
I step out of the car. “Honestly, I didn’t do anything. She’s the one who really wants to meet you.”
Kara winks at Knox and nods toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Knox holds out his hand. “Shall we?”
Instead of taking his hand, I loop my arm through his. I still can’t shake the nauseous feeling in my stomach. Knox’s brows furrow when he looks at me. “Are you okay? You don’t seem like you feel well?”
Plastering on a smile, I shake my head. “I’m fine. I think I just need to eat something. The wings here are quite tasty. We should get some.” I pull on his arm, and we walk into the bar together with Kara to my right. It doesn’t take long to spot Sebastian and Colin in the corner at a table with Kami and Laila.
“It’s uncanny how much Zayne’s brother looks like him,” Kara says, sounding fascinated.
“He’s mated to my cousin,” I remind her.
She waves me off. “I’m not interested in any of the Lyalls anymore. I figured it’s a waste of my time.”
Do I believe her? No.
Laila stands and waves us over. My heart beats wildly in my chest, and Knox tightens his hold on me. “If anything, Amelie, I’m the one who should be scared right now. You have to trust me; I don’t want to hurt Laila.” There was a time when I did trust him, but not anymore. “Not to mention,” he adds, whispering the words in my ear. “I’m about to be surrounded by four mated royals who could rip off my head in a split second.”
Laila smiles at Knox and Kara, and I can see the sarcastic gleam in her eyes. “I’m glad you think so,” Laila says, holding her hand out to him. “Because that’s exactly what I’m going to do if you hurt my father.”
Everyone falls silent, and I hold my breath. Kami tries to keep from smiling, and Colin turns his head, his shoulders shaking. Sebastian, on the other hand, glares at Knox and Kara.
Knox clears his throat and shakes Laila’s outstretched hand. “I know things have been a little tense, but I can assure you, I don’t want to cause any trouble. At first, I did want to get reveng
e, but there are other things I believe are more important.” Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him glance down at me.
Laila follows his gaze to me and lets his hand go. “Happy to hear it. I’m sure we can all move past this.” Then she turns to Kara and holds out her hand. “Right, Kara? I think it would be a good idea for us to be friends, not enemies.”
Kara shakes her hand. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Colin holds his arms out. “Great. Now that we’re all friends let’s drink. Maybe it’ll get rid of the tension.” Laila sits down, and Kara takes the seat next to her while Knox pulls out the empty chair beside Kami for me. I sit, and he takes the one beside me that’s next to Sebastian.
“Where’s Tyla?” I ask Sebastian.
He doesn’t even acknowledge Knox is right beside him. “She’s at home with the baby. I know she’s excited about having you over for dinner tomorrow night.”
I smile. “I miss seeing my Brookie.”
Kara taps Laila on the shoulder and starts asking her a million questions on what it’s like to be fae. Laila grins and cuts her eyes over to me with a silent I regret ever agreeing to this look. Knox drapes his arm over the back of my chair and strikes up a conversation with Sebastian and Colin as if they were old friends catching up. It’s like I stepped into the twilight zone.
Kami bumps me with her shoulder and gives me a reassuring smile. “Relax, Am. You’re going to get wrinkles looking all stressed like that.”
I shrug. “I can’t help it.”
The waitress comes over and smiles at me, Knox, and Kara. “Would any of you like something to drink?”
I shake my head, but Knox and Kara both order a drink and carry on with their conversations. My stomach growls, and Kami snickers. “Hungry?”
“Not really,” I reply, looking around at the food on other people’s tables. “I don’t know what I am right now.”
Colin waves a hand in the air. “Oh, before I forget, the pack is having a New Year’s Eve bonfire this Friday.”
Kara grins wickedly. “Does that mean I’m invited?”
Colin nods at her and glances over at Knox. “Everyone is. My sister’s coming with the Great Plains Pack, and Chase Maheegan will be here with some of his wolves.”
My eyes instantly go to Kara. Smile gone, she looks as if she could kill someone. Knox leans in close, his voice by my ear. “This will be interesting. But, unfortunately, my sister and Maheegan don’t get along.”
I snort. “That’s not surprising.”
Kara’s head jerks in our direction, but I don’t pay any attention to her. Kami wraps her arm around mine and slides her chair back. “Do you mind coming with me to the bar? I need you to show me which apple cider you always get.”
She knows what I always drink, but I can tell by the look on her face that she wants me away from everyone. “Sure,” I say, getting to my feet. When we get to the bar, I glance back at our table. Colin and Sebastian are curious about Knox, but I can tell they’re still guarded by the skeptical looks in their eyes. Laila and Kara continue to talk, and there’s a mischievous glint in Kara’s eyes I don’t like.
“Do you believe them?” Kami asks, her voice no louder than a whisper.
“Knox, maybe. Kara, no.” However, in my mind, I doubt even Knox.
Kami scoffs. “I say no to both. I can smell a liar from ten miles away. They’re up to something.”
“It’s good to see you again, ladies.” I turn around, and Declan grins at us. Kami leans her elbows on the bar and glances down at the beers on tap. “I’ll take that one,” she says, pointing to the only apple cider they have. She winks over at me. “I had to give an excuse to get you away from psycho bitch and her brother.”
Declan clears his throat. “If you’re talking about the hot blonde at your table, she’s coming this way.” He focuses on me and grabs a glass. “Cider, Amelie?”
I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’m not feeling it tonight.”
“Do we have a problem tonight, ladies?” Kara snaps.
I had a feeling she’d be listening in on mine and Kami’s conversation. Kami turns around and smirks at her. “Yeah, I do. You’re full of shit.” Kara glares at her, and all Kami does is smile in return. She links her arm with mine and steps up to Kara. “Now, if you don’t mind, get the hell out of our way.”
Kara’s jaw clenches, but she steps aside. Kami may have only been a simple gray wolf before she mated Colin, but now she’s a royal who was given the unique gift of finding mates from the Great Luna. Kara wouldn’t survive a fight against her. When I mate with Zayne, I’ll be stronger than Kara too.
We march past Kara, and she doesn’t follow us. Instead, she stays at the bar and flirts with Declan. When we get to the table, I sit down, and everyone stares at us a little awkwardly. It’s obvious they heard the exchange at the bar. Kami takes a sip of her cider and smiles at everyone. “Everything’s good. I’m sorry I lost my temper.” Then she looks over at Knox, her gaze narrowed skeptically. “I’m not the type to be easily fooled.”
Knox holds up his beer. “I can tell. Hopefully, in time, you’ll be able to see me as a friend.”
Kami doesn’t respond, but I can see the answer in her eyes. Being friends will never happen. The guys start the conversation again, and I’m thankful Kara hasn’t decided to come back from the bar yet. Declan seems to be enjoying the attention he’s getting from her by the goofy grin on his face. She’s a beautiful woman, but she’d be even more amazing if she weren’t so hateful and cruel. There had to have been a time when she wasn’t like that. Zayne would never have fallen in love with her. It’s a shame how the need for revenge can darken the soul.
Knox leans in close. “Did you want to get something to eat?”
Swallowing hard, I shake my head. The nausea doesn’t seem to be as bad, but it’s still there. Only now, I’m just overwhelmingly tired. “I’m fine. Honestly, I don’t feel like eating.”
His brows furrow. “Something’s not right with you.”
All attention draws to me, and Kami slaps her hands to my cheeks, making me jump. She turns me to face her and studies my eyes. “Wolves don’t get sick. Not unless given wolfsbane.”
Kami cuts a glare at Kara at the bar, and Knox huffs. “Nobody’s poisoned her with wolfsbane. If Kara had, she’d have me to deal with.”
“It’s not wolfsbane,” I say.
Laila moves closer and examines me over Kami’s shoulder. “No. I don’t sense it in her blood.”
Taking Kami’s hands, I slide them off my face. “I’m fine. I think I just need to get home and get some rest.”
Knox sets his beer down. “I’ll take you.”
“No,” Kami suggests, softening her expression. “I want to take her. I haven’t been able to spend much time with her lately.”
I turn to Knox. “Stay. You need to get to know everyone. I’ll see you when you get back.”
His face is unreadable, but he nods. “Okay.”
Kami grabs my elbow and helps me up. It feels as if I haven’t slept in weeks. Colin tosses Kami his car keys, and she leads me outside. Once we’re away from everyone and on the way home, she regards me curiously. “Are you really feeling sick, or was it an excuse to leave?”
Leaning my head against the cool leather, I close my eyes. “I’ve been nauseous all day, and now I’m tired.”
“Well, if you were a human, I’d say to take a pregnancy test, but we know that can’t be it.”
A laugh escapes my lips, but I don’t find it funny in the least. “Thank goodness. Talk about making this situation even more difficult.”
Kami snorts. “Exactly. I can’t even imagine how overprotective Zayne would be then. He’s already past the point of a stalker.”
I know I shouldn’t find that endearing, but I do. It’s nice to know he’s close. “I think it’s sexy,” I admit.
Kami smiles and shakes her head. “I’m glad you think so. All I know is that I’m happy for you both. I never thought I
’d see the day he’d actually speak to you. He watched over you for months.”
“Yeah, he told me he did. What I don’t understand is how he knew I was his mate long before I ever did.”
Her eyes cut to me. “You don’t know?” she asks, making the questions sound as if I should.
“Do you?” I reply.
She focuses back on the road and smiles. “I guess Zayne hasn’t told you yet.” She turns her smile at me. “You should ask him about it. It’s something you should know.”
My mind starts going in a million different directions. The workings of the Great Luna are always a mystery. Out of every mated couple I know, none of their stories are the same. I should’ve known my bond with Zayne would be unique.
When we get to my cabin, Kami walks me inside and shuts the door behind us. All I want to do is lay down in bed.
“Is there anything I can get you?” Kami asks.
I walk over to my refrigerator and pull out a bottle of water. Shaking my head, I open the bottle and guzzle the contents. “No, I’m good. I’m just going to go to bed.”
Kami comes over and hugs me hard. “Please call me if you start feeling worse. You’re scaring me.”
I let her go. “I will. It’s probably just exhaustion. I haven’t been sleeping well.”
Kami’s eyes sadden. “Why don’t you stay with Colin and me tonight? I can see why you haven’t been sleeping well. You have two murderous wolves staying here who are hunting you, and they don’t even know it.”
A knock sounds on the door, and that’s when I can feel him. Kami smiles and walks over to open the door for him. “I figured you’d show up,” she says to Zayne.
His concerned gaze lands on mine when he steps in. “Are you okay?”
My body yearns to be close to him. I close the distance, and he holds me in his arms. “I’m fine now that you’re here,” I whisper, breathing him in. Closing my eyes, I clutch him tight and listen to the sound of his heartbeat in my ear.
