Because, as awful as things were with Aidan, I had learned to keep him happy more often than not. I knew what set him off and how to act so that I wouldn’t make him mad. I knew what made him worse when he was angry. Don’t cry. Don’t beg. Accept the punishment and never,nevertry to fight back or run.
But Jackson is a complete unknown. I have no idea what will make things better or worse.
“Okay, okay, Emily, I need you to focus on my voice,” Doc says. His voice low and deliberate. He moves his head to find my eye line rather than touching me. “We’re going to take a slow breath in as we count to four. That’s it, in two, three, four. Let’s hold it and now slowly let it out, two, three, four.”
A few more rounds and I feel like I can breathe normally again.
“You don’t have to talk until you’re ready,” he soothes. His face is soft and at least he tries to mask his pity.
Jackson snarls, “You don’t have to answer now, but you need to start talking soon.” He strides towards the door, leaving and slamming it behind him. I wince, shrinking into myself. I couldn’t talk right now, even if I wanted to.
“You’re safe here, Emily,” Doc says, his tone calming yet resolute. “No one will hurt you.”
My brow furrows as I stare at him. “I… I’m pretty sure Jackson feels differently.” I know that anger well; the way his eyes darkened and he clenched his fists as fur sprouted from his arms. He was barely hanging on to his wolf.
“He’s not angry with you, Emily; he’s angryforyou,” Doc explains in that soothing tone of his. “Jack is the Delta. His role in the pack is to protect and defend, especially those who need it most. He takes his role very seriously.” I don’t know what to think. The Delta in Blood Moon never spoke to me or even glanced at me. He certainly never offered me protection, but at least he didn’t leer, I guess.
There’s that low bar again.
“Can I be alone, please? If it’s not too much trouble?”
“Of course, you rest. I’ll send in some food and a nurse will check in on you every couple of hours after that. There’s an alarm here; you can ring if you need anything,” he says, showing me the bell. “We won’t be far away.”
I nod. Right now, I’m finding it difficult to even make eye contact. The soft thud of his retreating steps fades into the distance as he gently shuts the door behind him.
I’m so confused.
I thought Jackson seemed different from Aidan. The way he shielded my body and brought me for medical help. His actions made me feel like I wasn’t in danger here. Like maybe I could catch my breath and recover. But now I’m not so sure and I know I can’t afford to take any chances.
Damn it, I’m such an idiot.
I got taken in by his deep brown eyes and the way his strong arms held me as they carried me. And the way he stayed with me and helped me.Stupid, stupid Emily.
I need to be smarter than this. I can’t get caught up in far-fetched ideas about being rescued by handsome knights in furry armor.
I’m on my own, exactly like I always have been.
Chapter 7
Jackson
I had to get out of there. Rage simmers in my blood, thick and suffocating. The thought of someone torturing her has my wolf champing at the bit, demanding release. The primal instincts within me surging forward, fueling an overwhelming desire to protect and defend her at all costs. My wolf wants out—wants to find the threat andendit. He's seeing everyone as a threat to her. Even Doc.
I try to reason with him.Whatever happened to her; she’s safe now. No one here will hurt her.But it’s like throwing a bucket of water on a raging forest fire.
I need to shift. If I don’t let him out soon, I won’t be able to control myself. I barely make it out the front of the pack hospital before shifting into my huge sandy brown wolf. My bones crack and reform, the fleeting pain a welcome distraction as a feral growl rumbles deep within my chest.
The world sharpens. Every sound is clearer. Every scent brighter. My muscles stretch and burn with every stride, a violent release that’s the only thing keeping me from unraveling completely.
The mere idea of someone inflicting harm upon her awakens the fierce, untamed nature of my inner wolf, ready to unleash its full power to ensure her safety. I tear into the woods. My paws pound the ground as I run off my rage.
Ryan and Luca join me after a while. As Alpha, Ryan can sense the emotions of all pack members, even when not beside them. He must have sensed my anger, but they don’t attempt to engage me. They understand the need to physically discharge my frustrations.
Another hour of running and my wolf has finally calmed enough to allow me to take control again. We head towards Ryan’s cabin. My wolf gives way to the shift, and my bones crack and shorten as I shift back into my human form.
We grab some shorts and tee shirts from the basket of spares by the door. Ryan leaves them here to make sure no one accidentally flashes his little sister, Sofia, who lives here too.Once inside, we head to the kitchen. Luca helps himself to a bottle of beer from the fridge and passes one to Ryan and me, too. They both stare at me, waiting for an explanation.
My heart pounds against my chest; the rapid thudding echoes in my ears. The muscles in my body tense and coil like a tightly wound spring, ready to explode at any moment. My hands tremble with a mixture of rage and helplessness. I have to set the beer down on the coffee table and clench my fists to stop myself from throwing it against the wall.
