“He can’t hurt anyone again.” He stops in front of me. “You did well. I want you to go home. Leave everything to me.”
“I am tired. A long bath and a steamy book would be a good end to the night.” I nod shakily, and Heath cups my cheek. I freeze. Heath doesn’t share affection often, especially since he found his mate Juliana. He has expressed his love for me, and every day his actions show me how much he cares.
“Can you move on now?” he asks softly.
“I thought I did, but after the past week, I may have more work to do,” I confess.
“I’m here for you. Remember, you did this.” He points over his shoulder. “He’s a memory now. You still have a life to live, andI want you to be happy. Don’t let all of those assholes have any more power over you. They mean nothing. Look at everything you have done despite their abuse. I can’t pretend to know how you felt, yet I’m fucking proud of the woman you are.” He drops his arm and steps back. “Text me the name of the bar and let me know you get home safely.”
“I will.” I exhale harshly and move toward the door. I pause, my hand on the knob. “Heath?” I shift so I can see him.
“Yeah?” He frowns.
“Thanks.” I smile and open the door. “I love you.”
“You too,” he grumbles.
As I leave the building, I decide to take his advice and change my thoughts. I did a fucking great job of torturing.
“Are you pissed?” Cash asks. My smile dims, and I glare at him and his brother Kade as they step out of the shadows. “Don’t be pissed. Heath was worried. You’ve been acting weird.” He smiles and tilts his head. He often talks for his brother. Kade is quiet and stares at you in a way that makes you shiver in all the best ways. “We didn’t want anyone to hurt you.”
I cross my arms.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I say.
Cash is no less handsome with his blonde hair and charming smile. His eyes sparkle and make a girl wonder what mischief he’s been up to. His brother has black hair and strong arms, capable of picking up a girl and protecting her from the world. We’ve been spending time together, usually we go out for a drink. I would be lucky to have them as mates because they are genuinely nice guys, but it’s not meant to be. For one, I could never be with more than one guy at once; for another, they aren’t my mates. I would know by their scent.
“Is he dead?” Kade asks.
“Almost.” I drop my arms and glance behind me. “Heath will make sure he is.”
“Good,” he rumbles, and I look at him. “He deserved it.”
“How do you know?” Heath and Haven, my best friends, are the only people who know my story.
“If you brought him here, you had a good reason,” he says.
“Are you going home?” Cash asks.
“Yeah, I need food, a bath, and sleep.” My skin feels dirty even though I washed off the blood.
“Do you want us to follow?” Kade asks.
“I’m good,” I sigh, and walk forward. “We’re good.” I pass them, turn around, and walk backward. “No more stalking.”
“No promises,” Cash sings.
“I mean it.” I glare and turn my back. I stop by my car and glance at them. Kade nods, and Cash waves. I smile in return and open the door, sliding into my seat. Starting the car, I breathe deeply and drive away.
Their intentions were good, and I can be honest, I’m glad they called Heath. I’m ready to be done with that chapter of my life. Haven met her four mates, she is happy as shit. I expect her to announce a pregnancy any day, as much as they are locked in their house. Sally, a friend and rabbit shifter, is pregnant. She’s still as bold and funny as ever. I stayed with her briefly before she met her vampire mates, Atlas and Luca. I’m thrilled she's happy. She is always up for a night out and enjoys the chaos of the family they built here.
Shifters of all kinds, and several vampires, live here. We have banded together and protect each other. I haven’t been a member for long, but they have accepted me as one of their own. I haven’t spent much time with all of them, but I feel included in a way I never thought I would be. When Heath met Juliana, he introduced me to some of them, Sally included. He’s a private guy, so he kept me a secret for years before opening up his life. I understood his need for privacy and didn’t take offense. The family is large, loud, and a bit wild. Anyone would be slightlyhesitant to enter into the fray. Yet they are the most accepting group, and sometimes I’m still fascinated by their interactions.
I am a fox shifter, and sometimes we are compared to coyotes. I’ve been looked down on in the past. Our reputation is that we are secretive and as scavengers. We often are excellent at playing tricks and stealing the wallet out of your pocket while you are talking to us. My animal is small, yet bigger than the actual animal in the wild. I have dark red hair, as my animal does. We have enhanced senses as all shifters, and are stronger than any human. My power is little. I have heard that most foxes have extravagant gifts, such as shapeshifting to change their appearance. My parents didn’t teach me about my species, so I think that, and the trauma I have suffered, have caused my powers to be stunted.
As I drive into the city limits, I smile and realize what this place means to me. I’ve never really had a home or a family, at least not the kind you can count on. My parents aren’t the kind of people who show love or support. It’s been years since I’ve seen or spoken to them, and I don’t want to. They abandoned me years ago, along with brothers who never wanted a sister. I found something unusual here, and I need to start being more grateful for it.
As I park in front of my apartment building, I text Heath, and a feeling of safety comes over me. Having a home is special. Heath helped me find the place, even though he denies speaking to the manager. I was thrilled the day I could pay for it myself with the winnings from one fight. Some say I shouldn’t step in the ring, and many of the humans I meet don’t think a woman should be proud of making a living that way. I say, fuck off. Using my fists is a way to take back my power.
