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”
Frowning, I pull her to me for a hug. “I don’t know, but don’t be afraid. I’m going to find out.”
She struggles, and I release her. But instead of fear, determination is in her eyes. “Tell me what you’ve seen. I need to know.”
I hadn’t wanted to scare her, but she has a right to know. “I haven’t seen anything. I’ve only felt it. Twice when I was in the woods near here, I crossed paths with something. I don’t know what it was, but it wasn’t good. The night I slept outside, I’d tracked it here. It seemed to leave when it sensed my presence, so I stayed. I’m pretty sure it hasn’t come back.”
She blinks for a moment after I’ve finished, not speaking. Then her eyes take on the gleam of someone solving a mystery. “It has to be why Penny acts that way… And Dylan doesn’t stop her.”
“What do you know?”
“Nothing. Not a damn thing.” Her tone is exasperated. “They don’t tell me anything, but I’m not stupid. We’re nocturnal creatures, and my aunt is afraid of the dark?”
I don’t like the sound of that. Catching her cheeks I make her look at me. “This is serious business, Mercy. Is it okay if I leave my clothes here with you?”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to shift and scout the perimeter, make sure nothing’s out there.” Walking over to her window, I loosen the towel at my waist. “Lock this behind me and don’t go out tonight. If I don’t find anything, I’ll sleep at my place, but I want you to call the sheriff if you sense anything while I’m gone. I’ll pick up a burner phone at the drugstore tomorrow and give you my number at work. I can be here faster than anybody if you need me.”
“You think I’m in danger?”
Stepping back, I touch her cheek with my thumb. “If I thought that, I’d take you with me.” I lean down to kiss her lips. “I don’t think whatever it is will enter your home. It hasn’t yet, but I don’t want you going out there, putting yourself in harm’s way. If I sense anything, I’ll stay at the tree line until dawn.”
“You could just stay here in bed with me.”
“I’d rather check the grounds and let you get a good night’s rest.”
I don’t tell her what else is on my mind — that I’m not sure how I feel about being with her in this palace. I’m pretty sure I’m not the kind of guy her sister would choose for that role of husband Mercy mentioned earlier. While my gut response is fuck her, I’m not sure Dylan would be wrong. Maybe Mercy should find a better guy than me.
I can’t argue my merits at this point, because I don’t have any. All I have is faith in myself that I’ll get back to being worth someone like Mercy one day. In the meantime, I’m far from being that guy right now.
“Sleep well, beautiful.” I give her one last kiss before I step out onto the balcony, remove the towel, and spring over the railing, shifting into my panther form as soon as my feet leave the flagstone.
Full Moon
Mercy
Koa didn’t come back that night, and he didn’t sleep at the tree line either. The same thing happened the next night, so as much as it drove him crazy, I slipped out after midnight, shifted and ran all the way to his apartment to sleep with him. He might complain about me running around by myself at night, but it doesn’t stop him from fucking me, which is what I want anyway.
I know he won’t sleep with me in my bed. I also know why since I tasted him. We haven’t talked about it. His past is something he’ll have to decide when he’s ready to share with me. I’m afraid of what’s happening between us, and I sense he is, too. Shifter relations are so unpredictable, and we both have plans we intend to keep. Still, I can’t lie in my bed at night aching for him when he’s just a few miles away — an easy dash for a little lynx like me.
He’s dead asleep when I crawl into bed with him. I wriggle my head under his enormous arm and slide my body skin to skin with his before he even wakes. His hands are on me immediately, even if his eyes remain closed.
“I told you not to run around at night by yourself.” His voice is groggy with sleep, and warmth flushes through me at his touch, his overprotectiveness.
“Do you want me to leave?”’ I whisper coyly.
“No.” His large hands are already on my ass, guiding me to his erection.
“Then shut up and kiss me.”
It really doesn’t take more than that to get what I want, and I want him. Whatever is out there in the forest doesn’t scare me. Woodland Creek has a history of unexplained supernatural visitors and happenings. I have no reason to believe whatever he encountered is specific to me. It’s never bothered me before.
Since Andy changed Koa’s work hours at the gym, we don’t see each other during the day anymore. The only time I see him is when he comes in — usually right when I’m leaving. It’s not ideal, but at least we have the night.
I do have the number for his burner phone, however, and on this slow Thursday, I’m feeling naughty.
Remember the first night we met in the meadow? I text him.
