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“Let them have their moment,” I said to myself, flicking off the lights as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. The cool evening air brushed against my skin. Though I couldn’t hear Kyle and Audrey’s voices anymore, I knew they were somewhere nearby, embroiled in their long-overdue confrontation. For now, I would leave them to it, content in the knowledge that my meddling had helped push them in the right direction.
As I strolled through town, I found I missed Ridge. Though we’d only been apart for a few hours, it seemed more like an eternity. Each moment spent away from him left me incomplete, and I wondered if it was because we hadn’t claimed each other yet. I longed for the day when I was officially bound to my fated mate.
Lost in my daydreams, I barely noticed the familiar scent of Ridge’s cologne wafting through the air. My heart skipped a beat, and I picked up my pace. As I turned a corner, my focus slipped, and I bumped into Margo, who was just leaving her shift at the Moonlight Café.
“Hey, watch where you’re going,” Margo laughed, steadying herself.
“Sorry, Margo. Got a little lost in my thoughts,” I said sheepishly.
“Seems like you’ve got a lot on your mind lately,” Margo said, giving my arm a quick rub. “We haven’t had much time to hang out with all the craziness happening.”
“Tell me about it.” I sighed. “I could use some girl time.”
“Perfect,” Margo said, her eyes lighting up. “Why don’t we head over to The Tipsy Tavern for a bit? We can catch up, andI’m sure either Ridge or Clawson will track us down eventually. Those overprotective knuckleheads can’t help themselves.”
“Actually, that sounds great,” I said.
As we walked to the bar, Margo filled me in on her day at the café. She regaled me with stories of rude customers, silly mishaps, and how she’d managed to snag extra apple cider refills for Lola and me earlier. I relaxed more and more, the stress of the past few days fading away as we laughed.
Upon arriving at the tavern, we settled into a cozy booth and ordered our drinks. The dimly lit room was filled with the murmur of conversation and the soft clinking of glassware.
“Here’s to finally getting some downtime.” Margo raised her glass in a toast.
I clinked my glass against hers. “Cheers to that.”
Chapter 40
Ridge
I stepped through the front door of the nursing home, anticipating answers to the questions that had been plaguing me since my last conversation with my aunt.
The reception area didn’t have the typical sterile look of a hospital. When I’d had this place built, I’d gone to great lengths to design it in a way that felt warm and inviting, with hardwood floors and large windows that let in plenty of light. Comfortable chairs dotted the room, some with small tables where people could sit and have a private conversation. I was such a regular visitor, all the staff knew me by sight. I walked straight in and around the reception desk, nodding to the receptionist.
I walked to the nurses’ station. “Nora, how is she?”
Nora, who was writing something in a medical chart, jumped, then gave a little laugh. “Alpha Blackwood, you have to stop sneaking up on an old woman.” She put her hand on her chest for dramatic effect.
I kissed her wrinkled cheek. Nora had been one of the first nurses I’d hired to look after Lucille and, when it became obvious I could no longer do so at home, I built this residence so feral shifters had a safe place to be cared for. Nora had stayed on to work here.
“Nothing wrong with you. You’re as beautiful as ever.” I smiled, but remembering why I was here, my face grew solemn. “How is she?”
“Much the same. Go see for yourself, but be careful. She’s very restless.” Nora gave me a stern look. “I mean it—don’t push her too far. She’s not doing well.”
As soon as she opened the door to Lucille’s room, I knew something was off.
“Ridge? What brings you here?” my aunt asked. Her eyes seemed unfocused, like she was lost in some other world.
“Hey, Aunt Lucille, I missed you. Also, I wanted to talk to you about Jaxon Hyde.” I tried to keep my tone even and gentle, not wanting to upset her.
“Jaxon? Who’s that?” she mumbled, staring past me.
“Never mind,” I said quickly. Best not to push. “How are you today?”
“Fine, fine.” She beckoned me inside. I followed her into the cozy room, where the familiar scent of lavender and old books filled the air. I took a seat on the worn couch, watching her with concern as she settled into her favorite armchair.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Aunt Lucille? You seem a little off,” I said cautiously, worry forming a stone in the pit of my stomach.
“Sometimes…sometimes the days blend.” She rubbed her temples. “It’s hard to keep track.”
