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As I lay there, listening to her soft, even breaths, fierce determination rose within me. I would do whatever it took to protect her, to ensure her happiness, and to show her that our love was real and lasting.
Chapter 15
Tori
The scent of fresh linens filled the air as I helped Diana fold the crisp white sheets at Bogford B&B. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and I swiped it away with the back of my hand. We’d been working nonstop all morning, trying to accommodate the influx of shifters seeking refuge in Blackwood Creek. The construction of new homes was still underway, leaving many of them camping in the nearby woods. That was no way to live, and it wasn’t really safe, either.
Diana moved like a whirlwind, making sure everyone had what they needed, even if it meant she was spreading herself thin. I admired her dedication, but I worried she would burn out with all the effort she was pouring into making everyone feel welcome and comfortable.
“Can you believe Margo and Clawson are officially mated?” Diana was nearly vibrating with excitement. “And to think they’refatedmates. It’s just perfect.”
I smiled, genuinely happy for them. “They make a great couple.”
“Clawson’s like a son to me, you know,” Diana continued, her eyes misty with emotion. “Has been since his family moved here.I always hoped he and Margo would find their way back to each other.”
“Seems like you think of everyone here as family,” I remarked, folding another sheet and placing it on the growing pile of laundry. That was what I loved most about Diana. Her kindness and generosity knew no bounds.
Diana sighed, a dreamy look on her face. “I can’t wait to be a grandmother. I just hope it happens soon.”
“Give them some time, Diana,” I teased, sharing in her excitement. “They just mated.”
Just as we finished making the last bed and went back downstairs, Lola Kipling burst through the front door, her eyes wide and a grin plastered on her face. “You’ll never believe what happened,” she said breathlessly.
“What is it?” I asked, curious about her excitement.
“Last night, I had a breakthrough.” She held up her notebook, pages filled with notes and ideas. “I was able to turn the lights on and off in my house just by concentrating.”
“Wow.” I tried to read some of her scribbles, but Lola’s enthusiasm made it nearly impossible to keep up.
“Here, let me show you.” Lola focused intently on a nearby lamp, and after a moment, it flickered off. Another beat, and it sprung back to life. Diana and I exchanged shocked glances.
“Congratulations!” I exclaimed, genuinely impressed. “That’s incredible. Especially since you didn’t have a witch to guide you.”
“Thanks.” Lola beamed. “It’s all I have managed so far, but I’m going to keep trying. Maybe it’s a good sign. Maybe we can find a way to help Zander and the other ‘cured’ shifters.”
“Let’s hope so.” I wished her all the luck before she rushed off to the hospital.
After finishing up with Diana, I decided to search for Kyle. He wasn’t at the training grounds, so I wandered through townand stumbled upon an area bustling with construction near the town square. Blackwood Creek was expanding, and for some reason, that excited me.
But why would I feel excited about that? It was difficult to feel settled here, even though I loved everything about this town, the people in it, and, more specifically, Ridge. The thought of Blackwood Creek as home twisted something in my gut. The idea of any home hurt, and I did not like thinking about it.
As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, my inner wolf began to freak out, pushing me to run. Confusion washed over me. I didn’t feel the familiar side effects of going feral. What was going on? I hurried to hide behind a half-built wall in case I shifted by accident. I tried to soothe my inner wolf, but it only made her worse. She wanted me to get up and run and keep going.
“Easy, girl,” I said under my breath, attempting to calm her down. “What’s gotten into you?”
Before I could figure it out, I was violently yanked from my hiding spot by my hair and slammed against the cold, hard surface of the unfinished wall. Pain shot through my body, but my instincts went wild. I managed to avoid shifting, but just barely. I reached for the hand gripping my hair, intending to break the hold and counterattack, when my attacker grabbed my wrist and locked it behind my back.
I was furious. Who the fuck did this jerk think he was? I hadn’t seen or heard anyone acting strangely or following me. I’d acted blindly on my wolf’s instincts, and she hadn’t been wrong. I had been in danger, but who was responsible?
Turning my head, I saw a man I’d known for years glaring back at me. Gordon had been one of the older hunters William had delegated to train Kyle and me. How the fuck had a hunter gotten past the patrols? He pulled me in close to his body, my arm still up my back, my shoulder joint screaming. I could smell the sawdust on him. He’d disguised himself as one of the manyconstruction workers we had in town, and I’d walked right into his waiting arms.
“Let go,” I hissed through gritted teeth, using every ounce of my training to break free. But Gordon was relentless, his grip tightening as he broke my arm. Pain seared through me, worsening when I felt a sting at the back of my neck. Wolfsbane.
Fuck!I fought back with everything I had, but the wolfsbane weakened me, coursing through my veins like liquid fire.
“Please,” I gasped, struggling to breathe as sweat dripped down my face. My vision blurred, but I refused to give up. Gordon was one of William’s most trusted lieutenants. He was clearly here to extract me from Blackwood Creek, and I was not about to let him succeed without a fight.
I continued to struggle, fueled by sheer resolve, despite the overwhelming pain and weakness that threatened to consume me.
