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So, my alibi for Tori would be a “two birds, one stone” type of situation. If I appeared to be tied intimately to the little wolf, she’d have a better chance of the townspeople being more forgiving toward her and giving her more credibility in the face of this murder. Many people would do 180s in their attitude toward her to get in my good graces, which wasn’t an egotistical thought but a fact. If they thought we were romantically involved, it would also give more credibility to the fact that Tori had spent the night with me.
Of course, it could blow up in my face, and I didn’t fully understand why I was willing to go this far to lie for her, but everything about Tori had unleashed a need to protect her. My wolf would make things difficult for me if we didn’t guard her, even though I felt the same desire.
The lie also gave me the luxurious bonus of the families backing off. I’d savor the break from their matchmaking for as long as I could. Being pursued to the level I was could be exhausting and repulsive.
Tori was a breath of fresh air. Having her on my arm would be refreshing.
I took a deep breath, knowing this was a do-or-die moment. “To make this work, and if you agree, you’ll have to pretend to be my fiancé.”
She stepped away from the building and gaped at me.
“It will be strictly for show, but it will give you a believable alibi and shift everything in the town’s perception. It also gives a solid reason for why you’ve shown up out of the blue, and why we were together last night.”
I put my hands on her shoulders and looked her straight in the eye.
“You can trust me, Tori. Just say yes.”
Chapter10
Tori
I gaped at Ridge. He wanted to pretend we wereengaged? The idea was ludicrous. Who in their right mind would believe we were engaged?
“I’m not saying it’d be easy. We’d have to sell it. Show everyone that we’re madly in love. But they’ll believe it. According to Mateo, my infatuation with you was visible from the minute I laid eyes on you. Our chemistry was off the charts, apparently. It also helps that I leave town often enough on business trips. Sure, they’reactuallybusiness trips, but people don’t need to know that. They’ll just think I’ve been leaving town to see you.”
I must’ve had my filter turned off and voiced my doubt without realizing it because he answered every concern. That’s how much his offer shocked me. He smirked at me as he tenderly tucked my hair behind my ear.
He stepped forward and grabbed my hands, stroking his thumbs over my knuckles. I relaxed into the touch. Being near him, feeling his hands on mine, staring up into his eyes…it soothed me. When was the last time someone had comforted me like this? The last time anyone had cared enough to do something like this for me? I couldn’t remember. It made a longing I hadn’t even known existed grow fiercer inside me.
I shook myself back to reality, pulling my hands from his and turning around to watch the crowd. They were still shooting suspicious looks at me, studying us much too intently for my liking. Although I doubted anyone had heard what he’d said, they’d certainly witnessed what had to have looked like an intimate scene.
If I left now, I’d hopefully be gone quick enough that the hunters wouldn’t be able to trace me to the town. I was still a relative stranger. I’d held back enough of myself that people wouldn’t have anything specific to say; they’d only get enough information that I’d been here, had killed someone. Verification that I was the monster they claimed I’d always been and always would be. It wouldn’t change anything.
Blackwood Creek would be a gold mine for them, even though they didn’t know it now. I prayed that I’d been effective enough in covering my tracks so they wouldn’t find this town. If they made it here, they’d find a ton of shifters, and they would torture them all. I still didn’t care for shifters, but my resolve weakened when I thought about Margo, Diana, and Ridge being hurt because of me.
My initial instincts to run were demanding to be followed; I struggled with the constant battle for survival within me. Either I could turn myself in and let this all finally end, or I could sneak out of town, head back out on the road, and run far away from this place.
I turned to look at Ridge, trying to ignore my inner wolf whimpering and tugging herself toward him. Watching him closely, I thought about what he was proposing. Running from Blackwood Creek and its gorgeous mayor would certainly be easier than staying here and confronting my wolf while pretending to be his fiancée.
Would it really be easier, though? Was I really going feral? What does that even mean? Was that why I had all these headaches and couldn’t control the wolf?
Fear of the unknown coiled around me like a straitjacket. What if he was right, and I snapped and killed someone while I was on the run? I’d never be able to live with myself if I did that. Iwouldn’tlive with myself.
For all my big talk and all my promises to myself—like if I ever hurt someone, I would end it all—it could very well be the case now. Finding who murdered Phillip Hill was a priority, because if I did it, then at least I’d know. I’d take responsibility for losing control, and steps would be taken to ensure it never happened again.
Sorrow and fatigue soaked into the marrow of my bones.
Ridge’s tempestuous gray eyes softened as he watched me. They were imploring and filled with concern. He made it seem like he understood the war inside my head. It was another fear that worked its way up to the surface.
I hated how I’d been forced to face all my insecurities since meeting him. Despised that everything was staring me back in the face. Loathed how I had to struggle from moment to moment. I couldn’t push everything down all the time. At some point, it would catch up with me.
Ridge didn’t push me, and I appreciated that. If he’d been forceful or demanding, I would have turned him down based on principle alone, but once again, he surprised me with how he handled situations and responded to me. He made an outstanding leader, as alpha and the mayor. The guy wasn’t like anyone I’d ever met.
I glanced over my shoulder. Margo and Diana were watching me. Concern radiated from them, but it was a concernforme, not about me. It was an awakening moment. How long had I wanted someone to care about me and believe I belonged? Ever since my mother died, I’d been alone. I didn’t want to be alone anymore.
I scanned thePleasantville-like town before me, and a longing to belong in this sanctuary called out to me. All my life, I’d never thought a place full of shifters would make me want to settle, but it did, mostly because of the generosity and kindness that Margo and Diane showed me. Not to mention Ridge.
If I stayed here, I could learn how to control my wolf. Learn from others who knew more about this than what I’d gained by frightful experience alone. I’d never be comfortable with my inner beast or letting her come out, but if I could work out how to force her to obey, my life would become easier in unimaginable ways.
