Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
I’ve had a text from Cat to invite us to brunch tomorrow at her apartment above the clinic, so we can talk more about the experimental drug. Or if we want to ask more questions. And just because.
I read him her text message and am just about to wax on about the cinnamon streusel coffee cake she always serves but he says, “I’m thinkin’ of taking the drug.”
“I don’t know,” I say.
He frowns.
“Well,” I say, “On one hand, it could connect you to your wolf. You could let him know he doesn’t have to kill everything that moves, that you’re safe. But… what if it makes things worse? What if it costs you your sanity and they want to put you away like they did your dad?” I storm to the counter and grab the bourbon bottle to pour us each another shot.
“Maybe I ought to talk to that alpha who has control over his wolf first.”
“Yeah. Because what if the drug turns you like the crazy one that’s on the loose right now? I think we should find out more about him. You’ve got the skills to dig in for more information if you know his name, right?”
“I do.”
“And really, you should just take a beat and think about it. Sleep on it. And we’ll talk more about it tomorrow. And the day after if you need more time.”
“Yeah.” He thrusts his hand through his hair.
“Wanna watch a movie?” I ask. “Veg out for a while?”
“Meh,” he mutters. “Whatever.”
“Wanna go back to the camper, have a fire, and stare at the stars instead?” I ask.
He lets out a heavy sigh and says, “You’re perfect, you know that?”
“Of course I know that!” I reply haughtily.
He swats my ass. “You’re such a fuckin’ brat. Bring that Jim Beam, woman. And those cookies.”
***
“Look at the moon. Are we supposed to have some sort of lunar event tonight” I ask, looking up at the sky. The moon has a yellow tinge to it.
We’re at the camper, in front of it while having a fire. Dad’s car wasn’t here, so it looks like he went home to Kathleen. Either because he feels okay about me being here or because he didn’t think we were coming back here tonight.
We waved to Sean and Gus coming in and decided to have the fire up here, so we don’t have to feel like we’re being watched by the camera.
But the sky does look strange. It looked normal a few minutes ago.
He looks up. “The fuck?”
“Weird, right?” I say from his lap on the camp chair.
“Fuck!” he says. “Off me.”
He lifts me by my hips off his lap and sets me on my feet before he grabs his mask from the ground and storms away.
“What’s wrong?” I ask while following him. “Are you feeling like you might shift?”
“Spontaneous lunar event. Not fuckin’ good,” He calls back while pulling the mask on his face.
He almost immediately drops to the ground.
“Jared?” I shout, but he’s perfectly still.
What the fuck?”
I’m not wearing the belt with the weapons. It’s on the ground beside his camp chair. I’d better get it. Shit, but he’s unconscious, so I’m torn between doing that and checking his vitals. I actually dart toward him, stop, pivot toward the camp chair, and emotion wins over common sense as I choose him. I squat and touch the skin of his neck.
He’s stone cold. But he’s breathing. He’s got the mask on, but is he about to shift?
Shit. Shit!
The camper is about forty feet away. The camera is on the exterior of the bunker. Dad’s not here and Sean and Gus won’t see us unless I dash toward it and wave. I don’t have my phone. Where is it? In the camper.
I’m panicked, and a wave of heat floods me, like I’m overheated. I’m wearing a tank top and a pair of shorts but feel like I’m bundled up for winter. Fire thrums in my veins. It’s the stress. All the stress of this. It feels like I’ve been here beside my unconscious mate for too long, but it’s probably just been seconds. I run for the camp chair to grab the utility belt and quickly get it on.
But it feels like someone has walked across my grave. My entire body is suddenly cold. I’m tackled to the ground from behind.
Growling!
Fuck! Jared’s wolf tackled me.
I’m pinned under his heavy body. They may or may not see from here. Our fire setup is about fifty or sixty feet in front of the camper. The bunker is about the same distance behind the camper. The camera is mounted above the door. I don’t know if they saw him shift, if they see us now.
I reach for one of the weapons on the belt, but the growling gets louder, and I can’t quite reach it. His large body is in the way.