Chapter 20.-1
Nyx
Just as I reached for the button of his jeans, the door crashed open. Immediately, he rolled his
body over to cover me, but it was only Duke, staring at us wildly.
Clam
“Goddesx, I thought one of you was dead,” he growled. “Did you really think now was a good time
for that?”
Turning his back, he stomped out, and Rhyson rose. “Get dressed,” he said coldly.
Whatever heat was between us had rapidly cooled. Mentally calling myself, and my wolf, all kinds
of stupid, I rolled off the bed and searched the bag for some clothes. “Where are we?”
“A settlement run by a man named Gideon. They took the monster down in the river. You were unconscious, and there were too many of them. I don’t think we’re in danger, but I would stay alert.”
Unconscious. The memory of the monster touching me until it threw me on the ground rose in my mind, and I squeezed my eyes shut and shuddered. “Nyx,” Rhyson said softly. “I was right behind
you. He didn’t do anything to you.”
Pushing the fear aside, I quickly dressed. He’d come after me. That was something. “This thing that happened to my wolf today, it’s never happened before, but I am worried that it’ll happen again. She’s not…I don’t want to say that she’s not stable, but since I can’t connect with her, she’s….”
“Feral?”
“Wild.” Over my shoulder, I shot him a withering look. We both knew what it meant to say a wolf was feral. They didn’t live long. “You can control her. Appease her. I need to know how to do that on my own, or I may put us all in danger again. I could have killed Juniper today.”
“She’s a fighter.”
“But she trusted me, so her guard was down,” I snapped. “I get that you don’t want me or don’t want to help me, but I can be a real danger, so if you insist that I stay with you, then I need someone to help me. Maybe there will be someone here.”
“A shifter who can’t control their wolf…”
“Is nothing more than an animal,” I snapped before he could finish it. I’d heard it most of my life.” I’m aware. And maybe you’re foaming at the mouth to put me down, but I’m not quite ready to give
up.”
He didn’t refute my claim, so I stormed out of the cabin and into the one next door. Juniper was on
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Chapter 20-1
the bed, getting her arm bandaged by Tessa. She took one look at me and scowled. “You back for more, bitch?”
“Not at all.” Humiliation washed over me, and I tugged on my hair. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I obviously have some problems with my wolf, but it’s never been that bad before.”
“Whatever. If it happens again, I won’t be so nice.” She paused and sighed. “Sorry, I’m feeling bitchy because we got our asses kicked. I heard how you protected Tessa and Dante, so I guess you’re forgiven.”
“Kind of you,” I said wryly as I looked at Nash. He didn’t seem to want to let me anywhere near
Dante. Apparently he didn’t feel the same. Not feeling welcome in either cabin, I left and sat on the
front steps.
A wolf roamed nearby, and I held my breath as we looked at each other. I’d been so consumed by
my feelings, my fear and my need, that I hadn’t asked all that many questions. Gideon’s settlement.
Who the hell was Gideon? How many wolves were here?
“You’re awake.”
Stiffening, I turned my head sharply to the left as an elderly man ambled my way. He gave me an easy smile. “Sorry for scaring you. I suppose we haven’t been introduced. I’m Gideon.”
“Nyx. I hear I have you to thank for the rescue.”
“It was a team effort.” He glanced at the cabin. “I gave Rhyson a radio but realized when he didn’t
answer that it’s not charged. Luckily, I was able to return quickly. Is there anything that your healer
needs? My own has returned if she needs a second set of hands.”
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