[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.” The gun was in his hand.We stood up and walked over to him.He held it out toward the wall.“Just point and shoot.But see this here?” He pointed to a lever on the top of the gun.“That’s the safety, if for some reason you’re alone and you see Rowan.The chances of that are slim, but I want you to be careful.Pull the safety up, then it’s just a matter of aiming at his heart and shooting.”The door swung open and Nate and Joseph walked through.“Don’t hesitate, because that’s all it will take for him to get away or attack.Just shoot,” Nate explained.“But I’m never letting you out of my sight, so it doesn’t matter.But I agree with Will, better safe than sorry.” Nate wrapped his arms around me.“I’m going to go see if I can pick up Rowan’s scent.I want you to go back to the cottage with Joseph.He’s going to stay with you.”“What about you? Shouldn’t he go with you?”He frowned and stared out the window.“No, you’re his target.After I sent you away yesterday he told me that he would kill you, but first he was going to keep you around for entertainment.” The pain in his face at repeating those awful words was obvious.But I did tell him I wanted honesty.I heard Will curse behind me.“Lauren, Will, stick together and don’t leave the house.Lock up after we leave, it won’t matter, but just do it.Joseph, Megan; let’s go.”“But—” Joseph started to protest, staring at Lauren.Nate cut him off.“No.Let’s go.” His voice was firm.I couldn’t wait to get back to the cottage to find out what was going on.I followed them out, giving a confused look to Lauren, who shrugged her shoulders in return.I climbed in the car beside Nate.Joseph was already in the back seat, his knees bent up with no leg room.“What was that? Why won’t you let me talk to her?” Joe asked, sounding frustrated.Nate glared at Joe through the rearview mirror.“Because I want you to think about it first and if you decide to move forward I think you should ask her father.”“Did you ask Megan’s father?”“That’s different.Will knows what you are and he should have a say in whether his daughter gets involved with a werewolf.”Now I remembered that glazed stare.Nate did it to me three years ago, when he first smelled my scent.“No way.Are you saying that Lauren’s your mate?” I spun around, leaned against the head rest and stared at Joseph in shock.He paused, about to yell at Nate again.Instead, he glanced quickly at me, then out the window, suddenly interested in the passing scenery.“Yes,” he said quietly.I giggled.I didn’t know what else to do.Nate shot me a dirty look.He seemed stressed over this new development.We pulled up to the cottage.Nate went in to search it before allowing me to enter.“I smell an old trail, did you pick that up?” he asked Joseph.Joseph was distracted, but when he heard his name he sniffed and walked around.“Yeah, I’d say yesterday.I should have smelled it when I got here, but I was happy to see you.”“It’s all right.I won’t be long.” He leaned into me, touching his lips to mine.I held on to extend the kiss.“Be careful,” I pleaded when I finally let him go.He smiled.“Of course, I always am.I’ll stop for a pizza on the way back.” He glanced at Joseph.“Maybe three,” he said with a laugh as he climbed into his car.I laughed.I’d be lucky if I got one slice with two werewolves around.Nate started the car but waited until we were inside the cottage before he took off.When I saw him pull away, I turned around to face Joseph.“Are you hungry? I can make you a couple of sandwiches.”He narrowed his eyes and smiled.“He told you, didn’t he? About what happens if we change when we’re hungry?”I was uncomfortable.It was easier to discuss this with Nate, whom I trusted.But I had to believe that Nate wouldn’t leave me with him if I weren’t safe.“Yes.”“And now you feed him as much as you can because you think he will hurt you?”“No.I know he won’t hurt me.But I don’t want him or you to hurt anybody else.And I know he won’t forgive himself if he does.”“You really love him, don’t you?” His eyes searched mine for an answer.“Yes, I do.And I am the only one he’s told about what happened in the past, when he didn’t eat properly.He doesn’t want his family to know.”He nodded, satisfied with my answer.“I know that.And I don’t like people I care about hearing that I’ve slipped.So I will take four sandwiches, if you don’t mind.” He sat down and put his feet up on the coffee table, turning on the TV.I took out the cold cuts and bread then began throwing meat and cheese together.I popped a piece of cheese in my mouth before making a sandwich for myself, realizing that I hadn’t eaten since the doughnuts this morning.I carried his over to him and handed him a soda.He smiled.“Thank you, Love.” He sat up and took a few bites.After I went back to retrieve my sandwich I sat down on the couch, staring at the TV, not really paying attention to what was playing.“What can you tell me about the lovely Lauren?” he asked, looking restless.I looked at him with narrowed eyes.“Why? Are you going to tell her?”He finished off his first sandwich.“I’ve a mind to, but Nate is my friend and he asked me to wait.I’ll heed his advice, for now.” He took a few more bites, basically eating his next sandwich whole.“I’ll get to know her before I decide what to do.But now that I know where she is, it’s hard to be away from her.There’s an intense pull toward her and I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to fight it.” I could see agitation in his face.“I feel a need to protect her too.” He quickly gobbled down the last of the sandwiches and focused on the TV.An old action movie was playing on cable.I gathered our plates, placing them inside the dishwasher and cleaned up the mess in the kitchen.I felt like this cottage was my home and I loved taking care of it.I heard him sigh as I sat back down in the living room.He stood up and started to pace, constantly glancing at the door as if he was waiting for someone, or about to make a bolt for it.“Tell me about her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]