I told myself not to panic. Garner was more than capable. I’d seen what he could do in his human form both times he’d rescued me. And felt the strength he carried so effortlessly.
He was a shifter. If anything went wrong, his cougar would be there.
But knowing all that didn’t stop the unease from creeping in.
I tossed on a pair of sweats, wrapped the blanket around me again, and stepped onto the front porch. Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the wood beams in soft gold. It was so peaceful outside, but it did nothing to ease my inner turmoil.
I spotted a wolf shifter out there who Garner had introduced me to yesterday. Booker leaned against one of the posts, his gazefixed on the tree line. His posture was alert in a way that told me he wouldn’t miss anything happening around us.
He noticed me immediately. “He went out to the construction site to check on something less than an hour ago. He'll be back soon.”
My fingers twisted into the edge of the blanket. “I hope so.”
“Don’t worry, I’m keeping watch while he’s gone,” he assured me, his gaze swinging back to the woods surrounding us. “You’re safe.”
“Thank you.”
I headed back into the cabin and tried to keep busy myself. I made tea I barely touched, took a shower, made the bed, and checked my phone even though there were no messages.
Each minute stretched longer than the last, my thoughts spiraling despite my best efforts to rein them in.
I’d survived far worse than a little bit of waiting, but I’d never been quite so scared before. Garner had become the center of my world in such a short time. The thought of losing him terrified me.
I was staring out the front window when Garner’s car came into view at the end of the drive, dust drifting up behind it as he slowed near the cabin.
Relief hit me like a physical force.
My breath rushed out in a shaky exhale I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Before my brain could catch up, my body was already moving, my bare feet carrying me out the door, down the porch steps, and across the gravel.
He was out of the car before the engine fully cut, his gaze snapping to me. Stark relief flashed across his face, and then I was in his arms.
I pressed my cheek into his chest, breathing him in like I needed him more than air. Like my body had already decided I couldn’t survive without him.
His arms wrapped around me, one hand cradling the back of my head. His breath puffed against my hair as he murmured. “You’re okay. I’m here.”
And then the relief cracked.
I shoved lightly at his chest with trembling hands, just enough to create space between us. “You didn’t say goodbye, or tell me where you were going.”
His brows knit together, a concerned gleam shining from his amber orbs, but I didn’t give him the chance to say anything.
“I woke up and you were gone,” I continued, my words tumbling out faster now. “I didn’t know if something had happened or if—” My throat closed, and I hated that my eyes burned. “I didn’t know if you were coming back.”
“I’m sorry.” He cupped my face gently, his thumbs brushing beneath my eyes. “You’re right. I should’ve told you or left a note. That’s on me.”
The sincerity in his voice took the edge off my anger, leaving only the ache underneath it.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he added. “I won’t do that again.”
Behind him, Booker cleared his throat. “I’m gonna go check the perimeter. Give you two a minute.”
I barely registered his departure. All I could see was Garner.
“Fear isn’t always based on logic, but you need to know that I was never truly at risk. The guy they sent to fuck with the site didn’t need much convincing to give up his bosses at Holt & Crane.”
He filled me in on everything that went down while he was gone, and I felt like I’d blown everything out of proportion since Garner had only gone up against one guy who was no match for him.
I swallowed hard. “I hate that I was that scared.”
