After I clean the kitchen, I take a look around, searching for basic recipes on my phone based on what I find in our cupboards. I’d like to make some attempt to cook for her and show that I’m trying to please her, but even the simplest instructions confuse me, and I definitely don’t want to make any more huge mistakes.
I’m not sure why I want to make a gesture, anyway. It’s not like she’s making an effort.
I grab a can of beer and go stretch out on the couch, texting with Rex to find out how Declan and Ryan are doing. In the hands of their healers, Declan has finally started to improve, but it’s obvious the snake’s magic has affected his shifter abilities.
That means all of us have to be extra careful.
After finishing my beer and scrolling for a bit, I’m enjoying the peace and quiet when it suddenly strikes me that Grace still isn’t back. For a moment, I’m conflicted. I know I should look for her, but at the same time, I’m enjoying the alone time.
I’ve never had to live with another person before, except for the boys when we were on base or missions—and they sure as fuck didn’t make me feel awkward just for existing.
I get up and go into the kitchen, double-checking the time. She has definitely been gone for at least two hours, and a spark of worry blooms deep in my guts.
Did something happen to her?
A rush of cold sweat cascades across my skin, making my chest hurt as my muscles tighten up.
There’s so much danger all around us—and the snake needs witches!
Even though I can’t let go of this possibility, I know if there had been any movement from the snake, I would have been contacted by my patrols.
Unless they’re all dead.
With a groan, I text Rex again, asking if there’s been any contact from Sloan. He texts back that no heat signatures have been detected, and all seems quiet.
My thumb hovers above the screen as I debate whether to tell him Grace is missing or say nothing. Eventually, I just shove the phone back in my pocket and head for the door.
I have no evidence yet that anything’s happened. I wouldn’t want to put all packs on full search, only for her to stroll into the house five minutes later.
I go outside, standing on the back step, and turning all my senses outwards. The night is full of soft, peaceful sounds, with no sign of disturbance.
She said she liked long walks, and she knows the area. I shouldn’t panic yet.
I tilt my head, searching for her scent. I catch just a hint of it, so I stay in my human shape and wait.
If it comes to it, I should be able to track her. It seems like she’s getting closer, so for now I’ll just wait.
Her scent gets stronger, and I know she can’t be far away. The smell of her makes the hairs rise on the backs of my arms as if my wolf is getting his back up.
I don’t know if I want to fight her… or fuck the daylights out of her.
When Grace finally comes out of the tree line, I’m so relieved and angry that my emotions rush to my face before I can stop them. She looks up at exactly the wrong moment and sees me glaring at her with my arms folded across my chest.
Great. Now I look like a dad waiting up on an errant daughter.
“Where have you been?” The question bursts out of me before I can think.
“Walking,” she says, very softly.
I expect her to be defensive, maybe even hostile, so her quiet answer and the way she shrinks away immediately make me suspicious.
“That must have been a long fucking walk.”
“It was,” she replies, tilting her head and looking me in the eye. Her crystal gaze fires like silver and steel, her will rising in response to my anger.
“You can’t just disappear like that. What if something happened to you?”
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
