He glanced over just to make sure, his first instinct was to go to her, but he had to deal with Alex before he could let down his guard. Forcing himself to look away, he gritted his teeth and stared Alex down, hoping to give his emotions a moment to calm down so he didn’t do something he’d be sorry for later.
“I should kill you for that. She was an innocent, and now you’ve probably scarred her for life,” he growled. “But I’m goingto let you go, I don’t want your blood on my hands. Go home, Alex, tuck your tail between your legs, and go back to Princeton, where you belong. The real world is too much for you.”
“This isn’t over, Bellamy. You’d better watch your back,” Alex screamed, then turned and disappeared into the trees.
As soon as he sensed the other shifter was gone, he turned and raced over to Paula, crouched next to her, but couldn’t bring himself to touch her like he wanted to. “Are you okay?” he asked, then shook his head. “That was a stupid question, of course you’re not okay, you just flew through the air in a dragon’s claws.”
Paula’s eyes seemed to focus for the first time. “So, I’m not crazy,” she said. “That really happened.”
“I’m afraid so. We’re not supposed to shift like that, but I think there’s something wrong with Alex,” he said. “I’m sorry that happened to you, but you’re safe now. He won’t come back.”
She finally looked up at him. “And the other night, in the woods, I saw…” her words trailed off.
“That was Marcus,” he said, nodding to Stephanie. “Let’s get you up off the ground. You must be freezing.”
“I don’t think I feel anything,” Paula said, letting them help her up. “I think I’m numb.”
“We’re going to take you home now,” he said, lifting her into his arms. “We’ll get you all warmed up and then you’ll feel better.”
“Okay, that sounds good,” Paula said, looking up at him. “Then maybe you can explain all of this to me. I’m feeling a little confused. Are you sure I’m not crazy?”
“Yep, I’m sure,” he said, heading for the car. “You’re as sane as the rest of us, I promise.”
Paula studied him for a second, then lay her head down on his chest with a sigh. “I believe you,” she said, then closed her eyes. “You make me feel safe.”
She was asleep before they reached the car and didn’t wake up when he strapped her in. She slept the whole way home. “Is she okay?” Cooper asked when they pulled up in front of the fraternity house and Paula still didn’t wake up. “Maybe she hit her head or something.”
“I’d sleep like that too if something like that happened to me,” Stephanie said. “But I think Cooper is right, we should try to wake her up.”
He went around to the passenger side and opened the door, then crouched down next to Paula. “Hey, princess, we’re home. I need you to wake up for me,” he said, stroking her cheek. “You’re too heavy for me to carry all the way inside.”
That did the trick, and Paula’s eyes popped open, “I’m not…”
“Hey, there, welcome back,” he said, putting his fingers over her lips to hush her. “You’re not heavy at all, I could carry you for miles, but I needed you to wake up.”
Paula made a face at him. “That wasn’t very nice,” she said, then looked around. “Where are we?”
“Back at the fraternity house. I thought it might be best if you came back here for a while,” he said, reaching for her. “Let’s get you inside.”
“I think I can walk on my own now,” she said, letting him help her out of the car. “I can feel my feet again.”
“Maybe I should carry you just in case,” he said, sweeping her up into his arms again. “I don’t want to get you all the way home and then have you get hurt.”
“But I…”
“Just humor me,” he said, starting for the house. “It will be easier for both of us.”
***Paula***
Hattie was waiting for them at the front door, and she began to fuss as soon as she saw Paula in Ryan’s arms. “Bring her upstairs, I’ve got the bed turned down and a change of clothes all ready for her,” she said, her face full of concern. “Is she hurt? Do I need to call the doctor?”
“I’m okay, Hattie,” she croaked, lifting up her head. “Just a little cold and a lot confused.”
“Well, don’t you worry, we’ll get you all fixed up. As soon as we get you dressed in something warmer, I’ll get you something hot to drink,” Hattie said, leading them up the stairs. “Then maybe something to eat if you’re feeling up to it. You’ve had a bit of a shock tonight.”
“You know?” she asked, then shook her head. “Never mind, I don’t want to think about it right now.”
When Ryan paused at a closed door on the second floor, Hattie stopped and turned to look back at them. “Ryan, I’ve got a room for her upstairs,” she said, then saw the look on his face. “Oh, well, maybe down here would be better.”
