Rhys takes me to the bed, sets me down, and lies down beside me. While we look into each other’s eyes, the chemistry between us builds, and I snuggle close to him, settling my cheek against his chest, listening to his beautiful, strong heartbeat.
***
Sometime later, I awake to the sounds of the deep night. Small trills of bats flying by, night birds singing their scattered songs, and crickets chirping. I lean back to look at Rhys, and the light from the half-moon filters through the window, illuminating his pale skin. His black hair falls untidily across his forehead, and with the long, black lashes against his high cheekbones, he has an innocent, peaceful look.
I stroke his hair back, smiling as I think about the pleasure we’ve found and how it’s not like it was years ago. Then, it was all frenzied passion. Now, there is a closeness between us that feels bone deep.
Beyond intimacy. A kind of love I could never have imagined…
After a while, I begin to feel restless and carefully get up so I don’t wake Rhys. As I walk to the front of the hut, I put my dress back on properly and go stand just outside the doorway, listening to the night.
It’s as if I can feel the woods around me. It’s more than touch, more than anything my five senses could tell me. I can hear every sound, feel the movements of worms and insects deep in the soil, and taste the rain in the clouds high above.
A stick breaks, a sudden, sharp crack that breaks the harmony of the night.
I whirl around to face the sound and see the tall blond bully who cornered me the night of the party.
“What are you doing here?” I demand, trying to sound brave, but fear strangles my throat.
“Looking for you,” he answers, his voice deep and threatening. “And we found you. Time’s up, human.”
“What do you mean?” I yell, stumbling backwards. “Get out of here!”
“No, I don’t think so,” he replies, and I see three shadows behind him as his buddies advance out of the forest.
I don’t know what to do!
My power floods my veins, and I know I could take all of them if I wanted to. But I don’t want to make the situation worse, and my powers are still untested.
What if it doesn’t work, and they kill me? What if I kill them? I don’t want either of those things to happen!
“What’s going on?” Rhys says, suddenly appearing beside me. He pushes me back, putting himself between me and the bullies.
“We’ve come for the human,” the blond one says, looking at Rhys with disgust. “And we’re taking her.”
“The fuck you are,” Rhys growls, stepping forward. I can see adrenaline flooding through him as he balls his fists, ready to fight, but there’s a problem.
They aren’t scared of him.
“Rhys Bridges,” the bully sneers. “Great alpha, snared by a filthy human pussy. You’re a disgrace.”
“What the fuck did you just say to me?!” Rhys yells.
“You fucking heard me,” the guy says. “You’re a pathetic excuse for a wolf—and she is literal garbage. We can’t allow this.”
Rhys straightens up, ready to yell at them again, but I can tell it’s too late, and I don’t need any wild witch senses to see what’s about to happen.
The big blond guy makes a small gesture with his hand, and all four bullies jump Rhys at once. They tackle him, trying to shove him down, and attack with their fists, smashing his face and ribs.
I watch in horror as Rhys falls to the ground, my lover disappearing under their merciless assault.
Chapter 19 - Rhys
“Sadie, run—run now!” I roar, desperate for her to get away.
All four guys jump me at the same time, and I’m on the ground before I have time to think, let alone retaliate.
As I struggle under the rain of blows, I realize I remember the ringleader. Aaron, a member of Owen’s pack who likes to make trouble in lots of small, petty ways, often risking our cover to prove a point.
