“You’re not supposed to shift.”
“No.” He shook his head. “Grey’s orders.”
“The veterinarian? He’s not the boss of you, Cade, you’re the Sheriff.”
“Deputy.”
“So, if you shift, you’ll what? Stay in that form or something?”
“I’m not sure.”
Lucy stared at Cade, debating what to do. Crap, how had things gone from them talking about something long-term to this? Thank goodness she’d learned it now. Nothing sucked more than getting invested and intertwined with someone, only to learn they’re delusional and dangerous. Some part of her knew Cade wasn’t either of those things, or at least hoped he wasn’t. But this was still some crazy crap, and it was too much right now.
“I need to go.” She announced.
“Lucy,” Cade’s voice rang out, beckoning her back, but she didn’t turn around.
No way was she going to stick around and get her heart broken any more than it already was. Better to leave now than let Cade make a fool of them both by luring her into his delusions.
Somehow it didn’t really feel like he was lying, but God, what if she went with it and it was all bullcrap? No, that would hurt too much.
It already hurt now.
Chapter Fifteen
“Lucy, wait.”
Lucy hated walking through Cade’s house alone while he called after her. She hated that they’d gone from all their delicious heat and attraction to this, whatever this was. But no way could she deal with magic and wizards stuff today.
She freaking hated being lied to.
Lucy fought back tears as she headed for Cade’s door. She’d thought he was perfect for her. How could she have been so stupid?
Cade called her name again, but she didn’t turn around. And that probably made her a bitch, didn’t it? A sound like a large twig snapping had her pivoting and heading back toward the other room, though.
“Cade?”
Had he fallen and hurt himself? He had that limp. Sure, it had seemed better this morning, but he was still healing and—
Lucy stumbled, dropping to her knees.
Instead of Cade, a big, black dog with brilliant blue eyes stood staring at her.
“Atlas?” Lucy frowned. “Wait, you’re… Atlas?”
The dog came forward and nudged her with his nose before laying down in front of her with his belly exposed.
“Cade?” she asked hesitantly.
The dog made that chuffing sound and thumped his tail like he had when she’d helped him the other night, the one that meant he liked something.
Lucy reached out a shaking hand and pet his flank.
“Is it really you?” God, she wished he could talk as a dog. Instead, he nuzzled her hand like he wanted her to keep petting him.
“You’re the dog?” Lucy couldn’t believe it. “You made me feel so safe during the storm, twice.” She buried her face in Cade’s neck, recognizing his masculine scent, even in this form. “Oh, Cade, no wonder you didn’t want to tell me. I’m sorry I hit you with my car. And you had a broken leg. No wonder you couldn’t turn into a man again. And you’re not really a dog, so no wonder those drugs made you sick.”
She kept up with the petting and the apologies, trying to wrap her mind around things. Cade let her pet him. He even wrapped his paws around her neck while she cried. And then he was human again, pulling her into his lap and holding her close to his bare chest.
