“What’s happening?” Josie asked.
“They finally decided to arrest him,” he said, jaw clenched. “Just hang tight and I’ll be right back.”
It felt like an eternity passed before Theo’s black SUV pulled up in front of us.
“Let’s go,” Josie said gently. “It will be warm in the car, and I bet Theo has some blankets stashed somewhere.”
It was only then that I realized the strange noise I’d been hearing was my teeth chattering.
I got in the car and Josie quickly settled a fuzzy blanket around me. It was nicer than anything I had in my nest, and I hated that I would get dirt on it.
I jumped when the car door opened again and Cam got in.
“You’re okay,” Josie said softly. “We’ll get you home and run you a bath. You like hot chocolate, right?”
I nodded, wrapping the blanket tighter around me.
“Good. I’ll make you some. Everything else can be figured out tomorrow.”
It was only when I was lying on the cloud-like bed in Josie’s guest room, clean from my bath with an ice pack pressed against my face, that I remembered the letters. My stomach clenched and I breathed through my nose, refusing to throw up again. The letters and this attack had to be related. I should have gone tothe police earlier—or at least told them tonight. I berated myself for being so fucking stupid.
Then a horrible thought entered my head. What if I was endangering Josie by being here? This stalker was a lot more dangerous than I’d ever imagined. I was tempted to get up and tell Pack Ashwood about the letters now, but they were probably already asleep. I’d been enough of a burden to them tonight. But then… what if the stalker tried to break in? Did he know I was here?
My thoughts were jumbled and it was impossible to think clearly. I didn’t know what to do. A tear streaked down my cheek. After what felt like hours of indecision, I decided it would be okay to wait until the morning to tell them. I knew the house had an advanced security system, and Josie’s alphas were all trained in combat. We should be safe for tonight.
I repeated it to myself, desperate to believe it, until sleep finally took me in the early morning hours.
22
WESTIN
Iwoke with a gasp, whimpering as I looked around the room. The terror from my nightmare faded as I took in the peaceful space. A sliver of sunlight peeked through the curtains, chasing away the shadows.
I relaxed back into the mattress, running my hand down the comforter. This was the most comfortable bed I’d ever slept in, and I hadn’t even been able to enjoy it. It was time for me to face reality. I refused to push in on Josie and her pack, especially with this stalker out there. The last time I’d moved in with a new pack was after my parents died, and my uncles never let me forget what a burden I was to them. Josie had already done so much for me, and I wasn’t going to test our friendship by overstaying my welcome.
I pulled on the sweatshirt and sweatpants Josie had given me to wear, tightening the drawstring so they stayed up before heading downstairs.
Josie, Cam, and Theo were all in the kitchen. Josie was making pancakes and Cam was standing next to the stove, using every excuse to touch her hair or kiss her shoulder.
Theo was the first to see me. “Morning, Westin. How’re you feeling?”
Josie whirled around and her spatula went flying. “You’re awake! How’re you doing? Do you need another ice pack? Coffee? Of course you need coffee.”
Cam snagged her around the waist. “Take a breath, sweetheart.”
Theo poured me a cup of coffee and set out a variety of flavored creamer on the counter.
“Westin drinks her coffee black,” Josie said, nose scrunched as if I was committing the worst crime known to humanity. I grinned as I took a sip. We’d had this argument many times.
Josie set a stack of pancakes in front of me. They looked amazing, but my mouth was dry with anxiety.
“I need to tell you all something,” I said, my heart pounding. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it earlier. At first, I thought it was kind of a joke, and then last night I forgot about it until I was in bed.”
“What’s going on?” Josie asked.
“I’ve been getting letters from… I don’t know, maybe a stalker or something.”
“What?” Josie gasped.
