“Yes.”
“Why do you have to check it?” he asks. “Why can’t he?”
“Because I’m the one working this route,” I say in a calm voice as I start making my way that way. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Somebody probably just called in a problem. I’ll just check it out. If there’s nothing to worry about, I’ll get back to my regular route.” He’s quiet beside me, and I don’t push for conversation. When we get to the area I’m supposed to be checking, I walk up and down the path twice. I look up at Slater. “See? Nothing to worry about.” He’s not looking at me, though. His eyes are on the woods behind me.
“Tessa,” he says in a really low, quiet voice. “I need you to do exactly as I say.”
I turn to him. “What—?”
He slips an arm around my waist, completely shocking me. He shocks me further by pulling me into his chest. My heart is hammering loudly in my own chest, and I barely hear the words he says against my ear. “I need you to go back to the guard shack.”
“What—” I start again, but he interrupts.
“Do you trust me?”
I pause. “Yes.”
“Then I need you to go. Now. Don't stop. Don’t turn back, no matter what happens.”
“Slater, what’s going on?” I try to turn to him, but he’s got an iron grip on me, somehow keeping me within his arms but not hurting me. Then his voice is at my ear again. “When I say run,you run. All the way back to the guard shack. Okay?” I shake my head, trying to understand what’s going on. “Tessa?”
“Okay,” I finally agree.
“Stay still,” he says right next to my ear. Only then does my body start to nervously shake. I have no idea what’s going on, but whatever it is, it seems to have Slater spooked. And that’s terrifying. I’m going along with his plan for now, but I have no intention of running. I’m the security guard on duty, not Slater. Whatever it is, I will help deal with it. I’m getting ready to tell him just that when I hear a low growl come from the trees. And then Slater is pushing me forward. “Run!”
Chapter 25
Slater
I shove Tessa away just as whatever it is explodes from the forest. I shift instantly, shredding my clothes and meet the creature head-on. It has Tessa in its sight, and that’s not going to happen. Several things hit me at the same time. First, I take in the hideous black creature and realize it’s the same creature that came after Evie. The creatures that her roommate, Sam, and her then boyfriend, Jace, turned into. And then Tessa screams. Terror rolls through me, and I react without thought. I viciously bite and tear apart the neck of the creature, wringing its body back and forth. My wolf is ruthless, and right now, I don’t even try to pull him back. This creature was after our mate; it deserves to be gutted. It hits me precious seconds later that Tessa is still screaming. And now, I have a different kind of problem on my hands. I toss the dead creature to the side and turn towards my mate. She’s staring at me with eyes wide with horror. She puts her hands out in front of her. The stench of fear rolling off her makes my wolf growl low in his chest.
“No,” she whisper cries.
I freeze and realize that she’s scared of me. My wolf goes still, surprising me. He doesn’t usually give up a frenzy that easily; and that’s exactly what he was going through with that creature of darkness. In my shifted form, it’s harder for me to fully comprehend what’s going on. My wolf doesn’t pick up on nuances like I do in my human form. But if I shift right now, I will be naked. And I have a feeling, she might lose her mind if she sees me shift back. I have no idea what to do.
Zane.I reach out to my packmate.I need help. I need Evie.
His growl rolls through my mind, and I quickly reframe my request.I need yours and Evie’s help. Tessa saw me shift, and she’s terrified. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if I should shift back or not.
I feel his anger roll away, quickly replaced with calm.Where are you?I give him our location.We haven’t left campus yet. We'll be right there.
I break the mental connection and watch my mate. She’s hyperventilating now, and my anger surges. I also sense someone approaching. I can’t risk being seen. The creature I tore the neck out of is covered by the darkness. But I’m out too close to the main building. If someone comes this way, they’ll see me. I quickly move towards Tessa. Her eyes widen, and I will her not to run. My wolf will give chase if she does, and I won’t be able to stop him. She takes a step back, and my wolf growls in warning. He takes another step towards her, and she takes another step backwards. My wolf growls again, and she goes still.
“Please don’t hurt me,” she whispers.
My wolf growls loudly at her words, and I realize we’re out of time. I have to get out of here, and I’m not leaving her. I run at her and push her into the darkness. She lets out a small cry but doesn’t scream thankfully. He nudges her again, and this time she sinks to her knees in the grass. He nudges her again, and she scrambles back. I hate that she’s so afraid, but at least we’re under cover of darkness now. My wolf sits right in front of her, not daring to move. Thankfully, she stays quiet as well. A guy and girl walk past, completely oblivious to us. After they pass, Tessa gets up on her knees like she’s going to make a run for it. My wolf positions himself in front of her, so she can’t. I see her wild eyes looking around desperately, and I will Zane and Evie to get here. I want desperately to shift, but I’m afraid that will push her over the edge. She’s in a precarious position right now. This was not how I wanted to introduce her to my wolf. Frustrationburns through me, but I push it aside. Right now, my mate needs me. I just need Evie and Zane to get here and explain things, so I can shift and then hold her.
I scent them before they get close. My wolf growls at another male approaching our female.We need him,I remind my wolf. He growls again, letting me know he’s not happy with my thoughts.
“Tessa,” Evie calls out as she makes her way over to us. I notice Zane has a hold of Evie’s arm and is watching my wolf carefully. I feel his alpha power hit a moment later, and my wolf growls in warning.
It’s just a precaution,Zane sends. I know it’s because his mate is here, but it still annoys me and my wolf.
“Tessa,” Evie says, coming closer.
Tessa doesn’t take her eyes from my wolf. “Evie?” Tessa’s voice breaks, and I feel it to my very core. I hate it with every fiber of my being that she’s scared of me, of my wolf. My wolf echoes my anger in the form of a low growl. Tessa jerks backwards.
Not helping,Zane sends to me.
