Chapter 8
Reid
Logan, as he introduced himself, didn’t stop talking the entire way to the clan house.
We went in my car with me driving. Logan had shifted along with the others to get to the florist’s, as they could travel faster that way. Calan had taken off into the woods as soon as we stepped outside, Finn following a few minutes later. He’d probably stayed behind to flirt with Chester a little more.
Fuck, I hoped what happened today hadn’t set their relationship back at all. I’d never forgive myself.
I’d half expected Logan to follow them, but he’d slid into the passenger seat and immediately launched into conversation. Usually, I was the one doing all the talking. With everything that had just happened though, I was relieved that Logan was taking the lead.
In the past ten minutes, he’d covered everything from being polyamorous to why brookies should be more readily available, to how disappointed he was in theTitandocumentary.
“I mean, I wanted to learn more about how the billionairesdied”—he pouted—“not about the corruption leading up to it. Ninety minutes of my life I’m never getting back there.”
“Does seem daft that they didn’t devote more of it to that part.” I made a right turn towards the heart of the clan lands. I’d never been there, but I’d always known where they were.
Just in case.
Hadn’t ever expected to need to visit, but then again, I also hadn’t expected any of my so-called family to come looking for me. Wasn’t like they ever seemed to enjoy my company.
Although I’d been aware that they might one day seek me out, I honestly hadn’t thought it would actually happen. I had nothing they needed. I wasn’t a shifter. I wasn’t immortal. I couldn’t lead or protect the clan.
The only thing I could do was the menial work that the shifters refused. That’s how father had made me earn my ‘keep.’ I’d become the clan servant, for want of a better word. No task was too demeaning or disgusting for me as far as they were concerned. Something that had started the day after Evan left.
Another thing to thank him for.
That didn’t seem like a good enough reason for Clyde to come hunting. No amount of cleaning could atone for my presence in the clan.
There had to be another reason. Especially given the fact that Clyde had risked crossing the McCarthy borders to try and find me.
That was when it hit me. God, it was so obvious, how could I have overlooked it?
My family wanted to punish me.
I’d escaped. Doing so would’ve looked like a weakness.A failing. Clyde couldn’t even make his frail human son do his bidding. He wouldn’t be able to let that stand. He likely wanted to punish me to show he was in control. That even his own son wouldn’t be forgiven for betraying the clan and its alpha.
Well, fuck.
I’d known this was a possibility, but I think I’d pushed it to the back of my mind. It was safer that way. Stopped me from spiralling into the gaping void that held nothing but pain and death.
Maybe it was a good thing that Evan hadn’t taken me from the clan. Finn had been right in saying my father would’ve gone to war over it. Not because he gave a shit about me, but to protect his reputation? As an excuse to extend his clan’s borders?
Yeah, he would’ve fought for that.
Evan.
A twinge of guilt ran through me as I recalled how he’d left the shop. How his frame had been quivering with the force of holding back the shift. The question was—why? Why was his wolf trying to come out? To attack me for criticising him?
I doubted that, especially after his behaviour in the club. Evan seemed to be hell-bent on keeping me safe, not hurting me.
It was a shame in a way. Evan would make my death less painful than my father would.
Focus on the here and now. Panicking about what-ifs will just drive you crazy.
Easier said than done.
There was a streak of black fur outside the window. A wolf was stalking the car, following us to the clan house. Iopened my mouth to ask Logan who it was before closing it again. Something told me I wouldn’t like the answer.
