“You’re not the only one feeling violent.” Calan crackedhis knuckles. “I say we make an unscheduled visit to the Clarkson Clan.”
“No,” I said in alarm. It was one thing joking about it, but I didn’t want them intervening on my behalf. “You can’t.”
“Reid, you’re a human on our lands,” Finn said gently. “We have reason to believe that Clyde’s intentions towards you aren’t honourable. Even without the history, we’d be within our rights to intervene.”
My chest felt too tight. “But not with violence. The treaty hasn’t been broken. Not yet, anyway.”
Calan frowned. “Are ye saying that ye want us to wait until he hurts or kidnaps ye?”
“Fuck that,” Logan said. “I’m not waiting.”
“You have to.” I got out of my chair and started to pace. It was no good—tears were already starting to obscure my vision again. I fucking hated how easily I cried. It was another reminder of how weak I was. I’d spent my childhood suppressing my emotions, only for them to all catch up to me once I was free of my family. “Believe me, violence is what he wants. If you attack him, he’ll just escalate any plans he already has.”
“I understand what you’re saying, Reid,” Finn said, his mouth in a tight line, “but it’s not just you at risk, it’s Chester too. Clyde went to his shop and threatened him. I can’t let that slide.”
I came to a stop in front of him. “He did that because hewantsto get a rise out of you. Attacking him is what he expects. You can’t walk into his trap that easily.”
“How do you know it’s a trap?”
“Because I know him.” I fell back into my seat heavily, sharing the revelation I’d been turning over in my mind for the past few minutes. “Clyde appearing now isn’t a coincidence.I suspect he’s known where I am this whole time. Whatever he wants, it has to be connected to you having made contact with me.”
Calan scowled. “All the more reason for us to go on the offensive.”
I rolled my eyes. “You might be big and tough, but you’re not very smart. Aren’t you listening? That’s exactly what hewantsyou to do.”
Logan giggled. “Ha. Knew we’d get along.”
I ignored that, continuing to address Calan. “I’m not saying he’sjustdoing this to get a rise out of you. If he wanted to do that, he could’ve just crossed your borders.”
“Which means you do come into it somewhere,” Finn said grimly. “You’re right on both counts, I think. Clyde is spoiling for a fight, but he’s also after you for whatever reason.”
“Probably to punish me for escaping.” I sighed. “Guess it makes you look weak if a lowly human can escape your clutches.”
There was a sudden pinch on my side, making me jump. “What the fuck?”
Logan was glaring at me. “Don’t talk about yourself like that. I don’t like it. You’re not lowly.”
“I am compared to shifters.”
Now all three of them were glaring at me. From outside, I thought I heard a quiet growl.
Fucking great.
“Look”—I addressed Finn, desperate for this to be over with. I wanted to be somewhere I could break down fully without an audience—“going after Chester isn’t in his best interests, and Clyde doesn’t do anything not in his best interests.”
Finn looked doubtful. “I’m not sure…”
“Please,” I begged, tears welling up in my eyes again. Jesus, I’d need a pint or two of electrolytes at this rate. “It’ll just make things worse for me. Please, Finn. He won’t hurt Chester. It’s me he wants.”
“How about this—one of us will pay a visit to Clyde.” He holds up a hand to silence my protests. “It’s standard procedure when any shifter crosses our boundary, Reid. I can promise that there won’t be any violence unless absolutely necessary, but we will feel him out. Okay?”
I didn’t like it, but I knew better than to argue. Shifter laws and procedures were always upheld. “Fine. I don’t think you need to worry too much though. Once I’ve moved on, he’ll likely lose interest.”
There was no missing the growl from outside this time. It was so loud that the glass in the window rattled. The shifters inside the room looked just as unhappy as Evan sounded.
Logan put his arm around my shoulders. “Now, why would you do something silly like that?”
“Because my family know where I am now. I have to leave.” I ignored the internal voice pointing out that they’d likely known where I was all along. “If Clyde comes back, I won’t be able to fight him off, and I’m definitely not going back to the Clarkson lands. I’d rather die.”
