The hybrid’s face brightened. “Surprisingly well. She hardly ever complains, but that’s Sabrina.”
“I can’t wait to see you guys again though that’s probably not until after both babies are born,” she said with a laugh.
Cross and Ransom gripped each other’s forearms and gave each other that hug men who were as close as brothers do. “See you soon, take care,” the Alpha said.
“Will do.” Cross held his hand out to Jacob and Sloane. “Ready?”
Sloane pulled Olivia into a hug. “Call me. Every day.”
“I will.”
“I mean it, Olivia.”
“I know.”
Sloane released her and turned to Eli. For a moment, she just looked at him, and whatever passed between them was silent and built on years of shared history Olivia would never fully understand. Then Sloane punched his arm and walked away without a word.
Jacob pulled Olivia into a hug. “Take care of yourself. And eat.”
“Working on it.”
Jacob wrapped an arm around Sloane, then gripped Cross’s hand. “Ready.”
They shimmered away, slowly fading before completely disappearing. A sense of loss crept into her chest at their absence, as well as the sense that this chapter was over. Eli probably did, too, as he covered her hand with his.
Isabelle broke the silence. “Let’s go in and get you settled. You must be exhausted after that long drive.”
The cabin was small but warm with hardwood floors, a double bed with a thick quilt, a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a back room where an easel stood near a window overlooking the valley. A few of canvases leaned against the wall, showing mountain landscapes in soft, dreamy colors.
“This is Cross and Sabrina’s cabin. They come here on the weekends when they can,” Isabelle explained. “Sabrina’s a painter, so there’s a little studio in the back room. Cross had it set up for her. That’s the only place I would say to keep out of. Other than that, please do make yourselves at home”
“It’s beautiful,” Olivia said. “Thank you.”
The Lupa pulled the fridge open. “Fully stocked. Arlene saw to it this morning. Eggs, bacon, bread, everything you’d need. And the lodge restaurant is always open if you’d rather eat there.”
Olivia peeked inside. It was packed with food. Her stomach gave a low rumble despite the hours of highway takeout.
“The property’s protected,” Ransom said from the doorway. He leaned against the frame, arms folded. “Magical barriers around the full perimeter. Witches put them up during the mage crisis and they’ve held solid.”
The shift in Eli was so subtle, Olivia barely felt it. She couldn’t put her finger on it—perhaps it was in the way his breathing changed or a slight tension built in his shoulders. But it seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
“Witches?” Eli asked.
“Local coven,” Isabelle said. “According to Silke, they’ve been in these parts a long time. We don’t really mix socially, but we’re on good terms. Silke lets them hold events at the lodge. Solstice celebrations, ceremonies. They had a beautiful wedding here a while back for the matriarch’s older daughter, and already penciled in a booking next year for the middle one.”
Ransom continued, “They come through regularly to strengthen the protections and spells around the property.”
“How close are they?” Eli asked.
“Their compound is deeper in the mountains. Maybe twenty, thirty minutes by road. They mostly keep to themselves, but you’ll see a few of them around the lodge when it’s time to refresh the wards.”
“Good to know,” Eli said, his expression giving nothing away. However, Ransom’s gaze lingered on Eli for a beat longer than necessary.
“Well, we should let you get some rest,” Isabelle said, her arm wrapping around Ransom’s. “Fair warning. The rest of the clan is going to want to meet you. These guys are worse than a bunch of gossipy grandmas. Once Axle finds out we’ve got guests, expect a welcome party. And by welcome party I mean grown men with no concept of personal space.” And with that, they left.
Olivia turned to Eli. She wanted to ask, wanted to push him. But with what happened during the last time she did, she knew that was not the way to deal with him. Besides, her body had other plans. Eight hours in a car with no real sleep, the residual exhaustion from being shot and healed, the fatigue all hit her at once.
“I can’t keep my eyes open,” she whispered.
