Page 7

I stop at a bridge and lean over, looking down into the deep green gorge and all the trees and bushes. The sound of the water should be comforting, but I find myself tearing up. Rage tears.
How dare they come back? Why now? Why, after so many years?
I lean over, resting my forehead on the cool rail. I sob for air, sweat running between my breasts.
“You’re not planning on jumping, are you?”
I jerk up and stare at the absolute god-level specimen of an alpha walking towards me.
He’s got pitch black hair, blue-green eyes, and a smile that weakens my knees. I catch a whiff of apple pie and want to moan.
“No, I’m not planning on jumping,” I murmur and turn away from him.
He comes and stands beside me. “You’re the girl behind the bar last night.”
I take another longer look and recognise the shadow watcher.
“You’re the guy who was staring.”
“I’ve never seen anyone who knows everyone so well.”
I nod my head, distracted by the feeling that only comes when one of Pack Dread is nearby. I glance to the side and spot Edric, hands in his pockets, watching me with a flat glare.
“Who is that?”
“No one,” I say and turn away from him.
“Hmm, No One looks mightily like he thinks he’s someone.”
“Trust me, No One made his choice a long time ago and has earned everything he’s getting three fold.”
The alpha chuckles, a low husky sound. It slams straight into me, and I squint at him, trying to figure out what it is about him that is captivating me.
Why does he seem so familiar? Maybe he’s just got one of those faces? Maybe I’ve seen him before? I don’t know, and I can’t remember.
“Do you want me to scare him off?”
I don’t know this guy at all, but one thing I do know is Edric was a weapon, even at sixteen. Even grown alphas couldn’t defeat him in a fight.
“No, he’s harmless.” I glare down at the green vegetation. “Thanks, though.”
“Any time. I’m going to head off if you don’t need my help.”
I turn back, grinning at him. “I really don’t.”
“Ouch, my damsel rescuing skills need polishing.”
“Yeah, they kinda do.”
He purses his lips and then holds out his hand. “Bailey Raines.”
I hesitate a long second but then take his hand. Electricity shocks me. I stare up at him, perplexed. He looks equally stunned. I smell vanilla ice cream in the air.
“What is that?”
I barely get the words out before Bailey snatches his hand away from me and backs up four paces.
“It was really nice meeting you. Good luck with everything.”