Page 3 of Echoes of Us

Talon heard the music as soon as he stepped out of the truck.

Friday nights at the Pineville Diner was the hotspot in the small town.

Even though their pack stayed in the mountain area, they visited town frequently for supplies and socializing.

Only a few humans knew what they were, but families like Jack Campbell, Willow’s grandfather, had been in this area for a century or more.

They had known the truth about Shifters and had protected that secret, guarding it as if it were their own.

“I smell fried chicken.” Cory sniffed the air with a huge smile. “I love Cooper’s fried chicken. I swear if that man had a daughter, I’d up and marry her so that I could eat his damn fried chicken every day.”

Glancing at his brother, Talon frowned. “Why in the hell would he cook you fried chicken every day if you married the daughter he doesn’t have?”

“Ah, because I’d be the best damn son-in-law that man ever had, and he’d want to cook me fried chicken every day,” Cory said, then grinned. “I’m very likable, unlike you, grump ass.”

"You make no fucking sense." Talon shook his head, pushing open the diner door.

The bell overhead jingled, but he barely noticed as he stepped inside, his instincts kicking in automatically.

Without a second thought, he turned toward the back corner table where he could sit with his back against the wall.

It was a survival instinct ingrained in him—a habit that had kept him alive and was even more vital now that he was Alpha.

Sliding into the seat, he let his gaze sweep over the room, taking in everything—the people, the tension in the air, the way conversations momentarily quieted as he entered.

The usual mix of humans and Shifters filled the diner, their voices blending with the hum of country music playing from the band.

It wasn’t unusual for Shifters to be aware of his presence, but tonight felt… off. Eyes darted in his direction before quickly dropping away, hushed whispers passing between them like secrets laced with caution.

Since taking over as Alpha, he’d grown used to how people looked at him, even those he’d grown up with treated him differently now. Some with respect. Some with fear. But this? This was something else.

Deciding he wasn’t in the mood to figure it out, he reached for the menu, flipping it open. If it were important, someone would tell him.

“Damn, the place is hopping tonight.” Cory looked around with a sigh. “I hope Cooper don’t run out of fried chicken.”

“Will you shut up about fried fucking chicken?” Talon grumbled, still looking at the menu.

“Oh, I don’t know. Will you stop being a fucking dick?

” Cory shot back, his eyes narrowed. “It’s been two weeks since we had a decent meal.

Neither one of us can cook worth a shit.

I’m sick and tired of eating cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

..thank you very much. So, give me a break if I want to talk about fried fucking chicken. ”

Talon couldn’t help but smile. No matter what mood he was in, Cory could make him smile...the fucker. Tossing the menu to the side, he glanced around the diner. “Did Lois get someone to help her while Beth has her baby?”

“Don’t seem like it,” Cory frowned, also looking around. “We’ve been here for a long minute and haven’t even gotten a drink yet.”

Lois came from the kitchen with a tray full of food. She glanced at them and slowed before looking quickly away. Cory snorted, looking at Talon.

“Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone is in on a joke we aren’t part of?” Cory asked, obviously picking up on the same feeling Talon was having.

“Seems like it.” Talon scooted his chair back a little just in case there was trouble.

He had other Shifters from different packs come and challenge him.

Being here wouldn’t matter to them. His eyes did a quick scan, seeing a few people he didn’t know, but the rest were familiar or part of his pack.

Lois set the tray on an empty table and headed their way. “Hey, guys,” she said, avoiding direct eye contact. “Sorry, we’re a little busy tonight. What can I get you to drink, or are you ready to order?”

“Did you find someone to help out until Beth comes back?” Cory asked, then caught the pencil that flew out of her fingers.

“Ah, sorry.” She said nervously. “And, yeah...I did.”

Talon noticed she hadn’t looked at him at all and only glanced at Cory. Usually, when they came in to eat, she talked their ears off, but not tonight. She was very nervous, which set his senses on high alert. He noticed Cory tensing up also.

“Lois,” Talon said, his voice concerned as he stared at her. “Are you okay?”

“Hmmm, yeah, I’m good. Just busy.” She laughed, but it was the fakest laugh he’d ever heard. “Now, what can I get you two?”

Movement from the kitchen caught his attention, and for a moment, Talon forgot how to breathe.

Willow stepped into the dining area, balancing a tray of drinks with practiced ease, her soft laugh carrying through the room as she passed a couple who were getting up to leave.

His entire body went rigid. It had been a year since he’d seen her, but in that instant, it felt like no time had passed.

His eyes tracked her every move, drinking her in like a man starving for the sight of her. Her silky blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail, but loose strands had escaped, framing her face in delicate wisps. His gaze moved from her face down the slender column of her neck and lower.

Fuck…

Talon clenched his fists on the table, his breath locking in his chest. She looked good. Too damn good. His wolf growled, restless and demanding, clawing at him from the inside. Mine. The possessive thought slammed into him with the force of a freight train.

She had always been beautiful, but now… now she was something else entirely.

Time had softened her in ways that made his body tighten with need.

Her curves were fuller, and her body was more confident in the way she moved.

Her uniform clung in all the right places, and his eyes betrayed him, tracing the swell of her hips, the dip of her waist, and the way her shirt stretched just enough across her chest, making his fingers twitch with the need to touch.

He forced himself to look away before he did something reckless—like stalk across the room, pull her into his arms, and remind her exactly who she belonged to.

But it was too late.

He and his wolf had already decided that it didn’t matter how much time had passed or how much hurt lingered between them. She was back, close enough to reach, and Talon wasn’t sure he had the strength to let her walk away again.

“I guess that answers the question about whether you found someone to fill in for Beth,” Cory said with a low whistle.

His gaze followed Willow as she moved through the diner, completely oblivious to the havoc she had just unleashed.

“Talk about a blast from the past. Damn... Willow is looking real good.”

Fuck this.

Talon shoved back his chair, the legs scraping against the worn floor as he stood abruptly. Every muscle in his body was wound tight, his wolf snarling inside him, demanding action. Now, he knew precisely what the hushed whispers and stolen glances had been about.

Lois slapped a hand against his chest, trying to shove him back into his seat. It was a useless attempt because he didn’t budge. The fire in her eyes made him hesitate. She never looked at him like that. He was her Alpha.

“Don’t you dare walk out,” she hissed, her voice low. “Talk to her. There are things you don’t... know.” She bit her lip as if she had already said too much.

Talon’s jaw tightened. “I don’t have time for games, Lois.” His voice was cold, barely controlled. “She walked out on me. That’s what I know.”

Lois let out a sharp breath, shaking her head like he was the biggest idiot she’d ever met.

“You know what? If you don’t want to know the reason why, then you don’t deserve her.

” She dropped her hand from his chest, stepping back as if seeing him in a new light.

“And you know what’s worse, Talon? It’s not that you lost the best thing that ever happened to you, which is Willow.

It’s that you’re turning into your father. ”

His head snapped up, a dangerous growl vibrating in his chest. That was a low fucking blow.

Lois didn’t flinch. “Lose the pride for just a damn minute and talk to her.”

Talon’s hands clenched into fists. His pulse roared in his ears, his instincts demanding he put space between himself and Willow instead of ripping open the old wounds he thought he had buried deep.

“Watch how you talk to me, Lois,” he warned, his voice lethal. His eyes burned gold as he leaned in, his wolf clawing beneath his skin. “I am your Alpha.”

Lois didn’t so much as blink. “Then act like it,” she shot back, her voice just as sharp and unwavering. “Because right now, you’re just a coward running from something that could actually matter.”

Talon’s breathing was rough, his heart pounding in his chest. But for the first time since locking eyes on Willow again, he had no idea if he wanted to run.

..or chase. He leaned close to Lois. “Good thing I like you.” He murmured for her ears alone as the beginning of a grin started to form on his lips.

"Okay... why don’t we all just calm down here?" Cory started to stand, his hands raised to defuse the thick tension crackling between Talon and Lois.

Before anyone could respond, a loud crash shattered through the diner. Talon’s head snapped toward the noise, his gaze locking onto Willow. She stood frozen, her green eyes wide in shock, a tray at her feet, and drinks spilled across the floor.

A man shot up from his seat, cursing as he swiped at the wet stains soaking into his clothes. "You clumsy bitch," he spat, his face twisted in anger. The man shoved Willow as he passed her to go to the restroom, making her stumble back.

Talon’s wolf surged forward, a growl vibrating through his chest. His vision tunneled on the bastard who had just put his hands on his woman.

The diner seemed to still, the hum of conversation vanishing beneath the heavy, dangerous silence that followed. Willow slipped on the wet floor, falling to her knees. Talon’s control snapped.

He stormed across the diner, his arm reaching out, gripping the man by the back of his neck. With one savage move, he slammed him face-first into the nearest table. The impact sent plates and silverware flying as gasps and shouts ripped throughout the room.

The man groaned, his body limp against the table, but Talon wasn’t done. Not even close.

Fisting the man’s shirt, he yanked him up just enough to lean down, his voice a deadly growl. "Touch her again, and I swear to God, you’ll be eating through a straw for the rest of your miserable fucking life."

The man whimpered, blood dripping from his nose. Talon didn’t give a shit.

“Get him the hell out of here,” he ordered, his voice sharp with command.

Cory caught the bastard as Talon shoved him forward, barely sparing him another glance. His focus had already shifted to Willow, who was still on the floor, staring up at him with those beautiful, wide green eyes that had haunted him.

Talon exhaled slowly, forcing down the emotions clawing at his chest. He held his hand out to her, waiting—hoping—to see if she would take it.

For a moment, she didn’t move. Then, hesitantly, her fingers lifted, the barest tremble running through them. The instant their hands touched, a current of heat shot up his arm, something raw and familiar snapping into place.

And just like that, Talon knew. He was fucked. Because no matter how much time had passed, no matter how much anger and hurt lingered between them…Willow Campbell was still his.