Page 13
Chapter Thirteen
Juliana
“H as he told you what he is?” Sally asks, leaning across the table.
“Yes.” I take a sip of my drink. “I won’t tell you.”
“Come on,” she whines.
“Sorry.” I lift my shoulder and smile.
“I can accept it. You are protecting his privacy.” She shoves some popcorn in her mouth.
“Wait until Heath finds out you insisted we go out,” Roxanne cackles.
“Heath loves me,” Sally says.
“He won’t be pleased,” I mumble, looking around the bar. Heath left to kill a man, and Sally and the crew ushered me out. Micah and Quinn don’t look happy as they survey the area from a few feet away. The dragons are at the bar ordering food, but Kingston and Maverick are annoyed. They had to point out how much Heath wouldn’t like the situation. How can something happen with all the powerful shifters surrounding me? I had to get out of the house. Getting to know Heath’s friends was a bonus. Being home is nice, but it’s too quiet. All I could think about was Heath, and I needed a distraction.
Home. When did I come to think of it as home?
“This is a nice place,” Daisy says.
“Bram probably wasn’t ready for our crew to come back,” Roxanne says.
“It’s too bad,” Sally sighs, fanning herself. “I would have liked to take a second look.”
Roxanne snorts. “Second? You looked plenty.”
“It doesn’t hurt to be thorough.” Sally wiggles her eyebrows.
“Quinn is worried about Heath,” Stephanie says. I bite my lip, keeping my opinion to myself. My conversation with Heath is too fresh. I disagree with Quinn’s actions, but it may be my protective emotions that are growing rapidly.
“Micah is keeping in contact with him,” Daisy says.
“What was he doing?” Gabby asks.
“It’s private,” I say.
“Uh-huh.” Sally finishes her drink. “Everything about Heath is private.” I meet her eyes, and I feel as if she knows more than she should.
“Has he told you about the bond?” Roxanne asks.
“Yes.” I have also been a private person, so having someone to confide in hasn’t been an option.
“Have you made a decision?” Sally asks.
“We are taking it slowly,” I say.
“Heath is sexy,” Sally states.
“Yes,” I say, gritting my teeth. Sally smirks, and I narrow my eyes.
“Anyone would be lucky to have him,” she continues.
“Are you trying to piss me off?” I growl, and her smile widens.
“It’s one of my many gifts,” she says.
“Sally is feeling you out,” Daisy says.
“Heath is one of us,” Sally huffs. “We don’t want him hurt.”
“Are you sure he is?” I ask.
“What? Why wouldn’t he be?” Sally frowns.
“Nothing. Nevermind.” I take a drink and try to calm my anger. I didn’t realize how much he means to me. “Is this normal?” I whisper.
“What?” Roxanne asks.
“I want to punch Sally for no reason. The thought of Saphira being anywhere near Heath makes my stomach sick. Being away from him is making my skin crawl. Not knowing what is happening is giving me hives. How can I feel so much? It’s been days. I have known him for days.” I run my nails over my arm. “He’s put some kind of shifter spell on me. I’ve barely left his side, and it’s not enough. I crave his touch and his voice. How can you crave a voice? It’s deep and soothing. He’s bossy, mysterious, and dangerous. He wants to turn me into a shifter. My life is a mess. My brother is irresponsible. He didn’t care that I was sleeping in the house of a stranger. All he cares about is himself.” I slap the table. “I won’t get started on my mother. Heath has shown more love toward me than my family has my whole life. He talks about the universe and magic. I’ve taken it pretty well so far. I’ve listened and kept an open mind.”
“She’s losing it,” Gabby whispers.
“It’s hitting her,” Sally whispers back.
“Should I accept his claim? My body is screaming that it’s right. My mind is stuttering in indecision. What will my life be like? I think it’s possible to live in bliss in his home under the ground, and maybe I should take the leap. I could do anything I wanted, although I didn’t think I had the luxury of dreaming. What’s stopping me? My family? Fuck, no. They wouldn’t care if I turned into a mouse and lived in the street as long as I gave them money.” I ignore the shared glances. “He has a found family.” I wave my arm. “I think I could like all of you once I get past some of you not caring about my mate. He shows the world one side, but I have seen the kind, giving, loving man underneath the surface. He needs love, so why wouldn’t I give it to him? I believe he is my mate. I think he will give me everything I have always wanted. Do I deserve it?” I look around at them all and notice the dragons are back, their arms full of food. “You’re fucking dragons. Knowing a coyote shifter is very different from knowing dragons. I’m really trying to hold it together.” I grind to a halt, out of breath.
“Kind?” Roxanne tilts her head.
“Loving?” Sally asks.
“Your mom asks you for money?” Stephanie frowns.
“You don’t think you deserve it?” Daisy asks.
“I’m more concerned about the part where we don’t care about Heath,” Quinn rumbles from over my shoulder, and I jump.
“Uh…” Shit.
“Yes, that part concerns me, too,” Micah says, standing beside Quinn.
“I think I’ve said too much,” I whisper.
“No, you need to say more,” Quinn grumbles.
“Maybe we should address her fears,” Sally says carefully, watching my expression.
“I think—”
“Micah, I need to go to the bathroom,” Daisy says suddenly, standing, cutting him off. “You should escort me. The bar is big, and my hands are itching to pickpocket.” We all look around at the dozen people drinking at two in the afternoon, including us.
“Of course, mate,” he concedes, holding out his hand to assist her. I watch them leave and lock eyes with Quinn. His are narrowed, and I quickly look away, watching the dragons pass around the food.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like for a human,” Sally says, and I gratefully look at her. “Being thrust into our world. How did you find out?”
“My brother’s best friend is a coyote shifter,” I reply.
“Bad introduction,” Roxanne mumbles, and I tilt my head.
“Coyote shifters are not well-liked,” Sally explains.
“Daisy is the exception,” Stephanie says. It’s difficult to keep all their animals straight.
“He revealed himself?” Saphira asks.
“He has been friends with my brother since he was a teenager. Levi has been a constant in his life. Stanly behaved oddly a lot. He would disappear at night. Some things happened that made Levi question him. So he shifted in front of my brother. Levi thought it was fascinating. Levi would go with him when he transformed into his animal and watch him run.” I smile slightly. “I was suspicious of the late nights Levi would come home dirty and tired when he had school in the morning.”
“Was your mom worried?” Gabby asks and sips her drink.
“My mom wasn’t home or with one of her boyfriends,” I mumble.
“She didn’t notice,” Sally says softly.
“No.” I lean back, crossing my arms. “When I questioned them, Stanly told me he was a shifter. I thought they both had been drinking. He offered to show it to me as long as I didn’t tell anyone else and kept it from my mom. They didn’t want to get in trouble. Mom wouldn’t have cared how late they stayed out but would have taken advantage of his gift. I agreed. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. He was standing in front of me, and then he was a coyote. Shock is an understatement. He answered all my questions, and life went on.”
“You accepted him,” Quinn says.
“I suppose. He isn’t my favorite person, but he meant everything to my brother. After the shock wore off, it wasn’t that surprising. Stanly was still an asshole most of the time, shifter or human,” I snort.
“Did you know your brother fights for Heath?” Saphira asks.
“Not for Heath, but I knew he fought. He came to me to take care of his wounds. Stanly pushed him into it, and Levi will do anything to keep him happy. The night I met Heath, Levi got hurt. I thought I was going to pick up my brother and ran into Heath. The turn my life has taken since is nothing you can prepare for.” I grab a fry. “I did get to see Stanly scared.” I pop it in my mouth.
“Is your brother alright?” Roxanne asks.
“Apparently,” I say dryly. “He left the next morning, and I haven’t spoken to him. Heath offered him a job, but I doubt he’ll follow through.” Levi is probably drinking somewhere with Stanly.
“Heath gave him work?” Quinn asks.
“Yes.”
“Heath doesn’t often let anyone in his business,” he continues.
“Unless he cares about them,” Micah says as he returns to the table. Daisy is a little rumpled, and Micah is smirking.
“Good for you,” Sally says, looking them up and down. Micah’s smile widens, and Daisy smooths down her shirt. “You’re losing your touch, vampire. That was fast.”
“I assure you I’m not losing my touch,” Micah drawls, pulling out the chair next to Sally. Daisy sits on his lap.
“His touch is very thorough,” Daisy says. Our humor is cut off when Rylee storms in, the door slamming against the wall. Her red hair is tousled. She’s wearing jeans and a tight T-shirt. Her beautiful face is free of makeup but is pinched in anxiety. She glances around, and her gaze locks on mine. My heart jumps as she rushes over, and I push to my feet.
Heath.
“Is it true?” she asks when she stops beside me.
“What?”
“You know what he is doing,” she says.
“Did something happen to Heath?” I ask.
“No. Is it true?” she repeats. “Is he killing a man for me?” I keep my eyes on hers, but I don’t have to be a shifter to feel the intense emotions of everyone around us.
“You should sit down,” I encourage, holding my hand out. She pushes my hand away, and I stumble. Quinn catches me.
“Careful,” he growls at Rylee.
“She didn’t mean it,” I say. Her fox is strong, but I know she is reacting to the situation and forgetting her strength.
“Jules, I’m sorry,” she says, cupping her hands. “I need to know.”
“How did you find out?” I ask.
“It doesn’t matter. Is my brother killing for me?” she whispers.
“I think you should talk to him,” I say.
“Fuck, that means yes,” she mumbles. “I didn’t ask him to do that.”
“You didn’t have to,” I whisper, stepping close. “He’s your brother.”
“I don’t want him to get hurt.” She bows her head.
“I feel the same, but it’s what he needs.” I cup her shoulder.
“We’re missing something,” Micah states, his stare intense. “I don’t like being in the dark about our friend.”
“It’s his decision to tell you,” I say, and it takes every ounce of courage to look into his eyes.
“I respect your need to protect him, but if he’s in danger, we need to know,” he says softly.
“I won’t tell you,” I say firmly, and he tilts his head. “It’s personal between him and Rylee.”
“Thank you, Jules,” Rylee breathes.
“You are his match,” Micah says.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I pull over a chair for Rylee and resume my seat.
“It is one,” he whispers.
“When will he be back?” Rylee asks.
“Soon.” I hope.
“You call him brother,” Kingston says. “I haven’t been around a fox shifter for years.”
“He is my brother,” Rylee growls.
“I wasn’t questioning that,” he says softly. “I understand choosing a brother.”
“He rescued me when I was seventeen,” she says defensively. “He was the only one to give a shit. He gave me a safe place to stay and helped me heal. It was rocky at first, but he was patient. None of you know him like I do. He is the best person I know, and if he gets hurt, I won’t recover.”
“Hey,” I call, covering her fist. “He’ll be fine.”
“I panicked. I didn’t know, Jules. If something happens because of me—”
“It won’t,” I hiss. Shoving my emotions away, I try to reassure her. “Heath is powerful. Bane and Hunter are with him.”
She nods.
“Good, that’s good.” She takes my drink, guzzles it, and slams it on the table. “I need another.”
“Girl, I got you,” Sally says, popping out of her seat. “Any preference?”
“As long as it has alcohol,” Rylee says. Sally urges Roxanne out of her seat and drags her toward the bar.
“All of you are sexy as fuck,” Rylee states, stealing a handful of fries from my plate. “Too bad all of you are mated. I’m Rylee, by the way. Heath’s sister. He adopted me, and if you accept that, we can be friends.” I shake my head, amazed, as I watch her regain her composure.
“We were adopted, too,” Maverick says.
“Roxanne is our mom,” Kingston adds.
“It’s overwhelming, but this crew will be your family,” Kingston says, and Saphira lays her head on his shoulder.
“I accept,” Rylee exclaims.
I don’t know how to react to them. It’s hard to trust their word. Wouldn’t it be nice to be considered their family?
I think having Heath would be enough, but I wouldn’t mind being adopted.