Page 20 of The Enforcer’s Rejected Mate (Red River Rejected Mates #1)

Chapter

Thirteen

CORDELIA

W e drive for another two days before Oak Fast comes into sight. I’m restless, have been for the past hour since we made our last stop.

“Just another hour before we’re in Oak Fast. It’ll be nice to get off this bus, don’t ya think?” Jenny asked me while we bought cinnamon buns at the small bakery next to the gas station we’d stopped at.

“Oh yeah, can’t wait.” I forced a convincing smile on my face for Jenny but the truth was I wasn’t ready for Oak Fast.

The cinnamon roll I choked down with Jenny sits like a rock in my stomach.

It’s hitting me how close we are to our final destination.

When we pull into Oak Fast, the routine that I’ve found comfort in will be gone.

No more coffees with Gus or fuel stops where the kind bus driver methodically gets us ready to go on the road.

No more shared meals at stops with Jenny and a few of the other passengers who have made sure to stop by and say hello.

My heart feels heavy at leaving this behind.

I knew it couldn’t go on forever but it was sweet while it lasted.

The shared time on the road, knowing that no matter what I didn’t have anywhere to be or anything to do other than sit right where I was.

I’ve never had that before. I’ve also never had friends and I’d like to think Gus and Jenny are my friends now.

At the last stop, Jenny was offering to drive me to where I’m going when we get to Oak Fast.

“Wherever you need, I’ll get you there. We’re friends now. You know there’s wolves out here. Feral ones out in the woods and I don’t want you getting mixed up with them. It’s not safe.”

I still haven’t found the heart to tell Jenny that I’m a wolf and most likely heading off into the woods to join the ferals she’s talking about. She’d probably not want to be my friend if she knew. I lean back in my seat, foot tapping and leg bouncing as I watch the forest roll on by.

Slowly ever so slowly the trees start to thin and when the road curves we end up in a valley with a town opening up in front of us.

Jenny was right. The town is cute. It looks picture perfect.

I lean closer to the window, face pressed right up against the glass to get a better look at the town.

I bet the homes in Oak Fast are filled with rooms that look just like the ones in my magazine.

It’s rolled up safely and under the satchel of herbs and salves Maud packed for me.

Since I got it, the magazine has become a touchstone for me.

Almost like if I stare at the pages hard enough I can see the future.

Can imagine what my life would be like in such a bedroom or kitchen.

Going to sleep in a veritable palace or cooking breakfast in the most perfect place I can imagine.

Not even the Alpha’s family has homes as nice as the ones in the magazine.

Everything in Alpha Ashford’s home is heavy wood and stone, everything seems like it was built to suck the light and life out of the room.

I’ve only been there to clean but cleaning gives you the time you need to really look at a place and as “nice” as it was, the Alpha’s home only ever seemed like a prison. A really fancy prison.

I pull my bag into my lap and give it a squeeze while Gus drives through the quaint little town.

Why not stay here? My brain whispers to me.

I could reach out to Maud’s sister if I decided to and Jenny lives here.

I’d already have a friend built right into my fresh start.

It’s easy to imagine what it might be like to stay in a place like this.

There are restaurants and bars, a library, and a little bookstore that flashes by on the right.

A coffee shop catches my interest. There’s a sign painted to look like a crystal coming out of a coffee cup, Barista Witch.

Interesting.

I wonder if Jazzy might be in there. She’s got to be a witch too, just like Maud. Maybe she runs it.

We drive for another minute or so before I see the bus station up ahead.

Like everything in Oak Fast it’s sweet looking.

Red brick facade and gleaming windows with gold paint filigree proclaiming it as the Oak Fast Bus Terminal shine in the afternoon light.

Behind it, the trees pick right back up.

I can see the tops of mountains peeking out from the evergreen treetops.

According to the map Gus gave me, that's the direction I need to go.

“Last stop, Oak Fast!” Gus calls out to us after he puts the bus in park. “It’s been a pleasure driving you all. I hope you enjoy your time in town.”

I sit and watch everyone else gather their belongings. I should get up and follow them but I’m rooted to my seat. The second I get up and start moving then it’s real. I’ll be on my way to Bloodstone. No turning back now.

After fifteen years, I’ll be going home…

I stand up on shaky legs after another minute and start slowly down the aisle. Gus gives me a warm smile when I approach.

“You all right? You know where you’re going or you need a ride?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Oh, I’m all right. I’ve got my map, remember?” I tell him, patting my backpack where the map he marked for me is safely stored.

“That may be but a storm looks like it's rolling in off the mountains. Have to move quickly when you see that. The storms here are fast.” I follow Gus off the bus and look to the east where the mountains are. The afternoon sunlight dims and I see he’s right.

Clouds steadily darken behind the mountains and a chill rolls over us with the breeze.

I bet the storm is an hour or so off, maybe less.

My wolf perks up. She’s ready for a run through the forest with nothing but the music of rain in her ears.

She licks her chops thinking about the lakes she might be able to find and the fish just waiting for her.

I make a face. I hadn’t thought about eating as a wolf.

Gross. No food, I tell her and she sighs at me.

I’ve got to get a handle on shifting before she has me wolfing down raw fish.

I remind her of the jerky Maud packed us and it’s enough to mollify her.

Thank Luna. I tilt my head and breathe in the crisp air while I scan the low clouds that remind me of a dark blanket sliding off the jagged peaks towards us.

Summer truly is turning into autumn. It’s a beautiful sight.

Gus and I stand beside one another and take in the mountains in silence. “I guess we brought the storm with us,” I say after a minute.

He hums in acknowledgement. “I think you’re right. Makes having a ride all the more important. You don’t want to go deep into Bloodstone country on foot. Those woods aren’t safe after sundown.”

I worry my bottom lip and sigh. Better to rip the bandaid off if I’m going to tell him at all.

“You know I’m a shifter, right?” I give him a sidelong look and hold my breath while I wait for Gus’ answer.

I don’t know why what he thinks of me is so important.

I’ve known him for two days but still… when you can count the number of friends you’ve ever made on one hand, it's not the time spent that matters.

“Hey, what are y’all looking at?” Jenny calls out to us. I wonder what she’ll think of me being a shifter. Now that I’ve told Gus, I don’t see the point in not telling Jenny.

Gus doesn’t answer Jenny. He answers me with a rueful smile. “I didn’t,” Gus admits. “Makes me feel better knowing you are one, though. With where you’re going. You’ll need to take care of yourself.”

I didn’t expect that answer from him. Shifters can be physical but they can’t be any worse than Frostclaw and I survived that pack. I frown at him.

“You make it sound like they’re bad. Are they…” my voice trails off and Gus raises an eyebrow.

“Are they what?”

“Bad?”

I don’t want him to say yes. I will him to say no. I’ve come from a bad place, I don’t know if I have it in me to go to more of the same.

He pauses like he’s choosing his words carefully.

“They keep to themselves, that’s all. Can’t say that I know much about them.

They’re not like the bear shifters around here.

They’re happy to be a part of the community.

Wolves, though? Wolves are… different. There’s a whole mess of ferals in those hills.

They showed up a few months back. It’s not safe. They’re dangerous.”

He’s right. Wolves are different. We’re aggressive and territorial in a way that doesn’t track for other shifters.

Maud has told me stories and I’ve read enough to know other shifters are happy to live right alongside each other but that’s not how wolves operate.

We’re the ones to bring the fight to your door —never happy unless we’re bringing another pack low.

We’re ruthless. Hungry for a fight and always on the hunt… .

At least I’ve been told that by the Frostclaw Pack.

I rub the back of my neck and look away from Gus and back towards the dark clouds on the mountain.

I try not to think too much about the fact that I don’t feel much like a soul that would want to do what Alpha Ashford and the others say is in my nature.

I’m not ruthless or territorial. I don’t want any of that.

The only thing I want is somewhere to belong. I want a safe and happy home that’s all my own. I want comfort and security. A community that’s protected.

Solace.

“Yeah, I guess we are,” I say softly. It just takes a second for what I said to sink in with Gus.

Gus visibly stiffens. “I didn’t mean you, Cordelia. I-”

I wave him off. “It’s all right. I know.”

“Cordy what the heck are you and Gus looking at? Y’all going to answer me or what?”

Cordy.

My gaze snaps to Jenny. She’s got her normal rolled up magazine under one arm and she’s shrugging on a heavy quilted jacket on account of the storm. Thunder rolls and she looks up with a frown.