Page 17 of Waste (Legendary Shifters #4)

“A madman is targeting Shelley. Someone tried to harm her, so I brought her here. Security is pretty damn tight around here,” Drew explained. “Marie is a good friend, Charlie. She’s safe.” He spoke in an aside to Charlie, who relaxed his tense shoulders.

“How awful. There are lunatics out there who hunt innocents down if they catch their unwanted attention,” Marie replied.

With great effort, Drew managed to control himself. Marie was telling him that the danger of Shelley being exposed to the Hunters was still present. Shelley was continuing to research him.

“Yes, Shelley seems to have attracted two in a matter of months,” Charlie stated. “My sister loves peace and quiet, and this drama is so unusual around her. It’s frightening.”

“I can only imagine. It’s like when someone keeps ringing your phone and you don’t want them to. It’s borderline stalking,” Marie said, and Charlie nodded.

Drew heard the meaning. Shelley was calling for Mary in the mirrors. Damn! Shelley was more determined and stubborn than he’d given her credit for.

“Yeah, you’re not wrong,” Charlie agreed, ignorant of Marie’s subliminal message. He straightened and smiled. “Join us for lunch?”

“I’d love to!” Marie accepted.

Drew sent her a sour look. Marie’s intentions were obvious.

She linked her arm with Charlie and began chatting brightly.

Drew stomped along behind them, feeling out of sorts.

He was uncertain regarding Shelley. If she continued to persist with her research, he could ask one of the magic users, Lilith or Baba Yaga, for help. However, he was loath to do so.

Drew’s problems compounded when they approached his chalet, and he spotted Mirry Moor outside hers. Mirry wore a pout and was staring straight at them.

“Hello!” she called, her gaze focused on Drew. He weakly offered a wave and stared at the back of Marie’s head. He didn’t want to encourage Mirry.

“Drew!” Mirry cried, and Drew stiffened. Damn it. Did he go rude or polite?

“Hello?” he replied, choosing to be civil for now. He didn’t want drama around Shelley and upsetting her recovery.

“So nice to meet you! Fancy us being here at the same time,” Mirry announced as she began picking her way through the snow. Drew threw a panicked look at Marie and Charlie. Charlie was grinning widely while Marie noted his panic and moved closer.

“Do I know you?” Drew asked pointedly, and Marie chuckled.

“Well, we’ve never met, but I’m sure you’re aware of who I am,” Mirry tittered confidently.

“No.” Drew shook his head, and Mirry glowered briefly.

“I suppose I’m different in a ski suit. It’s okay,” she responded, and Charlie made a choking noise.

“I don’t know you,” Drew replied.

“I’m Mirry Moor!” Mirry snapped, her amiable demeanour disappearing momentarily.

Drew glanced at Marie quizzically, and Marie shrugged. They both looked at Charlie, who was barely hiding a grin.

“Mirry is a reality TV star,” Charlie explained.

Drew’s expression of distaste matched Marie’s; he was certain of it.

“Oh, I see,” Drew replied. Mirry seemed dumbfounded at their response. Clearly, she was accustomed to people fawning over her and had expected them to do so. Drew didn’t care which.

“Excuse us, we’re heading to eat,” Marie interrupted and linked arms with Drew and Charlie.

“Yes, lunch! That’s why I came over. I sent my PA to invite you to join me, but your PA refused,” Mirry stated and pouted.

“My PA is here?” Drew asked deliberately, playing dumb.

“The woman in your cabin. She’s not a guest, obviously,” Mirry sneered. “She should have known who I was and accepted on your behalf. But there’s no need for her mistake to stop us eating together.”

“That woman is my guest and not an employee. If she said we’re busy, then we are. I must decline, as you can see, I already have a guest. It would be rude to rescind my own invitation to Marie,” Drew replied calmly. He was getting irritated with Mirry. What a self-important fool!

“You could all join me for lunch,” Mirry pressed, eyeing Marie like a rival.

“Dear girl, I have very little free time, and I wish to spend it with my friends. Not at a stranger’s table. Do excuse us,” Marie said and yanked on Drew’s arm. As Drew walked away, he stared straight ahead.

Mirry’s, “Well, I never! How damn rude!” floated back clearly.

Drew held his chuckles in until they got inside the cabin before laughing hard.

“Seriously, who does she think she is?” Marie demanded.

“A spoiled brat. I don’t watch reality TV, but her tantrum and pampered rich-bitch attitude are well known. That was hysterical,” Charlie announced through his own laughter.

“Hello, I’m Marie, an old friend of Drew’s,” Marie said, turning to Shelley, who appeared puzzled. Drew checked on Shelley and noted that she looked fine, albeit amused.

“She sent that poor girl over here to ask us to lunch. And then threw a tantrum when I refused. That was the right thing to do?” Shelley asked.

Drew hurried to reassure her. “Yes. Why on earth would we want to dine with that creature? Could you imagine it? It would be an hour of fending off unwelcome advances, sprinkled with anecdotes about her and listening to her drone on.”

“Wow, say it as you think it,” Charlie teased and laughed.

Jon knocked on the door to announce lunch had arrived, and Charlie brought it in while Drew got plates.

He’d ordered food that he knew Shelley liked.

Drew had questioned Charlie extensively last night to ensure that Shelley would be happy.

The look of delight in her eyes warmed him as she spotted the meal.

“These are all my favourites! How did you know?” she exclaimed.

Warmth spread throughout Drew’s body as he ignored Marie’s knowing stare.

“Oh, he questioned me for hours,” Charlie complained.

“Doubt that,” Shelley retorted, and Charlie put a hand over his heart.

“You wound me,” Charlie whined, and Shelley rolled her eyes.

She smiled prettily at Drew, and he felt a funny sensation inside. Drew didn’t quite know what that emotion was.

“You’re welcome. Shelley, it’s been tough for you being unable to ski. I thought we’d make it up to you in other ways,” Drew replied.

He didn’t flinch under the knowing stares from Charlie and Marie. Shelley, however, seemed oblivious as she helped herself to sandwiches.

“Indeed,” Marie muttered. She turned to Shelley and smiled, and Drew felt a pang. He knew that smile of Marie’s very well.

“Tell me about yourself, Shelley. I want to know everything,” Marie said.

“Oh, there’s not much to tell. I’m sure you’ve lived a far more exciting life,” Shelley demurred.

“You know who I am?” Marie asked, shocked.

“Yes. My entire family are fans of your work. I’m surprised Charlie isn’t fangirling you right now,” Shelley teased her brother.

A flush hit Charlie’s cheeks, and Drew noted how happy Shelley appeared in that moment. He enjoyed seeing Shelley relaxed. The resort and his chalet had been the best idea he’d had for a while.

“Thank you; it’s nice to hear people appreciate my efforts,” Marie replied. “Drew said you work at a coffee shop? How do you not throw coffee over some of those rude idiots?”

Shelley laughed and settled in to tell some stories.

Despite Marie being here to warn him, Drew felt himself relax as lunch progressed.

Shelley didn’t feel awkward and actually bloomed under Marie’s attention.

Charlie exchanged several knowing looks with Marie.

Drew ignored them while Shelley was oblivious to them.

It was an enjoyable affair all round, Drew thought to himself.

He wondered how long Marie planned to stay, but he’d find out later.

For now, he just wanted to watch Shelley and enjoy the company he was surrounded by.

◆◆◆

It was past midnight, and he knew Charlie and Shelley had retired two hours ago.

He’d shifted in his room and slipped out of his window.

He was now outside Shelley’s, having covered up his footprints.

It was snowing, and that would help hide any tracks he might have missed.

He knocked on Shelley’s window and waited.

After a few minutes, he tapped again and heard movement inside.

Marie had spoken to Drew privately and informed him exactly what Shelley had been up to.

As much as Drew had wanted to claim surprise, he couldn’t.

He was already figuring out that Shelley was stubborn as hell and tenacious.

Marie had told him to scare Shelley witless, but Drew couldn’t do that to her. She’d suffered enough fear recently.

The curtains moved, and he caught her peeking out. Shelley’s eyes widened, and she pulled them aside and opened the window.

“You’re here. You got my message!” she whispered excitedly.

“I warned you to stop. Why won’t you?” Ghoul hissed.

“Because I’m not afraid of you and I don’t believe the legends around you. I want to know more and be your friend,” Shelley replied.

Be Ghoul’s friend? Ghoul shook his head in disbelief. Was this human for real?