Cuts and Call Bells

Chapter Four

Taydyn POV

I step back out of the bathroom, every nerve ending on fire.

I know she’s still here.

Not because I can see her — she’s gone from the front desk — but because the scent doesn’t lie. Sea salt, amber, vanilla. Calm, warm, hers.

Zey is already pacing in my mind like a caged wolf.

“Where is she? Where is she?”

I know, I know, I hiss back internally, trying to force my own heartbeat to behave. Trying to appear… normal.

Impossible. Every sense is screaming in opposite directions. Sight says she’s gone. Smell says she’s right here. Sound says the hum of empty treadmills is safe. Zey says she’s mine.

I head toward the free weights. A large mirror runs the length of the wall, reflecting the deserted gym. I can see the front desk in it. Empty. Of course.

I spot a small call bell, the kind you press to summon someone if the desk is unattended. Too obvious, I think. What would I even ask? Would she know I’m… No, no, I can’t think about that. I just need to act human.

I glance down at my hand and nearly freeze. Blood.

Not fresh, mostly healed from the mirror punch, but enough to make it look far worse than it is. Panic claws at my chest.

Then — idea.

First aid kit. Ask for a first aid kit. Innocuous. Normal.

Before my brain fully catches up, my feet are moving. I press the bell with a deliberate ding. My pulse is hammering in my ears, adrenaline making me shake.

Seconds tick by.

Then the short guy from earlier — the one I now know as Nate — appears, casual as if he hadn’t just watched a human-sized man implode in the bathroom five minutes ago.

“Hey muscles!” he says, grinning. “My mirror still okay?”

I feel Zey groan internally, disappointed that the wolf’s ‘mate recognition moment’ got interrupted. I roll my eyes at the mental commentary but decide to commit.

I hold out my hand like a normal human and say, “Uh… do you guys happen to have a first aid kit?”

Nate tilts his head, amused, and gestures toward the supply closet. “Yep, come with me. Got everything you need.”

I follow, still scanning the room, scanning the gym, scanning everything for her.

As he rummages through the cabinet, I try — poorly — to make small talk.

“Uh… I’m Taydyn,” I say, keeping my tone casual.

Inside my head, Zey immediately pipes up.

“SHUT UP! Say it like a wolf! Introduce yourself properly! She needs to—”

Zey, no. Not now.

Nate finally pulls out a small box. “Here you go. Bandages, antiseptic… all the fun stuff.”

I nod, fumbling slightly. “Thanks… uh… Nate?”

He shrugs. “Yeah. That’s me. Local protein dealer and gym janitorial hero.”

We end up in a goofy little back-and-forth about free weights, gym weirdos, protein powder habits, and who actually uses the elliptical. I laugh quietly, keeping it light. Trying to be normal.

All the while, my senses are on high alert, still hunting for her.

“So… you work night shift alone?” I ask casually, hoping it doesn’t sound too intense.

Nate smirks. “Nah. My little gremlin sidekick’s here more than I am. She’s on lunch right now. Bit odd, but alright. Mostly. A walking accident, though — you might want to give her a wide berth.”

Zey growls low in my mind. Another male near my mate?

I exhale slowly. Relax. She’s safe. Nate seems solid. Protective. Good. Logic says it’s fine.

The conversation naturally peters out as we finish cleaning up my hand. Careful not to ever show him it’s already healed at this point. I nod my thanks and step back toward the free weights, careful not to glance back at the front desk.

I can still smell her.

And I will wait.

Forever if I have to.