"I want to go home," I said again, smiling sweetly at Xander. He let out a deep breath, laying his napkin beside his plate. "I'm sorry, but that's not possible. But when you're ready, we'd like for you to join us in our shared bedroom.""I can't believe you just said that." I let out a deep breath, shaking my head. "If you'll excuse me," I said, rising from my seat.Both Elias and Xander stood."I'm sorry you're unhappy." Elias took my hand and looked into my eyes. "We will take you home when this is over if you so choose. But not before."I headed across the stage and down the stairs when Cruz took my hand to help me down. Then he and another man followed me. Bodyguards, I'm sure."Kalyssa," he said once we were in the hallway, but I just kept walking. "Just calm down."I stopped, nearly causing both Cruz and the other guard to run into me. "Calm down? You want me to calm down? I'm being held here against my will and you want me to calm down?""Ssshhh...." Cruz let out a deep breath,
As Cruz and I approached Xander's bedroom door, I knew I was right. He was going to turn me in. "Traitor," I mumbled to Cruz under my breath."Oh, calling me names isn't going to help." He smirked, letting go of my arm just long enough to knock on Xander's door."I didn't call you a name," I sulked."Yes, you did.""No, I didn't.""Child."I scoffed, shaking my head, trying to think of a good comeback just when Xander opened the door of his suite.He looked first at me and then at Cruz. Without saying a word, he gently slid my duffle bag from Cruz's shoulder and opened the door wide. I gave Cruz a look over my shoulder that had traitor written all over it, and then walked in. But I knew that in his mind, he was just trying to keep me safe. And if I had to admit it, I guessed that Xander and Elias were just trying to keep me safe, too. But my freedom was something I cherished above all else and hard to give up for anyone… even for a little while.Standing just inside the door, I took
When we were spent, I lay in Xander's arms, thinking about choices. "Where is Elias, by the way?""He had to go to the hospital." His eyes were closed as he leaned over and kissed the top of my head. "There was an emergency with one of his patients."I nodded. "I wish there were something I could do, work-wise. I've been working practically since I could remember."He raised up on the bed and opened his eyes. "Even in college?"I nodded. "I worked my way through college." I settled back against his arm. "So the thought of not working at all kind of terrifies me."Xander turned me over and looked into my eyes. "Then why don't you take over the clinic?""Seriously?" I asked, sitting up. "But I'm not a doctor."He shrugged. "You're a veterinarian."I laughed, plopping back down onto the pillow. "Xander, there's a big difference between being a veterinarian and a doctor."He shrugged, tracing his fingers lazily over my skin. "If you have any questions, you can always ask Elias. Either that
XanderAfter Kalyssa left, I quickly finished my shower, wanting to speak with Elias when he came in. If this was going to work, then we all needed to be on the same page.I wrapped a towel around my waist and then headed into my huge walk-in closet. Accent lights immediately popped on. I slipped into a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, and then slipped on a pair of black boots. After closing the door, the lights turned off immediately. Although mine and Elias' closets weren't as big as Kalyssa's, they were still big enough to suit our needs. I headed back into the bathroom, grabbed the brush off the counter, and ran it through my shoulder length, light brown hair. I needed a haircut but liked it a bit on the longer side. Then I headed into the kitchenette to the right, poured myself a drink, and texted Elias."When you get home, we need to talk," I texted him."Is everything okay?" he texted right back. Even though it was a text, I could still feel the urgency. "Yes, everything's
KalyssaUnable to wait, I woke early the following day, eager to explore my new sanctuary. I quickly showered and dressed and then headed down to the clinic, eager to organize everything and get ready, just in case.I took the elevator, and the doors opened on the bottom floor a moment later. Although I knew veterinary work inside and out, working on humans was quite another matter. But Xander was right. If I got stumped, I could always ask Elias, and eventually, I could go to Medical school. Working with shifters, it would help to know both physiologies.I had been opposed to going back to college at first, but the more I thought about it, the better it sounded. Maybe when things settled down, I could go back to medical school. Maybe.A thrill ran through my chest as I opened the frosted doors of the clinic and looked around. It was clear that no one had worked here regularly for a while. It was obvious that the clinic had been used for emergencies only. But once I started working on
As I put everything away, I thought the interaction with Deven had been strange, but I didn't think much about it. I wasn't used to dealing with shifters, after all. But if I was going to stay, then I'd better learn fast. And after my conversation with Xander and now working in the clinic, I didn't think I was going anywhere. The clinic would provide me the outlet that I so desperately needed. There was no way that I could ever just sit around my condo and not do anything. I'd go stir crazy. I worked in the clinic for the rest of the day, making sure everything was in its place. As I worked, I couldn't help but think of Macy and Maria. I missed Maria's quick wit and Macy, too. I just wished things could be different. Which made me even more determined to find those responsible for their deaths, even if it took the rest of my life. And if Nightshade wasn't the ones responsible, then I was going to find out who was.After I'd put everything away and the clinic was in order, I ripped o
"So, a man came into the clinic today," I said, matter of fact. "Maybe you know him.""Oh really? Who?" Adriana asked, clearly excited at the prospect of getting another juicy tidbit."His name was Deven Craig. Do you know him?" I asked, finishing off the rest of my hamburger.They all looked at each other, creases between their eyes, and then back at me. "Never heard of him.""That's strange," I replied. "He said that he broke his arm during practice today." According to doctor-patient confidentiality, I wasn't supposed to divulge any information about my patients. But in this case, I made an exception. Adriana's head snapped up toward Shannon. "Did you hear anything?"Shannon shook her head. "No, not at all." Then she shrugged. "But there's a lot that Ryan doesn't tell me." A broad smile spread across her face. "Ryan is my boyfriend, and we just got engaged! See?" Before I could answer, she held up her hand, brandishing an enormous, sparkly bauble. A diamond so big I was surprised
When everything was put away, I hurried out the door and into the elevator. Although it was probably nothing, I didn't want to take any chances of Deven not being a member of the Diamond Pack. Now, I wondered if that was even his name.I checked my watch as soon as I stepped off the elevator—seven o'clock—wondering where Elias and Xander were.Somehow, I knew they wouldn't be in the shared room, and I didn't want to start going from door to door, so I headed to my suite. "Where are you?" I texted them both in a group chat."I'm in my room." Xander was the first to reply. "Where are you?""In my room," I texted back. "Elias?""Headed to your room now," he answered. "Xander, meet us there. We need to talk."I rolled my eyes. I had no idea what that was all about, but I could only imagine. But whatever it was could wait as thoughts of Deven Craig ran through my mind. A moment later, the door unlocked, and Xander walked in. "What's wrong?""It's probably nothing, but let's wait for Elias