“You’re it,” I whisper suddenly, and tap his shoulder. Before he can move, I hop up and start running, laughing as I hurry into the woods. I’ve gotten to know my way around pretty well since I moved into Grandma’s old cabin. When she invited me to spend a few days with her here, I wanted to.
I thought we could both use the break.
I was so caught up with work and trying to get ahead that I wasn’t slowing down to just enjoy life. She knew that, though. She could tell. There was a part of her that was still looking out for me even when I was struggling to make it through.
While I don’t admit it to myself, my job was sucking my soul away one day at a time. I was good at it, for sure, but did I love it?
Not really.
Now that I’m running freely through the forest, hopping over twigs and dodging bushes and listening to tiny animals scamper away, I finally feel free.
And when Nash catches me and pushes me against a tree to kiss me hard, I realize there’s really nowhere I’d rather be.
17.
Nash
Scarlett makes me question everything. Is that what love is? I don’t want to even start thinking about that word, but knowing I might die trying to save her doesn’t bother me. I’ve only known her a short time and already, I would do anything for her.
Anything.
Elise used to tell me that when I met the right girl, I’d know. She used to say that all my flings, all my one-night-adventures, all my youthful indiscretions would be pointless when I met “her.”
I never believed her.
And then Scarlett, my darling Red, walked into my life.
She’s wearing her cloak with her hair down over her shoulders as we walk to the meeting place. It’s time to finalize our plans. It’s time to make sure this thing is going to work.
I knew I would try to fight Jeffrey one day, but I didn’t realize that day would come so soon or mean so much. I’m the only one who can take him, but I can’t do it alone. My pack needs me and I need them now more than ever.
There will always be those wolves who don’t want to take sides, who don’t want to choose between the Alpha and the new guy, but I’ll win them over eventually.
Tonight, though, all I want to do is figure out how I can take him out quickly without losing Red.
“When we get there, don’t talk,” I warn her. “My guys are going to be nervous enough without trying to figure out what to tell you.”
“Okay,” she whispers, and I squeeze her hand in what I hope is a reassuring gesture.
“Don’t be nervous,” I tell her. “You’re going to be fine. We’re just getting together to finalize plans. There’s nothing you need to worry about. Not yet.”
“I’m not,” she says. “I know you’ll take care of me.”
My heart soars when I get her vote of confidence. I’m starting to fall hard for Scarlett and part of me hopes she’ll decide to stay if I can actually beat Jeffrey. I don’t want to get my hopes up when it comes to this fight because I know it won’t be easy.
But if I do it?
If I win?
I want her by my side.
We settle in by a small group of trees near a creek.
“Where are they?” She whispers, but I press my lips to hers to silence them. They’ll be here They have to. They let me down last month, but I know these guys and I bet they have a damn good reason for sticking close to the pack. What trouble is Jeffrey up to? What has he done now? I hold my girl and I wait, quietly, for my friends to arrive.
Soon we hear a rustle and I know they’ve shifted. We never would have heard them in wolf form. Red is the only one dressed as we peer across the little creek at the two men who are standing on the bank.
Ryder and Thorn have shown up as promised.