“It might sound crazy, but when I was lying in the snow, I heard a voice.”
“In your head kind of voice?”
“No, a real voice. This person rolled me onto my side. Surprisingly, I wasn’t in pain. I think I was too cold.” He glanced to the side. “She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.”
“Sounds like wishful thinking to me,” Tawny said.
“I thought that, too, but I sort of remember her telling me that I needed to find shelter.”
That made sense. “So you mustered your remaining energy and found the cave.” She stilled. “I don’t know if Alex or Liam mentioned it, but there were branches on the outside of the cave entrance. I was curious how you could have done that.”
“I couldn’t have, and I don’t think the people who shot me would have tried to hide me. Unless they never wanted anyone to find my body.”
“If that’s the case, why carve our symbol on your back?”
Zach blew out a breath. “I have no idea, but it’s not like a woman could have carried me all that way.”
“She might have been able to if she was a shifter and a firefighter to boot. Even women learn how to carry people, you know. Though it’s possible, she had help.”
He shook his head. “My dream only had her in it.”
“Whether it was a dream or reality, this woman sounds special. If she was real, why didn’t she call for help?” Tawny asked.
He shrugged. “Knowing I was a werewolf, she might have assumed I’d heal.”
“Considering your extensive wounds, anyone with any common sense would have called for help, if she could that is.” Tawny blew out a long breath. “It’s possible she didn’t know who to call. The mystery woman could have been on vacation. Did you sense if she was part werewolf?”
“I don’t think I was conscious enough to tell much of anything. I’m not even sure I didn’t imagine the whole thing.”
Tawny looked at the clock on the wall. “Good luck with your fantasy woman. I have to head out. I’ll text when I get to the center so you know I wasn’t targeted,” she said.
“I appreciate it.”
Even though she believed these vigilantes were after the males of the Granger family, she kept an eye on her rear and side view mirrors. Thankfully, she was mostly alone on the trip to the center.
She parked in front of her building where the only other vehicle belonged to Julia. The woman was a dream employee.
After she texted Zach that she was safe, Tawny entered the center. Julia looked up from the computer and smiled. “Hey. Any news on finding Zach?”
Darn. Tawny had to remember to keep up the façade. “Actually, my dad said someone called and thought they saw someone that matched Zach’s description. It was about fifty miles north of here. Either my dad or his deputy will be driving up there today.” The made-up story just rolled off her tongue. That was kind of scary.
“That’s great news,” Julia said.
“It is.”
Tawny took off her coat and went into her office to hang it up. When she stepped inside, she shook her head. Today would be the day she became organized. But first, she wanted to check on the animals.
Ariel would be at the center in an hour to give shots to the animals who needed them and to check over many of the others. Tawny was bursting to confide in someone about Zach’s current situation and Ethan’s attack, but there weren’t many people she could talk to.
As for discussing her dilemma about picking Alex or Liam, it might not be smart to discuss the problem at the center. That talk needed to take place someplace else. If Tawny acted all starry-eyed, rumors could start that she wasn’t worried about Zach. Since her twin was supposed to be missing, she needed to pretend to be in a sad mood, not in sensual heaven.
Before Ariel arrived, both Brett and Alan reported for work. Once Brett saw that Tawny was safe, he and Alan headed to the back to clean the animal cages, feed the animals, and give them water. Tawny was thankful to have such good and reliable workers.
When Ariel eventually showed, she was carrying a cat. Tawny lifted the sweet animal from Ariel’s arms. “Where did you find him?”
“Someone brought him into the vet’s office a few days ago. His fur was matted, and I don’t think he’d eaten much in days. Dr. Fredericks checked him over. This little one is now fixed and has all of his shots. Hopefully, you can find a nice home for him.”
“We will do our best,” Tawny said.