Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Barrett

The woman rushing toward us looks nothing like the one in my arms. Where Cedara is painted in hues of cream and gold, her mother is dark-haired with vivid green eyes. But there's a similarity in the firm slant of her jaw and the high slope of her cheekbones.

"Cedara!" She hesitates as she takes me in. Reluctantly, I uncurl my arms from around her. Cedara turns to face her mother. I feel her shudder.

"Mom!" She flings herself into the older woman's arms. "Mom, I was so worried about you!"

I feel like an intruder as I watch Cedara cling to her mother, their bodies shaking with sobs. Tears stream down both their faces as they murmur hushed words of love.

"Worried about me? Oh, Cedara, my baby, I thought I'd never see you again." She strokes Cedara's hair, holding her tight.

Cedara pulls back slightly, cupping her mother's face. "I was so scared for you. I tried to get to you, but…" Her voice cracks and she buries her face in her shoulder again.

I shift uncomfortably, about to give them privacy, when Cedara's hand shoots out and grips my arm. She looks up at me with those warm chocolate eyes. "No, don't go." She looks back at her mother. "Mom, this is Barrett Chord. He saved me."

Sybil's gaze finds mine, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me." She reaches out and grasps my hand firmly.

I shake my head, heat rising to my face. "I…it was nothing, ma'am. I'm just glad she's safe."

"Oh…you must call me Sybil. Please!" Her eyes are earnest.

Cedara squeezes my arm. "It wasn't nothing. He risked everything for me. If it wasn't for Barrett, I'd still be trapped. Probably worse."

Her mother pulls me into a fierce hug before I can protest further. "You're a good man, Barrett Chord. Our family owes you a debt we can never repay."

Feeling awkward, I nod silently, still feeling like an outsider. The feeling intensifies as Sybil takes her daughter's hand and starts leading her to the door.

"The others are so excited to see you!" Her voice is animated.

"Wait," I say impulsively before they can leave. I shrug out of my jacket and drape it over Cedara's shoulders. She rewards me with a smile that melts my heart, but it's a fleeting moment. She's already being navigated out of the examination room and into the small adjoining reception area.

Jagger is the first to meet us. "Good to see you back, Cedara." His previously impatient mood has dissipated. He glances at where she's clutching my jacket around herself. "We've brought you a change of clothes. And then there are a few people here who are eager to see you."

Dr. Bea steps forward with a small bundle of clothing, and before I know it, Cedara's out of sight. When she reappears, she's traded my jacket for a T-shirt and jeans. They hang from her slight frame, making her seem waiflike. I hadn't noticed how petite she is. I want to pull her back against my chest and shield her.

I can't.

It's not my place. Just because I feel some irresistible pull to her, doesn't mean the feeling is mutual. I may have thought that it was while we were out there in the woods. But things are different now.

I hang back as more of Cedara's family arrives, not wanting to intrude on their emotional reunion. An older couple approaches, the woman's green eyes shining with tears as she wraps Cedara in a fierce hug. She's a carbon copy of Sybil. Twins. I remember now that the females in the Wildview pack always birth twins. They must be sisters.

"My sweet girl, we were so worried," the woman murmurs, cupping Cedara's face.

Cedara smiles tremulously. "Aunt Juliette, Uncle Allard, I'm okay."

The man, Allard, pulls Cedara close, his eyes finding mine over her head. He nods at me, a silent acknowledgment and thanks. I nod back, feeling increasingly uncomfortable amidst this loving family.

Jagger appears at my side. "I've arranged an apartment for Sybil and Cedara to stay in while Cedara gets settled," he says.

I blink at him, caught off guard for a moment before the implication of his words sinks in. Of course she'll want to be with her family right now after everything she's been through. I'm just the outsider who stumbled into her life by chance.

I clear my throat. "Right, of course. That's…probably for the best."

Jagger eyes me shrewdly for a moment before turning away to speak to one of his men. I watch as Cedara is ushered away by her aunt and uncle, her mother's arm looped through hers. She glances back over her shoulder at me, her eyes finding mine across the small distance. Something wordless passes between us before she's pulled along, disappearing out of the clinic.

Letting out a slow breath, I push a hand through my hair, telling myself this is how it should be. She's home with her people now; she doesn't need the complication of me hanging around. Still, a hollow ache settles in me as I turn away, preparing myself to give her the space she needs.

???

Cedara

I'm overwhelmed by the love and joy radiating from my family as we walk through the quaint streets of Steel Lakes. Their excited chatter fills the air, and I can't help but smile at the happiness in their voices.

"Thank the heavens Edirn was there," Aunt Julie says, squeezing my hand as she tells me about their escape. "I'd begun to fear the worst."

"That boy is tough as nails," Uncle Allard adds with a chuckle. "Held his own until Casey showed up and turned the tide."

"A real warrior woman, that one is." My aunt looks tremendously impressed as she glances at the tall redhead who is striding ahead of us. I'm not quite sure where we're going, but Casey appears to be in charge of getting us there.

"Just like our little warrior," Mom coos, ruffling my hair. "Bravely waiting in the woods for us."

I nod, realizing their daring escape is what drew the police presence Barrett and I had to evade. A pang of guilt hits me as I think of him, the expression on his face as I walked out, reunited with my loved ones.

"I'm just glad it all worked out in the end." Uncle Allard beams at me. "But I'm not gonna lie: I enjoyed every minute I spent ripping those filthy bastards up."

I give a small shudder but manage a tight smile. We've paused in front of a building.

Casey jerks her head toward it. "So…these are your digs."

I stare up at the three-story block. It's old but well-tended, red-brick framed by freshly painted trim. We follow her as she strides down the front path to a neat entrance, then up the stairs to the second floor. She stops at a bright blue door and unlocks it.

"Voila," she says drily. "Make yourselves at home." She sweeps an arm. "Jagger will be round to make sure you're comfortable."

I stare around. It's not anything like the modern human cities I've heard about, but it is nothing like the rustic homestead I grew up in.

"It's perfect," Mom says warmly, resting a hand on Casey's shoulder. The redhead glances down at it, then smiles back. I don't think she's used to physical gestures, but it seems that my mother gets special privileges.

The others shuffle in behind us, looking around and making appropriate sounds of appreciation. I'm still struggling to come to terms with the new turn my life has taken.

It feels like too much.

"Well, I'll leave you to it," Casey says briskly. She snaps off a mock salute and heads for the door, leaving without a backward glance. I turn to where my mother is smiling at me.

"Isn't it wonderful, baby?" She loops a hand through my arm and leads me further inside. The living room is inviting, with plush couches and soft carpets.

"I found tea in here!" my aunt calls out from the kitchen. My uncle, who's peering out of one of the tall windows, makes an approving sound.

"I could use a cup," he calls back, disappearing into the small room to join her. I watch him in bemusement, trying to take it all in.

"Come. Sit," my mother tells me. I comply silently. Yet, as I sink into the cushions, surrounded by my cherished family, a part of me aches for Barrett's comforting presence.

"You must be exhausted, baby." Mom brushes a stray curl from my forehead. "Are we tiring you?"

"I'm okay. I'm sure you're tired too, Mom." My smile is wan, though.

"Actually, I've had the best rest here in longer than I can remember." She smiles back. "Plus, we've been back a couple of days already. You've just arrived."

A couple of days.

More time that's passed me by.

At least it's not the months that I lost after we were taken. My mother and the others lost those, too. I guess it's a topic to be discussed another day.

God, I'm exhausted.

I sink deeper into the cozy couch, trying to soak in the joy and warmth radiating from my reunited family. It's almost overwhelming after so much time spent alone and afraid. And still, a tiny part of me aches for Barrett's solid presence, though I can't fathom why. He's a stranger, and these are my loved ones. I should be nothing but grateful.

"Hello, hello! We're coming in, ready or not!" The peaceful moment is shattered by a raucous knock on the door. Before any of us can react, it swings open, and my twin cousins, Sierra and Savannah, come barreling through. Savannah is cradling two bundles in her arms – babies, I realize with a jolt.

"Oh my gosh, you're really here!" Sierra cries out, her voice thick with emotion as she rushes over and sweeps me into a fierce embrace. Her arms wrap tightly around me, squeezing me hard enough to knock the breath from me. "We were so worried!"

The familiar scent of my cousin envelops me, unleashing a flood of cherished memories from our childhood. A profound relief warms me, knowing that a piece of my family has been restored after so much fear and uncertainty.

Sierra doesn't get a chance to monopolize my time, though, because Savannah is elbowing her way into a spot beside me on the couch.

"Look, look!" She's beaming from ear to ear as she holds out the swaddled infants. "Meet your nieces!"

I stare at the tiny faces peeking out from the blankets, their eyes blinking up at me with innocent wonder. A lump rises in my throat as I reach out to gently stroke one velvety cheek.

So much time has passed…so much time…

I swallow hard.

"They're beautiful," I murmur, my voice catching. Kneeling in front of me, Sierra lets out a watery laugh and pulls me close again.

"We're just so happy you're safe," she whispers. "We won't let anything like that ever happen again."

I'm about to reply, but there's another burst of voices. The apartment is suddenly a flurry of motion and noise as the rest of their siblings burst in – Rafe, Kira, Elara, and Torin. There are shrieks of delight and a tangle of arms as they swarm us, all talking over each other in their eagerness.

"Did you really escape from the bad wolves?"

"Were you scared?"

"I bet you kicked their butts!"

I can't help but laugh at their enthusiasm, exchanging hugs and ruffling their hair affectionately. My aunt and uncle look on with shining eyes, exchanging tender looks with my mother. They're clearly overjoyed to have us all together again. For a few blessed moments, the trauma of the last months fade away in the face of this unbridled happiness.

But then, it all comes crashing down.

I start to panic.

I stare at the flurry of gangly teenage arms and legs, the smiling faces surrounding me, the love and joy radiating from every corner of the room. It should be everything I've longed for these past months. The warmth and safety of family, the security of being enveloped by their affection after so much fear and uncertainty.

But instead of contentment, a sense of discomfort begins creeping up my spine.

Keep it together, dammit!

I try to keep smiling, not wanting anyone to think that I'm not happy to see them all, but the walls seem to be closing in around me. The air grows thick and stifling, each cheerful voice grating on my nerves. My heart hammers against my ribs as sweat beads on my brow.

What's wrong with me? I should be happy…relieved…at peace…

Savannah is still chattering animatedly, but her words are muffled as if she's speaking from the opposite end of a long tunnel. One of the babies lets out a sharp wail. Rafe is bouncing on the balls of his feet in front of me, eyes sparkling with excitement as he babbles a mile a minute. I can't make out what he's saying. Can't focus on anything except the crushing sense of claustrophobia rapidly tightening its merciless grip.

I can't breathe…need air…have to get out of here…

Stumbling to my feet, I push blindly past the startled faces.

"Cedara? Are you okay, baby?" It's my mom, but I barely register their alarmed voices calling out to me. My only thought is escape as I lurch down the hallway, fumbling at the first door I come across. It opens with a creak of protest, and I stagger inside, slamming it shut behind me and twisting the lock with trembling hands.

Oh, God. Oh, God!

Gasping, I sink back against the solid wood, chest heaving as I gulp in deep, shuddering breaths. Slowly, the roaring in my ears fades, and I become aware of my surroundings.

It's a bedroom – small but cozy with a downy-looking mattress and soft lamplight casting a warm glow over the crisp white decor. There's a full-length mirror mounted on the wall beside the bed. I freeze as movement in the glass catches my eye.

The figure staring back at me is all too familiar, yet utterly alien. Slitted eyes gleam from beneath a heavy brow, fangs protruding over a snarling muzzle. Coarse golden fur ripples over powerfully muscled limbs, claws gouging deep furrows into the hardwood floor with each agitated twitch.

No…no, no, no! Not again! I can't let this happen…

"Mom!" I scream, my voice already deepening into an inhuman growl. "Mom, help! Get Barrett! Please…hurry!"

The doorknob rattles violently as she frantically tries to force her way in. "Barrett? Cedara, what are you talking about? Baby, what's wrong? Open the door!"

I clamp my hands over my elongating muzzle, clenching my eyes shut as wave after wave of fiery agony lances through me. Bones grind and shift, skin stretching taut as wiry muscle and sinew force their way outward.

Why is it hurting?

It never used to hurt. These shifts aren't natural.

"Please…" I beg through gritted teeth, the word barely intelligible. "Get…Bar…rett…"

I'm slipping away, thoughts growing disjointed. My mother's frantic cries are lost in the roaring in my ears.