Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

KIARA

Stretching my legs wasn't the only reason I needed a shift. After last night, my need to protect Cal only got worse. I couldn't check the entire property for signs of Jasper. Aiden owned this mountain and several along the ridge, but I searched around the general area for anything that might be considered unusual.

I was on my way back when I ran into Runa and Talia. They were sitting in front of Runa's cottage, talking low. I stalked closer, listening in. After everything Talia revealed the night prior, I didn't fully trust her to be honest with me. Her idea of protecting me only drew out her suffering.

"... I want to get better so he'll come back, but I'm not sure how," Talia murmured with a frown.

Runa nodded, resting a hand on top of Talia's to stop her nervous fidgeting. "A goal is a good start. But you're going to have to start pushing yourself if you want him back quickly. Your teddy bear was willing to go slow with you. But the longer you leave him alone, the more you're hurting the both of you."

Talia whimpered, dropping her chin to her chest. I tipped my head and if I was a human, I'd frown. I never asked what happened to Teddy. Talia met me alone last night. I just figured he was in their apartment with Leo.

Runa's gaze flicked to me, and she raised her eyebrows. There weren't many people who could notice me when I didn't want to be noticed, but Runa knew things. She never would tell me how. She just said off the wall things that she shouldn't know and expected everyone to accept it.

"Your sister should be able to help you. She won't be afraid to push you."

Talia grimaced, shaking her head. "I can't ask her to do that. She's already angry with me. I… I lied to her. I kept what was happening a secret. I didn't want her to come back for me and get captured. She didn't belong in that pride."

Shifting back, I pushed to my feet, crossing my arms against the wind. It was getting chillier. Fur was definitely warmer.

"Neither did you. I knew you were scared, but making yourself suffer to keep other people happy is messed up, Tee."

Talia's head whipped around and she looked guilty when she locked eyes with me. I didn't mind her talking about it with Runa. She needed to talk about it with someone. What I didn't like was that she still believed her suffering was worth it. I should've gone back for her the minute I noticed she hadn't followed us.

Runa tipped her head thoughtfully. "Two sisters, determined to protect each other, but only causing pain instead. When will the two of you realize you do best when you're working together? It's what your mother wanted."

An ache tugged at my chest at the mention of our mother. She died just before we escaped. She was older than a lot of females, and bone tired. She probably shouldn't have had kids so late in age. It took all her energy to keep up with us and she relied heavily on the pride to take care of us when it was just too much for her. She wasn't a terrible woman, she loved us, but I didn't get along with her most of the time. She accepted the way things were after a lifetime in the pride. I refused to bow down to tradition. We butted heads a lot. I regretted later not trying to have a relationship with her. She and Talia were closer.

Talia frowned down at her hands. She looked sad and worried, and I could feel the heartache coming off her, even from a distance. That wasn't because of our mother. That wound was old and didn't sting as much anymore. That heartache was about something new.

"What happened to Teddy, Talia?"

A forlorn sound escaped her and her shoulders went up. "He left. I… I tried to get a job, to show him I was getting better. It pushed Leo too far, and he got mad and I just… I shut down. Teddy blamed himself and once he was sure we were safe, he left."

Her voice caught and tears spilled down her cheeks. She obviously cared about him. When they were together, I was surprised at how such an enormous guy could be so gentle. He was good for her. Kind and patient, and way better with her recovery than I was. I thought leaving her here with him would've worked out better.

"Keep going," Runa urged. "Tell her what you told me."

Sucking in a shaky breath, Talia looked up at me. "I want him back. He… He's important. It feels like a piece of me is missing. Runa says I have to go get him for him to believe me, but–"

I made a disgruntled sound, turning to glare at Runa. She glared back, her eyes narrowed.

"Don't tell her she can't do it before she's even tried. She wants to try. She's stronger than she looks. But she needs a push. She has a goal. Now she needs to work for it. And she can't do it alone."

The idea of Talia going to wherever Teddy was on her own bothered me, but I couldn't go with her. I needed to figure out what to do about Jasper. Talia's life wasn't on the line. Cal's was.

"What can I do to help?"

"I-I-" Talia grimaced around the stutter, shooting a pleading look to Runa, who shook her head.

"You need to be the one to ask, or she's going to keep thinking you're afraid of her."

Talia looked surprised, jerking to face me, and I shot a bland look at Runa. "Could've kept that one to yourself, you know."

Runa shrugged, pushing to her feet. "If you wanted someone to pussyfoot around the issue, then coming to me was the wrong plan. Help each other. And find some way to entertain your mate. He'll go stir crazy if he's just sitting around all day."

I made a face, but didn't bother reminding her that Cal wasn't my mate. Not yet, anyway. My lioness liked it whenever someone called him that, but I wasn't there yet. I'd focus on that issue after I figured out what to do about Jasper.

Runa disappeared into her cottage, leaving me and Talia alone. She looked nervous, twisting her fingers, and her voice was barely above a whisper when she asked, "Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

"What do you expect me to think? You look terrified whenever you talk to me."

She dropped her gaze to the ground, her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'm sorry. It's not about you. I'm afraid of pretty much everything now. But… I'm trying to get better. I need to get better. For Teddy and for Leo."

Sitting beside her, I put my hand on hers, waiting until she looked up at me. "And for you. You deserve to feel better. Whatever I can do to help, just ask. I've got stuff to take care of with Cal, but you're still a priority. I'll do what I can."

Flipping her hand over, she squeezed mine, and a small smile flitted across her face. When she rested her head against my shoulder, I closed my eyes for a second and leaned against her. I missed her whenever we were apart. We were inseparable as kids. I understood what she was saying about Teddy. When we were separated, it felt like a piece of me was missing too.

"What can I do to help?" I prompted again, nudging her with my elbow.

She sat up, drawing in a breath and letting it out slowly. "I… I don't know where he went. You're the best tracker I know. Can you help me find him?"

Raising my eyebrows, I gave her a bland look. "Are you giving me the easiest job on purpose?"

She huffed out a small laugh, shaking her head. "No. You're the best. I don't even know what city he lives in. It won't be easy…"

"There isn't anyone I can't find, Tee, I promise you that. I'll find your mate. Now give me something harder to do."

When I came back, Cal was exactly where he promised he'd be. He sat with most of the residents of Aiden's compound in the kitchen, talking animatedly. At least until he noticed me. Shifters weren't weird about nudity, not with how often we had to get undressed in front of each other to shift. But Cal wasn't used to it, and the heated look he gave me made me grin. I bypassed the kitchen to get dressed and wasn't at all surprised to hear him following me.

He followed me straight into the bathroom and had his clothes off before the shower could get warmed to a decent temperature.

"Eager, aren't you?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, not at all embarrassed by his behavior. "I haven't properly worshiped you this morning."

My lioness let out a purr, and I had to agree with her. I kind of liked the idolization from him. And it wasn't a hardship to spend time with him. When I dragged him into the shower, he was already hard, but ignored it in favor of getting his fill of looking at me.

"Get on your knees then, handsome."

He groaned, sinking to his knees without complaint, and his cock twitched at my direct order. Oh… This was going to be so much fun.