Chapter 11

"You don't needto run from me, Everly," Shepard said with a hint of regret. "I'm worried about you. I don't want you to feel like a prisoner; I just want you to be safe. If sleeping with your door open when I'm here makes you that uncomfortable, then close it."

I could see the worry in his eyes and the sincerity. It was hard to stay mad in the face of either of them.

"I'm not running," I said. "And I do feel safe with someone sleeping on our sofa. But I agree with you that I've had a few too many run-ins lately and could use a little cuddle time. Vena doesn't mind."

Vena's door closed loudly.

I leaned out of the bathroom to frown at it.

"If she's not willing, I am," Shepard said softly.

My pulse skipped as I tipped my head to look up at him.

"Uh, I think I can manage on my own until she's in the mood," I said. "But thanks for the offer."

His eyes glinted as he nodded. "You know where to find me if you need me."

"Yep."

I watched him retreat to the living room and hurried to my room before he turned off the lights.

When I picked up my phone to scold Vena, I saw a text from Cross.

Cross: Sleeping?

Me: Not yet. Why?

Cross: I'm concerned and want to make sure you're all right after everything you witnessed this evening.

Me: I'm fine and well-guarded.

Cross: I noticed. Six wolves outside.

Me: Yeah, and Shepard inside.

Cross: Good. Then I know you'll be safe.

I snorted then froze and glanced at the open doorway. Hearing nothing, I looked back down at my phone.

Cross: Stay with Shepard and his people, and stop going places alone with Vena. Let me look for her missing wolf. I'll be in touch. Sleep well, Everly.

I smiled slightly at the message then set my phone aside and snuggled into my bed, feeling safe.

Morning lightrelentlessly battered my eyelids. I groaned and rolled over.

"What is it with men watching her sleep?" Vena asked.

I bolted upright, looked at the spot next to me then at my open door where Shepard leaned against the jamb. He sipped coffee while Vena peered around him to roll her eyes at me. In the meaningful glance she gave me then Shepard, I could read her mind.

You missed the perfect opportunity to tap that, Everly. When the boss wants to give you a bonus, you grab your ankles and take it like a big girl.

I frowned at her. "Go away. I'm hearing your lecture in my head."

"Good. You deserve it."

She left, and Shepard arched a brow at me. "Who else has been watching you sleep?"

"Cross has on a few occasions. I don't know if sleeping fascinates him or…" I shook my head, and Shepard looked down at his cup.

"Or if you fascinate him?" Shepard asked. "I think we both know the answer to that."

After Cross' confession yesterday, I did, but I didn't want to say that to Shepard. I'd been honest enough already before my cup of coffee.

"Was everything quiet last night?" I asked, getting out of bed.

"For the most part. A phone started ringing before seven. I checked both of yours. It was Vena's parents asking if she had time to go over today." He pushed off the door frame. "I'll let you get dressed."

I grabbed my phone on the way to the bathroom to see if Vena had texted me. Instead I saw a text from Cross.

Cross: I understand.

Confused, I scrolled back a bit, and my mouth dropped open.

Cross: Keep me appraise of your plans for the day once you're awake.

Me: She claims you're not like the others. If that's true, leave her to me.

Cross: She's a smart, independent woman, capable of making her own choices, even when we strongly disagree with them. Rather than try to restrain who she is, find ways to keep her safe.

Me: That's what I'm trying to do. Your kind keeps trying to kill her. My kind protects her.

Cross: I am not my kind and am uninterested in hurting Everly or controlling her will. Also, one of your guards fell asleep last night. The one in the red truck. Be more diligent, or leave so I can protect her.

Me: Over my dead body.

Cross: I understand.

They had a pissing match using my phone? I shook my head and brushed my teeth.

After I finished, I found Vena in the kitchen. She shoved a bowl of dry cereal in front of Shepard. I snatched the bowl away and put it on the counter as I foraged the cupboards and refrigerator for something better. I wasn't sure if he deserved a better breakfast than dry cereal, but I did.

"Are your parents back from their archaeology trip?" I asked as I grabbed bread, eggs, cream cheese, and jam.

She peered around me at the counter. "Are you making French Toast roll ups?"

"Yes. Now, focus. What did your parents say?"

"They're back in town and want us to come over for dinner. We can pick up Miles on the way. I already let him know that his presence is going to be required and no fairies allowed."

"Where do your parents live?" Shepard asked.

Vena frowned at him. "Far away and not near any vampire infestations. Instead of worrying about us, find Anchor."

I placed my hand on her arm. She shook it off and left the kitchen.

"I only want to make sure the area is safe," Shepard said.

"I know. And I appreciate it, but you've been crossing a few lines. One of them was having an argument with Cross on my phone."

He muttered something then targeted me with his light grey eyes. "I was making a round through the house. When I stopped in your room to check your window because of the broken screen, a text came through. I wasn't looking to be nosey. I just thought you might get backlash from last night's incident. Then I saw it was from Cross and--" He glanced away and flexed his hand. "I need to talk to Doc. I'll be back."

I watched as he escaped through the front door and knew it was going to be another long day.

Focusing on what I loved, creating delicious foods, I cracked a couple of eggs and beat the hell out of them.

Vena returned to the kitchen a few minutes later. The contrite look on her face and the apologetic smile she gave me had me shaking my head at her.

"I get it. You're worried about Anchor. Don't forget that Shepard is, too. He's worried about us all. Try to be more understanding about where he's coming from when he goes in uber protector mode."

She sighed. "Yes, Mom."

Vena managed to play nice when Shepard reappeared and joined us for breakfast. She said she"d clean up, and Shepard offered to help. Leaving them to make peace, I went to my room to get ready for the day.

Having a day off was rare. If Vena didn't talk me into some weird outing like rock climbing or hiking, I typically spent time researching recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. With our guards, I wasn't sure I was up for creative time in the kitchen. So I settled in to stream a movie on my phone.

Twice, I felt Shepard peek in on me, but each time I paused the movie and looked up, he was gone.

Hunger and boredom drove me from my room around lunch. I knocked on Vena's door.

"I'll be holding your sandwich ransom in the kitchen," I said.

The door swung open before I reached the dining room.

"I negotiate with terrorists," she said. "What do you need to make me a club sandwich with extra bacon?"

I snorted. "Bacon, tomato, and sliced turkey. You're getting a grilled cheese."

She made sad sounds. "We should go to Miles early. I bet Mom already went shopping."

Vena liked food as much as any other person, which meant she wasn't asking to go to her mom's because she was hungry. She was bored, too.

"Sure," I said, already pulling out what we needed for a "fancy" grilled cheese.

Keeping with the tenuous peace we'd established, I made three sandwiches and handed Shepard his.

Vena cleaned up again while I grabbed my phone from my bedroom.

Me: We're heading to Vena's parents.

Cross: Alone?

Me: With Miles.

Vena stood by the door, waiting for me. I grabbed my purse from the table and noticed Shepard was already outside on the front lawn.

"I wonder if they brought me back any souvenirs," Vena said as she happily left the house and headed to the car.

I prayed there were no souvenirs. Any time her parents went on their archeology digs, they brought back things that should have never been unearthed. The shrunken heads from a few years ago still horrified me.

Shivering at the thought of the tiny shriveled heads, I rubbed my hands over my arms.

"Are you okay?" Shepard asked. "Perhaps you should stay home."

"I'm fine. I was just thinking about all the horrible souvenirs Vena has gotten over her lifetime."

"Horrible?" Vena squawked. "Do you think the statue was horrible?"

"It was a fertility statue given to a sixteen-year-old who liked to tease boys. Yes, it was horrible."

"What about the stone tablet?" she demanded.

"You mean the stone tablet that had a curse written on it?"

Vena tapped her finger to her chin as she thought. "What about the sixteenth-century bowl?"

I sighed. "That was an Asian bong, and it had penises engraved on it. Not a good gift for their fourteen-year-old daughter."

"I don't know. It came in handy as a change jar."

Shepard cleared his throat. "We should get going."

"We?" Vena asked. "There is no we. It's only Everly and me."

"Until I find the vampires from last night, I'm staying with you. That's not negotiable. You already agreed to it."

Vena crossed her arms. "My family's house is out in the middle of nowhere. We don't have to worry about vampires."

"You don't think they can track you there?" Shepard asked with a laugh.

Vena pressed her lips together. We were likely thinking the same thing. Cross hadn't had any problems tracking me either. While I didn't believe any vampire there last night had gotten a taste of my blood, the truth was that I had bled. Did we want to take that chance? Not just with me but with her family too.

"I'll let you go with us on one condition," Vena said.

"What is it?"

"Tell me what you're doing to find Anchor, and promise to keep me in the loop at each step."

"That's pack business, Vena," he said gently.

She grinned. "According to you, we're like family. And family means pack. If it didn't, why else would you have seven people here watching over us? Or are you saying Everly isn't a part of your pack anymore and doesn't need to follow your orders?"

And that was why it didn't pay to argue with Vena. She knew how to twist a person's words. Great when it was used on my behalf. Kinda sucked on the rare occasion she used it against me.

Shepard narrowed his eyes at Vena. "I stand by what I said."

"Good. Then you can tell me how you're going to find Anchor on the way to get Miles." She opened the backseat door. "Please make yourself comfortable."

He glanced at the backseat and then at us. "We'll take my SUV."

"No. We're taking my car so my parents don't think something's going on," Vena said with a smirk. "What's wrong? Don't want to be seen in my car?"

He scratched his jaw. "We'll take your car, but I'll drive."

She smirked again. "Neither of us will want to answer the questions my parents will ask if they see you driving the car they bought their precious daughter. Besides, you don't know where we're going."

He glowered at her before proceeding to wedge himself into the backseat. Vena closed the door with a chuckle and practically skipped to the driver's door.

"Can you text Miles that we're on our way?" she asked me as we pulled away from the curb.

"On it."

"Are you in a hurry?" Shepard asked.

"Yes, for you to start telling me what you're doing to find Anchor."

I twisted in my seat to look back at Shepard. His gaze held mine for a moment before shifting to Vena's in the mirror.

"Everything," Shepard said. "I am doing everything in my power to find Anchor. I know you're worried about him, but please don't do reckless things to find him on your own. Anchor would never forgive himself if you were hurt attempting to locate him."

"Ouch. You go right for the guilt knife," she muttered.

My phone buzzed. I looked down at it expecting a message from Miles.

Cross: Is there a reason Shepard is going to Vena's parents with you?

Me: Yeah, he doesn't trust Vena farther than he could throw her.

Cross: Understandable.

The phone disappeared from my hands, and I twisted to scowl back at Shepard as he tapped out a message on my phone.

"If you want to talk to him that badly, take his number and use your own phone. I don't appreciate you using mine."

Shepard glanced up at me as he continued typing.

"I'll take his number, but I doubt he'd answer me."

"You might be surprised," I said.

"Yeah, you're both stalkery and overly interested in where Everly is and who she's with. Lots of bro bonding potential there," Vena said.

I shot her a look.

She shrugged. "This is why I don't go for aggressive men. Fun to look at and maybe great in bed, but they try to take over your life. Might want to reconsider swimming in that pool."

Shepard handed me my phone. "I apologize, Everly. I've done as you suggested and have his number now."

I took my phone and looked at the messages.

Me: Everly thinks she can trust you. If you've compelled her to believe that, I promise you'll regret ever looking at her. If, on the off chance, you truly are different, I'm giving you a chance to prove it. Meet with me in person. I'll text you from my phone since she's upset that I'm using her phone.

My gaze flew to Shepard's. "No. No way are you meeting him in person."

"What?" Vena asked, glancing at me. "What's going on?"

"Nothing to worry about," Shepard said.

"Shepard wants to meet Cross in person," I said.

Vena snorted. "Cross isn't that dumb."

Shepard's phone buzzed. He looked down at it and scowled.

I snatched his phone out of his hands, well aware that he let me.

Bloodsucker: *laughing emoji* I'm not stupid enough to agree to meet with you in person. Your kind likes to multiply and chase. Plus, Everly would be very disappointed in me if I bruised any of you.

"I'm not sure I agree with him," I said, tossing Shepard's phone back to him as Vena pulled up in front of Miles' apartment.

The front door opened, and Miles jogged out with his research satchel over his shoulder and a grin on his face.

"You made good time," he said as he got in.

He glanced at Shepard.

"Miles, that's Shepard," I said. "You met him briefly when we rescued you."

Miles held out a hand to Shepard. "I really appreciate all you've done for me."

Shepard shook his hand and smiled. "You're welcome."

They chatted a bit as Vena headed for her parents'. I snuck a glance at my phone and considered sending Cross an apology text. Not wanting to start anything up with Shepard again, however, I slipped my phone into my purse and sat back to listen to Miles gently probe Shepard for werewolf information.

As Miles went into research mode, my attention drifted away. Too wrung out to care about pack life, hierarchy, and population, I leaned my head back and watched out the window.

Finally, Vena pulled down the familiar long stretch of road that led to the Hunter house. Trees shaded the car from the afternoon sun, giving my eyes a reprieve from the glare I'd been squinting against.

I glanced back to find Shepard had visibly relaxed. A near smile was on his face as he looked out at the untouched nature. I realized in that instant that D.C. might be his home, but Shepard was more comfortable away from the city. And perhaps away from the burden of responsibilities. Out here, he only had to worry about Vena, Miles, and me.

Vena parked in the driveway and hopped out as the front door of the house opened and her parents hurried out.

Dana and Garner Hunter were lean and fit from their physical work at dig sites. If I had to labor under the scorching sun, I'd be burnt to a lobster red, but they were tan as if they had spent a week at the beach instead of whatever desert they'd been combing.

Mrs. Hunter rushed to hug Vena and then Miles. Mr. Hunter gave me a quick hug before Mrs. Hunter bumped him out of the way and wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me until I gasped.

"Honey, let her go before she pops," Mr. Hunter said.

"I'm just so happy to see everyone," she said as she released me and turned her gaze on Shepard. "Did we get a new son?"

"Mom, this is Shepard," Vena said. "He's Everly's…friend." Vena smirked at me. "Shepard, these are my parents, Dana and Garner Hunter."

Mrs. Hunter arched a brow at me then eyed Shepard.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter," Shepard said.

Mrs. Hunter's eyes lit, and she grinned at me. "Where did you meet? I want to hear all the details. Any plans to get married yet? You know my rules on marriage."

Vena nodded. "If you don't think you could live in a remote corner of the globe with only him as a companion for the next year, you'd better keep your ring finger free. Dead men are better than the wrong men."

"Dead men as in mummies," I clarified to Shepard.

Mrs. Hunter smiled at Vena. "I knew one of my lectures would stick. I'm glad it's that one."

"I think you'll need to tell it to Everly again, just so it sinks in," Vena said with a wink aimed at me.

"No need. Shepard and I are only friends," I said.

Mrs. Hunter waved off my protest. "You don't have to be embarrassed with me. It's good that you found a partner." She took Shepard's arm and led him to the house. "I have a few warnings I'd like to give you. Do you know, by marrying Everly, you'll have Vena as a lifelong squatter?"

"Mom! You're saying that like I'm a leech!" Vena hurried to follow.

"I have plenty of room at my house," Shepard said with a grin aimed at me.

Mr. Hunter clapped a hand on Miles' shoulder and steered him to the house. "What have you been researching lately?"

I shook my head and followed everyone inside.

Before I made it to the door, I heard a cracking noise like the snap of a branch. Scanning the tree line, I didn't see anyone or any animals.

Not brave enough to stay and find out where the noise came from, I ran into the house and nearly knocked Miles" bag off his shoulder when I bumped into him.