Chapter 42

Megan

We survived the rest of Saturday and into Sunday. The festival ended at three, and an hour later, Rachel and I were packed up and headed for naps. We'd made a killing and decided we'd meet up later to tally final profits. It was a good but emotional two days with thoughts of murder floating through my head every so often. I felt the need to stop and check my surroundings frequently. I felt watched, and not just by Sam and the other wolves I knew he had making rounds for suspicious activity. I worried for Sam. Someone had me in their crosshairs, but it had been Sam who had taken my metaphorical bullet. It made me feel equally safe and guilty.

Dominic had even stopped by and purchased a hefty order of cookies, rolls, and bread. He went so far as to compliment our ingenuity and our products. He was changed. There was a new air of purpose about him.

Once Sam and I were back at the cabin Sunday afternoon, he told me to go take a nap and he'd take care of bringing in the boxes. His arm was doing fine, and I was so worn out that I collapsed.

I woke up an hour and a half later to Sam sitting on my bed, lightly running his fingers down my cheek.

"Mom and Dad would like us to come down to dinner tonight. You up for it?"

I stretched, a groan escaping. I was still pooped, but I wasn't sure dinner was optional. I wasn't thrilled about sharing a meal with Dominic Wolfe, either, although Sam was now more at ease with his dad than ever before. Their conversation Saturday morning must have righted several wrongs between them, and for that I was deeply thankful. Wolf gave a good stretch and nudged me. She was as tired as I was because she wasn't even asking to be let out. She was content and sleepy.

"I guess yes is the correct response?"

Sam grimaced. "Really. I think Dad has changed or at least is trying to change." He caught my hands and pulled me up to sitting.

"I'm still wiped. Will they care if I come in a sweatshirt?"

"Not at all. I'm pretty sure this is an apology dinner, not a formal event." He winked at me. "I'd like it if you wore one of my sweatshirts…" He trailed off, his eyebrows waggling suggestively. I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the grin that surfaced along with a few errant butterflies in my stomach.

****

"I'm glad you both came down for dinner," Dominic began without much preamble as he passed the steaming dish of Swiss steak. He was wearing one of his classic flannel plaid shirts and jeans, but his face held an openness that I'd never observed before. I wasn't sure if it made me more relaxed or more nervous. "Megan"—he turned his full attention to me, and Wolf backed up, ready to cower—"it has been brought to my attention that I haven't made your first weeks as a werewolf very welcoming, nor have I made your entrance into our family very pleasant. I'd like to apologize and tell you that despite the unusual circumstances that brought you here, you are welcome, and you are a part of our family now. Even if you don't stay here forever, you will always have a place of safety should you need one." His eyes were serious, and I knew he meant every word he said. I was speechless.

"Thank you," I managed to whisper around the emotion lodged in my throat. Wolf shook out her coat and lay down adoringly, basking in her Alpha's acceptance. Heat bloomed across my shoulders, and I snuck a look at Sam. He was smiling at me, pride clearly written over his face. He squeezed my knee under the table.

Dominic nodded. "Mary, would you please pass the noodles?" The moment was over, but I still held that acceptance close to my chest. I belonged here. At least, part of me did. The Alpha of the pack just confirmed it in no uncertain terms. But where would I fit once I was fully human again? Wolf whined.

****

It was completely dark by the time we drove back up to the cabin. I was quiet, reflective. Sam didn't break the silence but let me process, loosely holding my hand on the console. It had been a full few days. The festival, the second attempt on my life, waking up next to Sam, dinner, and complete acceptance by Dominic Wolfe.

"What are you thinking?" Sam finally spoke as he locked the cabin door behind us. I sank down onto the couch and wrapped my arms around my legs.

"I'm not really sure. So much has happened the past few days, and I'm not sure what to think of any of it."

He sank down on the cushions next to me. "Dad is on board now. We'll find out who tried to hurt you." His forehead creased as his eyebrows drew down before he met my eyes. "I will do everything in my power to make sure you're safe."

"I know." I believed him. He would do anything to keep me safe. The thought heated me to my toes but also made me question myself. What was I willing to give to save Sam? If it came down to it?

We decided to put a movie on since neither of us had much motivation to do anything else. Even Wolf was too tired to run. I tried to call her up to make sure there weren't any unscheduled shifts, but she was mostly unresponsive. She raised her head and tried to stand but flopped back down to the ground in an exhausted heap. I knew exactly how she felt. I zipped through the shower, and once I was in my pajamas, I snuggled back on the couch, Sam's arm around my shoulders, a blanket over my lap.

The movie distracted me from everything, and when it was over, it was time for bed. School would come early in the morning.

"Night, Megan," Sam said quietly, with a soft kiss to my lips. I struggled to smile back through my fatigue. I was asleep within minutes of my head hitting the pillow.

****

Shadows clawed at my throat as a faceless figure hunted me, growing closer with each second. Panic enveloped me, and the scream that tried to escape my mouth was shoved back into my lungs as the menacing figure reached inky fingers to my neck. Blinding white lights burst behind my eyes as I felt the life draining from me. Wolf jerked pathetically inside me, unable to free herself. The lights flitted away as darkness stole the breath from my body.

I jerked awake, gasping and sputtering, a cold sweat on my forehead and heart pounding. Safe. I needed to feel safe.

"Megan?" Sam said sleepily from the other side of the room.

Without another thought, I grabbed my pillow and scooted across the room to Sam's bed.

"Will you hold me again?" I whispered as tears threatened over the pounding in my chest.

His arms reached for me, and I slid in next to him and pulled his covers up to my chin as his arms enfolded me. Snow and pine enveloped me, and I breathed him in with a shudder, the nightmare still at the front of my brain. He kissed the top of my head and rested his chin against the same spot.

"I've got you. You're safe," he whispered. I shivered and buried my face in his chest.

****

I woke slowly. Part of me knew it was still early, but I was thoroughly scattered, my thoughts like bits of cloud blown away in a stiff wind. I stretched and thought I must have rolled over next to the wall as my front moved against something solid. I heard Sam's quick intake of breath and felt the warmth of his hand seep into my skin between my shoulder blades. My eyes flew open, thoughts centering as his blue eyes materialized in front of me. He looked down at me, propped up on one elbow, eyes fierce with emotions, his arm wrapped around me. Heat curled in my belly and spread throughout the rest of me, my face flushing in embarrassment, as I realized the solid thing I'd been stretching against was Sam's tightly muscled body.

His gaze raked over my face, his hand sliding down my back, over the curve of my waist to rest on my hip. I felt his breath on my face, felt his heartbeat beneath my fingertips, felt mine accelerate to match. Blue eyes drank me in, desire, pain, restraint, and something wild flashed across his face. He searched my eyes, and my lips parted. Immediately, his gaze was drawn to my mouth, and then, for the first time I'd ever seen him do it, his eyes dipped below my face to my chest, which was pressed tightly to his and exposing more cleavage than normal. Heat sizzled through me when he didn't immediately look away. He swallowed hard, his hand gripping my hip like a vise. When his eyes met mine again, he looked anguished, his breathing coming harder. My fist curled into his shirt, want coursing through me with enough force to scare me.

His head dipped slowly toward mine, my face tilting up for his kiss. Wolf was nearly panting, anticipating his touch.

Surprise ripped the moment away as a sharp knock sounded at the door. Sam growled low in his chest, and grabbed me roughly to him, not even room for air between us, and crushed his lips to mine in a kiss that was both quick and searing and left me breathless with my heart hammering in my ears before he rolled out of bed and stalked to the door.