Chapter 41: Griffin

41

GRIFFIN

J ack sniffs the air again and frowns, looking perplexed.

"It's definitely a female. Did they leave her here alone?" Maps and feral beasts are forgotten for the moment, and Jack is all business. "You two take Kali and get moving. I'm going to check it out. She could be scouting for them, if they're planning an ambush."

We're all on high alert now, sending feelers out into the woods around us, trying to detect anything out of place.

"Unlikely," Ben mutters through gritted teeth. "But she's up to something. Always is." Growling, he places his hand on Jack's shoulder to stop him from going. "Leave this to me."

With that, he's gone. A dark, focussed look fills his eyes, as his beast switches into hunting mode. The determined set of his jaw tells me he's going to find whoever is down there, and they're going to regret snooping around.

Jack and I exchange a look. There's a story there, but now isn't the time to hear it. We have to go.

As Ben turns and sets off into the trees at a jog, I clamber down to the cave.

Kali comes to me, finally looking a bit healthier despite the ordeal she's been through. Or maybe, she just looks happier. Either way, my heart melts at the sight of her, and I tuck a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as I pull her close.

"There's someone here," she whispers. She sensed them, too.

I nod, pulling her close, not liking the hint of anxiety in her voice.

"Ben doesn't think she's helping Jed, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Jack and I will be with you, but we need to leave. If she knows the cave is here, they might, too."

Nodding resolutely, Kali goes up on tiptoes to kiss me. "Let's go home."

When I go down on bended knee in front of her, her eyes widen until I swivel, giving her my back and gesturing for her to climb on. "One thing at a time, mate."

She keeps her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, and lets me carry her up the rocky slope, her front plastered to my back, and her body shielded from view. Nudity doesn't seem to be a big deal for these people, but I still can't cope with letting anyone see her naked.

With an indulgent chuckle, she lets me stand in front of her, blocking her from view, while she shifts into her beautiful blonde animal. How could anyone hate something so beautiful?

After shaking out her fur, she comes to my side and rubs herself against my leg.

I stroke my hands over her back and scratch behind her ear.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it. You're deliriously happy. Spare a thought for the rest of us, will you?" Jack moves forward to greet her, but then sniffs and recoils. "What the fuck? You smell like you were rolling in… never mind. I don't want to know."

Kali butts his leg with her head before coming back to stand at my side.

Rubbing a hand over the back of my neck, I grimace. "He got a bit obsessed with marking his territory."

My mate shows me her teeth, not appreciating being referred to as my territory , but she does belong to me.

Seems the longer I spend with the beast in my mind, the more I'm coming around to his way of thinking.

Jack shakes his head in astonishment, but grins. "Jesus. Maybe I'll understand the whole mate thing one day. Maybe not."

We both listen for any noises from the forest that don't belong. When we're confident there's nothing out there to be worried about, we stand on either side of Kali.

The first time I changed, that I can remember, was when I found Kali bloody and injured. It was fast and brutal. I can't recall anything but the blinding pain, and the horrific sound of bones snapping and rearranging. Each time I transform into a beast now, at least it's getting easier. Kali's right. Fighting him just makes it harder.

Breathing slowly, in and out, I try to take Kali's advice and just let it happen. I focus on her beautiful face as long as I can before the pain overwhelms me, and I have to squeeze my eyes shut. When I finally reopen them, she nuzzles into my neck, and rubs her body along mine.

Flanking Kali, we take off at a slow jog. Kali keeps up, but I can feel that she's putting on a brave face. She's scared and exhausted.

I'd love to stop and take a break, but I need to get Kali back home.

Jed can't do anything to us back in Sutton. The town won't put up with anyone causing trouble, and hopefully, Ben and Jack don't plan on telling everyone that Kali wasn't just laying low while she healed.

I guess it depends on whether they believe that I really didn't know what I had done.

As we run, I brush against Kali to reassure her and let my mate know I've got her. I probably shouldn't have used her very last stores of energy fucking her senseless, but I couldn't resist. She's mine now, and I can't regret it. She'll be waited on, hand and foot, once I get her home in one piece.

My beast is anxious, even as we leave the hunting cabin and the cave far behind, unable to accept that the danger has passed. The closer to Sutton we get, I start to feel the presence of more people, their energy. I'm relieved that we're almost there, and that Kali can rest, but I'm worried that Kali's going to regret being tied to me. Especially, if I become enemy number one in town after they hear what my beast did.

Choosing to focus on the here and now as we get closer to Kali's cabin, I decide to run ahead and make sure nobody's waiting there for us. Jed was there before. He knows where she lives.

I circle the house, relieved to find that apart from the jumble of scents left behind by well-wishers and investigators, there's nothing else.

My beast casually marks the area all around, like Kali's home is now his, ignoring my frustration. He doesn't see the problem. We're mates. We're one. What's hers is mine and vice versa.

Getting uncomfortable with the distance I am from Kali, I turn back toward her and Jack.

Once they're both in sight of the property, Jack pulls up, letting Kali continue on her own toward me. He waits until we're on the porch before turning on his heel and loping off into the trees. When he sits just inside the treeline, his back to the house standing sentry, I feel Kali relax.

Nobody's going to get past him easily. She's well protected and can finally climb into bed to rest.

Kali shifts back to human form, wobbly on her feet.

With an arm wrapped around her, I lead her inside to her bedroom and lower her to the soft mattress.

She holds onto my hand, refusing to let go, and tugs me into the bed with her.

Happy to oblige, I pull her to me, cradling her against my chest and just breathe, I'm finally able to fill my lungs now that she's back home where she belongs.

"Promise you won't leave," Kali whispers, her eyelids fluttering shut. She looks so peaceful, and I swear, she'll never know a day like the ones she's had over the last week again.

"I promise." I'm going to protect her, and I'm going to keep her safe. Which means figuring out what had John so worried.