Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The Turning Point

Nera

I had a bit of a buzz from my shopping high. Not only had I met a wonderful witch named Agatha who owned Agatha's Psychic Room, but she had hooked me up with all kinds of things I'd need to do some witchy stuff while I stayed with the Bayou Wolves.

At first, I'd just introduced myself and told her I was new to the area, but Agatha had a way of getting things out of people. She at first made a face, incredulous that I was staying with a bunch of werewolves. Without going into too much detail, I explained my situation and she understood.

The fact that she'd slipped some wolfsbane into the bag at no charge did not go unnoticed by me.

I knew what wolfsbane did to wolves. It was basically their kryptonite. I didn't see any reason why I'd need it, but as life had taught me, sometimes people were just rotten. I thanked her and left, hopping in the Audi. I used the maps app on my new phone to find a mall, which I was happy to learn was just a couple of miles away on Canal Street overlooking the Mississippi.

There, I parked and went inside to do some shopping.

I wondered if Trigger thought I was just another dumb blonde who was oblivious to her surroundings and wouldn't catch on that he was following me.

Not that I cared.

I was sure Shep had sent him to follow me. I didn't get the feeling it was because he was trying to control me, but rather, keep me safe.

That was what I hoped, anyway.

I drifted through a few stores, including the popular intimates store, to get some sexy underthings that I may or may not want to wear for Shep later. Maybe. I also went to the other side of that store to get some workout pants and tank tops. After getting a tour of the compound, I'd been quite impressed with the gym they had onsite. I hadn't been impressed that they'd named it the Demon's Lair, but I'd ask about that later.

I was tired of carrying these bags around, so I put them in the SUV and put the GPS in my phone to head back to the compound. It was odd how safe and comforted I felt being there. Seemed like a place like that, ran by the sometimes scary men and women who lived there, shouldn't feel comforting, but it did.

I pushed the start button and put the car in drive, heading out of the parking garage and toward the roads that would take me back to LaPlace, Trigger trailing me.

As I drove, I thought about what I had in Tampa.

I shared a two-bedroom apartment with a woman I barely knew. I was sure she had already rented out my room and dumped my stuff off with my family, as per our lease agreement since I obviously wasn't paying rent anymore.

My family—who had weakly attempted to look for me. My mom, aunt, and brother. All witches. Why hadn't they tried to locate me? Did I mean that little to them? Were they even worried?

The urge to come out and let them know I was okay was strong. To go to the police and expose that I was no longer a missing person grew by the day. After all, I couldn't keep living like this. I needed my driver's license and bank accounts reactivated. I needed a life. Did that life involve Sheppard and his wolves?

I put my blinker on to get off the exit and smiled when I thought about the look that would show on my mom's face when I told her I was dating a wolf. Fucking one even, because sooner or later, we would have sex. She'd be mortified, and that amused me.

I was wildly attracted to Shep, but my fresh, raw trauma was holding me back. I knew I'd need to enter therapy sooner or later, but I wasn't the type who really thought it would help. Just stuff the bad memories down so far they wouldn't resurface unless I was triggered. And when I was—just move on. Life would keep moving by whether I wanted it to or not. And I did want it to. I wanted to feel normal—as normal as I could—and have a happy life.

Did I want a husband, children, and the white picket fence? I wasn't sure. All I knew was that when I looked at Sheppard, I wanted him to touch me. To put his hands on me. To feel and taste me. To know the real me.

I had never been attracted to someone this strongly before. I had a couple of exes I'd dated for a few months at a time, but I had no desire to go the long haul with any of them. To live with them. To bear their children.

Wow. Could I have Shep's kids? Wouldn't they be werewolves? Half witch, half wolf? How did that work?

I'd have to ask. Just not today.

But would he still want me after I ran out on him last night? After our brief but somewhat awkward conversation this morning, I thought he would. He was a man. They were simple-minded in most things. Keep them fed and fucked and you'd be happy. Right?

I sighed, driving down the dirt road that led to the complex. As soon as the Audi hit the sensor, the massive black wrought-iron gate opened up without me having to put my code in the little keypad machine.

There must be a sensor on this car.

What else was on it? A tracker?

I decided I didn't care. Even if there was, I couldn't blame him. He'd had Trigger following me all day, and sure enough, there was the Humvee about a quarter mile behind me, getting ready to enter the compound.

I smiled, feeling loved and protected instead of stalked.

Was that how I was supposed to feel? I wasn't sure, but as my aunt always said—you can't control how you feel, just your actions because of it.

She was wise if nothing else. She sure didn't care that I was missing, that was obvious.

I shoved those bitter thoughts aside and parked the white Audi SUV into the same space I'd found it.

After picking up my bags from the back, I headed inside. The smell of food cooking hit me and I realized I hadn't eaten all day. Food seemed to be one of the last priorities for me these days.

Just a taste…

I decided those words belonged to Shep, not the asshole vampire bastard.

He could have another taste, all right. I'd love to see how well he used that huge cock of his. The thought got things stirring down south. Perhaps I should have bought myself a "shower massager" today at the mall…

"Hey, Nera!"

I looked up to see Chaos sitting in the loungers. He had a large cigar smoldering between his fingers, and his bright white charming smile was aimed my way. He stood, raking back some of his long hair from his face. I remembered Psycho said there was no smoking allowed in here, but obviously this guy didn't give a shit about the rules.

"Need some help with those?" He used the cigar to point to my bags.

I didn't think letting a wolf anywhere near my witch supplies—especially since there was a pinch of wolfsbane in it—was a good idea.

"No, thank you. I'm good." I racked my brain to try to remember what his role here was, besides being a good artist. "But I'm still thinking about that tattoo you promised me." I winked at him.

"I will hold you to it!" he said with a grin. "You sure you don't need some help?"

Was I giving off damsel-in-distress vibes? This one bag of witch supplies and one big bag of clothes wasn't that heavy at all.

"Nah, I'm good. But I am starving. Whatcha got to eat around here?"

"I'll have Cutter rustle up you something," Chaos said, setting the cigar down onto a heavy-looking glass ashtray set on a small table in front of the large lounger he'd been sitting in.

Something about that too-good-looking guy gave me lazy vibes. I had the feeling he did what he needed to, to stay in the club, but he mostly relied on his charm to get by.

Not that I could blame him. Good lord, was he hot.

Not hotter than Sheppard though. Nothing could beat my attraction to him.

I went into my room and set my bags on the small bed. I carefully took out the herbs, small pot, book of spells, and other ingredients Agatha had given me and set them on the tall dresser. I didn't know if I'd need them, but I was glad to have them.

Then, I removed the three pairs of yoga pants and the nylon zippered hoodies and folded them into the drawers of the dresser.

After I was settled, I picked up the large book Agatha sold me and went out into the lobby to sit in the comfortable, plush loungers. I began reading it, looking up spells and trying to memorize them in case I'd need new ones.

My phone pinged with a notification that sounded like Facebook Messenger. My stomach swirled with stress.

Who was messaging me?

I looked at the clock on my phone and saw over an hour had gone by.

I carefully clicked on the app and looked at the notification: Poppy O'Shea wants to send you a message.

What the…?

Should I click on it?

I couldn't resist.

Poppy: I'm so glad I found you. You have a unique name.

Me: OMG… where are you? I'll come get you.

Poppy: This isn't Poppy but we have her. Meet us at Lakeside Mall at 6pm. If we see anyone besides you, like cops or anyone else, we'll drain her.

My heart dropped into my stomach and I swallowed down a sob. Oh, God.

Me: If I show up, you'll let her go?

Poppy: That is negotiable.

I looked at the time on my phone: 4:45 p.m. I was starting to sweat. What the hell do I do?

Fuck it. I can take care of myself, especially now that I had some supplies.

Me: I'll be there. What part of the mall?

Poppy: Dillard's.

Me: Fine. But you better let her go when I get there.

Poppy: You don't make the rules, you whore. Remember, come alone. I will kill you both if I even suspect anyone's followed you, bitch.

The account was unavailable when I went to respond, like they had suddenly deleted it.

Just then, Cutter walked over with a sandwich and a salad.

"Psycho loves my meatloaf sandwiches, so I hope you do too," he said.

My stomach was so upset with what just happened, all I could do was force a smile.

"I'm sure I'll love it," I said.

"I make that ranch from scratch, so I hope you like it. If you think it needs any improvements, let me know. I'm always in search of the perfect ranch dressing recipe." Cutter grinned at me, and it was so sweet, I wanted to hug him. I already felt a kindred with him, being a fellow witch.

I glanced at the tray. It did look good, but I felt too sick for Poppy and the rest of the girls to say anything.

Should I tell him the bastards contacted me? If not him, I needed to let Shep know. What if all four girls we'd left behind needed rescued? Five people including me? We could fit in the Audi.

"Let me know if you want something else," Cutter said.

I shook my head. "Oh, no. I love meatloaf sandwiches. My mouth is watering!"

He grinned. "Perfect. Back to the kitchen I go!"

He left and I bit into the sandwich. I hadn't ever had one before so that was sort of a lie, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings, and I just needed him to leave. I felt sick for Poppy and the girls and couldn't eat, but I grabbed the book and sandwich, headed to my room, and collected my wallet, keys, and phone, and shoved them the pockets of my yoga pants and hoodie.

I didn't want to get Shep and the wolves involved. I'd go pick up Poppy from that black creeper van I'd recognize anywhere, then I'd let them do the rest with law enforcement and all that.

Was it stupid? I wasn't sure. I hopped in the Audi, started it, and drove off the compound, hoping I was making the right decision. The bastards for sure would be suspicious of a big Humvee or a bunch of rumbling Harleys.

No, I had to do this alone.