Chapter 13

13

Tami

H e just handed me a wad of cash, like it was nothing. This has to be over three thousand dollars. I stuff it in my pocket and grab a basket, filling it with items.

This store doesn't have much for a Black girl, but I get excited when I find a couple of jars of edge control. I grab them and place them in my cart.

I load up on shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, soaps, and lotions—everything I need to feel human again. I add a new blow dryer, hair straightener, some makeup, perfumes, and several combs and brushes.

As I head for the checkout, Kane catches me off guard, taking the heavy basket from my hands.

“That was my first time seeing a vampire and a witch,” I say. Kane smiles and shakes his head.

“No, you actually met her wife, Kade, first. She helped clean you up and nurse your wounds, but you were unconscious. After we finish here, we’re stopping at the police station to get you registered. And there’s something you wanted to discuss with Kade about the man chasing you...”

I cringe. “You have to promise me that you won’t—“

“I don’t compromise when it comes to protecting you, Tami,” he cuts me off. His tone is final, making me nervous. I try to pay for the items with the cash he gave me, but he pulls out his card and pays.

“What did you give me the money for then?” I ask. He smiles and shrugs.

“I like taking care of you. Is that a problem?” he retorts. I snap my mouth shut because what can I say to that?

He walks me out of the store, and I'm just happy I finally have the supplies I need so I can take care of myself. I pause by the trailer as he loads the bags onto it. My eyes scan the island, and I wince at the tourists gawking at Kane.

Yes, he’s big and beautiful, but he’s mine. A wave of jealousy hits me, and Kane’s laugh only heightens my irritation. I keep forgetting he can smell my mood shifts. I glare at him, then turn my eyes back to the town, trying to rid myself of jealous thoughts.

There are so many beautiful women staring at him, and he’s got a thousand years of experience compared to my mere twenty-five. I feel out of his league.

My mood shifts from jealousy to insecurity, then Kane jumps down from the trailer and gets right in my face, towering over me.

“Knock it off, Tami, or I’ll take you back right now and prove you have nothing to worry about,” he warns.

I bite my lip nervously and nod. He walks over to the trailer, closes it, grabs my hand, and we walk through town. As we walk, I take in the view of the town.

The streets of Mackinac Island in winter are covered in fresh snow that shines in the pale sunlight. Victorian houses line the narrow cobblestone streets, decorated with wreaths and lights. The colors of the houses show through the frost.

Horse-drawn carriages on sleigh runners glide quietly over the snow, leaving tracks behind. The air smells of pine, and I hear laughter and conversation.

People bundled in scarves and hats walk by their breath visible in the cold, snapping photos of Kane while keeping their distance.

We walk for a few more minutes before arriving at a small police station. Kane opens the door for me. The last time I walked into a police station, I was turned away. I glance up at Kane nervously.

“Come on, I need to get you registered and hear about the jerk who ran you out of town,” he says, smiling at me. I groan but step inside, needing to get this over with.

A woman in a sheriff’s uniform stands up from her desk. Her bright blue eyes and long blonde hair, along with her height, remind me of those Viking women from my favorite TV shows. She seems familiar, and then I see her name tag: Kade.

So, this is Leah’s wife. She’s stunning, but I wince when she smiles, revealing sharp white fangs.

“You look a lot better than when I found you a week ago,” Kade says. Her eyes scan both sides of my neck, narrowing in suspicion.

“Um, is everything alright? Why haven’t you claimed her yet?” Kade asks, looking at Kane. Kane groans and walks over to the desk, pulling out a chair for me.

“Can you register my mate, please? I’m not having this discussion with you.” Kade snickers then looks at me.

“You seem to be handling Kane’s wolf well. Kane likes seclusion, but that will change now that you’re here. Command his wolf to let you out of the cabin, or you’ll be stuck there. You have a lot of power, Tami. Use it,” Kade says, winking at me before returning to her desk. I follow her and sit in the visitor's chair Kane pulls out.

Kade holds up her sharp nails, sighing in irritation. “I hate typing with these. I could trim them, but they grow back in minutes.”

“Before we start, there’s something I need help with,” I say. Kade leans back in her seat, waiting for me to continue.

“When I arrived, I was running from someone. My roommate's boyfriend. I overheard him planning to kidnap me with his friends. They were talking about selling my roommate into sex trafficking. I tried to go to the police, but they turned me away.”

I look up as a man enters the station. He's wearing a full suit, looking elegant and wealthy. He stomps his shoes on the rug, shaking off snow, then walks over to stand beside Kade. He has bright green eyes and short blonde hair.

“This is Damon, Kade’s brother and sheriff of Wintermoon,” Kane explains. I give Damon a nervous smile, and he smiles back, flashing his fangs.

“Welcome to Wintermoon, Tamera,” he greets me. “It’s no surprise the police turned you away. They actively work with sex trafficking rings. Give me his name and I’ll look into it.” Damon says, and Kade smiles at him.

“Another trip to Detroit. I could use a fresh kill,” she says. I wince at that.

I look back at Kane, who smiles at me, waiting for the name.

“Julian,” I say, “Julian Blackmore.” Kade and Damon share a knowing look, as if they're familiar with the name.

“I can’t make any promises, but we’ll try to help your friend,” Kade says. I let out a sigh of relief and nod to them both .

“Thank you. Her name is Tiffany Woods.” I look down at my hands, fidgeting. “We weren't exactly close; we were on different paths. But I still care about her, and we’ve been through a lot. If you can just make sure she’s okay... I feel guilty for leaving her behind.”

“We will do what we can, Tamera, I promise you.”

“It’s Tami,” I correct them. Kade pulls a set of forms from her drawer and places them in front of me.

“We already have you in the system, but I need you to sign these forms. It’s legalities to ensure no one can try and take you from Kane,” Kade explains. I shrug and take the pen from her hand.

“I’ve been alone for a long time. No one is going to come for me,” I say. Kane places his hand gently on my shoulder. Kade collects the forms after I finish signing and beams a smile at me.

“You’re officially a daughter of Wintermoon. Well, you were regardless of these forms… but politics…” she mutters, handing the paperwork to Damon. Kane immediately grabs my wrist and pulls me from the chair into his arms.

“Before you leave, Kane. We need to have a discussion,” Damon says, setting the papers on the desk. Kane pulls away from me, his eyes burning with fury. There's a change in their color.

“You can’t keep Tam—Tami in the cabin forever. She needs to be with your pack,” Damon says, stepping from behind the desk and approaching Kane. My eyes widen as I glance down at Kane’s hands, which are morphing into monstrous claws.

Fear grips me. I’ve never seen him react this way. I gasp, taking a step back and covering my mouth as Damon draws nearer.

“I understand your pain, Kane. I’m still waiting for my mate and I’m much older than you. You want to keep her close, you don’t want to share her, but we are a tribal people. You can’t exile yourself or your mate from the village,” Damon says calmly.

“You cannot take her from me,” Kane spits out. Kade stands up from her chair and positions herself between them.

“That’s not what’s happening, Kane,” Kade says, placing her hand on his chest. “We are only talking. Now please, calm down. You’re scaring your mate.” Kane looks over at me, and his hands immediately shift back to human form.

“I’m taking my mate home. That’s enough for now,” Kane declares.

Kade smiles. “Leah already stocked your trailer with groceries. It should last your mate a month. After that, you’re officially banished from the island until you take Tami to your village,” Kade announces with a wicked grin. Kane growls at her but she stands firm, unfazed.

Kane walks over, grabs my hand firmly, and pulls me out of the station. I glance back at Kade and Damon, who wave at me.

I hope they can help Tiffany.