Chapter 19

Billie

Over the next few days at dawn, Aislin and I would "wolf out," as she liked to put it. Eager to get me more used to my wolf form, she took me into the woods each morning and set me challenges of tracking different animals. Gradually, my control over my wolf strengthened. And unlike the time she'd slipped her reins and bolted off after the golden-mantled ground squirrel in Dalesbloom woods, she listened to my instruction, following whichever scent I set her on tracing.

The rest of the time, Aislin guided me through Grandbay territory, familiarizing me with its different trails and points that were of special significance to the pack, such as Castle Rock, where the pack carried out its rituals. We wound our way through the woods and along the chasm to the boundary of Pioneer Point in the north all the way to Sandbank Creek in the south.

As the days passed, Aislin and I grew closer, our bond strengthening with each shared wolf run and guided tour she took me on. She was a wild spirit, untamed and fierce, with a mischievous glint in her eye that never failed to boost my mood, and I grew to value our mornings in the same way I had those I used to enjoy with Colt.

Speaking of whom, I still hadn't heard from him. But I'd given up trying to phone him. Clearly, he wasn't ready to talk about everything that had happened lately. I had to believe he'd reach out to me when he was ready.

One morning after our run, Aislin and I found our way back to our clothes, which we'd left by the riverside. We'd just returned from a run to the southernmost part of Grandbay's borders. So, with our wolves thirsty and tired, we both had a dip in the river. Spring was on the cusp of turning into summer with May's approach. The air temperature was in the high sixties, and still overheating in our lupine forms, Aislin and I morphed into our human ones, enjoying a swim along the riverbank. We were careful to keep to the shallows as the rich currents of the river swept through swiftly.

Feeling gloriously refreshed, we returned to the bank, where we shook ourselves dry as if we were still clothed in fur. After some giggles and cackling, we proceeded to shift and shake our fur dry in a far more efficient way before morphing back into our skins.

As we got dressed, I noticed that Aislin was, yet again, wearing her Yeti T-shirt. That had to be the second time this week she had it on. "Why's that your favorite?" I asked.

A smile wound over her face. "Have you heard how the Eastpeakers are often called mountain men?"

I nodded. I'd heard David and some Dalesbloomers use the term when they spoke about the Eastpeak Pack who lived in the mountains in the northeast of Gunnison Park.

"The yeti makes me think of the top mountain man," she explained.

"The Eastpeak Alpha?" I asked.

She nodded. "Everett March." She paused, her gaze drifting around as if to check no one was around. But our heightened shifter senses would have alerted us if we'd had company. "He's the Mythguard representative who's keeping an eye on Muriel," she explained, wiggling her leggings up over her hips.

I'd heard about Mythguard from Muriel and understood it was an organization that protected shifters from other shifters, like Muriel's case with the Inkscale Clan.

A wave of surprise washed through me that the Eastpeak Alpha was the representative that Muriel had spoken about. Not that I'd ever seen Everett or had anything to do with the Eastpeak Pack.

Aislin went on, "Neither Gavin nor my parents believed that Mythguard existed until Everett recently disclosed that he was one of its representatives." Her brown eyes brightened. "But I was always sure it existed. Their organization is so good at what it does that there's only a little clue here and there, rumors and whispers to chase, but they're there. And I've always chased those breadcrumbs and felt sure that I'd track Mythguard down before long."

I realized that the secret organization of Mythguard was the reason Aislin sported all these conspiracy T-shirts, like the Yeti one. She'd been chasing the legend of Mythguard for years.

"Why?" I asked curiously, untucking my hair from out of the T-shirt I'd pulled on. "Why are you so interested in them?"

Her expression became steelier. "I believe in their cause. They protect both vulnerable shifters from other supernaturals who would do them harm, like Muriel with the Inkscales. And they protect the human and supernatural community from the shifters who would do damage to humans or endanger us through too much scrutiny."

"You admire them," I said.

She nodded, her gaze becoming bolder. "I'd like to join them," she admitted.

Over the last few days, I'd experienced how in control of her wolf and what a good tracker Aislin was. And although I hadn't witnessed her firsthand, from the pack stories I'd heard around the campfire most evenings, I knew she was a good fighter, too.

"I'm sure they'd be lucky to have you," I said sincerely.

Her whiskey-colored eyes warmed. "Thanks, Billie."

I'd never had a girlfriend … or rather, a friend who was a girl. Of course, Aislin's love of everything conspiracy-theory-based talk wasn't the stereotypical talk I'd imagined you'd have with your girlfriend. But there was a definite element here that was girlie. I couldn't help noticing that the way she'd talked about the "top mountain man" and the way she'd said "Everett" had held a lot of warmth.

So, with a smile, I added, "And it's a bonus that Everett's part of Mythguard."

She chuckled. "It's not like that," she argued. "I mean, he's undoubtedly good-looking, but he's aloof … a total iceman."

"Maybe he just needs the right person to thaw him," I offered, smirking as I thought Aislin was the perfect person for the job.

She shook her head and countered. "Anyway, you're one to talk. What's going on between you and another Alpha?"

My heart beat self-consciously as I wondered how much Aislin knew. I hadn't told her that Gavin had kissed me a few days ago. But neither had I confided to her about how we'd seen each other in our Moondream.

As if Aislin knew where my thoughts had gone, she confessed, "Gavin told my mum and dad and me that Vana showed you one another in your Moondream.

Of course, Aislin knew. Gavin would have told his Betas and his best friend about something so significant. I'd half expected that they already knew about what Gavin and I were supposed to be to each other. And before a few days ago, I'd have felt awkward at this kind of chat because of what had happened weeks ago between Gavin and me when he'd come to Hexen Manor and rejected me.

But now … the blush stealing across my face was because of what had happened a few days ago when he'd kissed me. Just thinking about it sent heat crashing through me. He'd brushed my lips with such unexpected gentleness. But then the way he'd parted them, his tongue dipping into my mouth with such hunger, had been … divine. I'd wanted to rock my body against his but hadn't had the nerve to. The thought of the heat and hardness of his muscled chest, too, had me wishing again that that moment of intimacy hadn't ended so abruptly. What more might have happened between us had that phone call not come in?

It wasn't until Aislin said, "Uh, by Vana, what's this?" she said, gesturing to my pleasure-addled look. I flushed, doing nothing to counter her suspicions. "Something totally happened," she exclaimed.

"We kissed," I confessed.

She beamed. "I knew it."

But then my heart lurched. Gavin hadn't sought me out since. I'd seen him coming and going from his cabin while I'd sat around the campfire with the rest of the pack. I liked to hang out by the fire when Muriel told stories to the kids. She was a natural storyteller, and it had been really lovely to watch how the pups of Grandbay had taken to my friend.

Likewise, Gavin hadn't come to the Mundy's cabin to call on me. I admitted, "Gavin's been a bit of an iceman since we kissed. I'm not sure there's going to be a repeat, to be honest." My mood dipped at the thought that the kiss that had rocked my world was something he instead regretted.

"Gavin's being moody because of everything that happened with Catrina and Joseph," Aislin said. "He's worrying too much about what might happen with the Inkscales. I don't think he's been sleeping much or doing anything much except obsessing over old reports about them and other dragon attacks in the area."

I nodded, realizing how unfair it was of me to expect him, amidst all that was happening, to have time for me. I laced my shoes up and got to my feet, telling myself that I'd just let things take their course. "Have you spoken to him about it?" I asked her.

"Of course, but that's only feeding his worries. He doesn't need talk. What he needs is a good distraction." She grinned, clearly plotting as she pulled on her running top.

As we traipsed out of the woods, and the cabins of Grandbay appeared through the trees, my heart brimmed with happiness. This place really did feel like home. The freedom I had to go wherever I wanted and channel my wolf was one I'd never have had in Dalesbloom. As for living with Aislin and her parents, not only were they all so kind and caring, but it was comforting that their house was the one I'd been born in. I'd shared all the circumstances that Gavin and I knew about my parents' disappearance with Aislin and her parents, and it had strengthened our relationship. I knew I was truly welcome with them.

With a nudge to my side, Aislin spurred me on to take the step I probably otherwise wouldn't have, to stop in at Gavin's cabin.

When he opened the door, I noticed he wore a pair of slacks and a T-shirt, his feet bare. The fabric of the T-shirt strained against his well-defined chest, and my pulse spiked as I drank in the sight of him. He had a little stubble on his jaw, too, and I realized he hadn't yet shaved for the day. The slightly disheveled look sent a thrill through me as I contemplated that this was a taster of what it would be like to wake up next to him, except I'd be treated to eyeballing his bare sculpted chest. Smothering such distracting thoughts down, I said, "Morning, Gavin."

His hazel eyes swept me with surprise but sparked with warmth. "Billie, come on in. I was just making another coffee. Want one?"

"Sure," I said, noticing the shadows beneath his eyes. The rest of his tanned face was as healthy-looking as ever, and for a moment, I wondered how he could look this good sleep-deprived. Mostly, though, concern trickled through me about him pouring over the reports on the dragon attacks at all hours.

We wandered into the kitchen. It was brighter and lighter than all the warm wood and stone tones of the living room. The kitchen units were a sage green, and the gray marble countertops lent a modern air to the space. The warm hues of the wooden walls and floorboards still gave it the cabin in the woods feel but with more of a rustically elegant finish.

"How's everything going?" I asked lamely.

Gavin exhaled a world-weary sigh as he poured the coffee. "I'm sorry, I haven't managed to find any leads about your parents' disappearance." I felt as if I could feel his frustration rippling through me. He thought I'd just come here to see what he'd found out for me.

"You know, sometimes people just drop by for a social call," I said.

He huffed a laugh. "Milk and sugar?"

"Just milk," I answered.

He got out the milk and let me add it myself. I was very aware of his gaze brushing me. He took a drink of his black coffee, and I took a sip of my own, more for something to do than anything.

Edginess beat through me, and I wondered whether coffee had been a bad idea. But I forced myself to stop overthinking things. I said I'd dropped in for a social call. I needed to actually talk to him, didn't I?

"Aislin just took me up to Sandbank Bay," I said. "It's gorgeous up there."

The tension around his mouth eased, and he asked, "Did you stop in Ridge Bay?"

I shook my head. "No, we didn't stop until we got back. Then we went for a swim." He nodded, but I noticed the way his eyes wandered downward, skating over my form and creating an eddy of heat through me.

Jeesh, just from his gaze alone.

I remembered Aislin's words from earlier, "…he needs a distraction." That, paired with the way he'd just looked at me, gave me the courage to set down my coffee and step closer to him. My heart hammered as it always did when I was near him. He looked up, alertness prickling through every line of his body as I said, "You should come with me next time." I fixed my eyes decisively on his.

"I came to see you, Gavin," I said. "Not get more information."

His hazel stare bore into me. I traced the flecks of gold and green within them. The colors made me think of light dappling the leaves of the forest. Gavin licked his lips, and as my eyes centered on his mouth, heat zinged between my legs.

Mesmerized, I swayed before him, not wanting to ever leave his sphere.

And sweet Vana, he answered my prayers as he drew my chin up and his mouth crashed against mine. This time, his kiss was harder. The hunger I felt fueling him matched my own. He tasted of coffee, deep, dark, and sensuous. My heart felt like it wanted to leap out of my chest. Scratch that. It wanted to stay right here, near him. With each of his kisses, my body hummed with satisfaction and heat.

Gavin's strong hand went around the nape of my neck. His possessive grip sent the memory of how he'd touched me the night in the clearing when he'd claimed me as part of Grandbay Pack. Except this time, I was thrilled that he was claiming me as his.

His other hand fell to my waist, bringing me closer to him. My hands were marveling at the taut muscles of his shoulder blades and back. I moaned as I melted against the hard wall of his chest, feeling my nipples pebble as I wanted more of him. I wanted to go further than we'd gone yet. Excitement zipped through me. I wondered whether he'd pull me into the bedroom, feeling sure with the fervor of his kisses that that's where things were going. Hoping that's where it was going.

A hurried knock sounded on the cabin door. My heart plummeted.

As Gavin pulled away, his lips swollen, my pleasure-addled brain could only think how appealing he looked. Satisfaction swirled through me as he looked as reluctant to break away from me. But his hands fell away, leaving me needy and wanting for a second time.

I followed him into the living room. He answered the door.

Oslo, his Beta's voice sounded, "A letter just came from Dalesbloom. It's official. They've terminated our alliance."