37. Shya

Chapter thirty-seven

Shya

A s we got nearer to Marnie they were like family to me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration bubbling up inside me. Edmond and I were long overdue for a chat.

"How are you?" Marnie continued, "And I mean, how are you, really? No bullshitting here."

She pointed to a sign above the counter that read "Too Busy For Bullshit."

I paused, trying to find the right words. "I'm … managing. It's been tough, but I'm getting there. How about you? The last time I saw you—"

"You saved my life. I can't thank you enough. I've felt so guilty. Maybe if I hadn't run. Maybe if I'd gotten back to the square with help sooner—"

"Marnie," I cut her off. "You can't think like that. You did the right thing. They would have killed you, and then what would have happened to Summer?"

"Shya—"

"No, I won't hear it, Marnes. Tristan is the one to blame for all of this. No one else. Now tell me about you. It must have been scary for you."

Marnie's eyes clouded over, and she let out a heavy sigh. "It's been rough, Shya. The attack … Michael's death, you being kidnapped. It's left its mark on all of us."

She lowered her voice, glancing around as if afraid of being overheard. "Summer's been having nightmares. She tries to act tough during the day, but at night …" Marnie trailed off, shaking her head. "And she's not the only one. A lot of the humans in town are freaked out. They feel exposed in a way they never have before."

I felt anger bubbling up. I'd been so wrapped up in my own recovery that I hadn't fully considered how the attack had affected the rest of the town. If I didn't already want to rip Tristan's head off, hearing that Summer was having nightmares because of him would have made me determined to tear him apart.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage that threatened to overwhelm me.

"I'm so sorry, Marnie," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I had no idea it was this bad. You tell Summer there is nothing to worry about. I'm going to find Tristan and make sure he can't hurt anyone ever again. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Marnie gave me a sad smile. "Oh, honey, you've got enough on your plate. Don't worry about us. We'll get through this; we always do."

"Well, I'm back now. If you need anything, you just need to ask, okay?"

Marnie pulled me in for another hug. "Don't be silly. It's you I'm worried about. I was so scared, Shya. Thinking of you out there, with him."

I nodded, not ready to talk about everything that had happened. Not yet.

"What about the rest of the humans here in town? How are they coping?"

"It's been hard. Your mom has closed the town to tourists. She says she can't guarantee their safety. I get why, we all do, but Shya …" She met my eyes, and I could see the fear there. "Without the tourist money, many businesses are struggling. If this keeps up, some of us might have to shut down for good."

Shit, that was not good. Our whole town was built on Shifters and humans living side by side. If the human shop owners left—along with the humans they employed because there was no work here—then we would have done Tristan's job for him. This wasn't just about money; this was about the very fabric of our community and everything that we stood for being torn apart by fear and uncertainty.

"I'll talk to my mom about reopening the town to tourists. There's got to be a way we can keep people safe without completely killing our economy."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of movement. Tucker had slunk to the front of the shop, crouching just out of sight of anyone walking in. What was he up to?

Suddenly, the bell above the door jingled, and Summer burst in, carrying a paper bag that smelled delicious.

"Mom, I got the bagels from Mr. Johnson's! He threw in an extra cinnamon one for—" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she spotted me. "Shya! You're here!"

Summer rushed forward, nearly dropping the bag in her excitement. She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "I've been so worried about you!"

I hugged her back, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I'm okay, Summer. Really."

She pulled back, her young eyes searching my face. "Please tell me that motherfucker Tristan is dead."

"Summer!" Marnie gasped, her eyes wide with shock. "Language!"

I couldn't help it. The scandalized look on Marnie's face made me burst out laughing.

"Oh Goddess, Summer," I managed between giggles, "where did you learn to talk like that?"

Summer scowled and crossed her arms. "What? He is a motherfucker. After what he did, I think even Mom would agree."

Marnie sighed, shaking her head, but I could see the hint of a smile twitching her lips. "I neither confirm nor deny that assessment," she said primly, but her eyes were twinkling. "Will you stay for bagels, Shya? They smell amazing, and I'm starving. Summer, why don't you put them on the counter and go get some plates?"

"Oh, right!" Summer said, turning toward the counter. As she moved, I noticed Tucker's eyes lock onto her, his body tensing in preparation. He crouched low, his tail swishing in anticipation, and I suddenly knew why he wanted to come here. He was determined to work out why he could never sneak up on Summer, and he thought the only way to do that was to—

"Tuck!"

Tucker sprang forward, but as he did so, Summer casually sidestepped as if she‘d known he was there all along. Tucker, unable to change course mid-leap, sailed past her and crashed headlong into a display of running shoes. The stand toppled over with a loud clatter, spilling shoes across the floor. A human shouldn't have been able to sense Tucker like that.

Summer turned around, one eyebrow raised, and looked down at the tangled mess of wolf and sneakers. "Nice try, Tucker," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe next time."

I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Tucker! What did I tell you about stalking Summer? Marnie, I‘m so sorry," I said, rushing over to help.

But to my surprise, Marnie burst out laughing. "Did you see his face when he missed?" she said between giggles.

I glared at Tucker, who was looking decidedly sheepish. If I knew my little brother, though, he was more annoyed with himself that he'd missed her than being told off. Summer started picking up the scattered shoes. I jerked my chin toward her, and Tucker got to his feet and went to pick up a shoe with his mouth. "Oh no, you don't!" Summer scolded. "We can't have drool marks all over the Nike Air Forces." Tucker blinked, then began nosing shoes toward her.

"You know," Summer said, "one day you'll be a big, scary werewolf, and maybe, just maybe, then you'll be able to catch me out. But that day is not today."

Tucker huffed in a "challenge accepted" sort of way, causing Summer to laugh.

Marnie nudged me with her elbow. "See? No harm done. And tidying up will keep them both busy for a bit, so you can tell me how you're really doing."

I looked down at my rainbow sneakers for a moment. "I … I don't know, Marnie. Everything's so complicated now. Physically, I'm healing. But emotionally? I feel like I'm all over the place."

Marnie nodded encouragingly. "And Mason Shaw? He's the talk of the town at the moment. We've all heard how he was the one to find you. And that he's been staying up at the Alpha House with you." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

At the mention of Mason's name, I felt my heart rate quicken. I ignored it and focused on Marnie's words. If what she said was true, then Mom was right. People had been gossiping about me and Mason, and his being here would only undermine any claim I might make in the future that Edmond was my mate. I had been putting not just Edmond's position at risk, but my own, too. When I took over, there could be no doubt that I was one hundred percent committed to this Pack and to my mate.

"Both Mason and Derek Shaw have been very helpful. We owe them a debt for their help, but they have both gone now."

Marnie stared at me for a beat and then said, "Well done, that was a diplomatic answer worthy of the Pack princess, but I'm asking Shya, not the Alpha-in-waiting."

I bit my lip and sighed. Marnie knew me too well. "I asked him to leave. To give me some space. We need to bury Dad, and I need time to work out who I am again." I paused, my brow furrowing. "Right now, I honestly don't know how I feel about him. Or Edmond. I don't know what's real and what's not. I don't know who to trust. I just know I can't trust myself." I blinked at her. "Everything feels so muddled, but part of me knows that none of that matters. The Pack won't accept Mason. Edmond is what is best for this Pack. What I want doesn't really come into it. Not now."

Marnie's expression softened with sympathy as she put her hand on my arm. "Oh, Shya. I get it, I really do. It's a lot to process. You've been through a lot. But don't give up on Mason. If you think he's the only one who'll make you happy, you have to go for it. You deserve to be happy. But …" She hesitated, seeming unsure how to continue.

"But what?" I prompted, suddenly wary.

"Look, I don't want to add any pressure, but I don't know how much time you really have to work things out."

"What are you talking about?"

"Edmond was in the shop two days ago. He was asking about you and the types of shoes you like. He ended up ordering a pair for you. Said they'd look perfect for your mating ceremony and that they needed to be here by the middle of this week." Marnie's voice was gentle, but at her words, I felt like the ground had dropped out from beneath my feet.

I leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling dizzy. "He ordered shoes for the mating ceremony? Two days ago?"

We were burying Dad tonight with the moon in its last quarter, a time of release and letting go. The New Moon would rise in five days. It was a phase that symbolized a fresh start and new beginnings. Perfect for a mating ceremony. The fact that he'd ordered the shoes two days ago meant that he had started planning this as soon as he knew I was coming back.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

Marnie nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Shya. I thought you should know. You might not have much time to figure out how you feel about Mason."

I tried to nod, to say something reassuring, but I couldn't seem to find my voice. I'd wanted time and space, needed it, to come to terms with my decision to mate with Edmond, but I wasn't going to get it.