Chapter 26

W e arrived in Austin shortly before five in the afternoon. As promised, Archer gave me a lift even though it was Krys who was driving. Because the shop was located outside of Austin on the west side, the drive wasn't as long. Even so, a good portion of it was awkward, with the radio on and none of us speaking. They took the back roads to avoid police, and Krys kept glancing at Archer. He must have known his cousin wasn't acting himself.

I'd given everything Archer told me considerable thought. His past was a weighty revelation, and it shocked me. When I first met Archer, that was exactly how I pegged him—a ladies' man. But the more I got to know him, the more I realized that was only surface level. Then I wondered about my judgment in men and whether being with someone who could break my heart was worse.

Archer hadn't deserved the punishment inflicted upon him, yet he was a penitent man. Losing an arm for one night of passion with a woman who might have been in a failing relationship was not justice. Relationships end. Hearts break. But no one deserves a life sentence of pain. His Packmaster should have never capitulated and instead fought for him.

I thought about how proud he'd seemed the night before—how joyful and spirited. And also how quickly one fight in a parking lot had shattered his self-worth.

He spent most of the ride staring out the window of Lakota's pickup truck.

What if Noah's tiger had mauled him that night and taken his other arm? Or worse? That plagued my thoughts. Did he resent me? I had inadvertently put him in danger without the full understanding of where he came from and what he'd spent years struggling to overcome. In meeting me, Archer made one mistake, and it could have ended tragically.

After my tumultuous relationship with Noah, I wasn't sure how to fully trust that someone wouldn't deceive me. Yet my spirit animal urged me on and led me to the conclusion that I loved Archer. Deeply.

Shortly before we reached our destination, I put my hand on his left thigh and leaned against him. Neither of us said anything, but I was certain I felt the press of his lips to my head.

And like magic, when I got out of the vehicle at our stop, his demeanor had completely changed. Restored was the light in his eyes, the cheer in his smile, and the warmth in his touch.

"What do you want for dinner?" Archer asked, his arm around my waist.

Krys stared at us through the open door, the engine rumbling.

"Whatever you want," I replied.

He furrowed his brow. "Just tell us where to go, and we'll pick it up on the way back."

"I'm easy. I'll eat whatever you eat."

He huffed out a breath. "Do you have the phone Lucian gave you?"

"Yes."

"Good. Send me a text when you're ready for us and tell me what you want. We'll grab it on the way over."

"Okay." I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him softly on the mouth, and just like that, all the angst from the previous night disintegrated. Only this time, he lingered, drawing out the kiss and caressing my face at the same time. Archer was a phenomenal kisser who knew how to be gentle and passionate.

A possessive feeling of love overwhelmed me, as if the stars had traveled a million light-years just to witness this moment.

He drew back and glanced at the warehouse. "Are you sure you're okay to do this alone?"

"The owner's right there." I waved at the Latino man by the door. He had sent me his picture upon request since I wanted to make sure I met the right person. "It's going to be hours, so I hope you can find something to keep you busy."

"Oh, we'll find something to keep us occupied." He winked and got back in the truck. "Just be thinking about dinner."

I waved at them driving away, then turned to the brick warehouse, which had garage entrances in the front. There weren't any businesses in the immediate area except for a Breed pawnshop up the road.

"Cecilia Talius?" the man asked. He was older, deep lines carved in his face and a thick salt-and-pepper mustache. When he smiled, he showed off teeth so straight they almost appeared artificial.

"That's me."

He bowed his head. "Enrique Garcia. Are your friends coming back for you?" He laughed, and the rapid bursts reminded me of a woodpecker tapping on a tree.

"They'll be back."

"I hope so. Come inside." He led me through a door, and we walked across a concrete floor.

Up ahead were towering rows of shelves. The entire building was filled with boxes, storage pods, and what looked like sorting tables. He turned in to an enclosed cement structure on the right with yellow metal steps leading to a platform. I guessed he stood up there and directed vehicles that moved the heavy items around.

Enrique closed the door and looked out the windows that surrounded us. "I don't actually work in here. I operate this facility to store my purchased goods until I'm able to go through them and find the real money. I live on the other side of Austin with a nice view of the water. My wife expects me home for dinner, so I can't stay here with you all night. You want a drink?" He gestured to a cooler.

I shook my head. "No, thanks."

"There's also a bathroom outside to the right," he said, pointing through the windows at a stand-alone structure. Enrique sat on the desk next to a large box. "I can stay for half an hour and show you what I have. You're going to make an offer?"

"I don't know if I'm comfortable without looking through everything first. It depends on how much you have and the condition. I need to make sure I can sell the items."

He patted the box. "Four boxes with Breed books, forty-nine boxes of human books."

"Forty-nine? I didn't know it would be that many."

"I buy a lot of units. Like I said on the phone, you're free to stay as long as you need, but no funny business. There's a lot to see, but if anything turns up missing?—"

"I would never steal from you."

"You seem like a nice lady. I'll take your word for it. But keep in mind I know your Packmaster's name." He pulled a pack of breath mints from his pocket and popped one into his mouth. "I'll stay long enough so we can negotiate the books in here. This is where my money is." He patted the box again. "When you're done, you either make me an offer and take them home or I lock them up and you can look at the rest."

"If I want the others, will you hold them for me? I'll need to find a way to transport them home."

Enrique nodded and glanced at his watch.

"Um, if you're leaving, how do I lock up when I go?"

"I have security. Do you think I would leave my treasures unguarded? Just let them know when you're ready to leave." He chuckled and then pulled a box cutter out of a drawer. "Well? Let's get to work."

Enrique watched while I analyzed the books as quickly as possible, but it became apparent I would need Milly's advice. Until I knew what I had, I wasn't ready to make a cash offer. Instead, I sent Milly photographs on my phone since she'd offered to advise me for a small fee.

Enrique wasn't pushy and seemed eager for someone to take the books off his hands. There were a number of goods he didn't make much money selling, but he squeezed every penny he could out of his inventory, including used clothing. He profited the most from antique jewelry, furniture, paintings, and ancient artifacts.

After I finished sorting through the Breed books, Enrique gave me a brief tour before escorting me to the forty-nine boxes. While he had moved them to the floor, I had to pull them into the aisle to get them open. He left me a box cutter and said not to worry about moving them back, that his workers would take care of them in the morning.

We hadn't agreed to exchange money this evening. There was only the possibility of making an offer.

The first ten boxes, I pulled everything out. Despite his extensive variety of literature, only sixty percent was sellable. Damage aside, some were worthless, such as repair manuals for obsolete products. Anything I couldn't sell went into one of the ten empty boxes that I'd marked with an X to indicate they were trash.

If only there was air-conditioning.

Why not strip off your clothes? Who's going to notice? The security guard, that's who.

After an hour or so, my upper lip was sweating. Enrique had given me a bottle of water from his office, and I was pretty sure I'd sweated most of it out.

My ears perked up when I heard footsteps walking the floor. The security guard had passed me a few times while doing her rounds. She was a no-nonsense woman, and I wondered what her Breed was.

"You're early," the security guard said in the distance. Then a heavy door slammed.

By this time, I'd seen enough to make an offer. Enrique didn't want me cherry-picking titles but instead wanted a cash offer for the lot. That was how he did business. Anything I didn't need could be tossed out. If he didn't dispose of them, I would.

What did Archer mean by them finding a way to keep occupied?

They couldn't drink, so what else did they have planned for a night on the town? When I thought about Noah in the sex club, I wondered if I could ever trust anyone.

You're not mated, a voice in my head chimed in. Archer can go anywhere he wants, and so can you.

But I didn't want to visit strip clubs or be with other men.

Footsteps drew closer from behind. "Need a hand?"

When I looked over my shoulder, a short-haired man greeted me with a smile. He rubbed his clean-shaven jaw, and it took me a second before I noticed the name stitched on his uniform. When I recognized Noah's smile and devious gaze, my throat dried up like the Sahara Desert.

"What are you doing here? "

"What do you think?" he asked, his voice spirited. "I know you didn't like the long hair and whiskers, so I took care of that. And this job pays better than the club."

I discreetly glanced around for the box cutter. "That's nice."

" Nice? I thought you'd be more surprised than that." Noah walked closer and then squatted, his dark eyes even more pronounced with his hair and scruff gone. "I'm a changed man. Look, I even set up this gig just for you."

"What?"

A smile crept up his face. "Enrique didn't mention it? How do you think he got your information?"

"Because he heard about me."

Noah gave a mirthless chuckle. "Sure. He heard about some nothing bookstore in the middle of nowhere. Really, Cecilia? I thought you were smarter than that."

I moved my left arm behind a tall stack of boxes and prepared to pivot and run. Then my fingers made contact with the box cutter, as if someone had magically placed it in exactly the right spot.

"Well?" He shook his head, eyebrows arched comically high as if he was expecting an answer.

"What?"

"Aren't you going to say ‘thank you'?" He scoffed. "You really haven't changed. I've been busting my ass to make an impression. Those idiot officials won't let me back in town, and when I saw these books, I figured out how I could get you to come see me ." Noah suddenly stood and did a turn. "I look pretty sharp, huh?"

"I need to go. Enrique said when I finished?—"

" Enrique said, Enrique said. What about what Noah says? I went out of my way to set this whole thing up. The least you can do is sit and talk this out. I don't deserve what you did to me, and I sure as hell don't deserve all those nasty things you said that night. Are you still seeing that wolf? "

"Let's go outside. It's hot in here."

"No, we're staying right here. I love you, Cecilia. You owe me a conversation. You also owe me an apology."

My fingers stayed locked around the weapon. "You don't really love me, Noah. You wanted someone to cook your dinner, clean your house, and lie beneath you. And the only thing you ever wanted from me when you came home was either sex or a massage. Then you started coming home later, and you didn't want me at all. Why bother keeping me? I'm not a possession."

He shook his finger at me. " You pushed me away. Remember? You started giving me all those looks, like I wasn't good enough. Like my job wasn't good enough and our house wasn't good enough."

I had never once said nor implied those things. Those were his insecurities living rent-free in his mind.

Drenched in terror, I tried to rein in my thoughts as they ran wild.

Where's my phone? Is the door unlocked? Maybe I can outrun him. What if he shifts? Enrique locked the office, so I can't hide in there.

While my brain scrambled to recall the layout, all I could fixate on were his blue sneakers. Noah didn't wear colorful shoes or uniforms, and the absurdity of it made me want to laugh.

Noah walked around a stack of boxes and sat on the large one. When I scooted away, he raised his hand. "Be a good girl and stay right there. I'm gonna win back your heart—I promise, baby. Now, tell me what that three-legged mutt can offer you that I can't. He doesn't have a job, so he can't provide for you like I can. Do you think a man without an arm can protect you? A pack isn't permanent. If you're kicked out for some unforeseen reason, where will you go?"

Noah never used hypotheticals; he was the master of veiled threats .

"Nothing's permanent," I said, trying to placate him. "But I'm enjoying the bookstore and want to see where it goes."

"You can do that here." He gestured to the boxes and towering shelves. "I've got access to all this inventory, and if Enrique finds out we're together, he'll give you a sweet deal. Come home with me. I was going about it all wrong before. You can turn that spare bedroom into a library if you want. That'll keep you busy. Sound good?" He wrung his hands, and something in his expression didn't match his tone. "We can even go to the Council and make it official. It's about time I made an honest woman out of you."

Then I noticed the direction of his gaze. I'd worn a brown midi dress with a slit on one side. The turquoise ankle bracelet and matching necklace were ones I'd purchased from Hope since I wanted to make a good impression on Enrique for our meeting.

Noah's critical gaze was one I recognized; he hated me drawing attention to my body.

"I'm not ready to move," I informed him while maintaining a rational tone. "We need to be apart. Look at how improved your life is already. You don't need me anymore."

His jaw tensed. "You're a piece of work. Do you really think you have options? Does your crippled wolf know about your heat cycle? Because I bet when he finds out, things'll change real fast." Noah leaned forward. "Did you know some men have a heat fetish? The trouble is finding a woman willing because of the pregnancy issue, and nobody wants to deal with illegitimate babies. Condoms are useless."

I curled my legs close, readying myself.

Noah rubbed his chin, the air lightly accented with his musky cologne. "Lots of men haven't experienced a woman in heat, and collectors pay good money if she's infertile. It's so fucking rare, Cecilia. But you know what the kicker is? Some of these guys like to draw it out so they never fully satisfy the woman, and it causes her a lot of pain. They do it to make the cycle last longer because they're sadists. I was protecting you from all that. If you think those wolves won't have a field day with you, you're living in a fairy tale." He stood and paced around me. "That's why I moved you out of Austin. I thought you'd be safe in the country, but I didn't realize there would be so many fucking wolves sniffing around."

"And I'd be safer here? In the city?"

"With the right security system in the house, you'll be as safe as a bird in a cage. You don't like going out anyhow. We need to get you away from those dangerous wolves. I've heard some of those packs like to share their women with the alpha."

I steered myself in the direction he'd moved and quickly transferred the box cutter to my right hand, which stayed hidden behind me. "They're not like that."

"Everyone's like that, Cecilia. I've had you during heat, and I can tell you right now that every fucking man is like that. Once they get a taste of that sweet heat, they'll never want anything else. Even if those wolves don't jump on you, they can't protect you like I can. When word gets out, you won't be safe. There are lots of perverts who would love to sell you on the black market. Do you have any idea the price you would fetch?"

I lightly gasped. Is this his plan? Please tell me it isn't.

The thought of him spreading the word to nefarious individuals on where to find me was bad enough, but did he plan on selling me? My mind reeled.

They're just threats. He's trying to scare me so I'll go with him. That's what he does.

"The best part is, you're submissive by nature. And not being a predator makes you even more collectible." Noah crossed his arms. "If you're not scared, you should be. But you'll never have to worry about any of that with me."

When Noah turned on his heel to walk right, I sliced his Achilles. Before he could scream, I catapulted to my feet and shoved a tower of heavy boxes onto him.

"Goddammit!" he roared.

My feet barely touched the ground as I sprinted to the door. When I tried the knob, it wouldn't turn.

"You need a security badge!" he yelled out while limping toward me. "That wasn't very nice, Cecilia. After all I've fucking done for you. Your horse threw me off once, you know. I had to teach her a lesson, but maybe I should have taught you one too." He roared in pain.

I rushed up the yellow stairs that led to the top of the office, the box cutter still in my hand. "Let me out of here and I won't tell the Council." I scanned the warehouse in search of another way out.

In the distance, my ringing phone echoed off the concrete floor and tall ceilings.

Noah gripped the railing and slowly ascended the stairs. "You are the most ungrateful bitch I've ever met," he ground out.

"And you have to pay women to have sex with you."

When his head came into view, his eyes flashed up at me. "You fucking cut me! What the hell is the matter with you? I went through all this trouble to get you a deal, and you fucking cut me with a knife! You're a psycho bitch."

My heart pounded as I backed up to another set of steps leading down. "Please just open the door and let me leave, Noah. We had one really nice year together, but we're not good for each other."

"You're not good for anyone." He dragged his right leg behind him. Blood suffused his sneaker and left streaks on the floor. "The only thing you're good for is whoring, and you're not even good at that."

I ran down the steps and skidded past the bathroom. When I made it to the shiny metal garage doors, I searched for a button to open them. All I saw was a card reader. I thought about the badge clipped to Noah's waist.

Should I risk it? I can outrun him. But what if he grabs my arm? How close to an angry tiger do I want to get?

Something occurred to me, and I sprinted across the massive warehouse toward one of the aisles I remembered Enrique showing me.

" Where are you? Where are you? " I whispered, frantically scanning the boxes on the floor.

Then I spotted one with weapons written on a label.

"Please don't be impalement wood."

I sliced open the tape, ignoring Noah's taunts as he hunted me. When I peeled back the flaps, I stared at an array of small daggers. I dropped the box cutter and carefully fished around for something larger—a weapon to be taken seriously.

"Cecilia! Come out, come out, wherever you are."

I spied a large handle and gripped it. When I pulled it out, the blade was sheathed in leather.

"Aha!" Noah appeared at the end of the aisle.

I quickly shoved the box beneath the bottom shelf and ran to the next aisle while struggling to unfasten the sheath with my trembling fingers.

"Why are you running from me, baby? I'm giving you a chance to work this out."

The clasp unfastened, and I pulled out a blade that was seven or eight inches long. Steadying my breathing before I passed out, I held the blade in front of me.

Noah halted in his tracks. "Is that a weapon? Are you pulling a knife on me?" He took a few steps, his shoulders squared. "Did you know I can maintain control for five minutes after shifting? That's how I worked with your horse. Five minutes of terror, and then I'd shift back." His nostrils flared as he drew in a deep breath. "Start the clock!"

I gasped when Noah leaped forward and morphed into a tiger. Because of his enormous size, his clothes ripped away from his body.

The animal snarled, his fangs gleaming white.

I walked backward, my heart beating at a hummingbird's pace. When I reached the end of the aisle, I stepped out of sight and took off like a shot. His powerful roar reverberated in the open space, assailing me from every direction. I heard his paws and nails hitting the concrete floor behind me.

When I turned down an aisle, my foot caught on a box poking out from the floor level, and I fell on my face.

My entire body seized when the tiger roared. The ominous sound sank into my bones like a promise. His immense paw batted me around like a rag doll. Then he backed away.

Noah was toying with me. Would he kill me? Or would he black out and let his animal do it?

I swallowed hard and scrambled to my feet. "Let me go, Noah. If you ever loved me even a little, just let me go."

Since running would incite him to chase me, I mustered the courage to walk away at a steady pace. His tiger roared, and I caught the shadow of his paws swiping at my heels.

Stay calm. Stay calm. I can't climb these shelves… The bathroom is a swing door. Is there a back exit? It's probably locked too. Stay calm. I can't shift. He'll kill my horse.

Keeping my stride, I circled back to his pile of clothes.

When I lifted his badge, I stared the animal down. He was the only obstacle between me and freedom. "I'm leaving, Noah. Shift back, because I know you want to say something to me."

The massive animal's lips peeled back in another roar. When I moved to walk around him, he locked his jaws on my left arm without piercing the flesh. In a swift motion, I stabbed him in the lower jaw.

The tiger released my arm and wrenched away. Fury danced in his eyes. He planned to kill me, so I ran.

With my eyes on the garage door, I sprinted as fast as I could, freedom in one hand and the dagger in the other. I'd barely crossed in front of the office before the heaviest force knocked me over.