Page 13 of Ruby's Strength

“Don’t worry about it hun, I know where you live.”

Cole and I don’t talk on the way back to my place. There isn’t much to say. When he pulls up to my house, the floodlights turn on, and I see Everett sitting on the back porch in a chair waiting for me. “Go easy on him Ru. I’m sure he’s in shock.”

“I will.” I open the door, and I’m about to close it when Cole asks “When did you get floodlights?”

I smile and look over at Everett. “He installed them this morning. He wasn’t happy about me walking into the house not being able to see.”

“But you can…” Cole stops and waves at Rett who’s sitting on the porch. “I get it now. That’s a good guy Ruby.”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “He is.”

“You didn’t see this coming?”

I give Cole a look, and he puts his hands up in surrender. “It was just a question. I figured since you’ve seen everything else, you would have seen this too.”

“That’s what I thought would happen too. But life rarely goes according to plan. Love you, big brother.”

“Love you too, Ruby. Tell him to call me if he needs to talk. I’ll check in with you in the morning.”

I nod and shut the door then walk up my stairs to sit beside Everett on the rocking bench.

“Hey…” I try, but he says nothing. I know he heard me, but he sits staring out at the back where the forest and my property meet. I can see the wheels turning in his head. I just wish I knew what he was thinking. “I’m sorry I lef-”

Wolves howl loudly in the distance causing chills to run down my back.

“They’ve been doing that every couple of minutes since you left. Friends of yours?”

“Hell no! Those are the guys responsible for killing my father.”

“Get inside.” Rett commands and stands up pushing me inside my house and to my couch.

“Hey, take it easy,” I complain not liking being told what to do.

Rett paces in front of me for a few minutes. “Don’t you ever do that shit again Ruby. I’ve been half out of my mind wondering where you were. You could have gotten hurt out there.”

I snort, there’s no way that’s happening unless he still thinks I’m human. “Wait, you didn’t see?”

“You mean did I see your naked-as-a-jaybird ass suddenly turn into a furry predator while running out on me after the best sex of my life? Yeah, it was kind of hard not to notice.”

I cringe, hating the way he’s talking to me, but at the same time, I know I kind of deserve it. “You’re right, I shouldn’t have done that.”

“If we have a problem you stay so we can solve it.”

I grab his hand and pull him to sit beside me. “I’m sorry Everett. I freaked out after I claimed you, so I changed into my bear and went to my brother’s house.”

“So your brother knows about you?”

“We’re all bears Everett. My brothers and I were born as bear shifters because our parents were bear shifters. When Cole and Slate met their mates, they claimed them, and they turned into bear shifters as well.”

“Do people in town know?”

“No, and we want to keep it that way. Please don’t say anything.”

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