Page 24 of Shifting Fate
Feral.
Did he know? Had he known this whole time? I didn’t understand.
The fact that he fucked and ran didn’t really surprise me, considering how he’d flipped his shit when I’d tried to kiss him the first time. I’d assumed he wasn’t interested, end of story, but now I was beginning to think that maybe I was wrong. He was my mate. How the fuck could he not be interested if we were soul bound? Was there something wrong with me? Some reason he didn’t want to get involved with me?
Shit… A sigh hissed between my clenched teeth. First things first, I needed a shower, because I felt absolutely gross. Between the lube I’d used to prep myself before inserting the tail, and the cum that was currently crusted between my asscheeks? Yeah. A shower was definitely in order.
Gathering up the various pieces of my Halloween costume, I peeked my head out the door. Certain that no one would see, I streaked across the hall to the bathroom and indulged in a long, hot shower courtesy the Becketts’ dual rain showerheads.
Much better.
I dressed in the shorts and top I’d worn last night, stuffing my boots and costume accessories in a plastic grocery bag. Brenda and William tried to convince me to stay for breakfast, but I was more worried about straightening things out with Colby. However…
“Mind if I take a couple for the road?” I asked, gesturing to the freshly-baked cinnamon rolls oozing with melty cream cheese icing. As Ella Sutton always said, the way to a shifter’s heart was through his stomach, and I didn’t doubt that for a minute. Maybe Colby just needed something sweet.
Okay, fine. It was totally bribery, but fuck it.
“Sure thing!” She placed four pastries on a ceramic plate, then loosely covered it with tin foil. “Here you go, honey, and don’t worry about the plate. Just bring it next time you and Tashi come around.” She winked. “And don’t think I don’t know where those cinnamon rolls are going, kiddo.”
I grinned despite myself. “Busted.”
She tossed her head back on a laugh, then ushered me out of the room. “Get out of here. Drive safe.”
“I will,Mom,”I shot back, earning another hoot of laughter from Brenda and William. Breakfast in tow, I went out to my car, dumped my shit in the passenger seat and drove barefoot all the way to Westwind. What could I say? I was a man on a mission.
Merrick answered the door, surprise registering on his face when he took me in. “Dallon? Is everything okay?”
“I need to talk to Colby,” I said, sidestepping his question. “Is he free?”
He frowned, his brows knitting together. He cast a glance over his shoulder, like he was trying to decide whether or not to let me in. My stomach clenched. Not a good sign.
“Give me a second,” he said, before practically shutting the door in my face. Muffled voices could be heard on the other side, but try as I might to strain my ears, I couldn’t make out the words.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the door creaked open once more. Colby stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes darted past me, to the woods beyond, and his lips thinned into a flat line. He stepped out onto the front step with me and closed the door behind him.
“Can we talk?” I asked, uncertain all of a sudden. I offered him the plate of goodies. “I brought breakfast.”
“I’m not hungry,” he retorted with a small shake of his head. “But thanks anyhow.”
“Colby.” I sucked in a deep breath. “Please. Talk to me.”
Suddenly, his silver eyes were sharp, pinning me in place. “Don’t think I don’t smell him on your skin. I’m not a fool. You need to be careful around him, Dallon. What he did…”
“What did he do?” I demanded.
“It was… Terrifying.” The tight line of his shoulders sagged. “He was in my head, prying into my thoughts, my memories. All of that? Was laid bare to him, and it hurt. I felt his rage, his jealousy, his need.” He swallowed. “Like being slapped in the face, I felt his pure desire for you…and his bitterness towards me. I felt it loud and clear.”
“I’m sorry—”
He held up a hand. “No. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. It scared the shit out of me, not going to lie, but Espen helped smooth things over. Don’t worry.” He smiled, but there was no humor in his eyes. “That said, I don’t think we should fool around anymore. I don’t want to risk it.”
I blinked. “Of course. I’m sorry, Colby. Really, I am. I should’ve—”
“Stop.” He sighed heavily. “Dallon, it’s fine, so long as he didn’t hurt you.”
“He didn’t hurt me,” I managed to breathe out, my heart suddenly waging war against my ribcage.Thud-thump. Thud-thump.I bit my lip. Should I tell him the truth? Hell, I barely even knew the truth myself. It hadn’t quite sunken in yet.
“If he does…” His face contorted into a grimace.
