Page 44 of Shifting Years
Mike hugged himself but didn't come over to me.
The sheriff whispered 'Go' and I did, taking Mike with me. An enemy was still alive with hate magnified because I tookhisOmega. Staying in town would complicate our lives. Still, I could have died, leaving him with a monster.
I didn't finish the battle, more like survive, but I'd win the war.
***
There was no cabin with a picket fence, but the 'confusion' left. I found what I searched for and so did Mike, I hope. We didn't sleep together on the first night, out of respect toward Penny and Mary because we lived in their cabin.
I expected an attack from Henry, but the sheriff said he was under probation since he attacked his former Omega.
Soon, we rented a cabin since we put the womenfolk out enough. I've had wishes in my life, like wondering if my number got called, but I'm happy this one came true. Mike, to my relief and frustration, agreed to live under the same roof.
A beaten-down man doesn't come back right away. My long hitchhiking journey proved that, but slowly there were hints of the frustrating man I loved and admired. He even pushed back, making sure his radio station playedThe Grateful Deadand filling the place with all the business books he lost.
Despite the good, something loomed on the horizon, ready to take it all away. I expected it to come in the form of an oily-haired Alpha. Instead, a harsh retch echoed from the bathroom, sending ice down my spine. An angry Alpha I could fight, but this—this was something else. Mike staggered out, his face ghost-pale as he leaned against the wood paneling. He swallowed hard, and when he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.
"I… I'm pregnant."
Everything in me turned cold. Only one man could be the father. And it wasn't me.
If the town found out, Henry could and would take him back.
***
Chapter Seventeen
January 15th, 1972
Mike
Inside a lime-green car, my sweaty palms clenched the steering wheel. Todd sat beside me, arms crossed, mumbling under his breath. "This is a terrible idea. You don't ask Tina and Dawn foranything."
"Are you saying this because Alphas always know best?"
"Oh, give me a break, and you know I'm not Henry. Penny and Mary said the same thing. Sure, they mentioned how nice the ladies were, but they're afraid."
"I listened about Westley."
"No, you set him on the back burner in case your first choice doesn't work out."
It's weird knowing I could ask a vampire for help since they loved shifter blood. Todd said he heard they'd keep us prisoners and feed for years. So, my Alpha had a point.
Is he my Alpha?We hadn't slept together, and I carried another wolf's pup.
I kept my eye on the two-lane country highway as green swamp and twisted black trees raced by. "Just looking for options and I might not accept their help."
A faint whiff of garbage scent escaped me, and Todd sneered.
"Not a total lie, but okay, debatable." My teeth clicked together. "Hold my hand… please?"
"It won't make the decision smarter." Yet, he gripped my right tight, sending warmth and Alpha reassurance while we drove in silence. Soon we found a tall, oily-black twisted tree as thick as a house and a few stories high. Rusted sheet metal formed a shed near the bottom.
"It's not big enough for anyone to live in," said Todd. "You got us lost."
I repeated the directions, which we followed to the letter. "It's not like there's going to be a sign."
The engine sputtered and refused to start, no matter how many times I turned the key.
