Page 7 of Curses and Casualties
Ryan gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I get it. I felt the same way after my change. Except I had a little longer to get used to things before the future of shifter kind settled its weight on my shoulders. Everything’s changed so quickly for you, love.”
A lump forms in my throat. “It has. Sometimes I wake up and for a split second, I forget everything that’s happened. Then reality comes crashing back in and the life I lived before, the career I spent so many years building, feels like a dream that belongs to somebody else.” I glance up at him. “Am I making any sense?”
“You are.” He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. “And I’m sorry you’ve been thrust into this so suddenly. I wish I could have given you more time to adjust.”
I shake my head, managing a small smile. “It’s not your fault. And I wouldn’t change it, you know. Meeting you, discovering this whole new world... it’s been incredible. Terrifying at times, but incredible.”
Ryan’s eyes soften as he looks down at me. “I’m glad you feel that way. I wouldn’t change it either.” He pauses, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. “Well, maybe I’d change one thing.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”
Ryan leans in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispers, “I’d have met you sooner.”
A warmth blooms in my chest at his words, and I lean up to press a quick kiss to his cheek.
“If you two start glowing…” Ethan warns over his shoulder, making me giggle and for Ryan to pull me even closer.
As we approach my apartment building, it’s like I’m walking through someone else’s memory. The familiar facade looks unchanged, yet everything about being here feels different. Ryan’s arm tightens around my waist, his eyes scanning the area with predatory intensity.
“We should split up,” Ethan suggests as we near the building. “Scarlett and I can scout the perimeter while you two stay here and scout the entrance.”
Ryan nods in agreement. “Good idea. Keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious. If you see any sign of pack activity, don’t engage. We need to stay invisible.”
As Ethan and Scarlett disappear around the corner, I lean into Ryan’s side, my gaze wandering to the tall, brick-and-ivy-covered building. It’s crazy to think that only a few short weeks ago I was living a relatively normal life within those walls. Now I’m bonded to an incredible man and caught in the crossfire of an ancient prophecy.
Ryan’s hand finds mine, fingers entwining, offering silent support. I squeeze his hand in return and turn to look at him. “How do you want to play this?”
His gaze is still focused on the building, eyes narrowed as he assesses our surroundings. “Ideally, we just get to go in, get what we need, and get out without anyone even knowing we were here. But I don’t know. Something feels off.”
I feel a shiver crawl up my spine, a primal instinct alerting me to danger. This is new too—the ability to sense potentialthreats, an eerie gift that’s become a part of my increasingly supernatural existence.
Danger scent on the wind,Luna confirms, her hackles rising in my mind.But old. Faded. Maybe yesterday.
“I feel it too,” I murmur, suddenly aware of the ominous quiet that’s fallen over the street. The usual city noises are muted, as if the world itself is holding its breath.
Ryan shifts closer, his free hand instinctively moving to the small of my back. “Stay behind me,” he instructs, voice steady despite the rising tension.
“But—”
“Georgia,” he interrupts. His eyes are hard, but there’s an urgency in them, a plea for my cooperation. For a moment, I want to argue, to assert that I’m not the same woman he fell in love with anymore. That I’m stronger now, more capable. But then I understand that this isn’t about strength or capability. Ryan is steeling himself for the worst-case scenario. He’s up against the unknown, and his primary instinct is to protect me—to protect us.
I nod quietly, swallowing the lump in my throat. “OK.”
No sooner have the words left my mouth than a flurry of movement catches my eye. A shadow darts across the entrance of the alley next to the building. My heart leaps into my throat, adrenaline surging through my veins, and I instinctively move behind Ryan. He tenses, every muscle in his body coiling like a spring ready to burst as he crouches slightly.
His eyes are locked onto the alley’s entrance, watching, waiting. And then, the shadow moves again. Darting out from the alley and into the morning light.
A cat. A lanky, disgruntled-looking tabby cat steps onto the sidewalk, its tail flicking irritably as it blinks at us with an air of vague disdain. The tension drains from Ryan’s posture, and he rises from his crouch with a sheepish grin.
“I guess we jumped the gun a little,” he admits, scratching the back of his head.
I can’t help but laugh as I move to stand next to him. “Hey, that cat could’ve been a shapeshifter,” I say, giggling when Ryan mock-glares at me.
“You think that’s funny, do you?”
“Oh no,” I manage to say through my giggles. “I think it’s hilarious!”
He huffs but there’s no heat in it.
