Page 86 of Shifters' Fated Summer
The day was tense with multiple meetings with various people. I didn’t see Cade at all, and Luca only briefly when he came to check on me. I took my book onto the deck and tried to enjoy the sunshine, but anxiety churned my stomach.
Elowen stopped by to give me the last injection of birth control. “There, no babies for you, yet,” she said, squeezing my shoulder. “I see you have another mark.”
I trailed my fingers over the tender skin. I wore a wide-necked tank top that showed both of them off, one almost healed and one angry and fresh.
“Yeah, Luca was upset after the stuff last night. He wanted to make sure I wasn’t questioning anything.”
Elowen frowned, sinking down into the seat beside me.
“He would have done that anyway. Don’t think it was reactionary.”
“I know.” My shoulders rose and fell with a heavy breath. “But he was pretty upset at the idea that the vampires wanted me back. I might have waited a bit longer.But honestly, I’m glad he didn't. It felt strange having Cade’s and not his.”
She nodded along. “I only have one mate, so I couldn’t begin to imagine, but it makes sense.”
“It’s complicated,” I said with a light laugh.
“Alrighty , love. I’d better get back to helping them. I swear, these boys can’t organize equipment for shit.”
“You’re not going, right?” I asked, straightening.
Elowen shook her head. “Of course not. But I think this time they’re leaving Holt and Lana. Cade doesn’t want to take any risks with you.” She shrugged. “Or me, I guess.”
“You’re more important,” I said automatically.
Her brows pinched. “You’re the most important to Cade and Luca. And that’s okay. I have Archer and our baby.”
“Sorry.” My shoulders dropped.
“Summer, don’t belittle yourself. I know Cade’s been an ass, but you are worthy of how Luca treats you. And I still believe Cade will come around.”
“Yeah, when hell freezes over.”
It felt wrong when I said it. Cade had shown tenderness, in his glances and the way he touched me. The feel of his body wrapped around mine at night. He was thawing.
But the stress of the fight against the vampires was too much for him, and then with the message...
As the afternoon aged, I went inside to help Holt with lunch. The team ate in silence, everyone tense about theupcoming mission.
The strain escalated as trucks were loaded and everyone pulled on tactical gear. I tried to stay out of the way, kissing Luca goodbye. Cade eyed me from across the room.
Be safe, I wished him silently.
After the trucks pulled away, Holt worked quietly in the kitchen, and Lana sat on the sofa with her arms crossed. Elowen felt sick, so she was resting upstairs.
Lana was the last person I wanted to socialize with. Scowling, I stood in front of the glass and squinted out at the lake as the sky darkened.
“They’ll be fine,” Lana said, coming to stand beside me.
“Yeah, I know.” My arms crossed, hugging myself defensively.
Sighing, Lana propped her hands on her hips. “Look, I’m sorry I was giving you a hard time. I thought you were messing around with Luca while you rejected your bond with Cade.”
The implication was that she no longer thought that was the case, so I kept my mouth shut. There was no need to defend myself.
“I really love Cade,” I finally said. “I know it’s messed up on some level, but I do. I can’t help it.”
“Yeah,” she said, gazing straight ahead at the glittering water.
