Page 8 of Red and Her Dragons (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 4)

He shook his head as he continued to stare at the floor. “She was my girlfriend. I thought I was in love. She knew what I was and wanted me to change her. I was willing to do that, but… one night, I was angry. Too angry. I lost control over my bear and shifted. She was too close. And I was too late.”

“That’s what you meant by deadly consequences?” Cassie asked, her voice somber.

He nodded. “I’ll understand if this changes things between us. And ever since that night, I distanced myself from everyone. Until Cassie came along.”

Chase added. “And that was a struggle trying to convince him she wasn’t an evil witch who was after everything.”

“Hell, getting him to accept the two of us was like pulling teeth,” Jasper said.

I nodded as I listened, taking everything in.

“Yeah, no kidding. We barely wiggled our way into his life, and not without a fight or two on top of it,” Chase said.

“Where is the family now?” I asked Kai.

“On the other side. I had to put as much distance between me and them as I could get. There was no way I could bring their daughter back, and though I was willing to lay down my life to make up for hers, death would have been merciful,” Kai said.

I nodded. “They must have followed you here.”

“Years later,” Kai muttered. “But I didn’t make it a secret about where I was.”

“Why didn’t you stay there and accept responsibility for your actions?” I asked.

“To what end?” Kai asked. “It didn’t seem to make a difference. I couldn’t bring her back. Besides, they understood it was an accident. I banished myself to save them the grief of constantly seeing me, and I had set out to live the rest of my life in solitude and exile. The last thing I want is for someone else to get hurt because of me.”

“How long ago was this?” Chase asked again.

“I was sixteen,” Kai said.

I gasped. “You were new. It’s no wonder the parents accepted banishment as punishment.”

“But why now?” Cassie asked.

“Why now, what?” I asked.

“Why come after him now? If it’s been years, then why bother with looking for him now?” she asked.

I shrugged. “That is what I’m trying to figure out. Hopefully, I can find the answer before a war breaks out. And let me be clear, I’m not saying they are the ones responsible for this hunt. I still have that to figure out.”

“People on the other side don’t forget, much less forgive easily. I suspect they want some closure or retribution for their daughter’s death, even though I had explained everything to them,” Kai said.

“They must have changed their mind because they are willing to start a war to get you,” Jasper said.

“Stopping by their place would be the next step in my plan, but I’ll likely send Bret to do that. He’s the only one that could pull off being a private investigator,” I said.

“I wish I could help, but I don’t even know where they live anymore,” Kai said. “I let that life behind me fade away.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” I said. “Meanwhile, I strongly suggest you don’t leave this cabin until things blow over. Whoever is behind this is also working with the wolves.”

“You’re kidding,” Jasper said.

“I wouldn’t joke about anything like this, but no, I’m not,” I said.

“What do you suggest we do?” Chase said.

I paused to think things over. There was only one thing to do. Keep Kai alive for as long as possible. That meant keeping him out of harm’s way, which also meant, out of sight.

“Keep Kai here. I’ll come back with more information as I come across it. If you see anything or notice anyone lurking around who shouldn’t be, call me. I’ll be here as soon as I can. With some luck, we can put a stop to this before anyone else gets hurt,” I said.

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