My Wolf’s Bane(96)

Racing around the car, he opened the door for me. Gingerly, as though I was still disoriented, I got out.

Charles appeared out of nowhere, meeting us at the path to the front door. “Hello. I had no idea we were neighbors. Everything alright?”

He seemed so nice. Not at all like my first impression at the dealership. Standing less than an inch shorter than Zack, he wore his long, brown hair loose. It framed brown eyes and lightly tanned skin.

“Uhm, yeah. She fainted, but she’s okay now.” Zack draped an arm around my shoulders. You think we’re safe now? he asked Charles telepathically.

Yes. They won’t bother you again.

You’re sure? Zack asked.

Positive. If I turn out to be wrong though, call me. I’ll be close by. He switched to talking aloud. “I’m glad you’re alright,” he told me, then turned to my escort again and tipped his hat. “You two have a nice evening.”

Zack looked a little dazed. I probably did too.





CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

We went straight for the sofa without turning on a light, Zack on one end and me on the other.

“I can’t believe you did that to his eyes. That was so disgusting.” A giggle slipped out, even though it wasn’t actually funny.

“I didn’t gouge them out or anything. Just messed them up.” Zack half snorted, half laughed. “I wanted to kill him.”

“Why didn’t you?” Not that I’d wanted him to, but I was curious.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to. I figured since I know that shop inside and out, I had an edge on him. Planned on tying him up with duct tape so tight that even morphing into werewolf, he couldn’t get away. Stuff him in the trunk, drop you off, then call Charles. If things got ugly, I would’ve killed him to keep you safe, but it’s not something I was looking forward to. And there’d still be a werewolf inquisition and I’d have to prove it was self-defense.”

I shuddered at the thought of Zack being jailed or worse for protecting me. “I’m glad it didn’t come to that.”

“Once William showed up, I knew Charles would follow,” Zack said. “I’d given Charles the heads up earlier and suggested he keep an eye on William, which guaranteed that if William showed, I’d have help.” “You had everything all figured out and you didn’t think maybe you should clue me in?”

Zack left the couch, then switched on a light and stood in front of me. “I didn’t want you to worry. At the same time, I didn’t want you getting your hopes up by thinking we were in the clear.”

“You think it’s over?” I asked.

“With Daniel, for now, yes.” He settled into the recliner. “But so long as I’m a werewolf under the king’s rule and you’re a potential slave, it will never be over for us.”

“You put such a positive spin on things.” I sighed and relaxed my shoulders.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to upset you, but you need to understand the situation.”

“Trust me, I’m fully aware of the situation.” Part of me wished I wasn’t. “But Charles was surprisingly nice. Maybe he’s not so bad.”

“He’s a werewolf and a scout, Autumn. You’re forgetting how creepy you thought he was. Besides, he wants the same thing William wants. The king’s best interest, not mine.”

“Your father was both those. Don’t forget that. Most important, you’re a werewolf. We’re not even supposed to get along and yet we do.”

“Don’t be so optimistic that you’re not prepared for the worst.” He pulled the lever and the footrest came out.

“Well, that’s something you don’t have to concern yourself with, because I am prepared for the worst,” I said softly, taking a deep breath. “Now that Daniel’s gone, you don’t need to protect me. I’ve got my car now, so that frees up your afternoons and weekends.”

Zack didn’t comment. Good. I didn’t want him to say something nice and give me false hope. I needed to cut him from my life as quickly and painlessly as possible. The sooner he left, the sooner the healing could begin. But I’d still see him at school and it would be excruciating. Monday seemed like a million years away though.

“Imagine how glad your mom will be when you go home tonight and tell her Daniel is no longer harassing me,” I said, my chest tightening at the thought of Zack not staying the night.

“Until I’m sure he’s gone, you’re not out of the woods. I’ll stay tonight. But tomorrow, you probably won’t need me anymore.”

Oh, but he was so wrong.