“Hey, Karen, can I leave you to it? There’s something I have to do.”
Karen glanced up at Katalina and then to Bass. “Sure, Kat, thanks for your help.”
Walking silently toward him, Katalina took his hand, leading him out the back door. Arne stood from his position by the twins, but Katalina told him to stay. Once outside, she turned to face Bass and squeezed his hand as she asked, “Are you all right?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Bass, I’m not stupid. I can read you better than you think. What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine.” He sounded pained.
Katalina took his hand and placed it over her heart. “I know I’m not as good at this shifter stuff as you, but I know this feeling inside of me is yours, and not mine. Talk to me. You’re anxious, fearful even.”
Bass sighed, “It’s hard to explain.”
“Try.” She gave him an encouraging smile.
“These people, River Run, they love you. You might have not have grown up in the pack, but to them, you’ve always been a member. I can see it, how easily you slot in.”
“I’m not so sure I fit in, but isn’t them accepting me a good thing?”
“Yes…it’s just, they look at me and see Dark Shadow. These are your people, but they may never accept me. I don’t want you to resent me, or them because I don’t fit in your world.”
“Sebastian Evernight, you are my world.” Standing on tiptoes she placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Please don’t feel like that. Give them time. I belong here about as much as you. I’ve never been in a pack and I certainly won’t be taking orders from Jackson. We’ll just take each day as it comes, but I promise you, I’d never want to be anywhere other than by your side.”
Chapter 26
They didn’t go back inside. Bass stood behind Katalina with his arms wrapped around her. She melted into his hold, her body molding against the hard panes of his torso. “This right here, this is my home,” she whispered to him, tipping her head to the side and kissing him along his jaw. The few days old stubble rubbed against her sensitive skin.
“How are you coping, Kat? Having to fight, I know it’s not something you wanted to do.”
Katalina stood in his embrace, watching as the sun slid its way down the sky. She could see the distant outline of people still working to put out the fire. The sun lit the smoke turning the plumes into a canvas of purples and oranges. She thought about driving through the fire and the feeling of being transported into another world. She remembered every beat of her heart as she watched Toby fall and not get back up. She recalled the anger and driving need inside of her, to protect, to stop those wanting to hurt the people she cared for.
“I honestly feel fine. I’ve come to realize something. Fighting and protecting others is in my blood. My wolf could never stand back and watch others fight for her, and she’s as much a part of me as my human half. I suppose I feared that if I accepted who I was, then I would lose myself. I wouldn’t be Katalina Winter anymore. My wolf has always been a part of me. I was born shifter, not human, and I’ve been denied my true self long enough.”
Katalina felt Bass’s lips against her neck, his breath hot against her skin. He breathed in, opening his mouth to speak, but the back door opened, cutting him off. They both looked up to see who’d come outside.
“Jackson,” Bass murmured with a nod.
“What did you say to the police?” Katalina asked.
“I didn’t have much to tell them other than someone decided to set fire to my land. They didn’t buy it but they can’t prove otherwise. They’re gone for now.” Jackson’s eyes narrowed on Bass’s arms wrapped around Katalina. He looked to be having an argument with himself. He took a deep breath and with a hand on his neck, he said, “Kat, we need to talk.”
I can’t wait.
Bass stepped back from Katalina, but his hand remained tight around hers.
“Both of you, really,” Jackson stated, looking more uncomfortable by the minute.
“We’re listening,” Katalina muttered, glaring.
“Right, well, I’m not going to say I’m happy about this, but I understand I have no right to dictate your life, and even if I did, there is little I can do to stop a mating. It’s very clear you’re mates. I only need to watch the two of you to see that. The way you move and act together, it’s as if you’ve known each other for years. I sincerely wished it had been Cage, not because I don’t like Sebastian, because honestly, Kat, he’s strong, stronger than Cage, and he’s obviously willing to protect you, but he’s Dark Shadow, Kat. His father is their alpha, and quite frankly, I’m losing this war. I’m not sure I can protect you. I’m worried, Kat. I made a mistake giving you away, and now, I’m frightened I’m going to lose you again.”