Embracing the Wolf - Book #2 (Anna Avery) (30 page)

When I opened my eyes, I looked down at Adam and found him staring at me. I removed my hands from his wound and began laughing and crying. The wound was completely gone, just the smear of blood remaining. Joe moved closer to inspect Adam’s chest and gasped when he didn’t find a hole. I could feel his eyes on me, but I couldn’t stop looking at Adam.

“What did you do?” Adam asked, sitting up slowly.

“I don’t know,” I told him honestly. “I healed you somehow.”

He eyed me warily for only a moment, and then his hand was in my hair and he was guiding my face to his. He kissed me so fervently that it felt as though he was breathing life into me. My body came alive, wild with desire for him. I fisted my hands in his hair and kissed him back with as much dedication as he gave.

“Uh, should I leave?”

Adam and I broke the kiss; I was laughing from the joy of seeing Adam healed.

“No, man,” Adam said. “I’m ready to head home.”

Joe and I helped Adam up, and the three of us walked back to the truck. Adam kept his arm slung around my shoulders, either for support or because he wanted me close.

“Did you see who shot you?” Joe asked. I already knew the answer.

“No, just a shadow, and by then it was too late.” He looked down at me, his fingers squeezing my shoulder. “I was dying,” he whispered. “I could feel it.”

“Me too,” I replied. “I think I felt the exact moment you got shot. It’s how I knew to find you. I’m just happy you told someone where you were going.”

He hugged me against his side, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. A mental thought of a human coming across the three of us naked made me laugh. Then again, it was nearly one in the morning, and the possibility that humans would camp in this area was slim.

“What’s so funny?” Adam asked.

I shook my head. “Nothing, I’m just happy you’re okay. You are, aren’t you? You feel fine?”

“I sure as hell don’t feel like I was shot in the heart with an arrow. A little tired, but that’s about it.”

I smiled up at him. “Good.”

* * * *

Back at the house, a small group of wolves stood on the lawn. When we emerged from the truck, clapping and cheers broke out. I could see the relief on our pack member’s faces as they watched Adam walking on his own.

People patted Adam on the back as we made it up the porch and into the house. I guess my freak out had gotten around, and everyone suspected something horrible had happened. And it had. No matter how unsure I was about my new wolfy powers and how much it unsettled Adam, I would never resent having them now. They had saved my mate’s life; my
wolf
had saved his life, and I would forever be thankful.

After everyone greeted Adam, only members of the Everwood pack remained in the main house. Adam, Joe, and I dressed and met in the kitchen. Elle fixed sandwiches for everyone, and I was grateful to have something to fill my empty stomach. I didn’t remember the last time I had eaten.

After explaining what had happened, I got a few questioning glances from my pack. I admit, healing someone was a little bizarre. More than that, they watched me with something resembling fear, and that stung. Wolves can lend power if they’re alphas, but even then, it’s not strong enough to bring a person back from the brink of death.

“You think it was Taren?” Wade asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.

“Could have been,” I said. “I did kill Veronica, and this could be his way at getting back to me. The thing is, this was different than my vision.”

Wade chewed a few times and then said, “Visions aren’t set in stone, Anna. They change depending on people’s actions. You killed Veronica and the two others, so the future shifted to accommodate that.”

I frowned. I didn’t like how he talked about the future as though it was a living, breathing thing. Hell, maybe it was. The universe is too big to understand. Maybe some mystical being sat amongst the clouds, strings dangling from his or her hands, controlling everybody’s actions. After becoming part of the supernatural community, I wouldn’t bet against it.

“You said that Taren acted afraid of you,” Adam said. “Do you think he would risk coming back here to attack me just to get back at you?”

I eyed Adam, happy to see the color returning to his face. “Honestly, no. If Taren willingly left Veronica because he was afraid of me, I can’t see him coming back here to avenge her death. No, whoever shot you, is the one who hired the vampires in the first place.” I reached for his hand and squeezed. “The vampires were lying about Anthony, but I know it was a wolf.”

“Why would they lie about Anthony?” Elle asked, taking the seat next to me.

I thought about it for a second. “It was smart and stupid at the same time. Smart because whoever it is knows that Adam and his brother don’t get along, and everyone would automatically believe it was Anthony. I mean, he did kidnap me after all. But it was stupid because they’re screwing with someone who has visions. They had to have known I would eventually see the truth.”

“Maybe they thought you would be dead before then,” Elle added.

“The question is,” Wade said, “why are they doing this? Who hates you enough to want to kill you, or Adam, for that matter?”

That was a very good question, and only two names came to mind: Maggie and Donald Everwood. None of the other wolves knew me well enough to want me dead. And if I’d learned anything from watching crime shows, it was that politicians and wealthy families would go to desperate measures to make sure their family name remained clean. Having a mutt in the family would only soil their bloodline. Then again, why would they shoot their own son? Nothing about this ordeal made a lick of sense, and it was driving me crazy.

“We can send tracking teams out,” Joe said. “I’ll oversee everything so you can get some sleep.” He rested his hand on Adam’s shoulder.

I was supposed to be leaving for New Mexico tomorrow, but I couldn’t until we caught this person. Just thinking about what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten to Adam in time caused my stomach to twist with pain.

“There’s one good thing that will come out of this,” Adam said. At our questioning looks, he said, “They will never ask me to host a conference again.” We all laughed and nodded.

“I don’t know,” I said. “It’s almost like a murder mystery dinner party.”

“Yeah, where the attendees could literally die,” Elle said.

We all nodded in agreement, silence settling around the table as each person thought. I rested my head in my hand and rubbed my forehead, closing my eyes. I tried to think of a logical suspect, someone other than Adam’s parents, but the only thing I saw was Adam’s bleeding body in the forest. I had a feeling I would be seeing it for a while. I thought about the vision I had and the shadowed figure that shot him. From what I remembered the few times I’d seen Taren, the shooter was shorter than him. Was it another vampire or the employer?

“Maybe we should tell everyone to go home,” I said and everyone looked at me. “I know the conference has another week, but I’m tired of worrying every time we go outside that another arrow is going to find its way into one of our hearts. If the person responsible is from one of the visiting packs, then maybe they’ll take their vendetta home with them.” Even as I said it, I knew I was wrong. Someone that twisted wouldn’t just up and forget about wanting me dead.

Adam rubbed my back, his fingers coming up and squeezing my shoulder. “I think it’s best everyone remain here until we catch whoever is doing this. Maybe tomorrow you can start reading people.” At my frown, he smiled. “You can read Chloe first. Just think of all the dirt she’s hiding. You could own her with it.”

I admit that did make this whole ordeal a little more bearable. Then again, I didn’t want to spend an entire day seeing the history of the visiting wolves. I wanted my mountain back and everyone to leave, like now.

“I think I’ll start tonight,” I said, standing up.

I knocked on the door to Adam’s old house where Chloe and Cadie were staying. The interior was dark behind the windows, and I smiled at the thought of pissing them off by waking them up. Lights flipped on, illuminating the house, and footsteps echoed as someone headed toward the door. I silently prayed that I would find incriminating information by reading Chloe. Other than Adam’s parents, she was my only other suspect.

The door swung open to reveal Cadie. As soon as she saw me, a scowl distorted her pretty face. “What do you want?”

I smiled brightly. “I thought we girls could have a slumber party,” I told her sarcastically. She rolled her eyes and began to slam the door in my face, but I shot out my hand and stopped it from closing. I ignored the huff coming from her lips and stepped inside.

“That was very rude,” I told her. “Especially since this is not your home. You are a guest here. I expect for you to show some respect.” I was not in the mood to deal with a snotty werewolf ho. One wrong word and I was afraid I would kill them both. Adam’s near brush with death had me tiptoeing between the edge of sanity and insanity. My wolf bristled beneath my skin, agitated and ready to break free, and I was tempted to let her.

“I—” Cadie’s face changed from annoyed to afraid. Her lips parted, and she stared at the ground, giving me a wide berth as I moved farther into the house. I hadn’t been in here since I came looking for information on Eve. Her decorating touches still remained in the house, reminding me she was still here in a way.

“Where’s Chloe?” I spun around and faced Cadie. Her long brown hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail. I flicked a glance at her tank top that had a picture of a silhouetted wolf and the words
Trophy Wife
scrawled across the top. I quirked an eyebrow in disgust.

“Nothing like advertising your gold-digger-ness,” I muttered.

“She’s sleeping,” Cadie said, pressing her body against the wall as though the space between us still wasn’t enough. I smiled, taking a step closer. I had felt the effects of a powerful wolf and knew how suffocating it could be. I moved so close to her that she had to turn her face so that our lips didn’t meet.

“Then go wake her up,” I said slowly.

Cadie didn’t waste any time; she slid away from me and scurried down the hall. A wide smile bent my lips upward. Having this odd power might not be so bad.

Five minutes later, I heard Cadie and Chloe down the hall.

“Why didn’t you just tell her to leave?” Chloe asked.

“Because,” Cadie said. “She’s different now, powerful.”

“So they say,” Chloe murmured. “But I doubt she’s changed that much.”

When they rounded the corner, I was leaning against the wall, my arms crossed over my chest. My eyes instantly connected with Chloe’s, and I grinned.

“Aw, come on,” I goaded. “I must have changed enough to scare you. You did retract your challenge, didn’t you? I’m more than willing to meet you in the field if you’ve changed your mind.”

Chloe eyed Cadie, and then they both stared at the wall in front of them. Having people avoiding my eyes was still awkward as hell, but I didn’t mind scaring these two.

“I didn’t want to upset Adam,” Chloe said.

“How would you do that?”

Her eyes flicked to mine and then away. “By winning the challenge.”

I full out laughed, almost to the point of tears. My wolf’s amusement bled through me and intensified my merriment. After a few seconds, I got myself under control, but still smiled.

“I would love for you to prove that,” I said. “All of a sudden I’m in the mood for a good fight. What do you say?” My smile disappeared, and I moved toward the two women, my fingers curled into a fist. Knowing Chloe’s sole purpose of wanting to fight me was so she could claim Adam amplified my seriousness and anger. I wanted nothing more than to soak the earth with her blood. Then again, maybe that was my wolf’s thoughts coming through. It was difficult to separate the two.

“Uh … is that why … you came here?” Chloe asked, her voice shaky.

I was silent for a while, enough to scare her. “No, I’m here to read you.”

Cadie and Chloe looked at each other nervously and then at the floor. Interesting. Without warning, I grabbed her arm and waited for my mind to be filled with her history. Only, nothing happened. I frowned, gripping her arm tighter. Chloe let out a painful moan as my nails dug into her skin. Small rivulets of blood seeped from the broken skin, and my mind and vision blurred.

Chloe and Cadie were standing on a path in the forest, another person in front of them. The stranger had a sweatshirt on, the hoodie up to cover his or her features.

“Wow,” Chloe said. “So you’re the one who hired the vampires?”

The stranger didn’t say a word as they raised the crossbow out in front of them, aimed right for Chloe’s heart. Chloe held up her hands and took a step back. Cadie’s forehead wrinkled as she moved with her friend. It was obvious who the boss was in their friendship.

“No need to get violent,” Chloe said. “I’m on your side. Once Anna is out of the picture, Adam will be mine. You’re doing me a favor.”

The stranger tilted his or her head to the side and lowered the crossbow. “If you tell anyone, you’re next.” Though the person spoke just above a whisper, the voice had been female. That would help narrow down our search.