Page 13 of Bound to the Beast

“Alright,” I agree, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. She turns to start the engine, when I see how much her hand is shaking.

Seeing how she’s in no state to drive, I gently cover her hand. "Grace, let me drive," I suggest softly.

She hesitates for a moment before nodding. We switch positions, and I help her into the passenger seat before settling behind the wheel.

As we drive, the silence between us is heavy. I glance over at her, her face still streaked with tears. “I’m really sorry you had to see that, Grace,” I say quietly. “It’s something no one should ever have to go through. And I apologize for pushing and making you relive it.”

She looks at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Ethan. That means a lot.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, broken only by Grace giving me directions to her house every so often. Each time her voice wavers, and I can see how much she’s struggling to keep it together.

My mind races with the severity of what she’s just told me. Becky’s death sounds like the actions of a rogue shifter—a dangerous one. I don’t remember hearing of a rogue shifter in our area, but I was a child when this happened. I need to look deeper into it.

To find out more… And to protect Grace as well.

My worry for her intensifies, knowing that if she’s digging into shifter territory, she’s putting herself at great risk. After what she saw when she was a child, I understand her motivations now, and I know she’ll never rest until she gets to the heart of what happened.

Gritting my teeth, I resolve to do what I promised and be honest with her. What’s the worst that can happen? If she doesn’t agree to be my mate, I’ll turn feral. But then, isn’t that what I’ve been preparing for ever since my dad died? It’s not any worse than what I am already. A shifter on the fringes of his pack.

Finally, we pull up to her house. The impending conversation sits heavy on my shoulders, but I know it’s necessary. I turn off the engine and look at Grace, her eyes still red from crying but filled with determination.

“We’re here,” I say softly.

She nods. “Alright. Let’s talk.”

As we head inside, I can only hope that the truth will bring us closer together, rather than tearing us apart.

9

GRACE

On the way over to my place, thoughts frantically race through my brain, one after the other. Ethan looks deathly serious. His mouth is set in a grim line and his eyebrows have been furrowed since I admitted witnessing what happened to Becky.

Trying to steady my breath, I do my best to make sense of my rampaging thoughts.

Part of me is questioning what I’m doing. I’m in a car with a strange man who I’ve only just met. Not only that – but I’m taking him to my apartment! Memories of all the crime documentaries I’ve seen flash through my eyes.

Hush, Grace, I admonish myself. Ethan isn’t a serial killer. Do I think he’s capable of violence? Yes. Probably. He’s a logger and he has tremendous strength. I remember the first moment I laid eyes on him, feeling that tree with almost nothing but brute force.

I frown. Ethan is a contradiction. He seems strong and powerful. He’s probably a mean son of a bitch when he’s riled, and yes, I may not know him that well. But what I do know of him tells me I shouldn’t be scared. He’s caring, protective… and a great lover.

He and I also seem to share an otherworldly connection that I’ve never felt with anyone else. The magnetism that’s pulling me toward him is inexplicable. It feels like something bigger than either of us.

I think of Becky and my vow to find out what happened to her. It’s a goal that’s driven me ever since my memory of her returned. I’m unsure where my research is now taking me, but one thing is painfully apparent. Ethan does know something. I have no idea what he’s about to tell me, and I’m half-afraid to find out.

We arrive at my place, and I hesitate to get out of the car for a minute or two. Nothing overt has been said, but I’m flooded with foreboding. I instinctively know that the moment I step out of the car, my life will change forever.

Finally, I take a deep breath and open the door. Ethan follows me up the stairs to my apartment, his presence a comforting weight at my back. Once inside, I turn to face him, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Grace, I’ve been keeping something from you,” he begins, his voice low and serious. “I need you to trust me when I say that I’m no threat to you.”

His words put me on edge, and I cross my arms defensively. “What are you talking about, Ethan?”

He takes a step closer, his eyes filled with determination. “From what you’ve described, it sounds like the one who killed Becky was a rogue shifter. Someone who’s not answerable to any pack. Only a rogue shifter would dare change forms in front of a human, and harm a child to boot.”

My blood runs cold, and I feel a chill creep up my spine. “How do you know this?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He hesitates, his eyes searching mine for a moment before he continues. “You’re right about there being shifters. Humans that turn into wolves. For the most part, we would never hurt a human. But some wolves, usually those who have been separated from their packs or those who have turned feral, can become unpredictable. It might have been a shifter like that who attacked your friend.”

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