Page 17 of Bound to the Beast

The words pour out of me in a torrent, my emotions driving every keystroke. I outline everything I know about shifters, the legends and myths, the truths I’ve uncovered. I detail Ethan’s admission, the way he looked at me, the pain in his eyes as he told me the truth.

I feel a pang in my heart as I read the story that’s unfolding through my fingertips. It feels as though what I’m doing is an act of betrayal. Not to Becky – but to Ethan.

Suddenly, I get the feeling I’m being watched. A prickling sensation crawls up the back of my neck. I turn and see Adam peering over my shoulder, his presence sending a shiver up my spine.

“What do you want, Adam?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. His sudden closeness feels invasive, and I can sense something off about him.

He shrugs, but there’s a glint in his eyes that unsettles me. “Just curious about what you’re working on.”

“It's none of your business,” I reply curtly, hoping he’ll take the hint and leave. But he doesn’t move, his gaze fixed on my screen.

I quickly save the document and minimize the screen, leaving my wallpaper on the monitor.

“Is it about shifters?” he asks, his voice low and too interested for my liking.

I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. “Why do you care?”

Adam leans in closer, and I can feel the intensity of his stare. His eyes are sharp, calculating. “Just be careful, Grace. You never know who might be watching.”

His words send a chill through me, and I suddenly feel exposed, vulnerable. He’s too close, his presence oppressive. I deliberately turn my chair fully away from him.

He’s emanating an aura I can’t place. Something intangible and dangerous. I stand, pushing my chair backward and forcing him to back down a step. He’s invading my personal space in a way that makes me extremely uncomfortable.

I close the document and shut down my computer, grabbing my things and slinging my bag onto my shoulder.

“Thanks for the warning,” I mutter, brushing past him and heading for the door. My mind is racing, the implications of Adam’s words swirling around in my head. Is he just trying to spook me, or does he know something?

I hadn’t planned on leaving the office just yet, but I’ve only just noticed that I’m all alone with Adam. With how weirdly he’s been acting, I suddenly don’t feel safe around him.

As I push open the office door, the cool evening air hits me, but it does little to calm my nerves. The encounter with Adam has left me rattled. His words echo in my mind, mingling with the confusion and fear already churning inside me.

Pressing the elevator buttons more urgently, I can’t stop the panic from rising up my throat. I glance back at the main entrance, half-expecting to see Adam watching me from the glass, but he’s nowhere in sight. Still, the feeling of being watched lingers, and I can’t shake the sense that something bigger is at play here.

Was it really a rogue shifter who killed Becky? From everything Ethan has confessed to me, it’s highly likely that it is. If that’s the case, is it still out there? Who is it? Am I in danger for trying to find out? I need to find out the truth, for Becky’s sake and for my own.

I also need to figure out where Ethan fits into all of this. But Adam’s warning, the menacing glint in his eyes, makes my skin crawl. There’s something he’s not telling me, something dangerous.

I start walking, my resolve hardening with each step. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. And now, more than ever, I need to tread carefully. Because in this world of secrets and shadows, trust is a luxury I can’t afford.

12

ETHAN

Leaving Hutchin and the rest of my fellow shifters, I run like the wind toward the parking lot, hoping against hope one of the other loggers left the key in their ignition.

I really have no time left to figure out who the rogue shifter is. If he’s still around and catches wind of Grace’s research, he won’t hesitate to attack to keep his identity secret. Based on his track record and what he’s capable of, I know he won’t hesitate to harm her.

Spying a set of keys dangling off one of the motorcycles, I don’t hesitate to jump on and borrow it for my errand.

“Hey, Ethan! That’s my bike!” I hear one of the crew yell out after me.

“I’ll bring it back in one piece!” I promise as I zoom out of the parking lot, leaving a swirl of dust and gravel in my wake.

Racking my brain for what day of the week it is, I figure that Adrian may be working at the café by this time. Gathering the elders immediately may be a challenge, but I’m hoping Adrian will help.

Revving the engine to increase the speed, I arrive at the café in the nick of time. Leaving the bike on the road, I kick the stand and rush in. The café is bustling – a line of people are already waiting to give their orders. It takes a few seconds for me to spy Adrian at the back of the room, busy foaming some milk.

“Adrian!” I gasp as I reach his side. “I need your help!”

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