Page 99 of Tangled Hearts

“We don’t know if Merrick is on our side, for all we know he is working for Laima,” I said, running a hand through my hair.

“I think it’s our best bet,” Soren said. “We can stay there while we find a permanent place for her.”

“Am I… Am I going to be by myself?” Oria looked small and unsure of herself.

“Oh, Blondie,” Soren said. “We won’t keep you there like our prisoner.”

“We all will go, or at least most of us, while we figure out how to get rid of Laima,” I said, reassuring her.

Her body relaxed. “Please don’t just lock me away while you try to keep me safe.”

“We wouldn’t dream of doing that,” Max said, lifting her up until she sat on his lap. “We just want to keep you safe. That might mean some of us stay with you and some of us try to find a solution, but I promise we will always come back to you.”

“Ok,” she said, snuggling next to him.

“Let's get some sleep and we can start on our plan tomorrow,” I said, grabbing the food off the bed while everyone fought over who was going to sleep next to Oria.

I chuckled when the twins elbowed each other trying to get to the side Max wasn’t occupying.

“Fuck you,” Soren snapped.

“Ya snooze, you lose fucker,” Gray said, sliding behind Oria who had her head on Max’s chest.

Soren grumbled, getting behind Gray and I made my way around Max. I knew he wasn’t a true shifter, so I didn’t know how he would feel with cuddling, so I laid away from Max facing Oria. She gave me a sleepy smile while mouthing, I love you.

I said it back as my chest warmed with affection. She held her hand out for me and I grabbed it as we laid our hands on Max. I glanced up at him, but he already had his eyes closed. If he didn’t make a big deal, I sure as hell wouldn’t. One more glance at my slice of Heaven and I closed my eyes, hoping this plan would work.

Samira and Wyman had insisted on breakfast before we went into town for some supplies. Max and Soren were going to go while Oria, Gray and I stayed. Once Max and Soren left, an uneasiness hit me. I knew that they needed to leave, but I hated the separation.

After breakfast, Samira took Oria out in the back where the kids of the pack were doing crafts. Gray watched her while I stayed in the house we were staying in. I had a perfect spot to watch her from the window and it warmed my heart to see Samira so welcoming. I had wondered what my parents would have said about Oria.

Seeing Samira with her made me think that my mom would have loved her too. I missed my parents every day. When they passed, we were no longer safe in our pack. I was too young to lead and some of the pack took that as an opportunity to gain control. We couldn’t stay because I feared they would kill us to ensure I did not challenge them. Samira and Wyman took us in with no questions asked. Even if I had been a moody young wolf who had no idea how to raise his siblings, they were patient with all of us. I smiled as Oria lifted one of the kids onto her lap. One day.

I called Addie and it went straight to voicemail. It was nothing that hadn’t happened before, but I had a feeling this was bad.

I immediately called Soren.

“Hey,” he said, and I relaxed immediately.

“Are you guys almost done?” I asked.

“No, I want to check out two more places but… Ryder I got a bad feeling.”

“Come back now,” I said. “Something is not right, but I don’t know what it is.”

“We are close to a shop. Once I do a quick look, we’ll come back,” he said, as I heard Max saying something.

“No, Soren, come back now,” I commanded.

The bad feeling was intensifying.

“Ok, we are leaving but Ryder, Max just noticed a sign for Oria’s capture,” he whispered. “And our picture is with hers.”

“Now, Soren,” I clipped.

“Ok, see you soon,” he said, hanging up.

I looked out the window to see Oria helping a few kids out. My heart warmed, wanting to think about kids and our future, but also needing to keep her safe. The cold reality of “what if we are always on the run” hit me. If that was the case, we might never have kids because that would be no life for them and just because I selfishly wanted them, I couldn’t put our kids through a life of what-ifs.

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