Page 20 of Sparks Flying

“Gia, when you get a sec, I have a question for you,” another woman said.

“Just a moment,” she apologized to us before taking our drink orders.

“I’m not staying long, so figure out what you want to eat before she gets back,” I told them.

They all shared a look of concern.

I hated knowing they were worried about me. However, my own sour emotions overwhelmed me, leaving me unable to take any action regarding their concerns.

So, I concentrated on the menu, or at least pretended to so no one would talk to me. In truth, I knew what I wanted before I even set foot through the door.

“What did you need, Janice?” Gia asked the other customer.

“It’s about Dean. We were supposed to hang out and have some fun last night. Dean’s always up for a bit of fun, if you know what I mean. But he cancelled on me without any explanation.”

Her tone insinuated just what she meant by “fun” and I thought I might just throw up.

“Look, I love my brother, but we all know he likes to have “fun” with everyone. I’m sorry, but you can’t take it personally, but you already know this. He’s a horn dog and we all know it. He’s gained quite the reputation across all the Flocks. And if you want to tell me you’re really that clueless to it, then his stupid dating rules should have been a red flag at the very least. Do yourself a favor and set your sight on someone else. Dean will never change. He’s not the settling down type, at least not anytime soon.”

I dared a look over their way as a sinking realization hit me. Dean was a player who was never going to settle down. So where did that leave me?

“Bailey? Are you okay?” Jude asked.

“She’s growling. She’s not okay,” Luke insisted.

That shook me to the core. “Wait, I growled? I didn’t realize.”

“You’re worrying me, Bailey. What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing. Personal stuff. Don’t worry. I won’t let it affect my work.” I couldn’t just sit there anymore listening to how my mate was having “fun” with every unmated female in Ravenden. It made me physically ill to think about. “I have to go. I’ll see you guys later.”

Gia was just coming over and starting to apologize as I jumped up and ran off.

Once again, I caught Dean’s familiar scent on her and for a moment, I thought my wolf was going to take full control overme. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t his scent, just their family scent. This was his sister, for crying out loud.

Tears pricked my eyes as I burst through the door and looked around for an escape. I needed to run. Not knowing it if was okay to run in my fur, I took off in my human form. It wasn’t nearly as satisfying, but it was something, at least.

I ran until my blood was pumping and the roar of it in my ears drowned out everything around me, even the thoughts in my head.

It wasn’t until I arrived that I even knew where I was running to—the cliff.

I slowed to a stop and walked around, letting my heart rate slow and the tension in my muscles ease. It wasn’t enough. I needed more.

Looking around to ensure no one was in the area, I stripped out of my clothes and hid them behind a rock before shifting into my fur to go for another run. I wasn’t in wolf territory, so I knew I had to be careful, but I needed this.

I ran into the woods, letting the wind rip through my fur as my paws pounded the ground as I pushed myself harder than ever. It was exhilarating and just what I needed.

By the time I ran back to the cliff, I was already feeling a thousand times better. When life got me down, time in my wolf always grounded me and brought clarity to my life.

When I reached the clearing, I stopped and looked around. Sensing no threat, I crept out of hiding and over to the rock pile I’d left my clothes at. I shifted back to my skin just as a motorcycle rolled up.

Great, just what I need.

I grabbed my underwear and tried to stay low as I dressed, but my foot got caught as I rushed and I fell backwards and skidded out from behind my hiding place.

Horrified, I just laid there feeling my skin burn and smelling my own blood.

He jumped off his bike and ran to my side.

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