Page 27 of Prey

I wonder how it feels for him to have to look at that when he comes here and remember what happened. He has a faraway look in his eyes as he gazes in that direction. I don’t want to press him anymore right now because it feels like he’s reached his emotional limit for the day and is about to run out of spoons.

I nod, pulling on the helmet and Ethan steps over to help buckle it. He starts the bike and we both climb on. The ride to town is much easier this time. He isn’t driving angry and I’m not riding scared. Now we just have to figure out what's going on with my shop and the witch community. Right after I meet the rest of the club. Swallowing hard, I lay my head on Ethan’s back as we ride.

Chapter thirteen

Introductions & the First Lady

ETHAN

Well things with Shasta went better than I thought they would. Feeling her against my back as we ride is a feelingI never thought I would get in my life. I’ve acted like a damn fool though so I’m going to have to work on making it up to her. I think a good start will be spending some time with her Coven so I can work on my issues.

Pulling up to the garage, I hit the button to open the door and pull in. Kadi made it here ahead of us and I see him going through the door to the clubhouse as we park. He’s probably going to gather everyone.

We get off the bike and I help Shasta with her helmet. She’s starting to look a little nervous.

“Hey, this is no big deal. They will love you. I just need to do introductions so you know who you can trust and if anyone other than Kadi, Joaquin, or I are looking out for you, you need to know who they are. They’re good guys. I know we are technically criminals, but we are the good guys still. A little morally gray if you will.”

She laughs and pats my arm. “Yeah, yeah, just don’t make me have to zap you again and I might believe that.”

We head up the stairs and into the club house where Kadi is waiting with all the guys. We have a pretty good mix of races. Demons, angels, shifters, vamps, fae, but no warlocks. Which is on me. I’m going to have to get with some of the guys that have put warlocks through for prospects and I turned them down flat. I have a lot of things to make up for.

Everyone is looking at Shasta curiously. Most likely they are wondering why we are bringing a witch in here. Kadi moves to stand beside us. Shasta is in the middle.

Clearing my throat I say. “Some of you already know that Shasta here is Kadi’s mate. She’s the witch whose business we are currently protecting from what we think are dark magic users. Most of you know my feelings on witches and warlocks. I’m sad to say I haven't been the president, friend, or person thatI should have been when it comes to the witch community. We found out today that Shasta is also my mate.”

Everyone in the room gasps. A few people chuckle and then before I know it the whole room erupts in laughter. Kadi smirks at me and Shasta just looks confused. These asssholes. So, we are going to go the ‘I told you so’ route I guess.

Holding my hand up for silence I say, “Yeah, I know, karma has a sick sense of humor. That said, anyone who previously put forward a warlock prospect, please do so again if that person is still interested. We need to vet them thoroughly first, though. Someone around here is involved with the Society, and they’re trying to get to Shasta for some reason. I don’t want to bring anyone in who may be a potential threat to her. If they smell weird, let me know immediately.”

Everyone nods and they all line up and start introducing themselves to Shasta. Before long, she has met everyone and received some kind of token from them. As our mate, these are promises from our brothers-in-arms to protect her and show her that she is one of us. Pins, patches, and other random items litter the chair that someone eventually brought over to hold everything.

Kadi and I are going to have to get a cut for her so that she can add all these to it. In fact, I wonder if she wants to learn to ride?

“Hey, so, do you want to learn to ride?” I ask her.

Her eyes light up. “Yes! Kadi and I briefly talked about it. Not that I have a problem backpacking, but I’d like to be able to get around on a bike of my own. It would be nice to be able to ride with you both.”

“Well, you’ve only been on Kadi’s bike so far. As soon as mine is ready, I’ll take you out on it. They’re pretty different. Then maybe you can get an idea of what you might like to have.”

Kadi smiles and nods at me. We can do this, I tell myself.

“Okay, how about we go relieve Joaquin at the bookshop?” I say, clapping my hands together.

We all walk out together. Kadi gets on his bike after strapping Shasta into her helmet and she climbs on the back with him. I go and grab one of the emergency bikes we have and follow them out.

Chapter fourteen

Magical Powers & Family Secrets

SHASTA

We arrive back at the bookshop and find Joaquin lounging on a couch reading a book. Beside him on the table is what looks like a delivery that may have come while we were gone. Great.

What’s in the box?

That scene from the Brad Pitt movie plays in my head.

He sits up and nods his head towards the box, but then says, “I don’t know what’s in there but I’m getting a bad vibe from it. My suggestion? Take it to your Grams and open it in that basement.”

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