Page 27 of Blood, Shadow & Claw

"Are you saying Raylene might be behind this?"Eva asked, her green eyes sharp with alarm.

"I don't know,"Hope admitted, her lips pressing into a thin line. "But Mazie, you're new here. And Raylene can be territorial. She's a bitch on a good day."

"Great,"I muttered, the word tasting bitter. It's just what I needed: potential psycho-stalker messages and pack politics."

"Look, we don't know anything for sure,"Faith said, squeezing my hand. "But keep your eyes open, okay?"

"I will do that,"I replied, though my mind raced with unsettling thoughts. If Raylene saw me as an intruder, there was no telling what lengths she might go to 'protect'her precious status quo.

"Hey,"Eva said, gently touching my arm to break through my spiraling fears. We've got your back, Mazie. Whatever comes, you're not alone."

"Thanks,"I whispered, grateful for the solidarity. Yet, even surrounded by these fierce and loyal women, I couldn't shake the cold dread settling in my bones. If Raylene was my enemy, I had more than just social media trolls to worry about.

I trudged backto my quarters, the weight of the female umbras’ words pressing down on me like a shroud of fog. The security of their support was a lifeline, yet it couldn't entirely dispel the shadow cast by Raylene's unspoken threats. My footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, a stark reminder that for all the warmth I'd found here, I was still an outsider looking in.

As I closed the door behind me, the room's silence wrapped around me like a blanket—a comfort laced with threads of isolation.I sank onto the edge of the bed,my hands shaking ever so slightly as I replayed Hope's warning in my mind. Eyes open. Trust no one. It's not precisely the pack life handbook I'd imagined when Ajax first claimed me as his.

A slight sniffle escaped before I could catch it, and I brushed away an errant tear, berating myself. "Get a grip, Mazie. You've faced down internet trolls with more backbone than Raylene."

But even as I tried to bolster my spirits, the sense of vulnerability clung to me, a persistent whisper reminding me that I was naked without my armor of confidence. In the real world, I was a celebrated influencer, a bastion of body positivity and self-love. In tooth andclaw, I was stripped bare, grappling with the primal forces of instinct and rank.

"Tomorrow is another day,"I murmured to the emptiness, a mantra to steady my fraying nerves. Tomorrow, I would face whatever came with the strength of my newfound allies, the female umbra’s who had taken me under their protective wing.

And yet, as I lay down, wrapped in blankets that held traces of Ajax's scent, the unease refused to dissipate. It buzzed at the edges of my consciousness, a relentless hum that promised confrontation. With Raylene's frosty gaze etched into my memory, I knew sleep would be a battlefield tonight.

"May the stars keep you safe,"I whispered into the darkness, a plea to any listening gods or spirits. Then, closing my eyes, I willed my mind to quiet. Sometime in the night, Ajax joined me in bed. I'd slept fitfully until his strong arms came around me.

The first raysof dawn crept through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the tangled sheets that had become my makeshift sanctuary. I stretched lazily, feeling every muscle protest the sudden movement. My fingers grazed the tremendous expanse of the bed beside me, a silent testament to Ajax's absence, and a hollow ache spread through my chest.

Shaking off the remnants of a troubled sleep, I rose from the bed, my bare feet touching the wooden floorboards, creaking like old bones. In the quiet of the morning, with a lingering unease coiled in my stomach, I padded toward the window. The world outside was painted in hues of pink and orange, promising a new day, yet my mind was trapped in the twilight zone of fear and longing.

As I drank in the view of the forest that bordered our territory, a soft chime from my phone broke the serenity. The screen lit up with an unread message, its contents a stark contrast to the tranquil dawn: "I see you."

My breath hitched, and a cold shiver ran down my spine as I reread the words. It wasn't just the message that unnerved me; it was the unknown number, the invisible eyes I could feel prying into my life. I wrapped my arms around myself, seeking comfort in the embrace that couldn't come soon enough.

"Pull it together, Mazie,"I scolded myself, my voice unsteady but resolute. I couldn't let this unseen watcher sense my fear or give them satisfaction.

Clutching the phone like a lifeline, I left the room, my steps quickening as I sought Ajax. I found him in his study, surrounded by papers and the scent of pine and earth that was uniquely his. The sight of him, so strong and focused, eased the tight knot of anxiety in my chest.

"Good morning,"he said, his blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart beat. He must have seen the worry etched on my face because his brow furrowed as he asked, "What's wrong?"

Without a word, I handed him the phone, watching his gaze darken as he read the ominous message. "We'll handle this,"he assured me, his voice a low rumble that vibrated with a protective fervor.

"Who would do this?"My question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears.

"We'll find out."Ajax's promise was solid, something I could hold onto in the uncertainty that threatened to engulf me.

He rose and enfolded me in his arms, his embrace a fortress against the chaos of my thoughts. In that moment, I allowed myself to lean on his strength, to share the burden of my vulnerability. He kissed me so gently that it felt like my heart might break.

"Thank you,"I whispered, taking solace in the steady beat of his heart against my ear.

"Always, Baby,"he murmured back. "I've got you."

With a resolve bolstered by Ajax's unwavering support, I stepped back, ready to face the day. There were bonds to be forged with the female umbra’s, allies to be found amid adversity. As I walked alongside Ajax, determination set in my stride, I knew we wouldnavigate the treacherous waters of pack politics and hidden threats together.

The promise of confrontation loomed large, as did the power of unity. I would not let fear define me, not when I had a pack to call home and a fierce protector at my side.

The sun was high when I made my way to the common area, where laughter and the rich aroma of fresh coffee hung in the air like a promise of normalcy. Ajax had left earlier, saying he was going to town to talk to the police. I worried he might think badly that I hadn't wanted to go along with him. But he didn't say anything, only kissed me and promised things would be okay again.

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