Page 3 of Shadow Bound

Addison, Pru’s recently passed aunt, is who we’re setting off the fireworks for. She lost her battle with cancer recently and today would have been her birthday. We all decided we still needed to celebrate, even if she’s not here anymore.

I can see in Pruitt’s bright green eyes that the darkness of sadness and grief still lingers. It’s only been a month since Addison’s funeral. Grief is a funny thing I’ve learned. Some people hold on to it like a lifeline, desperately clinging to it as a way to stay connected to the departed.

I think having Winslow around, our resident expert in death and ghost whisperer, has really helped Pruitt with Addison’s death. Winslow knows Addie is at peace since she watched her walk into the literal light.

Pru shakes her head, laughing. “Addie was the biggest rule follower. I don’t think she ever went a mile over the speed limit in her life.”

“Based on how you drive, she clearly didn’t pass that trait off to you,” I retort, making Ryker chuckle.

Pruitt jabs her elbow back into Ryker’s ribs, making him grunt and laugh harder. “It’s true, you drive like a bat out of hell. Our car insurance is astronomical because of your tickets.”

Pruitt grumbles under her breath and pushes away from her mate. “I’m going to go talk to Remi, I was having a good time but now I feel attacked.” She gives us both an unamused looked even though I can see the corners of her mouth twitch as she fights a smile.

It’s good to see her joke again.

“It’s a good thing you don’t have any close neighbors around. I’m sure they’d hate us after we set that shit off.” The guy I’d bought the fireworks from in Wyoming said they were the same ones they set off at baseball stadiums during the fourth of July.

“Our neighbors love us,” Ryker jokes, making me scoff.

“The closest neighbors you have are Mom and Dad—of course they love you guys. You two are the golden children.” The Ryker that stands in front of me now is completely different than the Ryker that existed for fourteen years while he thought his mate was dead. He’s turned into a loving and caring son, husband and mate. While Pruitt is regarded like she walks on water. She is the wolf fromThe White Wolf Prophecy—in reuniting with my brother after all those years, she broke a thousand-year-old curse.

I know. Sometimes I don’t believe it myself either, but Winslow and Ranger are proof it really has been broken. Shifters were never able to mate or reproduce outside of our own species, yet Winslow is a witch and she was able to complete the mating ceremony with Ranger.

And Addison was a human and was able to mate with our retired pack beta, Noah.

A lot of changes have happened in the past year.

“Don’t be a whiny bitch, Ransom,” Remington shouts from across the porch at us. “Mommy and Daddy love you too.” She rolls her blue eyes. “And don’t forget that I will always be their favorite.” As the youngest and only daughter, I’m sure she’s right.

“Have you heard from Noah?” Ryker asks me as he watches his mate’s movements across the way. His eyes are very rarely not pinned to Pruitt. Both Ranger and Ryker are overly protective of their mates. Even though both of the women are more than capable of taking care of themselves. Pruitt can kick any of our asses six ways from Sunday and Winslow has become quite handy with knives in the past few months.

Let’s just say, I risk bodily harm if I’m ever on their shit lists.

“Why would I hear from Noah?” I question, frowning. “If he’s going to reach out to anyone, it’d be Dad. We were never that close.” After Addison died, he took off, saying he needed space. His grief and anger following him like a dark cloud out of town.

Noah’s pain right now is soul deep and most likely permanent. The only person that can help him move on is himself. There is no quick fix for that kind of hurt, he has to decide when he’s willing to accept her death and force himself to move forward. It was hard letting him leave the pack, but it’s what he needed.

Who am I to judge someone on how they grieve? I’ve never lost someone; I don’t understand the kind of pain he’s in.

Ryker takes a drink from his beer before answering. “I was just wondering. No one has heard from him. I’ve tried calling but his phone is disconnected.”

I shake my head at my older brother. “It’s best we leave him alone. Besides, I’m sure you’re the last person he wants to hear from. You and Pruitt are just a reminder of what he lost.”

Again, the hairs on the back of my neck rise and my wolf growls low in his throat. I turn my head to look up at the trees, but again see nothing. Deciding enough is enough, I open my mouth to tell everyone that something isn’t right when it happens.

All hell breaks loose.

Remington screams as Pruitt’s body flies backward on the stone patio. Her back and head hit the surface with a splintering crack that I swear I will be able to replay in my head for the rest of my life. A sharp, coppery smell instantly fills my nose and I know before I look down at her that Pru’s bleeding.

Everything moves in slow motion as we all jump into action. Ryker lunges for his mate, positioning himself over her smaller body, acting as a shield, and Remington drops to her knees beside her, her hands covering a blossoming wound on Pru’s chest.

From the corner of my eye, I see Ranger haul Winslow up and out of the chair, keeping her close to his chest as he ushers her inside. She has the healing power of a human, making her more fragile than the rest of us.

“What the fuck happened?” I roar as I dive down to assess Pru’s wound.

My sister doesn’t look up at me when she speaks, her focus solely on her best friend. “It looks like a gunshot.” Remington’s voice shakes as her hands press down hard on the wound. “Who would shoot her?”

No one says it, but we know who’s behind this. He’s been the one behind all our troubles and tears the past year.Sterling. The evil mastermind behind the breeding program my family has been slowly dismantling. I’d do anything to be able to kill that man, but unfortunately, he’s like a ghost, impossible to trace.

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