Page 77 of Shadow Bound

Winslow grimaces, but answers. “Cemetery on the edge of pack territory.”

Great, so she’s not far.“Got a shovel?” I ask the wolf.

“We’re all going to hell.” He points at me with a disapproving look. “And you’re leading the charge there.”

I curtsy dramatically at him. “Why thank you.”

* * *

“I don’t usually saythis, because I thoroughly enjoy being right all the time,” Winslow starts. “But I really wanted to be wrong.”

Ranger gives his mate an unamused look from theemptygrave he’s currently standing in. It took him almost an hour to dig out all the dirt, even in the cool late fall air, he’s shirtless, his skin coated in a sheen of sweat. “I wonder how long ago he snuck in and took her.”

Noah didn’t just take Addison’s body, the whole coffin is missing.

“He knows your territory’s weak spots and he also knows your patrol schedule. It would have been easy for him to do if he planned correctly. Plus, how often are people really visiting this cemetery?” By the looks of it, it’s full of mostly older headstones. The newest one is Addison’s; the clean and pristine marble headstone stands out like a sore thumb. When I asked about it, Ranger and Winnie explained that Noah wanted her buried close to him and Pru.

Speaking of Pruitt… “Pru is going to bepissedwhen she finds out Noah took her aunt.” Winslow voices my thoughts aloud like we are on the same wavelength.

“Great, let’s just add to her already problematic homecoming. She has to deal with me being here and now we have to tell her there’s been agrave robbery.” The dull headache I have intensifies, making me wince and pinch the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes shut.

Winslow and Ranger’s silence forced me to open my eyes after a minute. I find each of them staring at me. Winslow has a look of sympathy written across her face, having caught my pained look. Ranger looks at me like I’m a puzzle he can’t solve. In his defense, I’m purposely keeping my pieces to myself. The only person—for the most part—who’s put together all the pieces is Ransom. And that’s how I like it.

While I’m starting to trust Winslow, I’m just not there with the rest of Ransom’s family. Least of all Ryker. He’s been better since the first day, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say he’s still not dreaming up ways to kill me when he’s alone at night.

“What?” I snap at Ranger, unable to stop myself.

I don’t miss the way his eyes slide to Winslow; an unspoken message being spoken between them. “Nothing,” he says coolly.

Yeah, I don’t believe him for one second.

Looking to Winslow, I find her innocently digging the toe of her combat boot into the loose dirt around the grave, her hands are even hidden behind her back. She better not of told him about my bond with Ransom…

“You don’t have to worry that much about Pruitt being mad at you. She’s probably the most level-headed sane person in the pack. She was pretty understanding when Ransom told us back in January about you coming to him and explaining why you shot her. She might not be thrilled to have you on her territory, but don’t worry, Ransom won’t let her do anything.”

“I don’t need Ransom to protect me,” I sniff, as Ranger finally pulls himself from the empty grave.

Dusting off his hands, he says, “You may not need him to, but that isn’t going to stop him. He’s gone toe to toe over you with his brothers—he won’t hesitate to do the same with Pruitt, even if she’s technically his alpha female. I’m pretty sure he’d get between you and one of those knives you like to throw around if it meant he could save you.”

“The last thing I want is Ransom risking his life to save me.” My stomach drops just at the thought of it. “My life isn’t worth his.”

He gives me a pensive look. “Do me a favor and don’t ever tell my brother you don’t think your life is worth saving. I know for a fact he won’t take kindly to you talking about yourself like that.” A drawn-out sigh escapes his lips. “I’ll admit I wasn’t totally sold on you. You’re shady as hell, a complete enigma that I can’t figure out. I didn’t trust you, but then you saved my mate when you could have easily left her there when the rogue wolf attacked, I’m more inclined than ever to believe what Ransom and Winnie have been saying about you.” He smirks at me, looking so much like Ransom when he does it. “Plus, I’d much rather have you as a friend than an enemy.”

“She’d kick your ass.” Winslow laughs. “You wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, baby,” he says dryly.

“What? I’m just being honest! You know I’ll always believe in you and I’m your personal cheerleader, but if we are placing bets on a fight, I’ll pick Beau every time,” Winnie defends herself, making me fight a smile. “Did you forget she shot and threw knives at Ransomwithoutlooking?”

“How could I forget that? She almost put a knife right through his dick.”

The smile I’ve been fighting finally breaks free.

* * *

I don’t thinkthis poor family can handle any more surprises. Every time we find out more information on what their precious ex-beta wolf has been up to, their faces and spirits fall even further. Each bit of information is like a stab in the heart for them. None of them ever believed that Noah could be capable of something like this, but then again, none of them have ever lost their mate like he did.

Noah was in love with Addison for almost two decades and when the prophecy was finally broken, he was finally able to become mates with her. Their time was cut too short and he’s drowning in his grief.

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