Page 78 of Shadow Bound

Unfortunately, the family isn’t understanding that they aren’t dealing with the same Noah they all knew and loved. Like how Alexandre changed, Noah has changed into something darker and unrecognizable. Even if they did accept that Noah is different and there’s no saving him at this point, they’ll still struggle to give up on him just like I did with Alex. Hope is a dangerous game like that. You keep holding on, even when it hurts like hell, for the slim chance things will change.

I hate to think what Alexandre will be like if Kaius truly is bringing him back like I suspect.

While the family sits around the living room, whispering and chattering about the information we had brought them only an hour ago, Ryker sits in a chair, smiling at his phone.

“Why do you have a dumb smile on your face?” I ask, moving closer to him.

He tries to frown at me, but I can still see the happiness reflected in his eyes. “Jax just texted. They’re just about to land at an airfield a couple of towns over. They’ll be home in the next two hours or so.”

“Is anyone meeting them?” I sit on the edge of the seat across from him.

He shakes his head. “No, we decided that we shouldn’t meet them. We still have people following and watching us, we don’t want to lead them right to Pruitt.”

“Hmm…”Interesting.They’ll be watching for Pruitt regardless, I think, but don’t say it aloud. If I was Nessa or Noah and I wanted to get to Pruitt while she’s defenseless, I’d attack while she’s in transit. “What airfield?”

He gives me the name of the airfield. If my memory is correct, it’s not that far. “Why do you want to know?” he asks skeptically.

“Just curious.” I shrug. Standing from my chair, I give him a look I hope conveys sincerity. I’m still learning how to correctly show emotions, there’s bound to be a learning curve, right? “For what it’s worth, I’m really happy you’re getting your mate back, Ryker. I’m sorry she couldn’t come home sooner. I tried my best to take out all of Sterling’s men this year, so it’d be safe for Pru to come home, but as I’ve said, Nessa and Kaius have proven to be more difficult than expected.”

“Thank you, Isabeau,” he says the words, but I can still see the mistrust written on his face.

I slink back into the shadows on the far wall of the room, silently making my plan. I know I’m going to be in deep shit, but right now I think it’ll be better to ask for forgiveness than permission. There’s this feeling in my gut that is telling me that I need to do this, that if I don’t, there will be catastrophic consequences.

As if he senses that I’m up to no good, Ransom comes to stand next to me, his arm and side pressed to mine. My already unsteady heart skips a beat at his nearness and my cold skin instantly heats. I find myself leaning into him, the rigid state my body always seems to be in, relaxes. He once asked me if I ever relaxed, the answer then had been no, but now I know that to be untrue. I relax when he’s near or touching me. The dangerous fire that rages in my bones dims to a bearable flame.

I let myself melt into him for a minute, still eyeing the exits as I do, but the second I hear the steady rhythm of his heart beating against his ribcage, I’m reminded of my new reality. Of why I spent all night last night tossing and turning while he slept soundly beside me. Ransom is my bloodmate and without completing the bond, I’ll slowly die of starvation.

Even knowing what my fate is now, I refuse to guilt Ransom into choosing me. There is also the whole problem of actually completing the bond. I don’t think I’ll have the power to stop drinking from his vein. I’ll take everything from him and kill him.

My body must tense up, because Ransom drops his head and whispers into my ear, “You doing okay, sweetheart?” The back of his hand skims across mine, our fingers loosely tangling together. “You’ve been acting off since Winnie and you got back from your little outing. You also didn’t eat today.”Damn him. Why does he have to be so observant? “You know you can help yourself to the blood that Dr. V brought over. You don’t have to ask for permission.”

I don’t want the blood from Dr. V. I want your blood, but if I bite you, I won’t stop until you’re dead,I think but don’t tell him, even if the words are on the tip of my tongue. Instead I say, “I’m good, wasn’t that hungry today.” I lie through my fucking teeth. I’ve been thinking about his blood all day, my gums burning and my throat tight at the tempting thought.

“If you say so, Tink.” He doesn’t believe me, I can tell by his tone.

“I say so.”

Feeling eyes on me, I lift my head and scan the room. Ranger sits on the couch, gaze flicking between Ransom and me. I don’t like the knowing look on his face, it further confirms my worry that Winslow blabbed. When he notices that I’ve caught him staring, his expression changes from knowing to disappointed.Shit.

Looking to Winslow quickly and then back to him, I silently ask him the question that makes my hands shake ever so slightly.Do you know?My stomach pits out when he subtly nods.

Fuckfuckfuckfuck.

He knows.

Panic makes my chest tight. Hecan’ttell Ransom. I’m not ready for the events that would follow. Either Ransom is going to reject me and my heart made of ice is going to shatter or he accepts me and then I accidentally kill him. Neither of those sound like good options.

With my eyes, I beg him to stay quiet, but he stays stone-faced, not giving anything away.

I’m on edge now, but I still have something to take care of. Taking in a shaky breath, I steady myself as best I can. The training I endured prepared me for situations like this—I just need to shove my feelings aside so I can do my job. Distractions are not tolerated, and I will not be distracted by Ranger’s new knowledge or my incomplete bond with Ransom.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper up to Ransom. “I need to grab something from my bag.” Not giving him the opportunity to ask questions, I slip away from his touch without looking back.

On my way out of the room, Winnie gives me a sheepish look and I can’t help the murderous scowl that crosses my face. I won’t actually kill her, but I might think of imaginative ways I’d do it to calm myself down.

In the guestroom, I slip on the hooded leather jacket and pop open the window. With one last look at the bedroom door to make sure no one is going to barge in, I leap out, landing silently in the soft earth below. Pressing close to the siding of the house so no one in the windows above me can catch me running away, I quickly call upon my shadow powers.

I welcome the needle-like pain as I dissolve into the shadows.

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