Page 39 of Destined Bear
Will I succumb to Emeric if that happens? Would it be fair to either of us if I did?
I think of the look Sabo gave him when he stood so indecisively. Half the pack already hates me. I don’t have a place at Emeric’s side, not when it’s already so divided. If Mom goes, so do I. It’s the best thing for everyone.
But I won’t tell Emeric that. I’ll leave like I did last time, quietly and without a fuss.
In the meantime, I have to find a way to put some kind of distance between Emeric and me. My presence here is only causing problems.
CHAPTER 12
EMERIC
Iwalk through the ashy remains of what had once been our packhouse living room. The lingering odor of gasoline and smoke permeates my nostrils, and I scour the area for clues about who specifically was responsible for this attack.
The sun set a long time ago, and most of the enforcers shifted into their animal forms for better observation skills, but I stay in my human body.
“We should go to Stonecrest tonight.” Sabo isn’t the first to suggest this, so I’m not surprised when his declaration is met with a mutter of approval.
“We’re not doing anything tonight.” My eyes scan the destruction, my blood boiling.
There’s nothing I’d like more than to rip those responsible limb from limb. But that’s the problem. Who exactly is to blame for this?
Vivienne’s words linger in the back of my mind.
“You know, we could reach out to Alpha Roman and try to talk about this?—”
“What?” Raynor morphs back into his human body, his irises gleaming with fury. “You’re just going to let them get away with this?”
I don’t acknowledge him and instead focus on the ashen mess in front of me. Surely, they left some clue, some identifying mark?—
“It’s that female,” Raynor growls. “She got to you with all her level-headed crap.”
My chin swivels back toward Raynor’s naked form, and before I realize what’s happening, I shift into my bear body. Lunging for him, I knock the wolf shifter to the ground, and he topples over himself, rolling through the ash. His pale skin is covered in soot in seconds as I pin him under my paw.
My face shifts back long enough to hiss, “Don’t you ever speak about my mate that way again.”
Fear pales Raynor’s blue irises as my claws dig into his throat. He can’t breathe, or he’d surely shift. I don’t want to kill him, or I would. But I also want to ensure everyone around sees how serious I am about Vivienne’s honor.
As Raynor passes out, I release him and fall back onto my haunches. Heath catches my eye reprovingly, and there are several other mistrusting gazes among the pack members.
I shift back into my human form and grab the remnants of my clothes, stomping back toward my waiting vehicle. There’s no sense in explaining myself to them. They’ve all made up their minds about everything. It’s all too fractured.
I call Vivienne on the way home, and she answers right away.
“Is your mom doing any better?”
“Still no change.” The sadness in her voice breaks my heart.
I want to tell her that Circe will be fine, but I saw how wan she looked before I left. If there isn’t any change after so many hours and all these healers, I don’t have high hopes for the elder. Of course, I would never say that to my mate.
“I’m on my way back to the ranch. Can I bring anything for you?”
There’s a long hesitation, and for a moment, I wonder if she’s going to ask to see me.
“No.”
Disappointment clogs my veins. “I’ll come to see your mom when I get there.”
“I don’t think you should,” she says quickly, deepening my uneasiness. “I haven’t even been allowed near her with all the healers. We just need to let them work.”
