Page 41 of Waste
“Because she’s not frightened of Ghoul?”
“Exactly for that reason. Shelley is one of those rare humans who can see beyond flesh and blood to the person within. You’ve always been a good man, and that never changed. Shelley sees that.”
“I don’t think Shelley could manage our lifestyle. She’d have to leave her family behind, and she’s very close to them,” Drew mused.
Was he stifling the mating bond because of his fears and hesitations? It was possible. Unlike Jase and Vladimir, who’d been totally against mates, Drew was more ambivalent about having one. How he felt about Shelley wasn’t the overwhelming emotion that Vladimir, Jase, and Lanie experienced.
Shelley had a calm personality, one that allowed Drew to relax. He didn’t doubt that Shelley’s emotions ran intensely; he could sense them in her. And she showed Charlie a deep, abiding love even when they were teasing one another.
“Does she have to leave them behind?” Marie interrupted his thoughts.
“Yes. Or we’d bring danger to them, too. There’s no escaping that,” Drew stated emphatically. He wouldn’t be responsible for the Hunters capturing, torturing, and killing Shelley’s family. It was unacceptable. Shelley would end up loathing Drew if she lost her parents and Charlie.
“Refuge,” Mary said succinctly, and Drew gaped at her.
“What?”
“Refuge,” Mary repeated.
“Damn, I never considered that,” Drew drawled slowly.
“Guessed you hadn’t. But Refuge is there. Tisiphone wouldn’t deny them sanctuary if you needed it.”
“No,” Drew replied, as hope blossomed in his chest.
Pandora claimed Hope was the worst of the evils that had been released. Because it allowed people to believein possibilities and maybes that might never happen. Drew understood Pandora’s reasoning. But he couldn’t stop himself.
Still, Drew didn’t feel the bond. But if it developed, there was a chance they could build a relationship. And then Drew’s mind snapped back to how they mated. Shelley wouldn’t be able to handle the sexual part. Drew’s shoulders slumped, and Mary frowned.
“Drew?” Mary asked, concerned.
“I’ll be with Pandora for a few hours before I need to return. Please alert me if I am needed,” Drew said quietly and then walked away.
Mary’s worried gaze dug into him, but Drew didn’t turn back. He was destined for loneliness. The possibilities Shelley presented wouldn’t come true. Even as his heart hoped differently, his head told him otherwise.
Chapter Ten.
Drew
Pandora made him a cup of tea and then remained silent. She seemed to realise he needed this time to gather his thoughts and organise them. They sat together in perfect peace for two hours.
“Do the Hunters know about Shelley?”
“Not yet, I watch over her, but she is walking a very dangerous line. Her online activity has raised concerns, but as I mentioned earlier, not enough for them to investigate her. Shelley’s destiny is uncertain at the moment, Drew. She’s in a state of flux.”
“What does that mean, Pandora?”
Pandora held his gaze. “It means Shelley should have died and didn’t. Now her future is unknown.”
Drew leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. “I was hoping that was not so. The Fates are responsible for the attempts on Shelley’s life.”
“No. They remain unaware Shelley cheated death. Something or someone hides her existence. The person behind Shelley’s accident meant to kill her. Why, I don’t know.”
“Could it be because of her link to me?” Drew asked, dreading the response.
“I can’t answer that, Drew. All I understand is you need to keep her safe.”
“Why did you betray us, Pandora?” he asked suddenly.
