Page 103 of Shadows of the Soul

In the wake of the destruction and Stephen’s demise, my elemental power had returned with a flourish, wrapping around my beast like a comfy blanket.

The thumping sound became more insistent. I eyeballed the White Furry Menace who’d made herself comfy on my chair in the corner. She gazed back at me, all innocence and light, like she didn’t turn into a beast when provoked.

“Best go see what that’s about,” I told her.

She blinked. Good enough. I pulled on some shorts and twisted my hair into a messy bun before swinging open my bedroom door.

I paused on the threshold. What on earth? Two pairs of jean-clad legs dangled through the gaping hole in my roof, which had gained a new timber structure. I walked underneath the hole, folded my arms, and gazed up. Hudson’s smiling face greeted me alongside Dangerous Dave’s scowling one.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Repairing your roof,” Hudson answered as he passed Dave a tile. Dave hammered it into place.

I sighed. “I was doing it,” I explained. “You don’t need to do that.”

Hudson smirked, then jumped down and landed in front of me. He backed me up against the kitchen worktop before grabbing my hips and lifting me onto it. I kept my arms folded and lasered him with my Roberts’ hard-assed stare. “I’m a capable woman. I won’t suddenly become the helpless damsel in distress for you to tend to.”

He grinned. “I’m doing something nice for my mate. I am not trying to control you.” He drew me closer as he pried my arms apart. “It’s okay to depend on someone,” he said as he dropped a kiss on my forehead. “It doesn’t make you weak. Together, it makes us stronger.”

“Fine, you can repair the roof,” I conceded.

“Of course, your lack of a roof could be resolved if you moved into the pack house with me.”

I pushed against his chest and slid off the kitchen counter. “No, this is my home, my livelihood.”

“My mate lives with me,” he stated as I backed away. I couldn’t think straight when he surrounded me with his delicious scent and feverish body.

I shook my head. “Your mate, if it is me, is an independent woman with a business and a job. I will not hang around your house barefoot and pregnant.”

“Of course not. Shoes are important for foot protection.”

I rolled my eyes. “We just got this show on the road. We can take this slow, a step at a time.”

He narrowed his gaze, and the hammering stopped from above us as Dave eavesdropped on our conversation.

“Fine,” Hudson drawled. I released the breath I’d been holding and relaxed my shoulders.

“I’m glad you’re being agreeable.”

A knock sounded on my door. I turned, swung it open and found Rebecca hanging out with my ghost. Harry pressed his lips together like he was holding in a laugh.

“What’s up?” I asked her.

She glanced over my shoulder at Hudson. Oh, she needed The Principal’s attention. I stepped to the side. Rebecca extended her hand. In it was a bright shiny key.

My gaze snapped to it. Then Hudson, then Rebecca. I shook my head. “No, nope, not happening.”

“Paid in full for six months,” Rebecca confirmed.

Hudson plucked the key out of her hand. “If you won’t come to me, I will damn well come to you. Like I said, my mate lives with me.”

Outwitted again by The Terror of Tennessee. What an idiot.

Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty Three

Hudson

---