Page 65 of Shadows of the Soul

“Shit.”

I brandished my cookie and bit it in solidarity. “Second, he was fine with my crazy life while he didn’t think it would encroach on his political sway. As of last night, Hudson Abbot realized the world would know I was Eloise Roberts’ granddaughter, and they would think I had seduced him in order to bring the shifters over to the elementals side. The vampires wouldn’t enjoy that.”

“Wow, that’s quite the revealing evening you had.”

“Lastly, because of a handsy vampire, Hudson’s beast lashed out and his jealous streak showed.”

She tilted her head and pursed her lips. “What?” I asked.

“Shifters are possessive in nature. It’s not unreasonable for them to react with violence to a threat to their mate. Hudson would know that, and so would the rest of the supernatural population. He wouldn’t be judged for it. In fact, in shifter speak, it shows how damn serious he is about you.”

I glanced at my desk full of papers which would extricate him from my life. “It would have never worked. It’s better this way. Cut the cord.”

Rebecca nodded. “Before someone gets hurt.”

Too late…

Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty Three

Get your towels in order.

“Ican do it,” Rebecca offered as I nibbled my thumb nail. She twitched the curtain in the front room to spy on the stables. “I’m not even sure he’s home.”

“He’s home,” I muttered with a sigh. “And no, I’m the homeowner. I need to do it. But thank you.”

I grabbed the envelope and stalked out of the house. My sneakers crunched over the roses and thorns, their crimson sap seeping onto the rubber soles. I’d have to invest in some black ones. Black covered a multitude of sins.

Somehow I thought the walk would take longer, but what felt like a breath later, I stood on the doorstep knocking on the wood as I contemplated shoving the envelope through the letterbox.

A minute passed. Maybe he wasn’t home? I took a step back. The door swung open and a raging fire spread through my veins.

Mercy arched a brow as she dried her hair with a huge towel. The other tiny towel was wrapped around her body, just about covering her ass. “Can I help you?” she asked. No, she needed help with which way you used the towels.

“I need to speak with Hudson,” I stated. My voice came out monotone, surprising me. I’d expected to breathe fire like a dragon. The Principal was so tied up in knots about our relationship he’d sought solace in a pretty blonde. I don’t know why I was so disappointed. I’d expected more from the man who ran when his political status was under threat. More fool me.

Mercy leaned against the door frame and smirked. My beast rose her head.Kill her. Always with the killing. Perhaps this time she had a point. “He’s in the shower. Can I give him a message?”

Translation—we had hot sweaty shifter sex which he needs a long assed shower to recover from. I twisted the envelope in my hand. I didn’t trust her, but I didn’t want to see him.

“Mercy? Who is it?” Hudson shouted.

My heart pitter-pattered in my chest. I could shove the envelope at her and run? Right? That wasn’t cowardly, it was self-preservation. Hudson rounded the corner clad in jeans,onlyjeans. His feet were bare, and so was his chest. His eyes widened at the sight of me.

“Cora, what’s wrong?”

I slapped a fake grin on my face and offered my hand with the notice.

“Give us a moment,” he stated to Mercy. His tone was warm as he spoke to her. She winked at me, then sauntered back inside the house. He plucked the envelope out of my hand and opened it.

“You’re evicting me?”

“Yes, this is your official two month’s notice.”

He tore the letter in half. “What are you doing?” I spluttered as he continued to tear it up into tiny pieces which fluttered to the floor. Was it poetic, that’s what he’d done with my heart? He stepped outside and closed the door behind him before maneuvering me so I backed up against the wall.

“No notice. No eviction,” he said with a grin.

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