With a burst of speed, I made it to the couch before she did. She smirked as she curled up against me and laid her head on my shoulder. We watched the news like that for almost an hour. Most of our faces were displayed, but the main source of speculation was Winifred.
“What’s everyone else saying about all of this?”
How is everyone? I sent Grey.
We were fine until there was news that Bethi’s mother contacted the station. Bethi’s freaking out because her mom isn’t answering the phone. She thinks the Urbat have gone after her. Michelle’s on the phone with her lawyer to see if there’s anything he can do to help protect their families. Gabby’s watching Urbat movement, trying to see if there are any near where we’d found Bethi. She says everything’s too random to figure it out.
In other words, they weren’t doing well.
“Bethi is freaking out,” I said, answering Isabelle. “Grey’s words, not mine. Gabby is quietly watching the Urbat movement, which appears uncoordinated, and Michelle is on the phone with her lawyer, seeing what she can do to help Bethi.”
“Why’s Michelle trying to help Bethi? They didn’t get a good image of her.”
“Bethi’s mom recognized her and called the station. Bethi can’t reach her mom, now.”
Isabelle’s pity and compassion for the girl touched my mind.
“Let’s have them over for dinner. We can order takeout. Pizza,” Isabelle said.
I nodded and reached out to Grey with the invitation.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door.
Before I could answer it, Bethi burst in and flew toward Isabelle. As soon as the girl was in her arms, Isabelle pulled. Bethi’s crying immediately slowed.
“You can hit me all night long,” Luke said. “Thank you.”
He didn’t look well, himself. The scent of his frustration and helplessness clung to him just as thickly as Bethi’s despair. Some of the tension in his face eased while the tension coming from Isabelle grew.
“No problem,” Isabelle said over Bethi’s head. “Hey, what do we want on our pizzas?”
“Valium,” Bethi said. “Lots of it.”
“Michelle has the connections to help find your mum,” Luke said. “Trust her.”
Bethi nodded despondently.
“Could you manage to hug me for a while?” he said, still looking at his Mate.
Bethi’s lips twitched, and she finally loosened her hold on Isabelle and went to Luke. They moved to sit at the breakfast bar and look through the phonebook to find a pizza place.
“Want to go for a quick run?” I asked Isabelle.
“Can we?”
“We don’t have a choice, do we?”
She shook her head.
Isabelle helped Bethi calm down, but she needs to run now.
Gabby said the city’s clear. But remember your faces are everywhere. Keep out of sight.
We will.
Bethi looked up from the phonebook as Isabelle grabbed her jacket.
“I’m sorry, Isabelle.”
“Nah, don’t be. I’ll get rid of this, then come back for seconds in a bit.”
Bethi smiled weakly.
“And I like extra cheese on my pizza,” Isabelle said as she slipped on her shoes. “None of that deep dish crap, though. I want the toppings to overpower the dough.”
“Got it,” Bethi said.
The hallway and stairs were quiet. By the time we hit the sidewalk, Isabelle was already jogging. She kept up the pace, sticking to the shadows and ducking her head whenever passing anyone. On clear sidewalks, I could feel her push out a portion of the excess emotion she carried.
We kept moving until a bakery’s display window had her slowing.
“Something catch your eye?” I asked.
She nodded and pointed, her breath coming out in puffs.
I glanced at the chocolate cake, topped with dark and white chocolate bits and drizzle, then at Isabelle. I could feel her craving for the treat.
“All right,” I said. “Let’s go in.”
“I’ll stay out here. My face was on TV more than yours, and with the bruise, I’m hard to miss.”
“Stay put.”
“Bring me cake, and I will.”
I nodded and stepped inside.
“Hi, there,” the woman at the register said as I stepped to the counter. “How can I help you?”
“I’d like this chocolate cake.”
“When would you like to pick it up?”
“Now.”
“I’m sorry. Those are display cakes. We make our cakes to order so they’re always fresh and delicious. I could have one ready for you tomorrow afternoon.”
I didn’t know if we’d be here then.
“We were hoping for something tonight. Thank you anyway.”
I left and found Isabelle where I’d left her.
“Um, you’re missing something pretty important, buddy.”
“They take orders for their cakes. They don’t have any premade.”
“That’s bull.”
I hated that I couldn’t give her what she’d wanted. She always wanted so little.
“It’s all right,” she said, bumping into me as we walked away. “Cake’s overrated. I would have ended up splitting my new stretchy jeans.”
Her craving still lingered, showing it wasn’t all right.
“You’re just a barrel of emotions tonight,” she said, sending a jolt of worry through me. Had she sense something?
She stepped close and wrapped her arms around my waist.
“What else can we throw in there?” she asked, playfully, and I realized she was only talking about my disappointment over the cake.
“I know. How about some anticipation? You can chase me again.”
“No.”
“Why not? Now that I bit you, I’m not a challenge? It’s no fun anymore?”
“Oh, it’d be fun.” I leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek. “But I don’t want to risk any more damage.”
Her love brushed my mind.
“But what if I really, really wanted you to chase me back to the apartment?”
The scent of her desire wrapped around me, and I took a slow breath to savor it.
“Not happening,” I said.
“I think it just might.” She stood on her tiptoes and moved her arms from my waist to around my neck. She pressed herself against me, and I smoothed my hands down her back, stopping just above her curve. She nipped my neck.
“I can feel your excitement,” she said against my skin.
I shuddered.
“Race you back.”
She ducked out of my arms and bolted down the sidewalk. I raced after her, watching her hips until just before we reached the garage door. I caught her from behind, spun her, and backed her against the building.
She panted, out of breath, and I rested my forehead against hers.
“Do you know how much I like watching you run?” I said. “You’re in my blood, Isabelle. Without you, I would die.”
“Sweet words for a man who forgot my cake. For a man who won’t kiss me because my bruised face scares him.”
I pulled back and frowned at her.
“Kiss me, Carlos. Kiss me like you meant every word you said about not leaving me alone. Ever.”
I growled lightly and kissed her. I was gentle yet unrelenting with each nip and lick and didn’t stop until she shivered. Reluctantly, I put some distance between us.
“Let’s go see if we have pizza waiting,” she said.
We walked into the garage and up the service steps together. At the door, I could feel Isabelle’s growing impatience. There was no need though. When we stepped inside, the apartment was empty with a pizza box on the counter and a note.
You took forever.
~Bethi
Isabelle grabbed a lukewarm slice of pizza and took a big bite.
“So good.”
I went to the cupboard and got us plates. She grinned when I handed her one.
“How are we going to live together, forever? I’m such a slob compared to you. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you move my shoes and line them up next to the door. They are at a perfect ninety-degree angle to the wall.”
I smiled slightly.
“I like being the center of your storm.”
She studied me as I took several slices of pizza. A complex cluster of emotions flowed from her. Love. Hope. Acceptance.
“Good,” she said. “I wouldn’t want you getting tired of it.”
“Does that mean—”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll keep my Claim.”
****
Wake up, sleeping beauty, Grey sent me as I lay snuggled against Isabelle.
I wasn’t sleeping. I thought Elders were only supposed to intrude when needed.
It’s needed. We’re leaving at eight. I know how much prep time you need.
I glanced at the bedside clock. It wasn’t even six. After placing a kiss on Isabelle’s shoulder, I got out of bed and went to shower and change. It wasn’t hard to pack up because most everything was still packed from the day before. Remembering Isabelle’s trinity, I found some cereal and set it out on the counter for her then made myself two sandwiches.
Is everyone already up? I sent Grey.
Most. Winifred and I are watching the news with Thomas and Charlene. Turn on channel seven.
Isabelle’s still sleeping.
Then come here.
I looked back at the apartment and the bowl on the counter. She’d be fine for a few minutes.
Grey and Winifred sat on the couch in Charlene and Thomas’ apartment. The TV was turned low even though everyone was awake.
“What are they reporting?” I asked, standing beside the couch.
“They’ve traced Blake to a facility up state. They flushed the facility but no one is there. They found evidence of a lot of women and children, though. Some are speculating a cult,” Winifred said.
How many other women had they taken? And what had they done with them?
Grey snorted. “A cult of werewolves? It’s a good thing the news isn’t letting up on your reveal or people would be chasing that cult theory.”
“What happened to everyone?” I asked.
“They don’t know. A camera crew managed to get a few shots of one of the main rooms, and it looked like they left in a rush. Based on what Gabby said about the Urbat scattering as soon as we aired, I think that the humans discovered the Urbat compound.”
“Flushed from their nest,” I said, watching the screen. “That’s what we’d hoped for. They should be too distracted with their own safety now to keep coming at us.”
“I don’t know,” Grey said. He looked at Charlene. “Bethi keeps saying you six are the key. What if having the girls would put the Urbat back in a position of safety? Wouldn’t that make their drive to capture the girls even more focused?”
“Do you think possessing us would bring safety to the Urbat?” Charlene asked, from where she’d been sitting quietly with Thomas.
Grey sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure Bethi knows that, yet.”