CALIFF
“Calm down, or I will shut your mouth.”
I breathed through my nose. “I’m sorry.”
“So does she, Califf, and I gave her my word that I would not tell anyone.”
“I need her, Zarah. You have to understand me. Please, I want to see my mate. If I wait a day more, I might find myself on the cliff, ending my life. I’m losing my mind here. I need to see her.”
“Gah! Just kill me now.”
“Please?”
“Fine.” I had a feeling she just rolled her eyes at me.
I rushed downstairs, and she was already there. I chuckled. “Well, that was fast.”
“You’re in a mood today, Alpha.” She glared at me.
“After weeks of driving myself crazy, I finally get to see my wife. Who wouldn’t be so excited?”
“Well, she might not see you.”
“It doesn’t matter. She ignored my million texts and emails and kept dodging my calls until she blocked me. So yeah, I’m desperate to hear her voice, and my stupid wolf becomes more incorrigibly annoying.”
Once she created a portal, we stepped in and were brought to the Alaskan forest. The weather was chilly. Thankfully, we were werewolves, and it didn’t bother us except her.
“What is she doing here?” I sniffed the area, but there was no werewolf scent.
“See it for yourself.”
The cabin appeared from nowhere before us.
“Wait. Wait.” Zack held her in her arms. “It wasn’t there before. I swear.”
“I can only cast a shield in a small space. She needs protection.” Zarah knocked on the door.
The rustic log cabin was pretty cool. I could live here with her in peace in a quiet cabin in the middle of the forest. And I quickly caught the fresh rain, sweet jasmine, and vanilla scent. Shadow was close.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” She grunted behind us as she dropped something on the ground.
We turned around fast, only to see her glaring at us, especially me. She was carrying a rifle case and Sitka deer on the ground. She was pretty geared up for hunting. And she looked fucking hot.
My guess was she was practicing shooting. Judging by the case she had, it wasn’t just a hunting rifle- it was an MK14 rifle sniper used.
“Whoa!” Zack gushed as if he just received a Christmas gift. He was already hugging Shadow, making my wolf growl. “You shot this?”
“Yes.” She smiled.
“Wow! That’s awesome. Let me help you.” Zack offered to take the box from her, picking the deer on the ground.
“I can carry it. I may be a human, but I can handle things alone.” I did not miss the distasteful tone in her voice.
“I know, Shadow. I just want to help. That’s all.” He smiled. “And besides, I missed you.”
“Then take the deer to the kitchen. It won’t cook by itself.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Zack was enthusiastic as he carried the deer like a sack of potatoes.
“I can’t believe you gave my address, Zarah,” she said as she unlocked the floor, not giving me even a second look.
I followed her inside. “She did not. Calder took it from your grandpa, and he gave it to me. I only asked her to portal me here, and she joined us. Calder said hi.”
The cabin looked spacious compared to what it looked like from the outside because of the high ceiling in the living room. There were comfy couches, a coffee table, a television, a stone fireplace, stairs at the corner, and the second floor was probably her bedroom. Then, a small kitchen and a door at the end.
“Don’t just stand there. Brew some coffee and entertain yourself.” She took the box with her and stomped upstairs.
Zarah gestured for me to follow her. So I went up. She was taking off her jacket.
“Let me help.”
“I’m capable-”
I pulled the sleeve from her, and she finally didn’t resist. “I know. And I know you’re not ecstatic to see me, but I want to see for myself that you’re okay. It’s been almost a month since I last talked to you, Shadow. I’m still your husband, and nothing can change that.”
She also pulled off her shirt, and the bruises on her back and arms made me groan.
“Where the fuck did you get these bruises? Who hurt you?” My mood soured. I felt my eyes glow, the animal inside me growling.
“Calm down.” For the first time, she looked at me and placed her hand on my chest.
“Who the fuck did that to you?” I inspected her bruises, some old, some new.
“I won’t tell you if you kept growling at me.”
I squeezed my eyes close for a moment and drew a deep breath before I met her gaze. “Tell me, please?”
“I trained myself.”
“For what?”
“I may be human, but it doesn’t change who my father is, who my husband is, and my friends, Califf, and I can’t depend on all of you and be your burden.”
“You are not a burden and will never be a burden. And you’re too hard on yourself, Shadow. Nobody asks you to do this. And stop punishing yourself.”
“To you and our friends, maybe not, but-” She looked away. “I still wanna be useful.”
“You are useful.” I clenched my jaw hard. I had to be careful with my words, or I would hurt her even more. “So, you practice shooting and learn what? Martial arts?”
“Yeah. Mix of Jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga.” Wow. She never failed to amaze me with how determined she was.
She glared when she saw my eyes light up. She just made me prouder.
“And that gun. Where did you get it?”
“Weapons. I have a few,” she said proudly. “Sebastien bought them for me.”
“Is that why he’s unreachable?” I scoffed.
“I told him I will never see him again if he tells you where I am. And I was a rogue for years, Califf. I know how to be invisible.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Don’t blame him.” She glared at me. “So now you see me, and I’m still breathing. When are you going to leave?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I know you don’t miss me, baby, but I’m glad I found you and still your husband. I want to taste that deer Zack is cooking.”
“Fine. You can spend the night,” she said dismissively.
“Show me the weapons.”
“No.”
Grunting, I asked, “Why the fuck not?”
“Because there are silver bullets in there, dumbass.”