Rick

 

Rick watched as chaos surrounded him. Stella hit the ground, distraught with rage and pain. His friends were swarming Grandma. He couldn’t seem to bring himself to do anything but stand there. If everything Stella had told him was true, he was the reason all this was happening. Rick wasn’t sure how, but being with Rachel all those years ago had started a revenge attack on the people he currently cared about.

He crouched down by Stella and tried to comfort her. His bear was angry, but the man felt responsible. Then a voice filled his mind.

“Come to me, Rick.” He looked around, but nobody was looking in his direction.

He shook it off and wrapped Stella up in his arms.

“Stella, come on. You need to see if you can do something. You can’t have a breakdown now,” said Veronica, Justin’s mate, pulling Stella to her feet. Rick growled at the human female, but Stella patted his hand for him to release her.

“It’s fine, she’s right. I need to see what I can do,” Stella said, straightening her shoulders and making her way to Grandma.

As Rick watched her, he felt a pull to go outside. After a quick look around to make sure nobody would notice him slipping out, he inched towards the door. Once he was outside he made his way around to the back of his house. Arriell was standing there, waiting. She hadn’t noticed him coming up behind her yet. Then Rick saw another woman. He recognized her from somewhere. Whatever Arriell had said frightened the woman, and then just as quickly as she had come she was gone.

Realization dawned on him then. The woman in front of him was Rachel. He hadn’t seen her since he had been young and gullible. He had believed she was his mate. When her eyes caught his he could see the fear and surprise. Had she been in with Arriell from the beginning? Maybe she was as big a pawn in everything as he was.

“What do you want?” he asked, crossing his arms more to keep himself from shifting than anything.

“You know what I want, Rick,” she said coyly, taking a step towards him.

“I have a mate. Cut the act. I know you don’t want this any more than I do.”

“She’s not your mate, not completely yet. There’s still time for us.”

“Enough!” he roared, closing the distance between them. He grabbed her shoulders and gave her a shake. “If you tell me what is really going on, we may be able to help you. Just be honest.”

For a brief moment, he saw a flash of hope cross Rachel’s face. Then she quickly hooded her emotions again. He released her and turned to walk back in the house.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she called.

“I’m going inside to my pack. As long as you continue to cower in fear to whoever is responsible for this, you’re of no use to me.”

He felt her hesitation. She wanted to confide in him, but she was afraid. Then he heard her footsteps gain on him.

“Wait. Can your healer cast a protection spell?” she whispered.

“I’m sure. Come with me,” he said, grabbing her hand to make sure she didn’t change her mind.

Rick dragged her into the house. Stella was no longer in the living room with everyone. She must have had them take Grandma to a bedroom. Everyone went silent when Rachel came into view. Jasper jumped up then.

“Rachel, what are you doing here?” he asked.

“You know her?” Rick asked, finally releasing Rachel’s hand.

“She’s my secretary,” Jasper said, never taking his glowing eyes off of Rachel.

Rick couldn’t hide the shock on his face. Emma joined them and a low growl rumbled from her chest.              

“Please, I can explain. Rick said you may be able to help me if I explain.” Rachel started to back away from the group of angry shifters.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. Rick tried to care that she was afraid, but after everything he had been through he wasn’t sure he could. Stella came down the stairs then, sobbing.

“She’s gone. Grandma’s gone,” she sobbed, seeking out Rick for comfort.

When Stella’s eyes finally landed on him, he started towards her. A quick glance to his right and Stella instantly changed. Her grief was replaced with a raw hatred. Her body started to shake. Stella raised her hands and her eyes glowed. Rick could feel the magic pulsating in the room. Whatever Stella’s emotions were conjuring up, it wasn’t going to be good. He ran to her, but was too late. With a cry fit for a warrior, she cast out her magic straight at Rachel. The room vibrated with it, and all the shifters shifted immediately. Rachel cried out and threw her hands up to block the attack.