“I think we should be more concerned with Emit at the moment,” Vance calls out. “If his wolf has taken over to stalk his mate, then there’s a chance this could get out of hand.”

“So deal with the dead wanker and the wolf. Violet’s good at handling our monsters. She’ll handle his too,” I say a little too certainly, frowning as I turn back.

Emit’s wolf has been caged for so long by the bars of guilt and the confines of his grief. Centuries upon centuries, he’s fought his beast to the point of staying forever broken, never handing himself over to the calls of his wilder side.

He’s on the hunt now. And he’s clearly started uncaging his beast for the first time since that one time it broke free and claimed Idun. This time seems to be done more on purpose, since it’s less frantic and wild as it was that once…

“On second thought, I’ll go with you,” I chirp, drawing a concerned look from Vance. “Just in case.”

CHAPTER 14

VIOLET

“How will they be safe?” I ask Emit, trying not to sound like an ungrateful ass when he’s giving me such a large piece of land.

He slips in behind me, arms coming around my waist. I try not to tremble when he drags his thumb over my stomach, lifting my shirt so he can touch skin.

Why is he so touchy? Emit’s not really all that touchy, usually. At least not in such a soft, intimate way. That’s more Damien’s style.

“The borders will be bound by gypsy magic. I can reinforce them, since I’m the best at it. It’ll be strongest on the full moon, but it’ll wane with the moon’s cycle. Keep that in mind and try to make most of the moon-regulated boundaries.”

My eyes flit over the small waterfall that is trickling down. The month of May in Shadow Hills has had just a little snow on the ground from time to time. But mostly, Bobo has taught me to control myself so I can stop influencing Mother Nature so often.

I can picture them coming for a swim here when they trust the outdoors won’t bring about their demise.

Emit’s arms lift me abruptly, startling me a little, as he carries me toward the edge of the small waterfall.

“Vance, Arion, and Damien have all requested this plot of land from me. Numerous times they’ve offered me things I struggled to refuse,” he tells me.

He puts me down and walks over to the pool at the bottom of the falls.

“That means it’s too valuable for me to take then. I don’t want to be in debt for something you can hold over—”

His eyes level mine, and my breath catches in my throat. Something’s off about him. The wilder colors in his gaze are swirling, and there’s a hint of menace there that’s not usually present.

“Emit, are you okay?” I ask as he slowly begins stripping out of his shirt.

“I need you to very slowly walk out of here. Then take off in a sprint when you’re out of sight. Don’t stop running until you’ve reached your Sanctuary,” he says through a slightly growly tone.

“What? Why?” I ask, darting a worried look around at our surroundings.

So much for this place being safe.

“Because I’m just starting to realize how very much in control my wolf is, and if you continue to linger, I’m going to pin you down, fuck you, and leave you with my mark.”

I can’t help but blink a few times. I mean…what the actual hell?

“What?” I ask slowly.

“Do you want me to explain? Because the longer you stand there, the more my control starts to slip. When I get in the water, you go. And go quickly. Don’t turn around, and keep your distance from me for the next few days, no matter what I say to try to get you to come to me,” he adds.

I notice his claws have extended, and his canines have started to peek out over the plump edges of his lower lip.

“Now!” he roars.

Even though it’s abrupt and sudden, I waste no time turning and walking away, ignoring the vicious growl that rips from his throat the second my back is turned. Water splashes, but I don’t turn around to see if he’s randomly taking a swim.

This is all too weird. Even for me.

I have no idea what’s even—

A hand clamps over my mouth seconds before I feel the world tilt.

A roar rattles the air behind me, as Arion silently moves us so fast that the world seems to whip by me in a dizzying motion.

I burrow my face against his chest, still really confused about what’s going on right now.

“All clear, love,” Arion says as his lips brush my forehead. “The big bad wolf won’t come this far into town while on the fritz. His wolf has sharper instincts than that,” he adds with some amusement in his tone.

My head is still spinning when we’re abruptly standing in front of Sanctuary, and I peer up to see the vampire staring down at me with a smirk on his lips.

“What the hell is going on with Emit?” I ask him very seriously.

“Give me a formal, written invitation, and I’ll tell you all about it,” he states, as his arms tighten around me, still holding me bridal style.

“I already gave Shera an invitation for you,” I say on a sigh, but my breath seizes in the next instant, because we go from the front steps to inside my room so fast that my already dizzy head tries to spin.