Chapter Seven
“I’m sorry, I’m okay.” James croaked and kicked the door shut. “Lock it.”
Wanting to be able to communicate with her James had shifted into his human skin, but he’d shifted too soon and became overcome by fatigue. He’d raced back to her while his body was still working the lead out of his chest. Emily locked the door before dropping to her knees beside him; she reached out to touch him but stopped, her hands hovering above him.
“Oh my god James what happened? Do you need a hospital?”
James shook his head. “No! Emily, no I’m fine. See, they’re healing. I just need a few minutes.”
“Are you sure?” Tears welled in her eyes.
Damn it. James hadn’t meant to scare her. He’d been so intent on getting back to her he hadn’t anticipated her reaction to him. “I am, really. I just need to wash this off. It looks worse than it is. I promise.” He let her help him up and lead him to the bathroom. He turned on the water and stepped under the spray washing the blood and dirt away.
“What happened to you?” She asked as she stared at his chest. The five shot wounds were nothing more than abrasions as they finished healing and James prayed she wouldn’t hate him for what he did.
“That man was going to kill you.” He swallowed. “He’d already killed more humans than I could count. My wolf and I could barely tolerate the smell. I think he was a serial killer.”
Her eyes widened. “James. What happened?” She whispered.
“He had a shot gun. I made noise so he’d come out and when he raised his gun I attacked.”
“Oh my god James! He could have killed you and I would have never known what happened! What were you thinking?”
“That human was no match for me or my wolf even with his gun. I was angry that he hurt you and I didn’t want to risk taking you back into the woods while he was still out there.”
But she was right, he had more than just himself to take care of now. What if something had happened to him? What if he’d crossed paths with another shifter and been challenged? Though he considered Grayslake home, he was the trespasser here and he wasn’t just hiding in another pack’s territory, this was bear country. James had gone undetected by following his own strict rules but in his haste to hunt Emily’s abductor he’d forgotten to hide or cover his tracks. No matter. James was done hiding. He shut off the water and Emily handed him a towel.
****
“He’s really gone?” Emily was morbidly relieved and James nodded.
“He will never hurt anyone ever again.”
Emily couldn’t fathom any remorse or sadness, just relief. That man had been a monster.
“What do we do now?”
“We need to get you to the human authorities and then home.”
“What about you?” She asked him as he got dressed and Emily grew worried when he didn’t answer her right away.
“I’m going to keep you safe.”
That hadn’t been what she’d been asking and Emily had a sinking suspicion that James was well aware that wasn’t what she’d meant. She was afraid he was pulling away from her. He didn’t glance at her while he got dressed. She chalked it up to her just being hormonal; she was supposed to start soon. Her eyes widened. They hadn’t used protection. She glanced down and touched her stomach. Could she be pregnant? She caught James staring at her, his loving gaze becoming determined and he advanced on her.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
He was so handsome in the rangers’ uniform. Luckily the mystery ranger was as big as James and the clothes fit him perfectly. She put her coat on over her shirt to help cover her up. The rest of her clothes weren’t salvageable. Wrapping her arms around his neck he picked her up and carried her outside. Emily was almost sorry to say goodbye to the little cabin.
“Are you sure you’re going to be able to carry me the whole way?” She hated burdening him like this but he gazed into her eyes and nodded before turning his attention ahead.
“Shifters are stronger than humans.”
“Are there other kinds of shifters out there? Like can some turn into bears or horses?” She asked him half joking and her eyes widened when he nodded.
“Yes.”
“Oh.” She swallowed. “Bears?” She glanced around the forest.
“I will protect you Emily.” He told her and she squeezed him tighter.
“I know.” She whispered.
James carried Emily for miles, never breaking his stride before they came upon a road.
“There’s a rest stop a few miles ahead. Hopefully it has a working pay phone so we can call nine-one-one.”
“Okay.”
“You’re going to tell them that he took you but he was attacked by a wolf and you got away.” Emily stared at him wide eyed. Why was he telling her this? Wasn’t he going to be with her? “You stayed at the ranger station until the storm stopped and you walked out of the woods. You’re not sure what happened to the man but you think the wolf got him.”
“James?”
“We’re here.” He announced.
Emily glanced up and sure enough there was an empty rest stop ahead with bathrooms and a payphone which he walked straight towards and her grip on him tightened.
“I can’t be here when the authorities arrive. I’ll stay until just before then. They’ll make sure you get home.”
Emily’s heart dropped. “You’re leaving me?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
“I don’t want to but I need to get my affairs in order and I can’t risk taking you to my pack. Some of them murdered my family. You’re not going anywhere near them.” His expression became pained. “I need to be a man worthy of you.”
“You are!” Emily cried but James clenched his teeth and shook his head.
“Not yet.” He set her on her feet. “I need to find my pack and then I’m coming back for you.” He picked up the phone and dialed. “Tell them you need help.” Reluctantly Emily did as he asked before hanging up the phone.
“Please don’t go. You can come with me.”
James shook his head and pulled her close hugging her tight. “Whatever you do, don’t let anyone know you know shifters exist. Do you hear me? Humans aren’t supposed to know. Promise me Emily. They’ll kill you.” His expression grew panicked as sirens wailed in the distance. “I don’t want to leave you.” He kissed her deeply and Emily despaired when he pulled away. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Please come back to me.” Emily whisper sobbed, her heart ripping from her chest as James ran into the woods.
****
The Sherriff narrowed his eyes at her and Emily’s heart was ready to beat out of her chest. She’d told him exactly what James had told her to say but the story was outlandish even to her own ears.
“And that’s the story you’re sticking to?”
Emily nodded afraid he was on to them, James’s warning fresh in her mind and she had a sudden revelation that the Sherriff was like James. It was in the way he spoke and moved his eyes. She wasn’t sure if he was a wolf but she was sure he was a shifter. Emily tried to slow her racing heart and prayed the Sherriff didn’t see right through her.
“Well, make sure that you do. From what we found it’s a miracle you walked out of there alive. It’s a good thing your wolf found you when he did.”
“He saved my life,” Emily whispered and he nodded, his expression softening.
“The press is here. It’s becoming quite the story since they found the other bodies. Did you want to speak with them?” Emily vigorously shook her head. “I didn’t think so. I’ll keep them away. Your family should be here soon.”
“Thank you.”
Emily couldn’t wait to get home but at the same time she missed James terribly and she was so worried about him. What if he didn’t come back? What if his pack killed James too? Emily glanced at the Sherriff who gave her a reassuring smile. She couldn’t ask him for help. She couldn’t tell him anything. He could turn both of them in, or worse. She tried to swallow down her nausea as she waited. At this point that’s all she could do. Wait. Emily swallowed hard, angry at how helpless she was.