Headlights flickered through the living room window. My muscles tensed as my heart pounded inside my chest. I knew the likelihood of Roman driving to my trailer to murder me was unlikely. Still, I couldn’t get the fear out of my head. Neither could my wolf. She was on high alert, same as me. Moonshine paced in front of the door. Obviously, she wasn’t concerned with whoever it was.

A vehicle door slammed shut, and my mouth grew dry. Should I look to see who it is? Should I run? Shift? Someone tried the knob, but I’d locked it after Julian left. Keys jingled until one was inserted.

Eli. It had to be him. No one else had a key to our place.

When the door swung open and Eli stepped in every inch of me relaxed. His eyes sought me out.

“Hey. Everything okay? You look upset.”

I licked my lips. “I’m fine. Just wasn’t expecting you home so soon is all.”

I’d barely been home for ten minutes.

“It wasn’t hard to find the others,” he said as he closed the door behind him and locked it. We both knew it wouldn’t do any good. If Roman wanted in, he would find a way, locked door or not. We didn’t have a spell like the Caraway Inn had to keep him out. Maybe I should ask Ridley how to go about having one created, though. “When I told them something happened to you and I needed to get home, they said they could handle conducting another sweep at the game without me.”

He walked to the kitchen counter and emptied his pockets onto our catch-all area.

“Did you tell them I was bitten?”

“No.”

He crossed to where I was on the couch. My wolf relaxed when he sat beside me. She craved his nearness as much as I did. Eli pulled me into him, his lingering empathic tendencies must have clued him into what I needed most—to be held.

I was glad he was home. I was glad he was holding me. I’d never admit it, but tonight had scared the shit out of me. I’d honestly thought I was going to die.

“You’re shaking.”

I tried to get a grip on myself, but it did no good. Mentally, I was all over the place. My entire system had been shocked tonight.

“It’s nothing. I’m okay.” A little white lie, yes, but those never hurt anyone.

Eli’s hands moved to my arms. He put enough distance between us so that he could look me in the eye.

Had he picked up on my lie? Most likely.

“I see you’re all bandaged up. Did you visit Gran?” he asked.

“No. I let Julian do it. I didn’t want to worry Gran with all of this. Also, I didn’t want Gracie or my mom or dad to ask questions.”

“They’ll find out eventually,” Eli insisted.

“Maybe. Maybe not. It’ll be mostly healed by tomorrow.”

His lips twisted into a smirk. “You always surprise me.”

“Good. At least I know I’m keeping you on your toes.” I returned his smile and then buried my head in his chest.

“The others should be back from searching at the game soon. I meant what I said when I said this changes things. I know you don’t want everyone knowing what happened tonight, but I do have to tell some of the pack. Especially since Roman has marked you.”

A shiver slipped along my spine at his words. I didn’t want to think about what that meant for me, but knew I needed to. I also knew Eli was right; he would have to tell some pack members because my being around them was now a danger. Roman could come for me and harm them if they tried to get in his way.

An image of how he’d froze me in place when Ridley was hauled off by him and Lilith flashed through my mind.

There was a real possibility he could use me to harm them or vice versa. No one knew for certain what the hell he was capable of.

“I can’t guarantee Roman will be handed over to Julian and his sisters alive any longer either. Not if this comes down to your life or his. You know who I’ll choose, who the entire pack will.”

“I know. I think Julian does too.”

“Good,” Eli insisted. His brows pinched together. He didn’t like what that might mean for our pack any more than I did but knew if push came to shove, it would be necessary. He wrapped his arms around me tighter and moved to lie back against the couch cushions, bringing me along with him. “Have you eaten?”

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”

His hand smoothed along my back, tracing a lazy pattern with his fingertips that soothed my frazzled nerves. I loved his hands. “Okay. Then just rest.”

“Okay,” I murmured.

My eyes grew heavy and my mind fuzzy as I drifted off into a dreamless sleep in no time.

The sound of someone banging around in the kitchen woke me. I was no longer on the couch, but instead found that I’d been moved to our bed. My hand reached out to feel for Eli, but he wasn’t there. The sheets were cool to the touch, letting me know he hadn’t been beside me in quite some time. I stretched and yawned before slipping out of bed. Sunlight streamed through the mini blinds.

It had to be late morning.

The scent of burnt toast hit my nose as I started down the hall to the kitchen. Eli came into view. He was in front of the stove, cooking.

“What are you making?” I asked. Another yawn slipped from me as I continued toward him.

“Breakfast.”

“Well, duh.” I rolled my eyes. When I reached him, I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my face against his bare back. His skin was warm, and the soap he used filled my nose. I loved his scent. “What are you cooking for breakfast? You never cook.”

“Sometimes I do, not often, but sometimes.” He spun around to grip my hips.

“Yeah. That plate of burnt toast right there is proof you only cook sometimes.” I grinned as I pointed to it.

A wide smile stretched across his face. It was boyish and absolutely adorable. Butterflies burst to life inside my stomach at the sight of it.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll eat the burnt toast. I’m making you fresh toast right now. It won’t be burnt. Promise.”

I stood on the tips of my toes and pressed my lips to his. Wasn’t that what every woman wanted? A guy who didn’t mind eating a little burnt toast for her every now and then? How had I gotten so lucky?

Eli smoothed a few wild hairs away from my forehead. His eyes sought mine out. They were bright green and filled with worry.

“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.

My fingers moved to the bandage Julian had secured on the back of my neck. I hadn’t thought about it until now. There was no pain to remind me.

“I’m good.” I wondered if my werewolf healing had already taken care of the wound. “It’s a little tender but that’s about it.”

Eli’s lips pinched into a frown. “I still can’t believe Roman bit you. I’m going to make him pay for it.”

My hand dropped to my side. “I can’t believe it either.”

Last night I’d been scared, shaken up about the whole thing. My body and mind had been locked in a place of shock. This morning it was gone. My mind was clear, and I was certain I would make Roman pay for his actions myself. When I was finished with him, he’d wish he had never tasted my blood.

I didn’t know how, but I knew I’d find a way to make it happen.

The toaster popped, releasing two perfectly toasted slices of bread. Eli stepped to retrieve them. Then he moved back to the stove and resumed cooking. I glanced in the pan. Scrambled eggs. My stomach growled at the sight.

When was the last time I’d eaten? I couldn’t remember.

“Grab a plate.” He nodded to the cabinet. “Let’s eat.”

Was it just me or did he seem in a hurry?

Skepticism pooled through my lower belly, tightening my core. “Do you have somewhere to be?”

“Work. There’s a liquor shipment coming in I need to sign for. Then I need to restock for Eddie.”

“Oh.” I couldn’t keep my disappointment from leaking into my words. “I don’t have any classes today. I don’t have to work either. I was hoping we could spend the day together.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I promised Eddie I’d do this for him. With everything that’s been going on lately, I don’t feel like I’ve been as reliable as I usually am for him.”

“I get it.” I pulled two plates from the cabinet. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll find some way to occupy myself today.”

It was rare that I ever had a day off from both school and work. I honestly didn’t know what to do with myself.

My cell rang. I headed to the living room where it sat on the end table charging and retrieved it. Ridley’s name lit the screen.

“Who is it?” Eli asked. He was still on edge about the whole being marked by Roman thing. I didn’t blame him because I was too.

“Ridley.”

“Tell her I said hi and that I hope she’s doing well. Was Rowena able to create a talisman to help stabilize the other side for her?” Eli asked while he scooped eggs on both plates.

“I will. And, yeah Rowena did make a new necklace for her.”

“Hope Benji’s still doing okay.”

“Me too.” I swiped my thumb across the screen and answered Ridley’s call before it went to voicemail. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Hi. How are you? Feeling okay?” Ridley asked. Concern reflected through her voice.

“Yeah, I’m good. I went to bed early last night, and I’ll probably rest all day. I don’t have classes or work.” I situated myself on the couch. “Go figure, right? The one day I could have gone and done something fun, and instead I’m lying around, healing from a vampire bite.”

Comedy seemed like the best way to get through this.

“I know but I think rest will be good for you. Last night was crazy.”

“It was.” I moved to the refrigerator to grab a stick of butter. I cut off a square and placed it on our toast before the bread cooled. “How is Benji doing? Is he still okay?”

“He’s all right. Julian’s sisters drove him home. He packed his stuff and moved in with them. Julian and his two beautiful sisters.” There was an edge to her tone I picked up on. She was uneasy about the fact Benji now lived with them.

I grabbed my plate and headed to mine and Eli’s room for privacy. The conversation seemed as though it was steering into girl talk territory.

“You have nothing to worry about. Benji would never do anything with either of them. You know that, don’t you?” I asked once I’d closed the door behind me. “Benji loves you.”

Ridley sighed. “I know, but you’ve seen them. They’re drop dead gorgeous. And, what if he doesn’t think of me the same now that he’s a vampire? What if more than his taste buds and diet have changed? What if he doesn’t want to be with me anymore?”

I situated myself on our bed with my plate of food.

“He would be an idiot to not want to be with you. Besides, I don’t think that’s how this sort of thing works. Yes, his diet may have changed, but he’s still Benji. At least I thought he was.”

“He was. Right down to the moment when he tried to dip.”

I laughed. “No, he didn’t. Seriously?”

An image of Benji with his vampire fangs descended and black crap from his dip crusted across them flashed through my mind. I couldn’t contain my laughter.

“He did. Thank goodness he’s lost his taste for it now. I honestly thought he was going to vomit.”

“Now he knows how the rest of us feel about it. It’s disgusting. I could never be with a guy who dips. Never,” I insisted.

Ridley laughed. I was glad to hear it. She’d been through a lot and laughing was always the best remedy, especially when it came to stress.

“What did his parents say when Benji showed up with two vampire chicks and packed his stuff to leave forever?” I asked. I couldn’t imagine what Gran would have done if I’d attempted to pull off something so bold.

“I don’t think they said much. Ivette used her gift on them.”

“Right.” I crammed a forkful of eggs in my mouth. “Her gift is definitely useful.”

“It is. So, Benji will be living with the Montevallos at their mansion now.”

“Exciting,” I said even though it didn’t seem as though Ridley found it exciting at all.

I did though. Sort of. The place was massive and so artfully decorated.

“I guess.”

My phone beeped. There was another call coming through. I glanced at the screen. It was work.

“Crap. My work is calling. I should probably answer. Can I call you back later?”

“Yeah, sure. No problem. I just wanted to call and see how you were doing. Glad you’re okay. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

“Thanks. I’ll talk to you soon,” I said before swapping over to the other line. “Hello?”

“Are you planning on coming into work today?” Pamela whispered on the other end.

“What are you talking about? I wasn’t on the schedule for today.”

“Yeah, you were, Sugar. Remember, you switched shifts with Sable last week. She needed the day off because of something with her kid, and you said you’d switch shifts with her.”

My heart dropped to my stomach. “Shit! I remember that now. Is Leon having a cow yet because I’m not there?”

“No, not yet. But, he already said he’s giving you fifteen more minutes. If you don’t show, you’re fired,” Pamela said. “Figured I’d call and see what was up. Remind you, if need be.”

“I’m glad you did, otherwise I’d be jobless.” I headed to the dresser and set my plate down so I could rummage through the drawers for something to wear.

“Get here as soon as you can. I’ll try to stall him.”

“Thanks, Pamela. You’re a lifesaver,” I said as I squeezed into a pair of jeans.

“Thank me if you still have a job when you get here,” she said before she hung up.

I reached for a clean T-shirt next, praying I’d be in time. I needed this damn job.