Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 113944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
“No.”
“They’re good people,” Zander told her. “One of their wolves, Makenna, used to be a lone wolf and helps run a shelter for lone shifters. They’re given protection, food, a roof over their heads, counseling, and any education they might need. Then, when they’re ready, Makenna rehomes them. You could stay there rather than hiding out here. You’d even be welcome to stay there once this shit is over.”
Andie squinted. “Surely if such shelters existed, I’d have heard of them.”
“From what I understand, there aren’t many,” Zander told her. “That’s probably why I hadn’t heard of them either.”
“You’d be in a place filled with people just like you, and you’d be safe,” said Bracken. “The place is secure, and the Moores wouldn’t think to look for you there anyway. I don’t mean to scare you, but it’s only a matter of time before they come searching the marsh, hoping you’re here. You could run, sure. But where?”
Andie scraped a hand through her short red hair. “Look, I’m not stupid. I know I can’t keep living like this. But I don’t know how to be part of a pride. I was raised by humans—they adopted me without knowing I was a shifter, but they kept me.”
Bracken shrugged. “A lot of loners at the shelter want to live among humans. Makenna helps them find a residence of their own, along with a job.”
She looked from Zander to Bracken. “I’m nobody to you. Why care?”
“We learned that not all lone shifters are bad,” said Bracken. “In fact, our pack adopted a little girl from the shelter.”
Andie blinked. “You . . . adopted a loner?”
Bracken nodded. “The Phoenix Alphas gave Makenna and four other loners a place in their pack.”
Her eyes widened. “Four?”
“Only one of them was related to a Phoenix wolf. The other three were strangers, and each had a shitty story of their own, but they were offered a place there.” Bracken tilted his head. “The shifter who runs the shelter is a cougar, if that makes you feel more comfortable.”
Andie bit her lip, still uneasy.
“I get that you have no reason to trust us,” began Zander, “but what do you have to lose at this point? If you want the truth, my main reason for proposing you go there is that I’m hoping that, with time and space, you’ll find the strength to go before the council and speak up for yourself. You should. You deserve justice. And I don’t want Gwen doing it alone.”
Andie’s hands balled up. “I told her she should just back down.”
“I won’t let Brandt get away with what he did,” Gwen declared. “I couldn’t live with myself if I did.”
Sighing, Andie rubbed her temple. “I need some time to think about it.”
Zander inclined his head. “Take a few days to consider our offer. Come by the house when you’ve decided.”
At Andie’s nod, Gwen threw her a supportive smile. “You know where I am if you need anything.” With that, they returned to the boat.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lounging in the rocker on the B&B’s porch later that day with a cold beer in hand, Zander gave Makenna a call and relayed the cougar’s situation. He was glad when she confirmed there would be room at the shelter for Andie if she needed it. He was just ending the call when a small van came toward the B&B. Instantly alert, he slowly rose to his feet. As the van pulled up outside the house, Zander noticed it was a delivery van.
Soon, a young male wearing a baseball cap came jogging up the steps and onto the porch with a bag in hand that carried the scents of spicy food. He froze at the sight of Zander, but then the front door opened and a smiling Yvonne stepped out, holding a wad of cash.
“Keep the change,” she told the human, who hurried away.
Zander followed Yvonne inside, down the hallway, and into the kitchen. Gwen, Marlon, and Bracken looked at the bag with covetous eyes as Yvonne placed it on the table at the center of the kitchen and pulled out several takeout boxes.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Chinese,” said Marlon, sliding a pile of plates on the table. “Grab whatever you want.”
After they’d all plated some food and settled on the stools at the table, Zander turned to Gwen. “I spoke to Makenna. She said there’s room for Andie at the shelter.” Gwen nodded but didn’t appear relieved. “Not totally sold on the idea of the place, are you?”
She shrugged. “I just want to be sure she’s somewhere safe.”
Yvonne swallowed a chunk of curried chicken. “Aidan called me. Said he came by earlier and was chased away.” She gestured at Zander and Bracken with her fork, adding, “He’s concerned that you two aren’t what Gwen needs right now.”
Little bastard. “Is he?” Zander said evenly.