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Chapter Four
Maxim
Iwake to the sound of a deep horn blaring in the distance and the screech of seagulls. My eyes open to dark gray sky visible through the back glass of the station wagon and the events of the night before come rushing back.
Willow and I found a safe place to stop in a diner parking lot near the ferry station in Hoboken, New Jersey, but we can’t stay here long. Soon, the diner will open, and people will begin to arrive.
We need to be on our way to the ferry before we’re spotted.
There aren’t as many shifters living on this side of the Hudson as in lower Manhattan, but there are enough that if we linger too long, we’ll risk someone seeing us. And I don’t want rumors of our return getting back to the tower until we know that Cam hasn’t turned our pack against us.
I start to sit up, only to find my arm pinned to the thin blanket beneath me.
I turn to see Willow curled up beside me, her head on my bicep and her hands fisted in my sweatshirt, clinging to me in her sleep.
The sight of her holding on so tight goes straight to my chest, making it feel too small, too full, but also perfectly right.
This tiny, fierce, brilliant woman is really mine.
My mate, my partner, my defender, my missing piece. Gazing at her sleeping face, I vow again to do whatever it takes to give her the peace and happiness she deserves.
Even if it means giving up my place in the pack.
We can start with organizational changes and see how that goes, but I don’t ever want to have to choose between my people and my mate again. I can no longer trust myself to make the choice that serves the greatest good. I sense, from now on, I will choose her.
That I will always choose her, from today until my last day.
I just hope we live long enough for me to prove to her that I deserve her trust and this second chance.
“Wake up, little wolf,” I whisper, brushing her hair from her cheek. “Time to save the world.”
She moans sleepily. “Five more minutes, Dad.”
“Not your dad, thank goodness.” I roll on top of her, grateful for the spaciousness of this awful car. It smells like mildew and drives like a tank, but with the seats folded down, there’s plenty of room for two people to sleep side by side.
And plenty of room for me to nudge Willow’s thighs apart and settle between them. I nuzzle my face into her neck. “Hmmm, you smell good all sleepy and warm.”
“And with vomit mouth,” she says, turning her head away. “God, I’m disgusting. Move away.”
“You’re not disgusting, you’re delicious,” I say, kissing my way down her neck as I skim a hand under her sweater to cup her breast. “And I think fucking you is the best way to start the day.”
“Not a chance, psycho,” she says, shoving at my shoulders. “You’re wounded and we’re in a public parking lot. We have way too much to do to risk getting arrested for public fornication.”
“Humans.” I sigh and continue to play with her tight little nipple. “So uptight.”
“Also, you smell like dried blood,” Willow says, slapping at my hand. “So, stop that. Before you make me too turned on to think straight.”
I reluctantly withdraw my fingers. “Fine. But if we’re lucky enough to end up in my bed tonight, I want a raincheck. I’m not too wounded to make you come, woman. At least four or five times.”
She smiles and nods before lifting her hand to hover in front of her mouth. “Agreed. But right now, I need to pee. And brush my teeth. Is the diner open yet?”
Turns out it isn’t,but the liquor store across the street is. They apparently close at five thirty a.m. and open up again at ten.
Using the last of the money Felicia gave us, I purchase two small bottles of decent quality whiskey while Willow uses the bathroom. Then I take my turn using the facilities and brushing my teeth, thanking my past self for having the presence of mind to put our meager toiletries back in the duffel after our shower last night.
If I can’t get to my secret money stash, I may have to walk into the tower in blood-splattered clothes three sizes too small, but at least I’ll have decent breath and brushed hair.
That is, assuming it’s safe to return to my pack.
