AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Blake’s eyes widened in shock. A moment later and he could have suffered some damage. Fortunately, Blake knew Xander better than anyone else. Articus and Rowan hadn’t even noticed it happening until it was too late.
But Blake and Xander had gone on enough hunts together that they were familiar with each other’s beasts. Xander was so angry that his beast ripped out of him and attacked Blake, quick as lightning.
Blake had seen the change in Xander’s eyes and had started to move and shift even before the first blow came. He ducked under a fierce slap that could have ripped his head away from his body but couldn’t find his balance fast enough to avoid the follow-up strike.
Xander connected cleanly with a vicious left hook to Blake’s eye and Blake felt the socket around his eye crack and shatter from the impact. The blow sent him flying out one of the windows and into the graveled driveway outside, smashing into his own parked truck.
He feared he’d lost his right eye completely. As he went through the glass, he saw two powerful wolves leap after Xander, restraining him. Blake banged his head hard into his truck, and everything went dark around him as blood pooled out from the deep gash behind his head.
Chapter 17 - Eleanor
Blake was acting weird. There was something troubling him, of that Eleanor was certain.
She had no idea why his entire countenance had changed so suddenly. They had just shared a beautiful moment together, and after hosting so many people the day before, she’d been looking forward to a quiet day in bed with just him.
She’d been so tired last night that she’d fallen asleep the moment she sat down. Had something happened that she didn’t know about? How serious could it be if Blake had chosen to hide it from her?
Whatever he’d seen on his phone had triggered this weird behavior. “Urgent matter in town”smelled like bullcrap, but she’d decided to let it go. Sadly, now that Blake had headed out, Eleanor had no idea what to do with the rest of her day.
She headed downstairs and made herself some coffee, enjoying the smell of the beans as she sipped the bitter liquid. She still felt tired from the previous day, but she was glad it had gone so well. Even better than she’d hoped.
Her phone rang suddenly, and she was glad for the distraction. Ever since she got married to Blake, she’d used her phone less and less. She still spoke to Carla and Annie occasionally, but that was as far as it ever went.
She just didn’t have that many friends. Plus, she and Blake had been eating up all of each other’s time, barely able to keep their hands off of each other.
She looked at the screen. It was Isabel. She’d made a few relationships here in Rhinestone, but the bond she felt with Isabel had been instant. Eleanor loved the older woman’s company, and she was an important piece in their plans, so it gave her the perfect excuse to get closer to the woman.
“Mrs. Richards,” Eleanor said when she picked up the phone.
“Eleanor dear, for the umpteenth time, please call me Isabel. How are you?”
“I know, I know. I promise. I’m great. How are you?”
“I’m well. So, I’m hosting a little lunch with a few women from town, and I was hoping you’d be willing to come save an old woman from boring town folk? Think you can make it?”
Eleanor laughed. “Actually, my schedule only just opened up. Give me a moment to freshen up?”
“Take as long as you need.” Isabel did sound visibly relieved. “Oh, and your husband?”
“He’s terrific.”
“Good. Do tell him to give an old woman a call sometime, hmm?”
Eleanor laughed again. “He will. See you soon, Isabel.” Eleanor sipped her coffee and tapped the kitchen table with her fingers. It really couldn’t hurt to spend some time out of the house, and now that Blake had left her alone, she didn’t want to be here by herself.
She drained the contents of her mug, washed it, and went up to have a quick shower. Something flashed across her mind when she got out of the bathroom and she froze. She tried to wrap her mind around the thought, but it was elusive.
She felt like she was forgetting something, but the more she tried to remember what it was, the further it got from her grasp.
So she shrugged and went on with her day.
She picked out a long checkered shirt and a pair of skinny jeans with brown boots. She sat down to brush her hair and as she ran the brush through her hair, it finally hit her—it had been over a month since she’d had her period, and she hadn’t even noticed it.
The realization of what that could mean settled heavily on Eleanor and she was suddenly terrified. She tried to remain calm as she texted Isabel about an emergency that she had to take care of.
If she was being honest, this was beyond an emergency. It was more along the lines of a national disaster. She grabbed her purse and flew down the stairs into her car. There was a pharmacy in the middle of town, but there was another one near the local high school.
She knew that small towns always talked. About everything. So, further was better for her. She walked up to the counter, flashed her teeth, and asked to buy some pregnancy tests.
