“Cat.”
I stiffened as the figure bent low, his voice—and the stale breath—washing over me like a bucket of cold water.
Panic rose.
“Travis?”
“Hello, darling.”
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I’ve come to take you away with me.”
He was calmer than I’d ever seen him.
It terrified me.
“What are you talking about?” I lifted up, bracing myself on an elbow. “How did you get in here?”
“The window was unlocked. We need to go away, Cat. So we can be alone and work everything out.”
“I can’t go with you,” I said, my voice cracking.
“Shh.” He held a finger to my lips.
I resisted the urge to bat it away. What could I do? I had pepper spray, but it was in my purse.
Rudy.
If I yelled and brought him running, would Travis hurt him?
Would he hurt me?
“Don’t worry. I’ve got clothes for you already, so there’s no need to pack anything. Come on. My car’s downstairs.”
Fear scrambled my thoughts. I hesitated, but Travis yanked the sheets out of my hands and clean off the mattress, exposing me. Then he reached over and turned on the lamp next to my bed.
I blinked against the harsh light then shrank back as I caught sight of Travis’s expression. His gaze raked me over, taking in the way Easton’s oversized shirt had ridden up to expose the boxers I’d pulled on after he’d left. Rather than anger at seeing me in another man’s clothes, Travis’s lips curled into a smile that felt wrong against the sharp glint in his eyes.
“We need to hurry now,” he said, his voice dripping with sweetness.
And calm. Still way too calm.
“Travis, this is illegal, you coming into my apartment,” I said, trying to match his tone.
His hand flew across my cheek faster than I could see it coming.
The sting brought tears to my eyes, and I sucked in a breath, too shocked to do anything but breathe through the pain.
“I said we need to hurry.” His tone had an edge now. One that promised more pain if I didn’t listen. “I’d hate to have your roommate discover us.”
“I’ll go,” I said quickly. “Just leave Rudy out of this.”
He grabbed my wrist and yanked me upright, dragging me toward the door. I went, praying Rudy wouldn’t wake up. I didn’t want to think about Travis hurting him.
Outside, the chill nipped at my exposed arms and legs. Travis yanked me roughly to his truck, its engine already running, and shoved me inside with more force than was needed.
I pushed back, determined to fight, but rough hands reached out and shoved me hard. My forehead hit the dash with a thud that left me dizzy. My thoughts went fuzzy. Before I could think about jumping out again, he’d climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Buckle up,” Travis said in a menacing voice.
When I hesitated, he grabbed my wrist and leaned in close, baring his teeth. Wolfish canines appeared in place of human ones and the scent of animal filled the small space.
“Play along, Cat. Or I’ll have to come back here and punish your roommate for your rudeness.”
He let me go, and with trembling hands, I buckled my seat belt.
The moment it clicked into place, Travis hit the gas, and we took off out of town.
16
Easton
Angus snorted a goodbye along the edge of the woods near Nicole’s then turned and slipped off into the shadows of the forest. I waited until the magic of my shift had secured my clothing in place once again and then limped out of the trees to my truck.
It was past three in the morning as I drove back to Cat’s, but I didn’t care.
We had unfinished business.
At the front door, I stopped short, heart pounding. The door was cracked open, and I was damn sure I’d shut it when I left. I hesitated, senses prickling as I strained to listen then shoved my way inside.
“Cat?” I yelled, stomping into the dark living room.
Empty.
“Cat!” I tore down the hall and into her bedroom.
The bedside lamp was on. Her bed was empty, her covers tossed.
Shit.
“Cat!”
I backtracked to the bathroom. Also empty.
My wolf stirred, rising to the surface, begging to be let free so it could track its mate.
I stomped back to the living room, pacing.
“Easton?”
Rudy emerged from the hall, rubbing his eyes and stifling a yawn.
“I didn’t realize you were a yeller. Just let me get my earplugs, and I’ll—”
“Where is she?” I demanded.
“Who?” His eyes flew fully open.
“Who do you think?” I demanded, worry making my voice louder.
“In her room. I’d say sleeping, but with all the noise you’re making—”
“She’s not there,” I said. “Did she go anywhere? Where would she go?”
“In the middle of the night? Nowhere.” Rudy’s expression registered worry. Then fear.
I followed his gaze to the window and saw that, like the front door, it hung open.
“I closed that before I went to bed,” he said. “I’m sure of it.”
His gaze swung back to mine.
“Travis,” we said together.
“I’m going to look for her.” I stalked toward the front door.
Rudy hurried behind me. “Where? I can check the clinic.”
I turned back and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Stay here in case she shows up. Call the police. Report her missing.”
“I should help you look,” he began.
I tightened my hand on his shoulder. “You know what I am?”
He nodded like he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to admit it. “Cat doesn’t think I know, but it’s hard to live in this town and not figure some shit out.”
“Then trust me. My wolf will find her,” I said. “I swear it.”
I was out the door before he could argue.
It felt like forever before I’d cleared the town enough to ditch my truck and shift again. On four paws, I tore at the earth and tipped my head back to let loose with a long, low howl.
Then, I inhaled a
