He reached into his pocket and pulled out the burner phone the ranch kept as spares. “Here. Call me on this if you feel scared or anything threatens you and I’ll be here in a flash. My number’s on speed dial. Number 1.”
She palmed the phone. “So you sense it as well. Someone or something on this ranch is evil.”
“We’re not the only ones who do, Jenny. Dale, Aiden, Darius. No one can define it, but it’s out there. They say they’ve never felt anything like it before. There’s an odd undercurrent. Aiden believes it drifted in on the Skins who’ve been trail riding. I don’t know.”
His jaw tensed. He hated leaving her alone here. In the forest Jenny could run off and shift, defend herself. She seemed more vulnerable here than in the open.
Troy flipped on the front porch lights. When he opened the door and stepped onto the porch, he stared at the steps. Two packs, his and Jenny’s, rested there.
A note was attached to his duffel. Troy unfolded it to read the elegant script.
“Saved you a trip in the dark. Tristan.”
Tristan. Why would the wizard do them this kind of favor?
Hell if he knew, but for now, he felt thankful Tristan had. As he went to crumble the note, it vanished.
“Thanks,” he muttered, picking up the packs.
Powerful magick, but at least Tristan seemed on their side. For now.
They spent a peaceful night, well, she did. Jenny slept deeper than she’d had while alone. When she woke, daylight streamed through the bedroom window and Troy was gone.
Once during the night she’d gotten up to get a drink of water from the kitchen, and saw him on the sofa fast asleep.
He’d stayed there all night, keeping watch. She’d covered him with a blanket, her heart moved at how innocent he appeared while sleeping, wiry body relaxed, dark hair tousled, rough bristle covering his lean jaw and cheeks.
He looked almost adorable, but when awake…she shivered with delight. Watch out. Troy made a formidable enemy, ready to protect those under his care.
He’d make an amazing lover.
Thoughts of Troy danced around her mind as Jenny showered and lingered under the hot water, relishing the luxury, then dried off with one of the oversized, soft bath towels, dressed and made breakfast.
Then she set out to explore the area.
Any trace of the evil she’d previously sensed seemed gone. Jenny noted this cabin wasn’t far from Sam and Darius’ home.
Better make sure everything was okay. She walked the short distance and found the Lupine on the front porch, Hunter in her lap as she sat in a white rocking chair. A playpen sat nearby, filled with toys.
Sam smiled at her. “I was waiting for you to stop by. How did you sleep?”
Blinking, she tried to conceal her surprise. “I slept well, thank you. You expected me?”
“Intuition. Fae intuition. It serves me well at times.” Sam indicated a rocking chair next to her. “Please sit. I have time before I have to feed Hunter his lunch. He likes to eat early. Like his dad, he enjoys food.”
Jenny sat, making funny faces at the baby, who chortled with laughter.
Sam rocked back and forth.
“You’re not going to ask me how I destroyed that crystal.”
A shrug from Sam. “It’s none of my business. I figured you would tell me if you wished. But you should know there are Lupines here who would fear you, and what you can do.”
Sam kissed the top of her baby’s head.
“You’re not one of them?” Jenny felt awe that Sam seemed so open and honest with her.
“No.” A wry smile curved her mouth upward. “I’m used to different, being different myself. On this ranch, different can give you advantages. I hope you’ll give us a chance and stay here.”
“I’m only passing through. Why would you want me to settle here?” Jenny felt the familiar tug of the open forest, the need to retreat from ordinary Lupines and Skins. Yet Sam intrigued her.
“I sensed you’re a good soul, Jenny. Not only because you saved Hunter.” Sam touched her own chest. “Here, inside. I have a sense about people. And if you’re willing, I’d like you to be my friend.”
Something inside her eased. “I’ve never had a friend before. Not in a long time. Troy’s a friend, but…”
“He’s a guy. Not the same thing.” Sam grinned and Jenny grinned back at her.
The grin dropped. “We need good people around. Dark times are coming, Jenny.”
Hunter released a small squeal as his mother hugged him tighter.
“I know.” Jenny turned and stared into the jagged line of mountains in the distance. “I don’t know how, but it feels like a tremendous battle has begun. And we’re all the pawns.”
“Not pawns. Soldiers. We have advantages the dark forces lack.” Sam reached out and squeezed her hand. “We have each other and we have the love that binds us together.”
“Love can be a disadvantage. It can make us foolish and take risks we shouldn’t.” She thought of her family, her starry-eyed mother always trying to please her father. Her parents, who loved their alpha and followed him when common sense cried out to remain hidden.
“Love can be a powerful weapon against evil.” Sam’s voice went soft. “I look at our friends, like Kyle, who is half Satyr, and how much he loves his mate and would die for her. It makes him stronger.”
Intrigued as she was, Jenny wasn’t convinced this ranch was for her. The pull to be on the move felt too strong.
Equally as strong was the instinct of self-preservation. Yet she wanted to be friends with Sam, who didn’t pressure her and welcomed her.
“I am different.” She spread out her hands. “Only Troy knows, and he doesn’t know everything. I have these… powers… other Lupines lack. They scare me at times because I feel like they’re controlling me, not the other way around.”
Sam got up and placed Hunter in the
