Page 55 of Wanderer

“Sounds like a good idea. I don’t want to drive this tired.” My body ached with fatigue. Sleeping for a little while next to my mate sounded heavenly.

The others left us to it with promises to meet as soon as I was ready to leave to find Riley. I was grateful to them for their support. In such a short time, Riley had repaired his relationship with his brother, smoothing over the fractures their curses had wrought. He’d also made loyal friends who were ready to put their own stuff aside to help him. I was lucky to have him as my mate.

We both lay fully clothed on the bed. Riley wriggled into place, putting his head on my chest, a leg over one of mine so I couldn’t escape even if I wanted to. “Gareth, are we doing the right thing?”

“What do you mean?” The room was lit with only a lamp, the darkness complete outside. We only had a handful of hours before Riley had to leave or risk triggering the curse. He said it was painful to be pulled away. I didn’t want him to hurt, so he had to leave.

“Going to Westhaven instead of just going to Boyce with Paxton.”

I sighed. His worry was valid. It felt counterintuitive to be heading away from our target. “I know. It’s important we do this, though, because he will absolutely use his hold over you to harm both me and Paxton. You’d be his weapon against us.”

“Yeah, I just needed to hear it again. I’m nervous that we’ll get to Westhaven and they won’t be able to help me.”

“If that happens, we’ll track down my mom and dad. As much as they suck as parents, they really are the best at what they do. Their magic works in harmony together, better than anyone I’ve ever seen. Between them, I know they could break it.” I squeezed him close, sensing his other worry. “Then they’ll fall in love with you. Maybe they could come kill Boyce with us.”

Riley chuckled, reassured. Our bond pulsed with his love for me. “That right?”

“One hundred percent true. Maybe I should just call them once I pick you up and we could meet them somewhere…”

“No. Let’s try Westhaven first. I don’t want that to be their first impression of me. Or to think that’s why we rushed to bond. Could you imagine? Telling any kids we have—”

I cut him off, as hope bloomed in my chest. “You want kids?”

Riley laughed. “We really did do things backwards. We should have talked about this before.” He nuzzled into my chest. “I’d love to have kids. I was thinking we’d maybe adopt some. Older ones who people don’t take a chance on because they want babies.” He let out a strained sound. “There are probably plenty of supernaturals who would take those kids in.”

“Less than you might think. A lot are too fucked up from their pasts to even think about taking on some kid’s baggage. Babies are easier since they don’t come with the same trauma.” I was silent for a moment, just picturing our future. “I’d really like that, y’know. Taking in some kids. Giving them love. Teaching them how to be good people. Seeing them grow.” I had to push back the emotion that threatened to choke me. “To do that with you would be something special.”

We lapsed into our own thoughts for so long that I wondered if Riley had drifted off. Finally, he spoke. “When I wake up, I’m just going to slip out. Stay asleep if you can. I’ll call you once I’m on the other side of the barrier, okay?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I won’t want to leave if I have to say goodbye. Even if it is only for a couple of hours.”

“Don’t you want Oscar to take you? Do you have to shift?”

“I don’t want to risk any backlash on him. You’ve seen how nasty this curse is. I don’t have enough friends to risk Oscar,” he joked.

Laughing, I tugged him closer, pressed a kiss on his head, and closed my eyes. “As soon as you call, I’ll be on my way.”

Twenty-Six

Riley

Something was wrong.

The light in the room was different. Gareth was pressed up behind me, spooning me, our bond pulsing with contentment. We were still wearing all our clothes. My boots were hanging off the end of the bed.

For a change, I’d woken feeling rested. The nightmares that had been plaguing me recently had tapered off since bonding with Gareth. I knew I’d have to confront those dreams of Mira and what they implied, but that was for another time. First, I had to break this damn curse, then free my mom from Boyce. He didn’t deserve the title of stepfather.

I took stock of the room, my body, and wondered what was nagging at my senses. My inner animal was trying to tell me something, I just couldn’t understand what it was.

My phone was on the nightstand where I’d left it, what felt like hours ago, charged and ready for me to go. Worry bloomed in my chest. The curse. I wouldn’t have much time. I worked my way free from Gareth’s arms and picked up my phone.

The screen lit up with the time. Four. It was four in the morning. On the twenty-seventh.

Impossible.

Taking Gareth’s shoulder, I shook him awake. “Gareth!” The joy in my voice was foreign.