Page 59 of Knot Cursed

“We have to stop at my car,” Rook suggested. I didn’t question why as he led us through the forest and back out onto familiar streets. It was quiet this time of evening and we didn’t get any strange looks as we rushed by the few lingering outside of businesses.

When we got to Rook’s place, he pulled open the trunk and lifted the bottom of the trunk to show the compartment that should hold a tire.

Instead it held an arsenal. Small, glass darts with different colored liquids pre-loaded into them. A few guns, a fucking sword, an assortment of daggers, and the dart gun itself.

“Whoa,” Merrick said, choosing a dagger for himself. Rook didn’t complain as he strapped on several harnesses and loaded his body with weapons. Dorian didn’t bother, mostly because he was a weapon already in wolf form.

My stomach churned at the thought of them going in there with me, but I was far too terrified to attempt it alone.

He snagged a separate harness and grabbed two daggers. One was sheathed and he tucked it into my boot before securing the harness under my shirt, leaving the handle between my breasts where I could easily pull it free.

He closed the trunk when everyone was satisfied with their picks. We shared one look that said everything we couldn’t put into words yet.

That we were glad we found each other, no matter what happened. That we had each others’ backs even if it turned ugly. I’d never felt closer to anyone outside of Blake, and once this was said and done, I was more than ready to officially make them my pack.

Bites and all.

Was my dorky, uptight brother really a secret badass? Since when did he have a mini stockpile of weapons in the trunk?

It was hot as hell to watch my mate study the weapons, test their weight, and strap them to her body. Though, I was going to make damn sure she didn’t have to use them.

They were ready for a war and I just needed to shift when we got there. I’d be weapon enough.

Every cell of my being wanted to lock Prue up in that cabin and take on her brother without her. But having my mate hate us would be far worse.

“Are you sure we can’t talk you out of going?” I asked with a hopeful smile.

The death stare that she answered with was more than enough confirmation.

“Just checking,” I reassured her with a defeated sigh. “We would never keep you from doing anything that you wanted. I just know that the three of us couldn’t bear it if something happened to you, either.”

Her expression changed just a little, telling me that she meant business.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” Rook offered up with a faint smile.

“I know and I’m being stubborn, but there is no way in hell that I will let fear rule my life,” she told the three of us. Her determination was strong but so were her survival skills. I’d have to focus on that.

“If my evil brother kidnapped my best friend, I’d want to confront him, too,” Merrick commented.

“Not helping, bro,” I chided. He shrugged, completely unrepentant. He was sometimes a little too blunt for his own good.

“Come on, get in. We are wasting time here debating this. Blake is waiting,” Rook stated as he climbed in the passenger seat.

“I’ll meet you there,” I told them. Running in my wolf form would help me relieve some of the tension that was building in my system.

“Be careful,” Prue called after me.

I turned and winked at her as the shift took over. My limbs and teeth lengthened as my fur sprouted over my skin. Ever since I was cursed, I hated shifting, but since finding my mate I’ve regained control. Shifting on my terms was freeing.

My paws padded on the dirt with ease, even the rock here and there didn’t slow me down. I was one with my wolf and we agreed that we would do what we had to keep our mate safe.

My brother and Merrick were in the back of my mind as well, but Prue was my main concern.

When I reached the outskirts of the train depot, Rook’s car was slowly rolling into the yard with the lights off. I couldn’t believe that I beat them, but this wasn’t the right time to rub it in his face.

I stayed in the treeline until I heard my brother call out.

“Dorian, you here?” Rook whispered once he stepped out onto the loose gravel. Most of this area had been overtaken by nature. Another way to deter curious townsfolk from checking it out.