Deceived By the Others

chapter 7



By the time I’d finished repacking what remained of our salvageable stuff, my anger had cooled off enough that I didn’t think it would be a bright idea to stick around. Whoever had done this was still out there somewhere, and he or she might come back when Chaz wasn’t around. Without the belt to give me strength, speed, and stamina, I had no hope of surviving a Were attack. Not a very cheering thought to keep me company on the nice, long walk alone through a wooded path in the dark to get back to the lodge. Chaz was probably still there, drinking and feeling like a shit for letting one of his pack get uppity with me.

All in all, staying here was more dangerous than going back. I looked around the room to see if there was anything I could take with me and use as a weapon if I needed to. Eventually, I settled on a chair leg. Laughable as a defense, but better than nothing at all. There were a couple that looked heavy and solid enough to use like baseball bats. Maybe I could crack the thing’s skull before it tore out my insides.

Right. And maybe the tooth fairy would swing by to play backup for me next.

I didn’t take anything else with me, leaving the bags to one side of the door to come back for later. I put the laptop with them, too, grimacing at the thought of Arnold’s reaction if whoever this was had damaged his coveted Fragware 5000. It was Sara who’d convinced him to part with it so I could keep in touch with the rest of the world while I was out here in the woods. Strange that it had been left for the most part untouched, just the battery and carrying case with all the accessories missing. Oh well. Better that than smashed to bits like the coffee machine.

Hefting the chair leg up to my shoulder, I stood on the doorstep, staring out into the night. Some of the windows of the cabins threw dim light on the trees and underbrush lining the buildings and the path, but the little lamps on the ground marking the way back up to the lodge didn’t illuminate much more than the fronts of the buildings. I couldn’t see if anything was hiding in the underbrush and couldn’t hear anything moving out there. That didn’t mean much. Even in human form, Weres are good—very good—at hiding themselves in this kind of landscape. If the Were was shifted, I wouldn’t hear or see it coming until it was right on top of me.

There was a low, gravelly caw from somewhere over my head, a protesting sound from a raven or crow. The unexpected sound made me jump, but was a good sign. If there were a big predator around, the bird would’ve nested elsewhere or stayed quiet in the hopes of being overlooked. Kind of like me.

I crept along, shivering in the bitter cold. Surges of adrenaline from my terrified reaction as twigs snapped or branches rustled around me alternated with feeling like an absolute dork for scuttling around in the dark like I was playing at being a secret agent. Though there wasn’t a lot of light, I could still see my breath fogging the air in front of me.

Hazy moonlight glinted off the shifting surface of the running water. As I got to the bridge, something moved against the wind in the trees above me. Tensing, I swung about so I could see whatever it was, my knuckles cracking as my grip tightened on the busted chair leg.

The stupid crow cackled at me again, watching me with beady eyes from a perch high up in the trees. The big, gangly bird hopped down another branch to move closer, and I made a shooing motion at it, annoyed.

“Um, maybe this is a stupid question, but what are you doing with that stick?”

A little cry escaped me, as I stumbled back to the raucous sound of something suspiciously like laughter from the bird. As it flew off, I raised a hand to my brow, letting the makeshift bat swing at my side.

“Kimberly, Jesus Christ. You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. She looked me up and down, warily amused. “Seriously, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

“No. Somebody tore the shit out of our cabin. There are claw marks all over the furniture, so I think it was a Were. I didn’t want to wait there by myself in case it came back. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Brown eyes wide with surprise, she nodded agreement, ushering me ahead of her as we rushed back toward the lodge. I left the chair leg by the creek since it was basically useless, and I figured Kimberly would be better able to deal with anything that attacked than I would. She was in amazing shape and, if something came at us, she could always shift into Were form to scare it off or fight, which I had to admit was a pretty useful quality in a girlfriend.

We hurried through the trees, me breathing hard, Kimberly barely showing any sign of effort. I vowed silently to hit the gym a little more once I got home. And, damn, it was cold, made colder still by the wind rushing against the fear-induced sweat that had broken out over my body.

The warmth inside the building was like a balm to my frazzled nerves. We followed the easy hum of conversation to the bar where Chaz was in heated discussion about something with a few of the guys. They looked up when we stopped in the doorway to the dining hall, surprise etching Chaz’s face when he saw our expressions.

“Shia? What happened? Are you okay?”

Kimberly hesitantly touched my arm to indicate she wanted to speak. I nodded assent. She turned to address Daisy, who’d stopped rubbing down the bar mid-motion, and the Weres in the room. “Someone’s gone rogue.”

A long pause followed those words. I didn’t like the dangerous light that came into the Weres’ eyes. Clearing my throat, I spoke up, hating that my voice was so unsteady. “Our cabin was trashed. Some of the furniture was busted, and there are scratches on the furniture that look like they came from claws.”

Chaz stood up, pacing over to join us with that easy, liquid grace that said he was pissed and on the verge of shifting. Great. “I’ll bet it was Seth. That little shit finally went off the deep end.”

“Excuse me, but before you start tearing up more of our property, you better go speak to my father-in-law,” said Daisy from behind the bar. She drew herself up straight, looking almost as nervous as I felt when she met Chaz’s eyes. “If what she said is true, someone better pay for the damage.”

Chaz stared at her a long moment before giving a slow nod, though the anger didn’t fade from his manner or expression. “I will talk to him. We’ll make sure it’s handled.”

She nodded in return, still looking uneasy. I didn’t blame her. At last, she bent back to the task of wiping down the bar, putting a little more elbow grease into it than was strictly necessary, making it a point to keep her eyes off his. Smart move on her part. Continuing to stare at him could’ve been construed as a challenge.

Chaz took my hand and led the way toward the back, looking for Mr. Cassidy. I had to admire the way the others simply fell into step behind him, following in silent support of their pack leader. I silently prayed that they’d all make it through the night without shifting in anger. Yes, I had come here to see them shift, but not when they were pissed off. That could lead to bites and scratches and, while your chances of contracting the lycanthropy infection from either one weren’t astronomical, they weren’t small either.

“Mr. Cassidy! Hello?” Chaz bellowed out as we reached the empty front desk.

The old man peered through the hallway opposite the dining hall, bushy brows arched high as he and George approached. “No need to shout, sonny, I’m right here. What’s wrong?”

Chaz glanced down at me, frowning in a mix of worry and preoccupation. “Someone broke into our cabin and destroyed some of our things. It may have been one of mine, and if it was, I’ll see he or she pays for any damages. Is there another cabin we can stay in for now?”

“Blazes and tarnation, boy! When did this happen?”

I noted with mild interest that everyone, including Chaz, fell into step behind Mr. Cassidy. He didn’t move as swiftly and smoothly as the others, but there was determination in his pace, and irritation was strong on his features.

When we got back outside, I huddled against Chaz for warmth. He wrapped an arm around me, but didn’t slow down. Nobody said anything until we got to the cabin. I waited outside and rubbed my arms while Mr. Cassidy, Chaz, and a couple of the guys stepped inside, taking note of the damage. The space was too small for many people to fit comfortably, and I’d already seen as much of the place as I wanted. I studied the trees, careful not to look at the other Weres standing around with me as they muttered quietly to each other. I overheard Paula, who had followed us out here for who knew what reason, and another one saying something about “vamp-bait” to each other—and had to grit my teeth to ignore it. Never a good idea to stare at a riled-up Were, even if they were acting like a*sholes. Chaz was cursing loudly enough that I could hear him from where I was standing. Even Mr. Cassidy gave voice to a few oaths that would make a dock foreman blush.

They came back out a minute or two later, shaking their heads. Chaz was holding the burnt up shoe in one hand. With a furious growl, he threw it as far as he could into the woods.

“They got the scents good and mixed in there, so no hope of figuring out who it was that way. All this rain would have washed away any lingering scent out here, covering their trail. Whoever did this planned it pretty well,” Sean said, putting a hand on Chaz’s shoulder as he seethed silently, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides as he scanned the trees lining the path. “It doesn’t seem like Seth’s handiwork. He’s too much of a coward to pull something like this.”

“I don’t care who the hell it was,” Mr. Cassidy said, wiping one of his hands off on a rag as he stepped out of the cabin. “Somebody’s paying for that mess.”

“We’ll figure out who it was and make them pay for it,” Nick put in, watching Chaz with concern. I didn’t think he’d shift, but it was so close to the full moon, and his temper was already shot, so there was a chance he might.

A few other people seemed to be having the same thought, watching him closely, lending a supportive hand or a calming word here and there. Even Paula and the guy she was talking with had quieted down, presumably because they’d figured out that the last thing Chaz needed was more stress and discord in his space. After a little while, he took a deep breath and relaxed somewhat, closing his eyes. It was good to see the tension visibly easing from his shoulders.

“All right. Mr. Cassidy,” Chaz finally said, turning to the man, “I’m sorry for the mess. I don’t know who is responsible, but we’ll find them.”

“Damned right, you will. George and I will help. In the meantime, you and the young lady can stay in cabin twenty-seven. It’s the last one on the lot, and the only one that isn’t occupied right now. Sorry, son, but I’ll need a second deposit on it. You understand.”

Chaz gritted his teeth, but nodded assent.

“Good. George, can you clean up this mess and see about fixing that door? The rest of you, go on inside. You two, come with me, and I’ll get the paperwork and keys from up front.”

Chaz and I followed Mr. Cassidy, listening to him harrumph and curse every now and again under his breath. The other Weres headed off to their own cabins or trailed along as we headed up to the lodge. Chaz’s grip on my hand was a little tight, but I didn’t think now would be a good time to start complaining.

Before we reached the doors, Mr. Cassidy gestured for us to halt, waiting for the others to go in before speaking. The only thing breaking the silence was the whisper of leaves and muted chirp of a cricket somewhere nearby.

“Look, I don’t know what kind of trouble you kids brought with you from the city, but I don’t want it. I’d be more understanding if it were an accident, someone shifting outside the lunar cycle and not making it outside in time. But if this happens again, I want the whole lot of you out of here. I don’t let troublemakers into my range. You get me, son?”

Chaz nodded solemnly, looking drawn and troubled. “Yes, Mr. Cassidy, I understand.”

“Good,” he said. “I may not look like much, but I’m still alpha enough to kick somebody’s ass, and it will be kicked as soon as I find out who did this.”

That I could believe.

“As for you, missy—”

I started when he turned to me, giving him my wide-eyed attention.

“I don’t want to see innocent blood spilled on my turf either. I’d appreciate it if you’d limit yourself to the lodge or your cabin after sunset while you’re here.”

I frowned, pulling my hand out of Chaz’s so I could fold my arms. “I came out here to see the pack. I’ve been around when they’ve shifted before.”

“That may be, but it’s not just your safety on the line. I’ve got a reputation to uphold, and that isn’t going to happen if things get rowdy and you end up getting bit or scratched in a scuffle.”

“That’s not fair! Chaz can protect me. He’s done it before. Right?” I looked at him, pleading for assistance. He nodded a bit grudgingly, not meeting my eyes, just enough to show Mr. Cassidy I was telling the truth. “There, see?”

“I don’t think you understand the danger you’re in. Someone went Were outside the lunar cycle. Yes, it’s close, but it takes some powerful emotions to force that out of a person. Judging by the state of that cabin, somebody’s a mite pissed at you or your alpha here. I’m not risking my business just so you can appease your curiosity. You get me?”

Some of my anger deflated. “Yeah, I get you.”

“So you’ll stay inside, then?” he prodded, frowning at me.

I threw one last, pleading glance at Chaz. No help from that quarter. With a deeply resigned sigh, I nodded, thinking for the umpteenth time of throttling whoever had trashed that cabin.

“Good,” Mr. Cassidy said, turning back to the doors and heading inside. “You made the right choice, m’girl. We’ll keep you safe.”

My mood as black as the shadowed forest surrounding this little valley, I trailed in the wake of Chaz and Mr. Cassidy. Somebody was really going to pay for ruining my vacation like this.

Soon.