Between Witches and Wolves

Chapter 13: The Cabin

Nate

Stay calm, Nate. Just stay calm. Don’t scare her.

I’m so f*****g pissed, and Ash is pacing inside my head too.

After I get her settled, I need to find an outlet for this rage. That piece of s**t was actually about to r**e her in that f*****g office. Hell, I’m not completely sure he hadn’t already started.

She couldn’t even fight back because his b***h ass drugged her.

Calm down, Nate.

I slowly inhale and exhale.

I don’t want her to see me like this.

When I walked into that office, I lost it. Rage completely overtook me, and I pummeled his face until it caved inward.

He’ll never touch anyone again.

I made sure of it.

When I finally got myself under control, I realized she hadn’t moved. I covered her and checked to make sure she was still breathing.

That’s when I smelled it.

The syringe lying on the floor—the one I’m guessing he used to drug her—contained one f****d-up mixture: wolfsbane, bloodthorn, moonstone dust, and ghostshade.

Wolfsbane obviously harms wolf shifters. Bloodthorn severely weakens vampires. Moonstone dust suppresses witch magic, and ghostshade temporarily paralyzes humans. Since we’re all basically human to some degree, parts of the mixture can affect any of us.

Whatever this s**t is, it was designed to put almost anything down for a while.

But where the f**k did that dipshit get it?

I know she’ll be incapacitated for at least a few hours, so I take her with me. I sure as hell wasn’t about to leave her there.

I got her dressed and into my car.

I just hope she doesn’t think I’m some kind of psychopath when she wakes up.

I don’t know why she affects me like this, and Ash is no f*****g help. He just wants to be near her. Worse, he’s becoming strangely possessive.

Okay, focus.

I need to get her somewhere safe and cleaned up.

I can still smell that sorry piece of s**t on her, and I need it gone.

Alex, which females are off duty today? I mind-link him.

It isn’t even a full minute before he responds.

Where the hell are you? You thought Dad was pissed the other night? I’m not covering for you this time, asshole.

Chill, Alex. I’ll take care of Dad later. I’ve got more important s**t to deal with right now. So, who’s off duty?

What, need a piece of ass all of a sudden?

I grit my teeth.

Who is MATED and off duty?

Emily and Elena... What the hell is this about?

Nothing. Thanks.

I cut off the link.

He’ll be pissed, but I don’t care.

I reach out to Emily next.

I need your help. Meet me at my cabin with bathing supplies, fresh clothes, and food.

She doesn’t miss a beat.

You know I have a mate, yeah?

Of course. It’s not for me. It’s a girl. She needs help, and I don’t think she wants me bathing her.

On my way.

That’s all she says before going completely silent.

What is with everyone thinking I’m some kind of pervert?

Whatever.

I’ll figure that out later.

Right now, I just need to focus on Eleanor.

I keep driving deeper into the wilderness toward the cabin where she can rest. We were about ten miles away when I notice her beginning to move.

“Hey there. Getting some movement back, I see.” I glance over at her. “Can you talk yet?”

I try to keep my attention on the road, but it’s damn near impossible not to look at her.

“Sssommmme,” she manages.

“That’s great. Means the drugs are wearing off.”

Then it hits me.

“Oh, I probably should’ve told you this already, but my name is Nathaniel. You can call me Nate.”

Damn, I feel stupid.

I never f*****g introduced myself.

“E-Ell... Ellieeee.”

Ellie.

I feel Ash immediately react to her name.

“Okay, Ellie. It’s nice to meet you. But don’t try too hard. I don’t want you wearing yourself out any more than you already are.”

I pause, trying to make sure I explain everything so she knows exactly where I’m taking her.

“I’m taking you to a cabin on the mountainside. I have a friend meeting us there—a woman. She’s going to help you clean up and get comfortable. You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you need, until you’re feeling better.”

She gives me the smallest nod.

I’ll take that as an okay.

The rest of the ride passes in silence. I don’t want to make her talk. That mixture is hard as hell on the body, and I’m sure she’s exhausted.

When we finally pull up to the cabin, Emily is already outside waiting.

And she has a damn wagon full of stuff with her.

“Hey, Nate. I’ve got everything we’ll need.” Her expression changes when she sees Ellie in the passenger seat. “What happened?”

I quickly fill her in.

Emily looks past me toward the car.

“I know her.”

My head snaps toward her.

“You what?”

“She came to the diner looking for a job. I was actually going to call her today for an interview.”

“No need. She’s hired.”

Emily stares at me.

I own the diner. This can count as the f*****g interview.

Besides, Ellie needs to get as far away from that club as possible.

“All right,” Emily says slowly. “Well, bring her to the bedroom. I’ll get the bath ready.”

She rushes inside.

I walk around to the passenger side and open the door.

“Hey there. I’m going to carry you inside, okay?”

Ellie nods.

I carefully pick her up and carry her into the cabin.

Emily points toward the bed.

“Is she able to sit up on her own yet?”

“Not sure.”

I slowly lower Ellie onto the mattress and help her sit upright. She’s still shaky, but she manages to hold herself up.

“I doubt you can walk right now, right?” Emily asks.

Ellie shakes her head.

Emily looks at me.

“What?”

“I may need your help, if it’s okay with Ellie. I won’t be able to lift her into the bath by myself.”

She turns back to Ellie, waiting for permission.

“I-it’s... o-okay,” Ellie manages.

“Great.” Emily gives her a reassuring smile. “Ellie, I’m going to undress you, but not completely. We’ll leave your undergarments on while Nate carries you to the tub. Once he’s out of the room, I can help you with the rest. Okay?”

Ellie nods.

Emily helps remove her clothes until she’s left in her bra and underwear.

I keep my eyes where they belong.

When Emily gives me the signal, I pick Ellie up and carry her into the bathroom. Once she’s safely settled in the warm water, Emily practically shoves me toward the door.

“Go clean yourself up. You look like a murder scene.”

If only she knew.

Instead of using the shower, I head outside and strip.

I let Ash take over.

The shift comes quickly, and then we’re running.

Fast.

Hard.

Straight into the forest.

I need to burn off the rage still boiling beneath my skin. Every time I think about what I walked in on, I want to go back and hit Tony again.

His face was already caved in when I left, but right now, it still doesn’t feel like enough.

Ash pushes us harder.

We run until we reach the river and dive into the cold water.

It feels damn good.

The blood washes from my fur and disappears downstream.

I don’t stay long, though.

Emily might need my help with Ellie.

After shifting back, I scrub away the last traces of blood before letting Ash take over again for the run back to the cabin.

We make it in about ten minutes.

The second I shift back, Emily mind-links me.

I’m all done in here. I’ve got her wrapped in a robe. She might be able to stand, but walking is still a no-go.

I pull on a fresh pair of pants and head inside.

“Dude, wear a shirt.”

Emily throws a towel at me.

I catch it.

Then freeze.

It smells like Ellie.

Before I even realize what I’m doing, I bring it closer and inhale.

Emily stares at me like I’ve completely lost my f*****g mind.

I immediately toss the towel aside.

“Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking it.”

She laughs as I grab a T-shirt and pull it over my head.

Once I’m dressed, I head into the bathroom.

Ellie is sitting on the closed toilet lid, wrapped in a robe. Her wet hair falls around her shoulders in soft waves.

She slowly tries to stand.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

I scoop her up before she can exhaust herself and carry her back to the bedroom.

I gently lower her onto the bed and pull a blanket over her.

“Any food allergies or preferences?”

“N-no. I-I like... a-anything.”

Her speech is improving.

Good.

The drugs are wearing off.

“Then I’ll let Emily help you get dressed while I make you something to eat.”

I turn toward the door before mind-linking Emily.

What did you bring her to wear?

Some of my clothes. Why?

I pause.

Put her in mine.

Then I immediately cut off the link before Emily can respond.

I make it halfway down the hall before realizing what the hell I just said.

Why do I care what she wears?

I feel Ash practically wagging his tail inside my head.

Ah.

I shake my head.

That was your possessive ass.

He doesn’t even bother denying it.

I head into the kitchen and start rummaging through the cabinets.

I’m a pretty good cook overall, so finding something to make shouldn’t be difficult.

But for some reason, whatever I make for Ellie suddenly feels important.

I want to do my best.