Enemy Mine

Chapter Five

If living with insane people had taught Mary anything, it was that a person carefully planned their escape. It wasn’t as simple as packing a bag and hitting the road. Every single decision had consequences, and some of them were more dangerous than others. More importantly, it was essential that the person running for her life didn’t hesitate. Once done, an action couldn’t be undone.

There were no second chances.

Minutes after Emory had left, she’d started thinking about what he’d told her. And every time she came up with a reason they could be together, she’d find another one to discredit the notion. He might think she was his mate but he had to be wrong. They were no longer living a bright and shiny lie while discussing their aspirations over coffee. She wasn’t a wide-eyed girl with hopes and dreams. Stark clarity was the only thing she had left keeping her feet planted firmly on the ground.

Shepherds had destroyed so many of his kind—had nearly destroyed him—and wouldn’t stop as long as they continued breeding more Shepherds. Their lifestyle was a disgustingly macabre form of tradition passed down from one generation to the next. Because of that she’d never be free. She would always be hunted or in danger. If she stayed, it would only bring Emory misery.

After she’d climbed from the bed and tiptoed around, she formulated a plan. The bedroom’s bathroom had an enormous clawed tub. Running water would drown out any noises she made when she scavenged through the dresser and closet. She wasn’t sure where she was going but she knew it would be cold. Everywhere was cold in November. Due to that she’d need to find clothing to protect her from the weather until she could get to a safe hotel. Then she could take the time to sort things out.

She froze, repeating her thoughts, and stifled a groan.

A hotel. Damn!

Rotating in a circle, she searched for her bag, saying a silent prayer. Emory had mentioned the money and map so her duffel had to be somewhere. She inspected the closet, the dresser, the floor—and stopped on the large armoire across from the bed. Even though she knew her bag wouldn’t be there, she checked anyway, hoping that for once she was wrong. A large flat-screen television was inside, along with a remote. Other than that the shelves were empty. Releasing a steady sigh, she tried to think of a new plan, having a good idea of where the bag was.

“The other bedroom,” she muttered.

Damn, damn, damn!

Footsteps sounded outside the bedroom door and Mary quickly closed the cabinet and rushed for the bathroom. She didn’t make it in time, interrupted halfway to her destination, caught in the act by the very owner of the home she was attempting to escape.

“Uh…” Mary tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t make her look guilty.

Ava waved a hand and closed the door. “Don’t even. You could make up the best lie in the world and I’d know.” She lifted her hand and tapped her temple. “I can hear what you’re thinking, remember?”

Talk about an invasion of privacy. Fear of discovery faded, replaced by annoyance. Mary walked toward Ava and stopped a foot or so away from the small woman. She stood at least five or six inches over her—possibly more.

“Don’t you think that’s a little rude?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“Definitely,” Ava said, unperturbed, folding her arms across her chest. “And if Emory hadn’t interrupted Diskant and me to make sure you were okay when he heard you shuffling around in here, I wouldn’t have considered it.”

Mary looked at Ava—really looked at her. Her short blonde and pink hair was a mess, the strands sticking out in multiple directions. Her jeans were zipped but not buttoned and her sweater was inside out. Since Ava had a fair complexion, Mary could see whisker burn around her swollen lips and the vivid red love bite on her neck.

Oh God.

Emory had interrupted Ava and Diskant while they were having sex.

She’d never been so embarrassed, not even when her mother had decided it was time to talk about the birds and the bees when she turned fourteen. Mary wished the ground would open up and swallow her.

Ava’s countenance changed from frustrated to understanding. “Don’t worry about it. Diskant is the Alpha and Omega of New York. It’s not the first or the last time that we’ve been interrupted. In fact…” Ava grinned and snickered. “It’s nice being the one to put a stop to the action for a change. He needs a taste of what it’s like to be left hanging. If you know what I mean.”

Mortification swept through her, making Mary wish she could shrivel up and die. She and Ava were not going to discuss or share their sexcapades. During college a few girls in her classes would brag about their sex lives without a shred of modesty or decency. She’d always listened in, awed and slightly repulsed that they took something that was supposed to be intimate between two people and dumbed it down for the masses.

“Oh girl.” Ava’s smile remained intact but she did give Mary a knowing look that made her uncomfortable. “You’re going to have to get over that. Shyness has no meaning to shifters. You’re about to be surrounded by people who think intimacy is something that should be proudly open for display.”

“Stop doing that.” Mary lowered her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. It was bad enough that Ava knew she was embarrassed. “I don’t like the thought of you in my head.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. It’s just…” Ava sighed. “I know that you’re thinking about running, so it’s not as easy as turning my ability off. I have to look out for the best interests of the pack. Contrary to what you might think, you’re not a danger to us unless you run. Shepherds were a threat before you came here and they’ll always be a threat. Your absence won’t change that. Believe me when I say you’re safer here than you could possibly be anywhere else. You’re Emory’s mate, and by pack law you’re our responsibility. We take care of our own.”

Their responsibility? “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means we’re not as different as you think. Not too long ago I was standing in your shoes. I ran, but it didn’t do any good. Once you belong to one of them, that’s it. They won’t stop looking until they find you.”

Comprehension dawned and Mary found herself really inspecting Ava. The woman was so much smaller than any shifter she’d ever seen. So fragile.

“You’re human,” she stated dumbly, finding the fact hard to grasp.

“For the most part,” Ava replied, her response vague.

“Nuh-uh,” Mary said, meeting Ava’s gaze. “If you expect me to believe anything you say, you’re going to have to stop reading my mind and tell me the truth, even if you think I don’t want to hear it. I’ve heard enough lies from people to last me a lifetime. Honesty would be a refreshing change.”

“If I agree to that, you’re going to have to be honest with me too.”

“Done.” Right now, there wasn’t a whole lot Mary could control. She’d take what she was given. If Ava wanted to talk, they’d talk.

Ava walked to the bed, plopped down on the mattress and motioned toward the area across from her. “Why don’t you take a seat?”

Why not, indeed? Mary padded over to the other side of the bed and took a seat, dozens of questions racing through her mind. Ava wasn’t a shifter but Diskant was. What did Ava mean when she said she was human “for the most part”? And who could forget all of Emory’s talk of mating and bloodbonding?

“Go ahead and ask.”

Mary narrowed her eyes, frowning at Ava. “I told you to stop reading my mind.”

“I didn’t read your mind,” Ava corrected with a lengthy exhalation, as though her patience was wearing thin. “I just thought you’d have a lot of questions.”

“Oh.” Talk about an invisible open-handed slap that made a person feel like crap. Trying to shake it off, Mary blurted her first question. “You said you’re human for the most part. What do you mean?”

Ava grimaced. “I was afraid you’d skip the easy questions and go straight for the throat.” She studied Mary and asked, “You said to tell you everything, even if I think you don’t want to know, right?”

Mary’s affirming nod was firm but her insides swayed like Jell-O. “Right.”

“So you know about mating?”

“No.” She cleared her throat, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt. “Not really.”

“Mating is like marriage in many ways, only there aren’t any divorces. A couple remains together no matter what happens. It’s one of those ‘you can check out any time you like but you can never leave’ deals. Once done, it’s done.”

“Sounds…” She internalized the information, trying to wrap her head around the concept. “Kind of terrifying.”

“It’s not as scary as you think. The connection has to be there on both sides. I didn’t believe it myself early on but it’s true. Once the bond forms you will never think about another man. And you sure as hell won’t want another one. Everything you are—everything you want to be—will center on how it affects your mate.” Ava watched her closely when she asked, “Did Emory tell you about bloodbonding? Did he tell you precisely what’s involved?”

The question of what he told her wasn’t Mary’s primary concern. It was what he’d said she would inadvertently carry as a consequence.

“He said a part of his wolf would become a part of me.” She couldn’t mask the tremor in her voice. “He said it would remain a part of me forever.” Averting her gaze, she posed the most difficult question, the one she was ashamed to ask. “Was my family telling the truth? Is the wolf really a demon in disguise?”

“Absolutely not,” Ava snapped and grasped Mary’s hand. When Mary peered into Ava’s face, her breath caught. Ava’s eyes, normally a beautiful sapphire blue, were shifting colors—from green to amber to aqua.

“That’s a lie,” Ava said, “an incredibly hateful and unsubstantiated piece of information that your family has used as a weapon. If people don’t fully understand something, they’re more likely to fear it. All shifters have a touch of the wild in them but they are more human than beast and more man than animal.”

“What does that make you?” With irises that changed color, Ava wasn’t human. Not even for the most part.

“A telepath who’s bloodbonded to the Alpha and Omega of the city.”

When she didn’t say more, Mary muttered, “And that means what, exactly?”

“I’m human but I’m not. I won’t age, I’m not easy to kill and I’m faster than I used to be. I can see, smell and taste things better than humans. My strength is well above average and I know a hell of a lot more about the world than I used to. But I’m still me. That part hasn’t changed.”

“How can you say you haven’t changed?” All the things Ava listed screamed supernatural makeover. “Did you hear what you just said?”

“I’m improved but I’m not different here.” Ava let go of Mary’s hand and tapped her temple a second time. Then she lowered her hand and placed it over her heart. “Or here.”

The most important places, Mary noted—where it counted.

“What made you decide to mate a shifter in the first place?” Mary felt her cheeks heating at the flashbacks of what had transpired between her and Emory just minutes before. Maybe it was all about the attraction between a couple, the sexual chemistry.

“It’s not just sex, if that’s what you think. But it’s definitely a perk.” Ava hesitated for several seconds, playing with a frayed string on the comforter that had come free. “Do you ever have moments when you come across something so perfect that you can’t see anything else? Maybe it’s a flower in a garden, or a sunset that paints the sky red. Whatever that special thing is, it makes you feel at peace. That’s sort of what mating is like, only more intense. Humans are always separate when they love, no matter how devoted a couple is to each other. Their interests and concerns change over time, which is understandable because they are individuals. A mated couple is one unit—a whole—and everything they do is for each other. It’s an entirely different emotion and far more powerful than something you can describe with one syllable.”

“I don’t know what to do.” It was her first attempt to reach out to another individual aside from Emory and lifted an enormous weight off her shoulders. “I don’t know what to think.”

“How do you feel about Emory?” Ava asked. “When you’re near him, how is it different from other men?”

She squirmed, suddenly awkward. “I feel safe, indulged…” Just say it! Ava’s not going to judge. “I feel…uh…turned on.”

“Has anyone else made you feel this way before?”

Did Ava really have to ask? “No,” Mary whispered. “No one.”

“There’s a reason for that. If there was one thing I learned after I met Diskant, it was that I was right to trust my instincts and emotions.” Ava smiled, playful despite the gravity of the conversation. “He can be a Neanderthal, a bully and a crybaby when he doesn’t get his way but he cares for me on a level that no other person in this world is capable of. The same goes for Emory when it comes to you. Once a shifter finds his mate, that’s it. Nothing is more important. And it’s a shared connection. You have to feel it too. It wouldn’t work otherwise.”

Mary knew the answer to the question she braced herself to ask, could see the adoration shining in Ava’s eyes. “You really believe that?”

“I don’t have to believe it. It’s my life.”

Nerves made her strive for normalcy, to make a joke in the middle of something so life changing. “So what you’re telling me is that you’re no different than Spider-Man?” It was a stupid thing to say, a horrible way to break the ice, but it fit the situation perfectly. In all her life, Mary never would have thought she’d have a conversation like this one. Surreal didn’t even come close. “You have all the special abilities, none of the gnarly side effects and Diskant is your testosterone-laden version of Mary Jane?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you.” Ava flashed an impish grin. “And with great power comes great responsibility.”

It wasn’t the proper time to laugh, nothing in her life was funny, but she couldn’t help it. For the first time in months, Mary giggled. Soon she crumbled into a fit of laughter, snorting in a very unattractive manner when Ava joined in. The entire world had gone to hell in a handbasket and she didn’t know which end was up. But including Spider-Man in a conversation about shifters, demons and everything in between?

It took the current what-the-fuckery scale to a whole new level.

They’re laughing?

What the hell?

Emory’d felt like a total ass for knocking on Diskant and Ava’s bedroom door after he heard the moans and growls coming from inside but he’d done it because he had sensed Mary’s distress and heard her pacing as she’d walked around the room. Intuition had told him it wasn’t wise to leave her alone. She could harm herself, or even worse, overthink things and complicate matters. Ava hadn’t seemed to mind, although Diskant had given Emory the middle finger when he opened the door for his mate and watched her leave.

What had transpired in the few minutes that Ava had vanished inside the bedroom? What did they find so amusing?

He decided not to wait to find out, grasping the handles of Mary’s bag as he knocked on the door. He gave them a second to brace themselves for his intrusion and stepped inside. Doc was coming up at any minute to check Mary’s sutures and he needed to be close to her, to protect her and calm her fears. The laughter stopped when he stepped across the threshold but the smiles on Mary’s and Ava’s faces remained.

“Doc is on his way up,” he informed them, feeling like a tool as he walked to the dresser and placed Mary’s duffel on it.

“I suppose I should get going.” Ava groaned and climbed off the bed. “Diskant isn’t known for his patience.”

Emory was about to apologize but Mary beat him to it. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” Ava waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I told you it’ll do him some good to see how it feels.” She pivoted around and faced Emory. “You take it easy on her. She’s got an awful lot to think about, with her family searching for her. She’s been on the run for a long time.” Ava winked. “You can’t blame her for wanting to protect you.”

Ava—sly as always. She was sharing something she’d picked up from Mary’s thoughts, something she felt was important. Emory got the hidden meaning, heard it loud and clear.

“I understand,” he said, glancing at Mary, who seemed fascinated by a loose string on the comforter beneath her, her smile gone.

“Are you going to be okay?” Ava asked Mary. “Do you need me to stay?”

Mary glanced at him, looked away and her cheeks flushed pink. “No, I’m fine.”

“Good. I’m glad that’s settled. I guess I’ll leave you two alone…again.” Ava grinned as she strode toward the door, opened it to step through and closed it behind her.

Emory tried to think of something to say, a way of breaking the silence without causing further distress. Mary was obviously tense, despite her contrary reassurance to Ava.

“So where are we?” she asked and lifted her head, meeting his gaze. “I have a feeling we’re not in Florida or Alabama and I know you wouldn’t risk taking me back to Colorado.”

“Remembering telling me you always wanted to visit the East Coast?” She nodded and he cleared his throat. Honesty was best but he hoped he didn’t stress her further. “We’re in New York, on the Upper East Side.”

“New York?” Her eyes widened. “I thought you hated the city.”

“Not the city so much as the troubles I left behind.” He quickly changed the topic at her questioning look. “Now that you’re here you can visit all the places you talked about. Tell me where you want to go and I’ll take you there. We’ll make a day of it.”

“You’re covering up something.” As always, Mary detected his attempt to hide from her. It was something he’d learned the first time they’d shared a cup of coffee, a trait his mate possessed that he could do without. “Don’t bother trying to deny it. With everything that’s happened in the last—” She stopped short, brows furrowing. “How long have I been here? How much dope did your doctor shoot me up with?”

“The drive here took sixteen hours.” Her jaw dropped and she gawked at him. “Don’t look at me like that,” he mumbled, ashamed he’d allowed Doc to keep her sedated for so long. “He had to use butterfly bandages to keep the bleeding under control and worried you might hurt yourself or do more harm than good if you woke up in a van full of strange men.” At her admonishing glare he asked, “What would you have done if the circumstances were different? Can you honestly tell me you wouldn’t have done the same thing?”

Her glare formed into a scowl—one that had him grinning. It was the one look he found the most adorable, a mixture of annoyance and attitude. “I suppose I would have done the same thing,” she admittedly sourly. “But that doesn’t mean it was okay for you to bring me all the way to New York without asking.”

“Would you have preferred I left you to your relatives? The people who would have killed you if I’d given them the opportunity?” He hated the way he growled the words, knowing he wouldn’t have been able to prevent himself from doing so even if he tried. The thought of his mate being shot at—almost killed—did things to him he couldn’t control. “Is that what you’d have me do?”

The shock on her face sent guilt plunging through him. She immediately averted her eyes, staring at the bed. “No,” she whispered hoarsely, wringing her hands. “Of course not.”

“Mary…sweetheart…” He slowly crossed to the bed, step by step, taking his time. She was overwhelmed, she was confused, and from what Ava had said as she left the room Mary was terrified of what her family might do to him. How did he react to that? Like a goddamn asshole, that’s how. Putting more pressure on her, forcing her to accept things before she was ready.

“They won’t let me walk away, you know.” She spoke so quietly he had to strain to hear. “Uncle Elijah told me he’d see me dead before he let me fall into bed with a shifter. He swore it was his duty to protect my soul from damnation.”

He sat across from her, keeping an intentional space between them, not wanting to crowd her. “You know he’s crazy, don’t you?” He hoped like hell she did. Otherwise he was doomed. “He’s not right in the head. None of them are.”

“I know he’s crazy—certifiably batshit.” She took a deep breath, the sound uneven. “But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think what he’s doing has purpose. That’s why I can’t stay here. You have to know he’ll show up eventually. He won’t let this go. He won’t let me go.”

“Let me get this straight so our lines aren’t crossed.” He brought his fingers to her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. “You want to leave because you’re worried about your uncle and what will happen if he comes here. Is that right?”

“That’s what I just said.”

“It’s not because of me?” He held her steady when she tried to glance away. “You don’t want to leave because you’re afraid of me and what we discussed earlier?”

Finally, as if it pained her to admit it, she said, “No, it’s not because of that.”

He leaned in close and brushed his nose against hers. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.” Pulling away, he gazed into her cloudy brown eyes. “Since you’re worried about your family, I’m glad I can ease your concerns. The pack has been ready for a Shepherd attack for months. They came through here not so long ago and we learned our lesson. Trust me when I say that they don’t want to fuck with the pack again. If they do they’ll never leave. Do you understand?”

She lowered her eyes. “You’ll kill them?”

“Yes.”

A simple answer, straightforward and to the point. He braced himself for the scent of her fear but surprisingly none came. He observed Mary quietly, wishing they’d started the first stages of the bloodbond so he could be aware on some level what she was thinking. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her head, like a solider reporting for duty.

“I’m tired of being afraid, Emory. I’m tired of running.”

That’s my girl.

He rose from the bed to retrieve her bag. Right now he’d take baby steps, making sure she was comfortable and felt secure. The best way to accomplish that was to settle her into her new home. Once he had the duffel, he returned to her side and placed it in front of her.

“Then I suggest you unpack your things.” He took her hand in his, running his thumb along her knuckles and gazing directly into her eyes. “I’m not going to let you run anywhere unless it’s to me—only to me.”

A knock on the door ruined the moment but Emory managed to catch the heat in his mate’s gaze, the way she inhaled sharply and her hand trembled. The faint scent of her arousal hit like a Mack truck, slamming into him, making his cock harden in his jeans. Soon he’d ease the ache for both of them and take Mary to places she’d never discover on any map.

“I’m here to check on the patient,” Doc called through the door.

“If you don’t want him to see you in that T-shirt, I suggest you get under the sheets,” Emory said, holding back a smile.

She turned beet red and launched for the head of the bed, cursing as he chuckled. A visit from Doc and he’d be alone with his mate.

Finally alone.

Just the two of them…

Trey’s earlier spectacle gave him pause. Emory couldn’t wait too long to ask Mary about what they’d found in her bag. If he wanted to clear his mate of any suspicious behavior it was best done sooner than later. Besides, who really cared about the money and map she’d stowed away with her clothing? She’d obviously been prepared to run, something that proved she was just as smart as he remembered. He was certain she was protecting herself, trying to stay one step ahead of her enemies.

You’re focusing on the positives, not the negatives.

The nagging remainder ate at him, stirring his anger.

So what if the map in her possession had an enormous circle around New York? Mary had said she’d always wanted to go there. Serendipitous things occurred all the time. Just because the area was marked didn’t mean she’d had anything to do with the bombing months before. She’d never harm anyone or anything, he was certain of it. That was why he’d asked Ava not to dig the information out of her head, to allow him to ask personally.

Even as he tried to convince himself, a prickle of unease shot down his spine.

They’d have their time, and then he’d get his answers.

He only hoped they were answers he wanted to hear.