Jane

The security guard at the rental shop is bearing down on me, and the woman behind the counter is reaching for the phone, preparing to call the police.

“No!” l exclaim, “please, I’ll leave. I’m sorry if I caused you trouble.”

“I think we should let the police handle this.” The woman argues, looking to the guard for support, “he’s clearly following this woman.”

“I’m not.” I tell the guard, praying he’ll take my side. “At least, not the way you think. She’s my girlfriend and l’m afraid she’s having an affair. She told me she was going away for the weekend, and l’m sure it’s to meet her lover. I just need to find out the truth, I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

The guard crosses his arms over his chest, studying me closely. My only hope is that he’s the kind of overbearing man to think such actions are reasonable – if notjustified, and that he’ll side with another man over a woman assuming the worst of one of his brethren.

To my immense relief, his broad shoulder’s untense after a moment, and he nods. “I’ve been there” He admits with a sigh, turning to his colleague. “It’s okay, let him go – love makes you do crazy things, and he’s just a kid.”

“But-” the woman gaped, clearly more concerned for Anita’s welfare, which I can’t help but find ironic given the situation.

“It’s okay Kathy.” The security guard insists, “I can tell he’s a good kid.”

Kathy, to her credit, looks less than pleased. Still, she sets down the phone and closes her mouth. “Just go then, but you should know your behavior is beyond creepy.”

“Sorry!” I mutter, rushing out before she can change her mind. My heart is racing as I make my way back towards the bed and breakfast, worried about how much time has passed. I can’t imagine Ethan is back already – unless he found something like I did. As I make the journey back, I’m surprised at how much distance l actually covered. It’s a testament to just how weak I’ve grown on this trip that l’m exhausted by the time I finally arrive, feeling lightheaded and dizzy as l climb the stairs.

I’m so preoccupied by the idea of having a nice hot shower and taking a nap, that I don’t even notice Ethan at first. I unlock our door and push inside, walking towards the bathroom with single-minded determination. It’s not until l see movement in my periphery that I pause.

Turning towards the large bay windows, I realize that Ethan is sitting in one of the oversized armchairs in the living area, and he looks absolutely furious. “Hello Jane.” He greets me coolly, his deep voice rough like gravel.

“Ethan, it’s not what you think.” I wince as the words come out of my mouth, knowing how d*mning it sounds to start out with excuses before he’s even said anything about my absence.

replies, arching

looks like you went out searching for the pups without me and without Linda, despite the fact that we agreed you weren’t well

no use denying it, I cross my arms over my chest

growl sounds in Ethan’s chest, and l can feel my

chair, rising up with raw power radiating off of his muscular form. He crosses the room in a few strides, coming to tower over me, resting his

to try that again?” He asks, sending an involuntary shiver down

exact same thing if the tables were turned” I tell him resolutely, swaying slightly as

reaches out to steady me. “Look at you! You can barely

pups.” I inform him, swatting his hands away. “I

away, and my wolf caves to his dominance even though I want to keep fighting. I let him help me into a chair, feeling slightly guilty when he

after a

something had happened? There are traffickers and scoundrels roaming this

a good thing I look like a boy” l quip, trying to smile but

I’m serious.” Ethan

clicking in my head. “Traffickers and

tell you in a minute.” He declares, clearly trying to be patient. “We need to talk about

could possibly be

to work together if we want to get them back!” Ethan admonishes, “we agreed we were in this together from here on out, but you went behind my

“because | would already have been with you. That’s not working as a team,

still trying to

to answer him. It’s not that I don’t want his help, or even that I don’t know how

even me.” | finally murmur, meeting his foreboding gaze and

pausing in his effort to get me out of my disguise. At this point l’m only wearing the oversized tunic, my underthings and my beard. In all honesty, l’m amazed Ethan can have such a serious conversation when I

you!” I say, trying to turn the conversation back to our children. “I found the company where Anita rented a van to take the pups to the capital. They wouldn’t

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