Chapter 87

Nathan POV

Moonglow Pack Territory - Modesty Cabin

Rachel was a welcome weight in my arms. I kicked the door closed with my heel before turning to bar it shut with the metal rod there for the purpose.

"It's going to be okay," I tried to soothe her even though I wasn't sure about our safety myself, "We should be safe enough since I'm pretty sure that's an iron bar and apparently witches can't travel through iron."

Magic was available for a price. There were magic users who sold their talents for everything from money to favors from people who were in positions where their favors were worth more than money.

My father had never used a witch for anything, but my mother threatened to get one to put a tracing spell on him all the time. She said he was too handsome for her to trust him wandering around alone which was why they'd traveled together as much as possible during my childhood and all the time now I was an adult.

I didn't know if they knew any actual witches or not. I did know I wasn't feeling prepared to take on a witch myself anytime soon.

Justice had smelled cold and wrong in some way I couldn't name. I was glad to get away from her.

"Text Bella," I told Rachel as I took a seat on the sofa, keeping her in my lap as I used a hand to fumble my phone from my pocket, "I'll text Jack."

I texted Rachel instead.

'I don't know if we're alone. Bugs?'

Rachel almost dropped her phone when it buzzed in her hand. She looked at me with concern as she saw my name on the ID screen. I just nodded at the phone for her to read the text.

'I'll ask Art.'

Her reply should have been my first instinct, but I hated relying on the Alpha Inspector for anything. I didn't want to give him a reason to swap places with me even if he would be able to protect Rachel better than I could.

Selfishly, I wanted her all to myself for as long as I could have her.

I told myself I wasn't really putting her in danger. No one had directly threatened us. We were on the edges of the property and the door was barred. I was also not an inconsequential Alpha myself. I was capable of fighting.

For Rachel? I'd burn the world.

Rachel texted Art, 'Could the cabin be bugged? Should we be worried?'

I waited with her as we both stared at her phone screen. Her body gave off more heat than usual, making me want to strip down several layers. I twisted on the couch, moving her to rest against my side on the seat next to me.

Art replied, 'Don't worry about bugs. Just keep convo off topic of Moonglow.'

I nodded at Rachel as I digested his advice. Art made sense as I couldn't imagine the Moonglow Pack being interested in any other aspect of either of our lives. Besides, it wasn't as if I would run out of things to talk to Rachel about anytime soon.

"Do you mind if I get comfortable? I have a feeling we're in for the night."

Rachel shook her head, obviously too distracted to process what I was asking, "No, that's fine. I'm texting Tyler now."

I draped my jacket over the back of the chair beside us and reached for Rachel's hand to stop her.

"Maybe start with Bella? I think we might want to consider what you should tell Tyler before you message him."

Rachel seemed to take my advice to heart as she slowly nodded her agreement. I barely kept my sigh of relief at bay. She was right to want to text her former mate, but I wanted her to avoid thinking about another male as long as possible.

Wright could just keep waiting on a response from us. We hadn't been traveling overlong. It was reasonable to think we might still be on the road or we might be stuck in meetings with the Campbells and unable to message.

I didn't read her text to Bella though I heard her nails clicking against her screen as she tap-tap-tapped out whatever she wanted to say to her best friend. I took my time undoing every button on my shirt before stripping it off to join my jacket on the guest chair. I hesitated with my hand on my belt buckle for a moment before opening it to take my pants off too.

Toeing off my shoes, I pushed them under the coffee table then slid off my slacks to add them to the pile of clothes on the chair.

Rachel had stopped texting to stare at me. I sat back down at her side on the sofa without comment, taking off my socks one at a time before tucking them into my shoes then putting my feet up on the table. I crossed my legs at the ankle and flexed my bare feet.

"It's hot in here. No air-conditioning. Plus, you're throwing off enough body heat for two."

Rachel laughed and I laughed with her and then we were cracking up until she hugged me tight enough for her breasts to crush against my chest. I was glad I still had an undershirt on so I wasn't sitting there in only boxers. The shirt was untucked enough to give me a little cover if my body betrayed me.

"Thank you."

"For what?" I asked, not really caring except to wonder if I could keep doing whatever she wanted to have her throwing herself into my arms.

"For everything, Nathan. Coming with me. Protecting me. Putting up with Art. Suffering through who knows how long without A/C?"

She was teasing me and I vowed I would give up modern conveniences forever as long as I got to hear her joy, see her smile, feel her body against mine.

I let her pull away with a reluctance I was sure she could feel.

"Sorry," I said, not meaning it at all.

"No you're not," Rachel whispered, her smile turning sad on me.

"No I'm not," I agreed, beaming at her until she was smiling happily again and we were off laughing once more.

Rachel moved to stand up and I helped her until she was on her feet. She pushed her shoes off to join mine under the coffee table and then waited a moment before seeming to make a decision.

She moved her hair off her neck and gestured to the zipper there, asking, "Could you get this?"

I knew she didn't need me to do it for her, but I unzipped her without comment. She was wearing a slip beneath the dress. I thought it was silk though it might have been made out of flannel and I'd still think it was luxurious for no other reason than it was close to her skin.

Collapsing back at my side, Rachel bounced a little on the sofa before lying against me once more. I waited to see if she would move; when she didn't, I draped my arm on the back of the couch behind her shoulders. My fingertips barely touched her, but my skin felt as if it were on fire at every point of contact.

"Can you believe we're here? I've missed you so much."

Her voice was fond. Sincerity colored every word. I wanted to pull her into my lap, kiss her, touch her, caress her. I wouldn't betray the trust she was giving me though.

Pushing my wolf down, I said, "I've missed you too. Do you think we can keep this up? Friendship? I don't want to lose you again and if this is the way I can have you? It's enough."

"Is it enough? I can see your wolf in your eyes."

"Lyon knows to keep his paws to himself. How come I don't see Rayne in yours? She's always had plenty to say when another wolf was around for a challenge."

I knew as much about Rachel's wolf as could be known about her given how soon after her eighteenth birthday I had lost her. We couldn't shift freely until eighteen or later in some cases. Rachel and I had run together during full moons, but Rayne hadn't been able to come out to play any time she wanted until after Rachel left me.

"She sleeps a lot now. I think it's because of the baby. I can't shift, you know? I don't think she likes being---stuck inside."

Rachel seemed conflicted. I wasn't sure if she missed shifting or if she felt guilt because she didn't miss it.

"Do you miss it? Shifting?"

Why shouldn't I ask? I was going to be spending time with Rachel. I wanted to enjoy it to the best of my ability. Talking to her would be the easiest way to get the most out of the experience.

I texted Jack quickly, 'Gave evidence file to Campbells. AI sent DNA swab for testing. Expect more txts. Tell Bella hi.'

I showed Rachel before I sent it off. She gave me a thumbs up before surprising me with something I'd been longing to hear since the day I'd lost her.

"I miss being with you."