ANGEL stepped into the truck stop diner feeling quite differently about it than she had the first time she’d arrived. It was technically closed for the night but Parker still had a key so they were able to get inside.
She grinned at her mate, who stood so tall and proud next to her. He’d come a long way since the last time he’d been here.
“Are you planning on showing Bob your newfound voice while we’re here?”
He shook his head. “I think it might freak him out too much and after everything he’s been through, I think its best we leave well enough alone.”
Angel had called Bob the day before to tell Parker’s former employer they’d be coming back to pick up his things. After that, it was a quick trip down to New Orleans to get what remained of her stuff out of storage. Then they were going back to their pack in Maine. It had only been one day since they’d left them and already it felt like a gaping hole in her soul to be away from her family. How had she thought she could be pack-less?
When you don’t know the difference, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Angel nodded to her wolf. That’s true.
But she knew the difference about a lot of things now. She had no intention of being without her mate or her pack for any length of time in the future. Even if it meant she had to go into hiding with them.
“You’re thinking deep thoughts. I can feel them. Cut it out. If we’re going to get through being away from the action, we have to keep it light.”
“You’re right.”
Angel walked forward through the double doors that led to the kitchen. She wanted to see the place where the witches had knocked her out. Finding them was on her agenda too. Just not first on her list. There were more important things than personal revenge at this point. But someday, she promised herself, there would be time to seek them out and punish them.
“I’m glad you’re on our side.” Parker laughed as he walked behind her. “Tristan might be right. You might be just like your father.”
She rolled her eyes. “Reading my mind, Parker Liberty?”
“Nope, just your facial expressions.”
“No one has ever been very good at that until you.”
He winked. “Must be one of those mate things.”
The door from the outside banged open and Bob wobbled into the room holding tightly to his cane. He hadn’t been that immobile when they’d left and Angel winced as she thought about the injuries he must have gotten during the escapade with the witch. She could tell Parker noticed it too by the way he narrowed his gaze. Her heart bled for him. Bob might be cranky and cantankerous but he’d taken a very young Parker in and sheltered him from the outside world when he’d needed it. To her, he’d always be an unsung hero in their war.
“You finally got here. I’ve been waiting an hour.”
Angel grinned. He might have been knocked down but it hadn’t harmed his spirit. She moved forward to embrace him, tightly. “We hit some traffic in Massachusetts.”
Bob snickered. “I never would have picked you as liking the absolutely silent type. You like a man who has nothing to say, eh?”
She laughed. “If only that were the case…”
“Watch it.” Parker’s tone was light. “Or I might start talking to you more.”
“We’re just glad you’re okay.”
“Yes, I’m still not sure what happened. When I came to, there was a big fight going on. Some young fellow hauled this really ugly woman out of here over his shoulder while she yelled and screamed. Then the other two women went nuts. I’m glad it’s over.”
Angel raised an eyebrow. “Any idea what he’s talking about?”
“None. But I think it might be worth reporting to Tristan. Anything to do with those witches is highly suspect as far as I’m concerned.”
Angel let go of Bob as she continued to speak to Parker. “No wonder Tristan made you an enforcer. You’re like a walking danger alarm.”
“Do you have any problem with us going upstairs to get Parker’s stuff?”
“Nope.” He shook his head. “It’s exactly as the boy left it. I knew he’d be back. I have to say, it’s not been the same around here without his silent presence. Nothing I can do to make you stay put?”
“Sorry, Bob, we’re moving on. We have a big road trip ahead of us. Who knows where we’ll end up?”
It was better Bob not know where they were going to live. Heavens forbid he'd attempt to visit and get firebombed by Kendrick.
“Well.” Bob walked to Parker. “We’ll miss you. When you were younger…” His voice drifted off.
Angel waited, wondering what he was going to say. When he didn’t continue, she prompted him. “What? Bob? When he was younger, what?”
“Well, I was going to say, when he was younger I used to think there was some grand story behind why you couldn’t speak. Like something had happened to you that was beyond my understanding.” He shook his head as he patted Parker on the arm. “Never mind the ravings of an old man. Go on, get upstairs and get out of here before I starting ranting like a lunatic.”
Angel took Parker’s hand and pulled him from the room towards the back stairs. When they’d gone a distance, she spoke. “Did you have any idea he felt that way?”
“Not a clue, but I’m not surprised. It would take a real different kind of guy to employ and house a huge, giant, tattooed mute for years. Not to mention, he must have noticed at some point I stopped aging.”
Angel put the key into apartment door and opened it. “Did you ever think about leaving?”
“I wasn’t sure where I’d go. I watched cars go back and forth outside but I couldn’t bring myself to get in any of them.”
She walked into the room before she turned around to grin at him. “Guess you were waiting for me.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I think that’s a pretty good guess. Fate placed me where you would eventually show up.”
The sounds of the highway filled the room as she leaned up to kiss him square on the mouth. Whatever had happened, however fate had maneuvered things so she could find him when she did, she would always be grateful. They might be at war. They might have to go into hiding. They might never be able to live normal lives. But they had each other.
Parker sighed. “Get your mother’s book. I really don’t need anything else here.”
“Why are you anxious to leave?”
He rubbed his nose. “It reminds me of the time before you. It was a good place to be while I waited, but now…it’s stifling.”
“Right.”
She nodded. Running to the back of the room, she picked up her mother’s book.
“I’m going to grab some clothes.”
Parker walked to the other side of the apartment. Angel sat down, opening the book. The pages were blank, as they always were when she first opened the book. She didn’t need a spell today.
Instead, words she’d never seen before appeared.
Dear Angel,
Good Work. I knew you could do it.
Love, Mom.
Covering her mouth, Angel gasped. She didn’t know why she was surprised. Magic was always surprising her.
“You okay?”
Parker’s voice startled her and she smiled. “I’m great, Parker.” Angel closed the book. “But you still haven’t told me what all your tattoos mean. What are you hiding?”
Parker shook his head. “You’re too much, lady.”
“I am. But you love me.”
His smile fell, his gaze a heated caress of lava to her senses. “I do. I do love you, Angel. Like you’ll never understand.”
But she did.
The End
Publisher’s Note
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About Rebecca Royce
As a teenager, Rebecca would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes that these days, her parents think it was worth it.
She is the mother of three adorable boys, and she is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.
A hardcore fan of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal, Rebecca tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She’s been told she’s a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you’ll enjoy the action-packed ride that always ends in romance. In her world, anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect it probably will.
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Other Titles by Rebecca Royce
The Westervelt Wolves
Her Wolf
Summer’s Wolf
Wolf Reborn
Wolf’s Valentine
Wolf’s Magic
Alpha Wolf
Angel’s Wolf
Darkest Wolf
Lone Wolf
Stand Alone Science Fiction Short Story
Yes, Captain