His True Mate

Book 1 Chapter 19

VERITY

THREE WEEKS LATER

Rubbing the back of my neck, I leaned back in the chair. I looked over to the clock above the door and sighed. I had another hour to go till I returned to the cabin.

I moved up but felt lightheaded and sat back down, closing my eyes. I haven't been feeling too good this week.

The last three weeks have been a new release, and I love it. I have been loving every minute of being here.

Sandy and I have become fast friends, and I have to admit I have never had a roommate before, so it has been nice to have someone living with me for a change.

Sandy has been working the bar most nights while I take some of the day shifts. The days have been quiet, but most nights have had a few wild nights. I kept out of sight, but I have started to get to know some people who live locally, but some have yet to make an effort to even talk to me.

I open my eyes and look toward the clock. I wanted to go to the pharmacy in the next town as I needed something for my sickness.

I know Sandy and I have been having a few of Bow and Peggy's cooking lately, but nothing that could cause this. I haven't mentioned anything, as I have passed it off as a sickness bug, but it's taking a long time to get out of my system. I hear commotion by the door, which makes me look to the door and see Bow pulling open the door. He looks up and smiles.

"Verity," he said as he walked up to the counter and placed a bowl on the counter.

The smell of carrots and potatoes hits my nose, which causes nausea that I have had under control to return with a vengeance.

I gulped as I looked at Bow, who was now looking at me with concern.

"You okay?" he asked, "You look white, sweetheart."

I nodded but didn't say anything. If I spoke, sick would have come, and I was in the mood to clean it up, especially if it was my own. Everything seemed to make me want to throw up.

Bow stared at me, but after a few moments, he sighed.

"Peggy thought you would like some of her stew she made," he said, "Sandy told us that you weren't feeling too good lately, so Peggy wanted to make sure you were eating something."

I swallowed whatever was stuck in my throat.

"Thanks," I muttered, "I might have to leave early. I haven't been right for the last few days. I planned to go to the pharmacy after work to look for something."

Bow nodded.

"It's getting darker earlier now," he said, glancing at the door and then back to me. "I could take you as soon as you finish. I know I must be at the bar, but Sandy can look after the place until I return."

I shook my head.

"It's okay," I said. "I will take my car. I won't be that long."

I glanced at the clock again.

I didn't know when the pharmacy closed, which was the problem. I couldn't go on like this for another night.

"Verity," Bow called, making me look back at him. He smiled. "Why don't you leave now?" he said. "You need to rest. I will stay and close up for you."

I gave him a weak smile and nodded.

"Thanks," I said.

I moved up from the counter and grabbed my coat behind my chair. I placed it around me.

I could feel Bow's eyes on me.

Once I grabbed my bag and placed it on my shoulder, I smiled at him.

"Thank you, Bow," I said.

Bow smiled and gave a nod.

I stepped out from behind the counter as Bow took over. I walked toward the door, but as I was about to step outside, Bow called out.

"Take your car," he said. "It's not safe this time of the evening."

I nodded and waved goodbye.

As soon as I stepped outside, I walked around the corner to my car and opened the door.

I quickly climbed in and tried to start the engine, but nothing happened.

I tried many times, but nothing happened.

I groaned as I leaned back. I looked around, and there was no one around, and I wasn't going back in to ask Bow for help or go into the bar as I could guarantee most of hte men there were already on their way to happy town.

I sighed.

I could walk; the town wasn't that far. Sandy and I have walked there many times since.

I climbed out of the car and closed the door, quickly locking it. I glanced around and thought of going the shortcut as it would be quicker, but you had to walk through the forest to get there.

I needed to get there quickly as I didn't know what the pharmacy closed, so it would have to be that way.

I walked toward the forest but kept my keys between my fingers. I was not too fond of it here as I could hear many wolves howling, which freaked me out.

I walked further into the forest but knew the path running through would take me straight into the town center.

After a few minutes, the silence around me was deafening. There were no birds or anything around. I kept scanning all around me to ensure there was nothing behind me, but something was off as soon as I noticed the entrance to the town.

I heard a branch break behind me and spun around to find a giant red wolf staring back.

My mouth felt dry as I stared back as the wolf started to growl at me.

The wolf moved slowly and started going around, but I followed it.

My heart was thudding in my chest.

I felt scared and wanted to run, but my legs weren't having any of it. I was rotted to the spot, and as I heard the branch under the wolf's paw, he moved fast and launched at me; I tried to move fast, but as I went running, the beast's moved quicker, and I felt his mouth latch onto my leg, which made me scream out in pain.

I fell to the floor as the wolf started to shake me violently around on the ground as if I was his chew toy.

I screamed and looked around; I didn't know if anyone could hear me. I spotted a branch and quickly grabbed it, and used everything I had and hit the wolf as hard as I could on the head.

The wolf let go of my leg, and I felt warm fluid seep through my pants leg.

The wolf grunted as if what I did, didn't affect him.

The wolf growled and was about to pounce when someone shouted.

"SHIFT," he roared as I saw Bow walking toward us.

"Bow," I screamed, "Don't..." but I was cut off by the sound of bones breaking. I looked to where the wolf was, and a man stood naked. I mean, VERY NAKED.

My eyes grew wide as I stared at him.

"Back off," the man growled. "SHE'S MINE."

I felt a shiver run through me as he looked between Bow and me.

"No, she is not," Bow shouted. "She is a friend of mine and lives with me. You need to back off, or I will kill you."

My head was starting to hurt.

What the hell was going on?

What was the man?

Then everything that Axel had mentioned about his kind came flooding back. The man was like a beast; he looked like...then something snapped as I saw him shift back into the same wolf that had attacked me.

I felt lightheaded, but as I was about to shout to Bow to run, I turned to look at him and was shocked as he was doing the same thing.

I watched as the man helping me, looking out for me, shifted into a grey wolf. I watched as Bow, and the other went at it, but I started to feel weak suddenly. I looked down at my leg and noticed a lot of blood from where the wolf had bitten me.

I was slowly sent into darkness as I slumped back to the ground, letting the darkness take me.