Chapter Three
Tulip ached when she opened her eyes the next day. The sun looked high in the sky and she wondered what time it was. There was an indention in the pillow next to her that gave her pause. Had someone slept beside her? Did they not trust her? She eased up and winced at the pulls and twinges in her body. Closing her eyes, she tried to heal herself, but her magick was still too weak. She was too weak.
Her hand smoothed over the nightgown skimming her curves, and she wondered who had dressed her for bed. The last thing she remembered was lying down in the shower, intent on closing her eyes for just a moment. Had she fallen asleep in there and had to be rescued? Her cheeks burned as she thought of someone seeing her naked. It wasn’t like she was a virgin by any means, but for a fae, she’d had very few partners in her three hundred years.
Tulip swung her legs over the side of the bed and slowly rose to her feet. Her toes hit something plastic and she looked down, seeing several bags with what looked like clothes and shoes in them. She remembered Autumn asking Vaughn to pick up a few things for her. Had he dressed her? A warmth spread through her at the thought of the wolf taking care of her, but she pushed the feelings aside. He’d probably gotten a female in the pack to help her.
Tulip pulled out one of the dresses and pair of panties, slipping both on. As a fae, she didn’t care much for shoes and left them in the bag for now. Padding across the bedroom floor, she opened the door and peered into the hall. She could hear the TV downstairs and went to find her hosts. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she noticed the front door was ajar. Peering into the living room, she didn’t see either Gabriel or Autumn, even though the TV was running.
“Autumn,” she called out. “Alpha?”
Silence.
Her heart began to hammer inside of her chest. What if the dark fae had found her already? What if they’d harmed the alpha and his mate? Closing her eyes, she tried to calm herself as she searched for vibrations in the air. The house was as still as a tomb. Snatching a knife from the kitchen, she frantically searched the house, fearful of what she would find.
“Is anyone here?” she called out at the top of the stairs, after she’d searched every room. They couldn’t have vanished, could they?
Tulip crept down the stairs, the knife still clutched in her hand. She eased the front door open all the way and stepped out onto the porch, preparing to be attacked at any moment. The birds chirped in a nearby tree, and she could hear the sounds of the busy shop across the streets.Andrews Garage.Maybe they would know where the alpha and his mate went.
She winced a little as the hot pavement burned the bottoms of her feet as she stumbled across the street. When she entered the open garage bay, she heard something metal clatter to the ground, startling her. A large body hurtled her way and slammed her to the ground, making her cry out in pain. The man above her slammed her small hand against the concrete floor until she dropped the knife, tears pricking her eyes.
“Fae,” he snarled, his eyes flashing yellow.
The others gathered around, their fangs lengthening as they regarded her with open hostility. It seemed the alpha hadn’t told anyone about her, and now she was going to pay the price. But if the dark fae had come for the alpha and his mate, as she feared, then it was no less than she deserved. The dark fae would have left them alone for a while, if she hadn’t sought them out.
“We should kill her,” one them said, his voice more animal then human.
“What the hell is going on out here?” a voice boomed.
“Fae,” the one pinning her snarled. “She came to kill us.”
A man who resembled the alpha stepped into view. When he saw her, he rushed forward and flung the wolf away from her. “Hunter, no! She’s not the enemy.”
“She had a knife,” Hunter said.
Tulip gasped for air. “Alpha…missing.”
The man knelt beside her, easing an arm under her back to help her sit up. “I’m Michael, Gabriel’s brother, and he’s not missing. Autumn went into labor this morning and they rushed to the hospital. Didn’t they leave a note?”
She shook her head. “The door was open and no one was home. I thought the dark fae had come for me and taken them.”
He glanced at the knife. “And you were trying to protect yourself?”
She nodded.
“Come on. Let’s get you back across the street. I thought someone was staying with you.”
“I don’t know.”
Michael lifted her into his arms and carried her across the street. The wolves in the garage gave him a perplexed look. Tulip knew she’d have more bruises now from slamming into the concrete. Maybe another day of rest and she’d be able to heal herself. When they reached the house across the street, Michael carried her into the living room and laid her down on the sofa.
“Is there anything I can get you? Maybe something to drink or eat?” Michael asked.
“I’m sure I can manage,” Tulip said, not wanting to put him out. “Thank you, for helping me.”
“Gabriel called me last night, and I think he called our brother, Cole, too. He explained what happened to you, but word hasn’t reached the pack yet. I’ll speak with Connor, our joint alpha, and see what he can do while Gabriel is otherwise occupied.”
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made Tulip look toward the door, which was still open. Vaughn’s truck had just come to a stop and some of her fear and tension eased. If he’d been kind enough to buy her clothes, maybe he wouldn’t mind staying with her a little while. Just until she was strong enough to take care of herself, or the alpha returned. Although, once the alpha came home with a new baby, it was doubtful he would want her in his home. Too dangerous.
