The Wolf I Sworn To Hate (Fated To The Wolf #8)

24. Xyla

24

Xyla

X yla didn’t have the urge to look back as they walked away from the shack. She hated that the five men had been killed, but she understood that she, Sawyer, and Sean had done what they had to in order to survive.

I took a life. I killed a man I knew and liked. It just goes to show that not everyone is as they seem or what people think. I accused Sean of being bad because he was a shifter, but then I realized he was a hero. Darren, who seemed like such a nice man, was really the monster.

Reality set in and she trembled. The bear shifters were planning on hurting her and killing her. Tristan and Darren would have returned to the resort and volunteered to help look for her. They would have looked like the good guys. If it wasn’t for Sean and Sawyer, she wouldn’t have survived.

She didn’t say anything as they walked back to the resort. Xyla wasn’t sure how the telepathic thing worked anyway, so she didn’t know whether they could reply back to her telepathically. It might have only worked with Sean when she needed help because she was terrified and full of emotion. For all she knew, Sawyer and Sean could be having an ongoing conversation right now.

Honestly, Xyla was grateful for the silence. She had been kidnapped and threatened with a nightmare. She had been terrified and angry. She had been relieved when help arrived. Now, she was numb. How am I supposed to feel?

Xyla was so tired when the resort came into view. Walking three miles in the snow was extremely difficult. The snow was still deep and she had had to flounder through thigh-high snow a couple of times. Even the snow that only came up to her calves was hard to trudge through.

There was no way the wolves could have carried her in their animal form. They might have been able to help her navigate the trail back if they had clothes, but they certainly couldn’t have walked back naked.

Sawyer and Sean ducked inside their cabin to shift, but she didn’t wait for them. Xyla was positive that if she slowed down, she would drop.

She stumbled inside the resort. Edward, Macie, and Ellie rushed toward her.

Edward helped her take her coat off. “Are you okay? What happened? Where were you?”

“I’m okay. Let me get my boots off and sit down. I’m so tired.”

Franny bustled in and handed her a cup of coffee once Xyla managed to plop down on the couch. Xyla smiled her thanks to the woman.

Sawyer and Sean walked in and started to pull off their gear. She looked over at them and nodded. Elliot came out of the bedroom. He looked at the men and then back at her.

“Where in the hell have you been? What did he do to you?”

“Dad. Shut up. Sean and Sawyer saved my ass. That’s what he did to me.”

Elliot’s mouth snapped shut and his face turned red. Xyla had never spoken to him like that before.

“After breakfast, I walked back to our cabin to get one of the puzzles I had brought for Edward and me to do. Just as I got there, Darren ran up to me and told me that a hurt woman needed my help. I liked him and trusted him, so I followed him into the tree line. Tristan and three other guys were there. They basically kidnapped me and threatened to hurt me.” Xyla showed them the cut on her neck. “Darren cut me a little. Luckily for me, Sean and Sawyer showed up and saved me.”

“Where are they?” William asked.

Sean spoke up. “They are taken care of.”

William gave him a hard-searching look and nodded.

Macie was visibly shaken. “I can’t believe it. I thought he was such a nice man. We even talked about hanging out after we got off this blasted mountain. I can’t believe he was such a monster. I was so blind.”

Xyla patted her knee. “Monsters are great at hiding their true identity. Anyone who knew Ted Bundy thought that he could never harm anyone. He was a charming, intelligent man who fooled everyone, including the famous true crime author, Ann Rule. The world is full of people who do a great job of hiding their intentions and true identity.”

Macie shook her head. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Elliot said. “I was worried about you.”

“I know. Thank the heavens that Sean and Sawyer showed up when they did. I wouldn’t have survived the ordeal if they hadn’t.”

She studied her father’s face, hoping that he would admit that he was wrong about Sean. Then she could admit in front of everyone that she was in love with him and wanted to be with him. However, he simply nodded and stood up. Elliot patted her arm and went back into his room.

Xyla overheard Sawyer quietly say, “At least he didn’t hit you this time.”

“What do you mean by that?” she asked sharply.

Sawyer turned around, startled. “What?”

“What did you mean when you said at least he didn’t hit you this time?”

Sawyer and Sean exchanged glances. Sean frowned at Sawyer, who shrugged.

“Your father thought that I had something to do with your disappearance. When Sawyer and I came back in from our run, he punched me in the face and gave me a bloody nose.”

A flash of anger coursed through her. “I’m going to kill him.” She started walking to the bedroom.

Sean grabbed her arm. “Don’t. He was frightened because you were missing and his hatred has made him blind. I’m fine. We’re all good.”

Xyla hesitated and then nodded. She was distracted when Edward rushed up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I was so scared. I thought you were lost forever.”

She hugged her brother. “I’m okay and I’m here. Everything is great.” She yawned widely. “I think I need to take a nap.”

“Can I come with you? I’ll be quiet, I promise.”

Xyla realized that Edward was too terrified to let her out of his sight.

William realized the same thing. “The fire is burning in the library. We’ll take a couple of blankets in there and you can snooze on the couch or recliners. Edward can hang out and play his game or watch a movie.”

“That’s a great idea. Thank you.”

She hugged Sawyer and kissed his cheek. Then, she hugged Sean and held on to him for a while. Xyla didn’t know whether she felt like sobbing or laughing. She brushed a kiss across his lips.

“Thank you, both. I don’t know what I would have done. You are my knights in gray fur.”

Sean chuckled and bowed. “We do our best to serve and protect and serve, madam. However, you had a part in saving yourself. You weren’t a helpless victim or just a damsel in distress. You were strong and brave.”

Sawyer squeezed her shoulder. “He’s right. You should be very proud of yourself.”

“Maybe later, after my nap.”

“That sounds like a sound plan. I could use one of those, myself,” Sean said.

“I’m right behind you, brother.”

Dinner was a very quiet affair. Darren’s and Tristan’s absence was obvious and the reason for it seemed to hang over everyone’s head like a heavy, wet, wool blanket. The two men had helped dig people out of the cabins and helped work around the resort. How could they be so evil?

Xyla wanted to talk to Sean alone after dinner, but Edward was glued to her side. He waited outside the door when she used the restroom.

“How about some Uno? ” Sean asked Edward.

He looked at his sister. “Do you want to play?”

She nodded. “Sounds like fun. I will dominate and you all will bow down to my greatness.”

Xyla was relieved when Edward finally smiled and joked back. “Bring it, evil queen.”

Esme, Blake, Marcie, and Ellie decided to play Monopoly while Franny, Howard, Sara, William, and Ginny played trivia. Xyla was happy that everyone finally seemed to relax.

Edward won the first game and Sawyer won the second. The day’s events took their toll on Xyla. Despite her earlier nap, her eyelids were heavy and she could barely focus on the cards.

“Gentlemen, it’s been fun, but I’m exhausted. I’ve got to go to bed.”

Edward grabbed her arm. “Can I sleep in your room?”

Marcie overheard him. “I promise that Ellie and I will keep your sister safe. You need to watch over Sean and Sawyer and protect them. They had a rough day today.”

Edward looked at her for a minute and then nodded. “Okay.”

Xyla’s heart broke and she almost suggested that they sleep in the living room together, but she knew she would sleep better in her cot.

I will spend a lot more time with him from now on. I let life make me forget what’s important.

Everyone hugged each other and said goodnight.

Sean wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, “We need to talk tomorrow.”

“Yes, we do.” She kissed him and they headed for their bedrooms, although she wanted more than anything in the world to sleep in his arms.

As exhausted as she was, Xyla couldn’t fall asleep. She loved Sean so much – more than she ever thought she could love another human being. Xyla was certain that Sean loved her back.

What if he asks me to marry him or go through the mating ceremony with him? How can I say yes? How can I say no?