Creed

Where would he keep a phone? She had no idea. She wasn’t even sure who to contact. The pack called Creed if they needed help. She didn’t even have his number. The elders had to have some kind of way to get in touch with his people, unless they always went through Creed. She wasn’t sure of how that worked. Only the elders and the alpha knew.

She let him go and almost stumbled into one of his wings. They were big suckers, and she bumped her shoulder on the tip of one as she rushed to his dresser. There were only three drawers. No phone was inside them, but she did find a battery alarm clock. She turned, ru

She couldn’t find the cell phone. She opened the two drawers under the counter in the tiny kitchen. It only held utensils and a few other items he used to cook or eat.

“Damn it, where is your cell?”

She rushed into the bedroom, seeing he hadn’t changed back. He remained exactly as she’d left him. She darted into the bathroom. There was a cupboard under the sink but it just contained a few spare towels and toilet paper. She returned to his side, shooting a frantic glance around the room. There was no sign of a hamper or any shelf he could have set it on to charge.

Frustration had her considering the odds of going to the entrance of his cavern and trying to wave a towel until hopefully someone from the village spotted her up on the cliff. They wouldn’t have any way of reaching her though. Not without calling in search and rescue. No way could humans get involved. They might have helicopters and crews that could reach the ledge where she stood but then what? They’d place her in a straightjacket for seventy-two hours if she led them to Creed and told them he was a real man, not a Gargoyle statue. They couldn’t help him anyway.

She got in front of Creed and lowered to her knees. He was beautiful in any form but he took on an ethereal quality when he was all gray and that stone texture. She placed her hands on his shoulders, gripping them.

“Creed? Come back to me. Open your eyes and stop.” Her voice broke as she fought down a sob. She’d thought it was bad when he’d flown away and refused to speak to her in the past. This was much worse. “You’re scaring me. Do you hear me? Did you hurt yourself so bad that you’re in trouble? I can’t help you like this. I don’t know what to do!”

There was a small cracking noise—and she held her breath. His right shoulder slightly vibrated. She hoped that it wasn’t just wishful thinking…but then some of the dark gray of his body started to lighten. She breathed again and watched his face.

“That’s it, baby. Come back. Unshell.”

The hard mineral under her hands seemed to slightly soften. She squeezed, making certain she wasn’t imagining it. It was a relief when she knew she wasn’t. Creed moved his head a little but his eyes remained closed. The shelling of his body started to soften more, fading from gray to flesh tone. He parted his lips and sucked air deeply into his lungs. She stared at his chest as it expanded.

“That’s it, Creed. Come back to me.”

His eyes opened and they were pitch black. She was grateful to see any life in them. The color started to lighten. She felt heat under her hands on his shoulders, as he changed more into firm, supple flesh. It was a slow process but he sagged when it was over. He even withdrew his wings. The little popping sounds she heard as they folded down and withdrew into his back normally would have made her wince but it didn’t matter. None of it did. Creed was alive.

She searched his eyes. The blue was back, along with the tiny silver flecks. She leaned in closer, putting her nose so close she almost touched his. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” His voice came out too deep, harsh.

“You scared the living shit out of me.”

“You should be.”

Her mouth parted, and she felt as if he’d emotionally slapped her. Had he done this to her on purpose? She jerked back. “That was cruel, Creed.” She released his shoulders. “I thought you might have hurt yourself so bad you were dying.” She itched to punch him but fisted her hands instead and shoved them in her lap as she collapsed onto her legs to sit. “How could you do that to me?”

“How could you do this to us? Do you know what you’ve made me do?”

Her mouth hung open. “What?”

“Don’t give me that i

His thunderous voice echoed in the chamber. She gaped at him as he stood before her, looking furious. His eyes silvered out, swirling as if they were liquid metal.

“I told you to stop, Angel. Would you listen? No! You always have to push, don’t you? You are so damn human!”

“So you had to get payback by pulling that stunt? I thought you were dying! You’re such an asshole.”

He threw back his head and roared. Angel cried out from the pain it caused in her ears and covered them with her hands. Dust partials rained down from the ceiling and along the walls, where small cracks in the mountain showed. Her heart hammered as she lowered her hands.

Creed glanced around. “Fuck,” he muttered, his voice much softer. “I’m sorry. We can’t even have an argument in here. They probably heard that at the village.” He glared at her. “This is your fault. Are you happy, baby? Is this all you ever dreamed it would be? Just wait until tonight. That’s when the real hell begins.”

She stared at him. He wasn’t making sense and he was being totally irrational. “You’re still emotional and not over the ravage all the way. Take deep breaths. You need to calm down. I’m going to do the same.”

His eyes widened, and then he spun away, pacing the room.

She lowered her gaze, hating that she was admiring Creed naked. He did have a nice ass—and every other body part. She was just glad he wasn’t gray anymore and he was moving around, even if he did look as if he might wear out the carpet.

He knew every button to push to make her madder than hell, but she tried to remember he was going through the GarLycan version of heat. She could relate to being all over the place with emotions at that time of the month, from having her periods when she’d been younger, before taking a shot to prevent them. He only had to deal with it every thirty years. Men had it easier than women.

He stopped and looked at her. He appeared as if he’d gotten a handle on his anger. “This is what I’m going to do. I’ll return you to the village, and then I’ll fly to see Lord Aveoth. I’m going to take the blame. I’ll tell him I unchained you and provoked what happened between us. I won’t let you pay for this, Angel. I would never allow you to be harmed in any way. I’ll tell him you’re human, and I forced you into this situation. You aren’t strong enough to stop me, no one can refute that. You need to say the same thing if the guardian who replaces me ever questions you. Promise me that.”

She was confused over everything he’d said but the last part stuck. “You’re quitting your job?”

He hesitated. “I’m going to fall, Angel. It’s the only way to make certain they can’t use you as part of my punishment.”

“What punishment? What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t know. I understand that. You live by your emotions. It’s one of the things I’ve always found charming and irresistible about you.” His features softened. “I want you to know that I will fall with honor to protect you. I wouldn’t do it for anyone else.”