Creed

“Okay.”

“You are my brave Angel.”

“You’re mine too, so forget all about that fall thing. Swear to me on your honor. No falling.”

“I swear.” No hesitation. “Let’s go.”

He didn’t wait, just scooped her into his arms. She clung to him as he strode toward the exit. She glanced one last time at his home. They’d never be back. She fought the anguish that thought caused.

He spread his wings once they were outside.

“Our parting must be formal. It’s what they will expect if anyone is watching for us. Tell them the backpack is yours if they ask. They didn’t see me pick you up. I made certain you weren’t followed. That’s why I was already in the woods. I wanted to make sure you got there safely.”

“I understand.”

He paused and looked down at her. “I will think of you every second.”

He does love me. He just didn’t have the words.

He bent his knees and leapt. The falling sensation made her feel a little queasy, but then they were soaring over the river. She loved the feel of the wind against her body and being held by Creed. She turned her head and quickly placed a kiss on his cheek.

“I’m going to miss you so much. I love you.”

He turned his head, the silver in his eyes flaring. “You’re my Angel. Now be my brave one. The elders are gathered.”

She turned her head, spotting the village. He was right. There was a small group near the shoreline. She swallowed hard.

“Ice cold. Got it. Did I mention how amazing you are in bed?”

He actually missed a beat with his wings and they fell a few feet before he recovered. “Now you’re being a naughty Angel.”

“Wait until we’re together again. I’m going to have ten years to think up everything I plan to do to you. There’s going to be a lot of sex.”

He growled. “Stop. I can’t arrive with a hard-on.”

She smiled. “Okay. You’re shit in bed then, and I’ll have to train you. It will be torture having to fuck you until you get it right.”

His lips twisted for a split second, almost a smile. “I’m going to miss you too.”

The wind helped dry the tears that sprang into her eyes. She rapidly blinked them back. “Here we go. Put on your Gargoyle face, baby.”

“You too. You’re my mate. Never let them see your pain.”

She masked her features. She could do it. He flew over the elders and dropped to the ground in front of her parents’ house. He was slow to lower her. She was slower to release his neck. He backed up until she had no choice.

She had to clear her throat. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

They stared at each other, and then he bowed his head, turning away. He strode toward the elders. The door to the cabin behind her opened and she forced herself to stop watching Creed.

Her mother looked worried. “Are you okay? I told everyone you were fine, that Creed wouldn’t hurt you, but the elders and Alpha Picoz thought he’d murdered you.”

“I’m in one piece.” Hold it together. She walked up the porch steps and gripped her mom’s arm. “Let’s go inside. I feel watched.”

“You are. Everyone was abuzz when the elders came here this morning at nine to see your condition. They were worried, since this time it was a human who’d volunteered.”

Her father waited inside. He sniffed at her and growled. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m great,” she lied.

“Where did you get the backpack?” Her mother eyed it. “It smells of outside but not of you.”

“It was outside.” Creed seemed to keep half his stuff hidden on the mountain outside of his home. She tried to think up a lie. “I brought it with me last time and I forgot it in the woods. I remembered it last night, when I was going to meet with Creed, so I grabbed it. You know how I love to go read. It’s just some books. I’d stashed it between some of those rocks I love to sit on, to keep it dry when it rained, and forgot about it.”

Her mother motioned to her father. He seemed grateful to flee into the family room. Her mom studied her face too intently. “Are you really okay?”

“I am.” Some of her emotions bled through. “You know how I feel about Creed. We expected it to be tough on me that this was only a one-night thing. He’s amazing.” None of that was a lie.

“The sex?”

“Just like you said it would be and so much more.”

Her mother smiled. “I’m glad you had that. You might want to shower. I know your nose isn’t as sensitive but even Lycan girls wash off a man’s scent afterward, before they come home. You smell like Creed—and everything you did. Go on. I bet you’re hungry. I’ll make food.”

Not quite everything we did. “I’m not hungry but thanks. I’m going to go to my room and clean up.” She fled down the hallway.

She hadn’t taken the time to unpack much so it was easy to shove her things back into the pack she’d brought. She left out a pair of jeans and a sweater, after do

There were pack rules, and fine lines she wouldn’t have her parents cross. This was their home, the people who they lived with every day. She wouldn’t put them in a difficult position.

She shoved the straps for both pack over one shoulder, the good one that wasn’t bandaged, and grabbed the keys for the rental off the dresser. One deep breath later and she followed the sound of her parents’ voices into the kitchen.

“Why do you have your bags?” Her mother scowled.

“My boss left a message for me. He’s going to fire me if I don’t get back by morning. I’m so sorry. I have go.”

“I didn’t hear it ring.” Her mother sighed. “You’re ru

She hated to lie to the two people who had raised her but she had to. They would have to tell Alpha Picoz if she admitted she was Creed’s mate. It would get her parents into hot water if they hid that knowledge, even for the hour it would take her to be far from their territory.

“It didn’t ring. I can get emails on my phone. I told you he wasn’t happy when I took the sick days, but now half the staff has come down with the flu. Humans get sick so easy. I can’t lose my job.” She walked over to her father and hugged him. “I love you, Dad.” He embraced her back and planted a kiss on the top of her head. She turned to her mother next. “I’m so sorry to leave like this. I love you, Mom.”

Her mom growled, showing her irritation. “You could have at least showered.”

“I will when I get home.”

“You smell like sex,” her mother whispered. “It could draw males to you.”

“I’m flying with a bunch of humans. They won’t know.” She faked a smile. “I don’t plan on getting real close to them anyway if the flu is going around. I don’t want to catch it. Love you. I’ll call you when I’m home safe.”

They hugged once more and Angel fled. There was no sign of Creed, her alpha or the elders when she shoved her things onto the passenger-side floor and started the engine.

Her gaze lifted to the sky. Were scouts from his clan about to show up when it grew dark? She put on her belt and backed up. It was tough to drive slow until she reached the main road.

It was key that she get far away so Creed didn’t feel the need to play hero by offering to give up his life for hers. Her hands fisted on the wheel in a death grip until she left the village. She floored it then. Her gaze kept sweeping the sky. It wasn’t like GarLycans often flew in broad daylight, but her pack’s territory was remote enough that they might risk it.