Free A Shift in the Air by Patricia D. Eddy

shards. “I liked that glass,” she
muttered.
    Cade’s chest heaved. “You don’t
disrespect my mate.”
    “ Mara, I owe ya an
apology.” Liam shoved his hands into his pockets and examined a
burled pattern on the hardwood floor. Caitlin’s scent lingered on
his skin, and the memory of her touch prickled the hairs on the
back of his neck. “But Caitlin’s alone. Ya didn’t know her
before—didn’t see her when she ran from me. I didn’t keep tabs on
the bloke who hurt her, but he might still be out there, searchin’
for her. She needs us. Don’t make me choose between ya.”
    “ It’s too fucking late for
this tonight.” Cade took the broom from Mara and brushed a gentle
kiss to her forehead. “Mara’s exhausted. You look like shit, and I
need to run. Go home. We’ll talk more about this in the morning.
Pack meeting at ten.”
    Thankful for the dismissal, Liam
trudged back to the pack’s house and lowered his aching body onto
his front stoop, unwilling to face the rest of his pack. He’d seen
Christine’s worried face in the hall for a split second before
she’d ducked back into her room. Getting between alpha and beta
carried risks. The last time the two clashed, Mara’s life hung in
the balance. Liam had offered to leave the pack then and had almost
lost his brother—a man he also considered his surrogate father—over
disrespecting Mara.
    One text message. Then he’d walk away.
Or…not. Shite, he needed her like he needed his next
breath.
    I’m coming
over.
    Fuck. He hadn’t intended that. She’d
run away, used her charms to escape him. He had to try one last
time. If she rejected him again, he’d give up. He dug out his keys
and headed for his bike. One way or another, he’d have his answer
tonight.
    ***
    “ Caitlin!”
    She dropped the sweater into her
suitcase with a yelp when the knock and subsequent shout sounded.
Why? Another hour and she’d have been at the bus station, headed
somewhere—anywhere but here. The alpha wolf—Bowman—wanted blood,
and he had every right to come after her given what she’d done to
Mara and the old woman.
    “ Please, luv. Let me in.
I’ll stay out here all night if I have to, but your neighbors might
get tired of me. Give me an hour. If ya want me to leave after
that, I will.”
    She snorted. Her neighbors wouldn’t
notice if her entire apartment imploded. As long as the police
stayed away and their wild parties went on uninterrupted, no one
paid her any mind. But the idea of him staying in the hall until
morning didn’t sit well either. And deep down inside, she wanted to
see him. Needed to see him. Fine.
    “ One hour,” she said,
pulling the door open and losing her ability to speak entirely.
Windblown hair framed his face, and the fresh bruise along his jaw
drew her gaze. Before she could stop herself, she reached up,
tentatively stroking the swelling, stubble rasping against her
fingers. He turned towards the touch and groaned
quietly.
    “ Caitlin. Shite. I’ve
missed ya. Every day for eleven years.”
    Tears pricked at her eyes, and she
sucked her lower lip under her teeth. If she tried to speak, she’d
ask him to stay, and she couldn’t. Not after what she’d done.
Better to run, to deal with whatever came next alone. If she
stayed, he’d end up hurt. Or worse. She didn’t know why or how, but
the burning pain she carried would consume them both.
    He wrapped her in a desperate embrace,
a hand in her hair and another at the small of her back. The tears
fell along with great, choking sobs, and he lifted her against him.
“Shh, luv. I’ve got ya.” With a gentle kick, he shut her door and
guided her over to the couch. “Let it out. Ye’re safe with
me.”
    “ N-not…s-safe…anywhere,”
she managed and pulled away. “I hurt people, Liam. You, Cade, and
Mara. The old woman in Bellingham. I compelled you tonight, hoping
you wouldn’t forgive me—knowing Cade wouldn’t. And those are just
Bella’s sins. What about