Chapter 235 Chapter 235
“Agitated?” Evanna smirked, “I don’t know if I’m that, but I was just thinking about things. Leah said Jesse told her that we’re his mate.” She snorted and then shook her head, “I don’t even know how that would work? How would that work?”
Shaelan smiled, one of those soft understanding ones. “I have learned one thing about mates.”
Evanna nodded her head slowly, giving her complete focus. “What is that?”
“That when it comes to one’s mate, it works out.” She smiled again, “I’ve spoken to a lot of elders in the past few months, and they have so many stories of mates finding one another and overcoming insurmountable obstacles to be together.” She clasped her hands in front of her, “I don’t think fate would give you a mate that wasn’t up to the challenges you face.”
Evanna looked over to see Jesse standing talking to a few men. “He’s pretty good, he can even talk to Leah without sending her into a panic,” she shrugged, “except that one time, but he’s been doing really good since then.” She motioned to her clothes, “he’s had Leah in stores, that’s a first.”
“I think he’ll figure it out, you’ll figure it out together.” Shaelan smiled again, “now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going for a run with my mate.”
“Thanks, Shaelan.” And she meant it, she decided as she walked away to go over to that tall dark-haired man, Calum. He was a serious man, and she got vibes of danger from him, but not at her, so that made a difference.
Thera came flying over to her and looked at the couple walking hand in hand toward the trees at the back. “Shaelan, Thera wants to come for a run.”
Calum and Shaelan stopped, “she’s welcome.” Calum called back.
“Be good,” Evanna warned the leopard. Thera looked at her for a moment more and then took off after them. She watched her for a moment and then turned back to look at Jesse. She knew that the light-haired one was Blair, but she didn’t know the other two. One had curly red hair and a smile on his face. She shrugged; happy people were nice to be around. Aunt Tillie for the most part was always a happy person. The other one was tall, not as muscular as the rest and he had something haunting his soul. A phrase Aunt Tillie used to use. He had short, brown hair that looked like it hadn’t been brushed, with what she could only describe as golden streaks in it. He was not smiling and even his posture said he was in no way relaxed. She understood that all too well. That was how she felt a lot of her life, tense, waiting for the next thing to go wrong. He crossed his arms over his chest and stood there listening to the other three. He wasn’t a leader, so far, he hadn’t said a word. She frowned, there was something that seemed familiar about him, which was impossible. Unless—
Evanna started toward them. She didn’t get three feet before Jesse turned and looked at her. Later, she’d wonder how he’d known when she was heading over there. He cocked his head to the side like he knew she was on a mission, and she was, she needed to know why that man seemed familiar.
When she was almost to them, the man turned and looked at her. She stopped and stood there. His eyes, the look he was giving her—she’d seen those eyes before, that expression.
“Leah?”
She shook her head. Jesse came over and stood close to her. “Evanna.”
The man nodded his head slowly, “Evanna.” The heavy expression on his face lightened, “I’m so glad you got home.”
“You’re Noah.”
He nodded, a hesitant look on his face.
“Jesse said you were rescued too.” She looked him up and down, he seemed whole—on the outside, “you weren’t there by choice?” She frowned, trying to piece together things that she remembered, things she didn’t want to remember. “It was you.” It had been Leah and all of it was a blur, but the pieces… “You’re the one that unlocked the door and let Leah go.”
Noah nodded, the pained expression still in his eyes. “I couldn’t get your mother and sister to go with you.” He took a step, then stopped, “not with your sister’s condition.”
Evanna looked from him to Jesse, then back to him. “Her condition?” There was something wrong with Leah’s sister? She tried to picture her, the memories had faded, she couldn’t picture her clearly. She stared at him, not really seeing him.
Jesse and the other man both turned to Noah.
Evanna’s heart started racing, she rubbed her hand across her forehead. A faded image of Ashtyn formed in her mind. They both had the same dark hair and eyes, Leah’s sister was taller, more exotic looking. She could see her smile, but the smile faded. Taking a step back, she tried to focus. She could feel Minn stir and shook her head, trying to will the cat to stay calm so she could see, really see.
“Evanna?” Jesse was right in front of her now. “It’s okay, you’re safe.”
She looked with a blurred vision at his pale eyes. “It’s not okay.” Her voice didn’t sound like her own. Her throat started to ache. “Minn.” She whispered, not sure if it was to the cat or to Jesse.
“Take deep breaths, try to slow your heartbeat.” He was leaning down in her face.
“Ashtyn,” she blinked, trying to focus. “There was—” The pains in her stomach started, it was always like this when she fought Minn. Shaking her head, she backed away from him, she didn’t want to hurt him by mistake. “I’m sorry.” She turned and ran for the trailer. She didn’t get far before the pains were so bad, that she couldn’t move any further. “Leah, help me.” She groaned, the slight movement to get her boots off was almost too much to bear.
“Here.” Jesse was behind her now, he dropped down and pulled her other boot off. “Just keep breathing, change, but control it.”
“Can’t.” she hissed out a breath and tried to pull the shirt over her head.
“Jesse?” She heard Blair but couldn’t see him.
“Watch the drive, so she doesn’t go that way,” Jesse said in a hurried voice.
She could feel hands on her waist now, the pressure of the material around her hips was eased as he undid her jeans and slid them down her legs. “Can’t…” she moaned, and it sounded more like a growl.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
She could hear him but was unable to concentrate to see him.
“Minn, stop hurting her and let her shift.” He growled out low.
Evanna could see again and realized as she moved fast it was through feline eyes. The trees flew by, she felt like a passenger, unable to reach Minn enough to take control of the cat’s form.