Chapter 12

**Jake’s Promise**

I ought to have declined.

My whole being cried out for me to turn around, get the boys, and flee as far away from Jake Hunter as I could. How far, though, could I truly go? I wasn't foolish enough to think I could outrun Dominic indefinitely, and he was coming. I had noticed the resolve in his icy, calculating gaze. He would track us down.

Against my better judgment, I allowed Jake to take us to his cabin, a secret stronghold tucked away in the woods, out of sight.

It was exactly how I had remembered. The howling wind through the woods, whispering secrets only the wild could decipher, and the overpowering smell of pine. It had once been a haven. My heart had the audacity to trust in eternity there. It was now the only thing separating us from the nightmare that was pursuing us.

Jake pushed the front door open and moved aside so that the boys and I could go in first. The room was poorly lighted, with the oak floors covered in lengthy, flickering shadows from a fireplace. Like the guy who possessed it, the furniture was rough and unadorned. There had been no change.

aside from us.

Jake's voice was gruff and inscrutable when he replied, "You can stay here until it's safe."

I glared at him doubtfully while crossing my arms. "Jake, when will that be? When will Dominic stop pursuing us? You are aware that won't occur.

His mouth tightened. "I'll see to it that he doesn't discover you."

I laughed without humor. “And what? Will you fight him? You have no idea what you're up against, Jake.

"You don't either." Even though he spoke softly, there was a fire in his eyes that had never been there before. However, I will not allow him to take you. or them.

I took a look at my sons. Caleb sat calmly on the couch, his little hands curled around the cup of hot cocoa Jake had given him. He was excessively trusting. Ethan, however, was observing Jake with the same suspicion that I did. You're a smart boy. He was aware that lowering his guard was not a good idea.

I murmured, my voice lower now, "We can't stay here forever."

Jake said, "You won't have to." "Just long enough so I can look after Dominic."

I gave a headshake. "You're not getting it. He’s not simply a man, Jake. He is unique. Something more detrimental.

After examining me for a while, Jake declared, "I know exactly what he is."

My stomach turned over. "What?"

Jake let out a deep exhale and ran a hand through his hair. "Emma, I returned for a reason. a reason I discovered you at this very moment. He paused, lowering his eyes to the ground before returning them to mine. "There are others who have a claim to you besides Dominic."

There was silence in the room.

My veins grew icy with dread. "What are you saying?"

Jake lowered his voice and stepped closer. "I had no choice but to leave. Because I would have lost control if I had stayed. And you—you would have witnessed my true nature.

My heart was racing. "Jake."

The blue in his eyes darkened and flickered to something darker and strange.

"You believe that the only monster in the world is Dominic?" Jake muttered. "You're not correct."

The room's air became dense and tense. Like it was trapped in an invisible tempest, the fire in the hearth flickered furiously. The shadows twisted and stretched. My breath caught in my throat as I stepped back.

"No," I muttered. "No, it isn't feasible."

But I knew in my heart. I knew all along. In his movements, Jake was always stronger, faster, and more attuned to the night than a typical man should be.

He was more than a man.

I stutteringly said, "You're one of them."

Jake winced, but his gaze remained the same. "I am not Dominic. I am different from the others. I moved aside as he reached for me.

"I would never harm you, Emma. Never.

Ethan stood up and stepped forward to face me. Defensive. He sensed the change in the atmosphere and the threat looming over us, even though he had no idea what was going on.

"Mom?" The tension was broken by Caleb's tiny voice. "Is this place safe for us?"

I started to speak, but I had nothing to say.

Jake lowered himself to eye level with Caleb and turned to face him. "No one will ever hurt you while I'm here," he assured you in a firm voice.

As though that were sufficient, Caleb nodded. As though he had the same faith in Jake as I had.

I wasn't certain I could repeat that error.

The windows rattled in the howling wind outside. A sharp, purposeful knock sounded abruptly throughout the cabin.

Before the sound had fully registered, Jake was already on the go. With every muscle in his body clenched with the threat of violence, he snatched the gun from the wall.

I took hold of Caleb and Ethan and held them tight.

With a steely voice, Jake commanded, "Stay back."

There was another knock.

Measured and slow.

Then came a voice, a voice that chilled my blood.

Dominic called, "Emma," from beyond the door. "Love, come out. Time to return home.

Jake's eyes flashed as he faced me. "Remain here. Do not open this door, regardless

of what you hear.

Then he disappeared, going out into the darkness to confront the demon.