Chapter 515

The cabin was warm and cozy. A fire crackled in the stone fireplace, and the

furniture was simple but comfortable. There was a small kitchen in one corner and a hallway that presumably led to a bedroom and bathroom.

"Make yourself at home," Isaac said, shaking the rain from his jacket. "I'll get you a towel and something dry to wear."

He disappeared down the hallway and came back with a towel and a change of clothes-a hoodie and sweatpants in his size. He then showed me to the bathroom, where I took a quick shower just to warm myself up, then dried off and put on the clothes. They were way too big on me, but better than giving myself hypothermia with my soaked ones.

"Thank you,” I said when I emerged, towel-drying my hair. Isaac was in the kitchen.

"No problem." He gestured to the couch. "Sit. I'll make us something warm to drink. You hungry at all?”

"No, thanks."

I sat on the couch and pulled out my phone. No service. Of course. I tried calling Damon anyway, but it didn't even ring. Just went straight to a message saying the call couldn't be completed.

"Do you normally have service here?" I called out.

"Usually. What, you don't have any?"

"Nope."

"Well, it's possible that the storm knocked out the cell towers. Happens sometimes out here."

"Great."

He came back with two mugs of tea and handed me one. I sniffed it while his back was turned. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, so I took a sip. It was hot and sweet, with a hint of honey.

"This is good,” I said.

"My mother's recipe." He sat down in the chair across from me. "Look, I know this isn't ideal. But the storm's not letting up anytime soon, and I saw at least three rogues on the roads earlier before I found you. It's not safe to keep going tonight."

"I need to get back to Moonshadow," I said. "It's important.”

"I'm sure it is, but you won't be any good to anyone if you get yourself killed in a car crash or a rogue attack."

I wanted to tell him that I could

handle myself just fine, but I stopped myself. He was right. Besides, I had Han three kids waiting for me in

Ashmoor. I had already put myself at enough of risk by leaving in a rush tonight. I couldn't bear the thought of having them find their mother dead in a ditch when they'd already been through so much.

"Okay," I said quietly. "I'll stay."

"Good." Isaac stood. "You can take the bedroom. I'll sleep out here on the couch."

"I can't take your bed."

"You're a guest. And a Luna. I'm not letting you sleep on the couch." He gestured toward the hallway. “It's right this way."

I let him walk ahead of me. My wolf bristled again, but I soothed her. Isaac opened the door at the end of the hall revealing a small bedroom that was just as cozy as the rest of the cabin with a twin-sized bed and a dresser. He went into the closet while I looked around, and a

moment later, he returned with more blankets and pillows.

“Here's an extra blanket,” he said, setting one of the quilts on the bed. He smiled at me, wounds wrinkling across his cheeks, and lifted the bundle in his arms. “I'll go make up the couch."

"I'll help you," I said without hesitating. I followed him back out to the living room, where we spread the sheets and blankets over the sofa. When we were finished, I stepped back. “Well, thank you for this."

Isaac nodded. "It's no trouble, really. Don't hesitate to wake me up if you need anything tonight, either. I'm a light sleeper."

"Will do. Thanks." I turned to head to my room-his room-but his voice stopped

me.

"Oh, and Natalia?"

"Yes?" I turned and looked back at him. He was smiling still.

"There's a lock on the bedroom door. On the inside. I just thought you'd want to know, so you feel safe. I know I'm a strange man and all that."

My shoulders sagged a little with relief. It meant more to me that he said that than I

could express. Instead, I simply smiled, thanked him again, and retreated.

Indeed, there was a lock on the door. Two, actually, a deadbolt and a lock on the doorknob. I slid both into place, then locked the window and drew the curtains tightly shut. One last time, tried calling Damon Grace, and even Andrei, but there

was still no service.

Eventually, exhaustion took hold of me. I fell asleep quickly, bundled up in Isaac's

warm bed.