He and Quade got up, and Caden led him through the door of the restaurant into the cool night air.
“Look, I’m sorry if you’re uncomfortable. I thought you guys would get along.”
“What? No, I love hearing the stories about when you guys were younger. Your friends are incredible, and the fact that they’ve stood by you like that makes me happy.” He reached up and brushed the pad of his thumb over Caden’s cheek. “Seriously, I’m having a good time.”
Fighting back the urge to lean into the touch, Caden cleared his throat. “Okay, then what’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure.” Caden could tell Quade was scanning the area, and every so often, his nose would wrinkle as though he smelled something nasty. “I feel like we’re being watched.”
That made no sense. Who’d want to watch them?
“It’s like they’re standing at the edge of my senses, always moving so I can’t get a lock on them. My wolf is going nuts.”
“Maybe we should call it a night, then. We can go back to the house and lock the doors.”
“No, it’s fine. You go in and be with your friends. I’ll go scout around.”
Panic gripped Caden as he thought about Quade out there alone. If something was there, he sure as hell didn’t want Quade being without some kind of help.
He put a hand on Quade’s arm. “Then let me come with you.”
Quade gave him a soft smile. “I’m not even sure there’s something there. Remember, it’s been a long time since I’ve been away from Sanctuary. All this could just be my nerves at being surrounded by so many unfamiliar smells.”
Caden doubted it. He knew enough about Quade to tell when he was trying to placate him. “Bullshit.”
“Seriously, go back be with Matt and Kieran. I’ll meet you back at their house.”
“How will you find it?”
He smiled and tapped his nose. “I know your scent, so I can track you anywhere.”
A shiver went through Caden. He had no idea why that sounded so damned hot. Still, he wouldn’t let Quade go off alone.
“You’re coming back with us. Think of it this way: if you leave, there’s no one watching us. If there is something out there, do you think we could face it alone?”
Brow furrowed, Quade stepped closer. “Okay, but I think we need to leave now. I don’t like this.”
“Okay, let’s just go in and tell the guys you’re not feeling well, and then we’ll go back.”
A sharp nod was the only answer as Quade continued to stare out at nothing. They went inside, Caden leading the way.
Matt stood when they got to the table. “Everything all right?”
“Quade’s not feeling well, Apparently all the travel has upset his stomach. I’m sorry to cut this short, but—”
“Nothing to be sorry for. We’ll get a box to take the rest of this with us.” He waved at the waiter and pointed to their food. A quick dip of the chin and the waiter rushed off, only to return a moment later with a big box and their bill. Caden snatched it before either one of his friends could.
“We got this,” Matt insisted, reaching for his pocket.
“Nope.” Caden tossed a twenty on the table for the tip, then took the check to the counter, Quade close enough behind him that if Caden had stopped, he would have bumped into him.
“We have to go. Now!” Quade’s voice had an urgency he hadn’t heard before.
Caden gave the guy at the counter fifty bucks, which was more than the bill, then hurried out of the restaurant, being dragged along by Quade. “What’s wrong?” he hissed.
“Whatever it is, it’s coming closer, and it’s strong. My wolf is shredding my control, and I need to get away before he gets out.”
They piled into the car, with Matt driving. Kieran chatted away like there was nothing wrong. Caden could feel the tension rolling off Quade. He reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.
Kieran gave a smug grin. “I thought there wasn’t anything between you?”
“There’s not, but if you remember, I did hold your hair while you puked your guts out after that frat kegger.”
“I thought you said you didn’t go.” Matt seemed unhappy. “I remember you telling me you were going to stay home that night.”
“But you were out of town and… we didn’t stay long.”
“Long enough to get drunk apparently. We will be discussing the penalties for lying when we get home.”
Kieran’s gaze cut over to Caden. “Thanks a lot.”
“Don’t blame Caden for your lies. I thought I could trust you when I was out of town, but apparently that was a mistake too. I’m very disappointed in you—I hope you realize that.”
As if Matt had flipped a switch, Kieran’s entire demeanor changed. Where before he was slightly belligerent, now he was practically mewling. “I’m sorry, Sir. I shouldn’t have lied.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. You know what happens when you lie. Remind me.”
“I have to sleep on the floor. But—”
“No buts. You brought this on your own and—”
Whatever Matt was about to say was cut off as something rammed into the side of the car, slamming it against a tree, crumpling the roof. Kieran screamed, his voice loud and shrill. When the car came to rest on the passenger side, Quade was scrabbling to get out. His hands were claws, his face had elongated into a wolf’s snout, and there was murder in his eyes. He punched the door, knocking it off its hinges as it went flying, then leaped up and out of the car and landed a few feet away from it.
Matt and Kieran both stared.
“It’s not what you think,” Caden said, knowing it was futile. Quade was in his lycan form, stalking around on two legs, growling and sniffing the air. His gaze shifted to Caden from time to time, as though he needed to keep him in sight.
Kieran gasped. “Your boyfriend is a fucking werewolf.”
“He prefers lycan.”
“That’s awesome.”
It had to be the shock—that was the only explanation.
“Why are you not more freaked out about this?”
“Seriously? I read shifter romance novels. Werewolves are hotter than fuck.”
“We need to get out of the car.”
Matt pushed his door open, then pulled Kieran up and out the opening. Caden climbed out where Quade had gotten the door off. When he turned, he saw it. He had no idea what the hell it was, but it was bearing down on Quade.
“Quade!”
Leaping forward with a roar, Quade met the thing head-on. It brushed him aside as though he was nothing and stalked toward Caden.
He turned to Matt. “Get Kieran out of here.”
“No way, we’re not leaving without you.”
Quade struggled to his feet. “Go, Caden, run!” His voice was dry like a husk. He seemed a bit unsteady, but was already moving toward whatever it was. “Get out of here. Go!” Quade cried out.
Caden turned to face the thing. He had never seen anything like it. At least ten feet tall, with shaggy black hair, it reminded Caden of the pictures he’d seen of Bigfoot. It was almost on him, and he tried to do something—anything—to keep it away. As it raised a hand, Quade charged in from the side, slamming into it with a grunt. The creature barely flinched. The thing turned toward Quade as he rose to his feet.