Twisted by Gena Showalter Read Free Book Online Page A

“You will wake up this time, too.” Please.
    Unable to bear the thought of separation, she remained where she was until Riley returned a half hour later. He was without his shirt and wearing new pants that weren’t yet fastened. He’d dressed hastily, his other clothes ruined during his shift to wolf, she was sure.
    Wolves tended to wear clothing that ripped easily. Because, when they shifted, they were stuck wearing whatever didn’t fall off. And wearing human underwearwhile in wolf form was something they preferred to avoid.
    He carried a small wicker basket filled with medicine, the pill bottles rattling together. Victoria hopped to her feet, and he placed the basket where she’d sat.
    â€œSorry I took so long.”
    â€œThomas give you any trouble?”
    â€œNope. I didn’t even catch a glimpse of him. But then, unlike Aden, I’ve never been able to see or hear the dead. The delay had to do with the pills. I didn’t know which ones to give our boy and didn’t want him to have a reaction to the wrong combination, so I just grabbed the bottles with his name on them, stopped in my room, and Googled.”
    What he didn’t say: Mary Ann was the Google queen, and she was the one who’d taught him how to use the search engine. Although, calling it an engine always confused Victoria. There were no workable parts that she could see.
    â€œSo, what happened at the ranch?” she asked.
    â€œHere. See for yourself.” He extended his free hand, and she twined their fingers. They’d been together so long, they’d developed a very strong mental connection and were able to “share” their experiences.
    As if a television screen were switched on inside hermind with a view straight from Riley’s eyes, she saw Dan, an ex-football star, tall, blond and rugged, standing in the kitchen of the ranch. His wife, petite, pretty Meg, bustled around him, tossing ingredients into a pot.
    â€œâ€”really worried,” Meg was saying.
    â€œMe, too. But Aden’s not the first to run away. He won’t be the last.” While the words were accepting, the tone was not.
    â€œHe’s the first to surprise you with his actions, though.”
    â€œYeah. He’s just such a great kid. All heart.”
    Meg’s smile was soft. “And not knowing why he left kills you. I know, baby.”
    â€œI hope he’s okay. Maybe if I’d given him more one-on-one time, he wouldn’t have—”
    â€œNo. Don’t you dare do that to yourself. We can’t control the actions of others. All we can do is support them, and pray we make a difference.”
    The conversation faded as Riley stealthily maneuvered from the main house and into the bunkhouse behind it. Aden’s friends were there. Seth, Ryder and Shannon lounged on the couch, watching TV. Terry, RJ and Brian were in front of the computer, playing games. Relaxing activities, but there was an undeniable tension radiating from each boy.
    They must feel the loss of Aden, too.
    I have to fix this, Victoria thought.
    Shannon stood, a chalky cast to his mocha skin, his gaze sweeping the room—and clashing with Riley’s.
    In the present, Riley released her hand, the images flickering, disappearing, and she was once again inside her bedroom.
    â€œShannon saw you,” she said.
    â€œYeah, but he didn’t do anything and I was able to get what we needed without incident.” Riley dug inside the basket, setting aside what he wanted and discarding what he didn’t. “There wasn’t a whole lot of information, just enough to tell me he needs the antipsychotics. This, this, and this.” As he spoke, he placed the desired pills in her palm.
    She studied them. One was yellow and round, one blue and oblong, and one white and scored in the center. These tiny things were supposed to help him when she could not?
    â€œFetch a glass of water from my bathroom,” she