Desperate for Her Wolves

by West, Tara

  “What happened to him?” Tor bellowed to a beady-eyed man who’d disembarked from the van.

  “He disobeyed orders,” the man said coolly, looking far too confident for a human with four heavily armed soldiers at his back.

  Tor’s eyes shone with rage. “You abused our son?”

  “Just a few shocks.” The man shrugged. “He will recover. You Tor?” he asked cockily, and it took all of Hakon’s willpower not to shift and pop his bald head from his shoulders.

  Tor’s face hardened. “I am.”

  “Special Agent Richter.” The man held out a hand. “I am the new liaison to the wolf people.”

  Tor scowled at the agent’s hand, defiantly crossing his arms. “We are called Amaroki.”

  The agent dropped his act and matched Tor’s expression. “I know what you’re called.”

  “What happened to the lone wolf?”

  “She got away, thanks to Luc’s warning.” Richter glanced at Luc. “That wristband stays on him. I will know if you take it off.”

  Skoll stepped forward, his chest rapidly rising and falling, his eyes shifting from brown to gold. “Luc has served his country honorably, and yet you treat him like a criminal?”

  Agent Richter took one look at Skoll’s eyes and nearly tripped over the soldier behind him as he lurched back. He quickly righted his posture, shaking out his arms. “He abetted a brutal killer.”

  Tor arched a brow. “You speak of the lone wolf.”

  “I do.” Richter raised his chin, giving Tor a challenging look. Hakon wasn’t fooled. He saw the tremors in the human’s hands, and he could smell his fear.

  I want to rip him to shreds, brother. Drasko’s angry words seared Hakon’s mind.

  Me, too, Hakon answered, but once we cross that line, we bring war to our tribe.

  Hakon cleared his throat. “She killed that man in self-defense.”

  Richter narrowed his eyes. “How do you know this?”

  Hakon shouldn’t have been offended that this human doubted his honor, but it was just one more reason why he wanted to smash his skull in.

  “It came to me in a vision,” Hakon answered, refusing to divulge that Amara had seen it through their son. He would leave his mate and child out of this, for if Richter went after them, there would certainly be a war.

  “A vision, huh?” Richter chuckled. “You should lay off the peyote, wolfboy.”

  “Perhaps you didn’t hear my father say we are called Amaroki,” Hakon said through clenched teeth. This human had a death wish, and Hakon wished he could honor it. He bared his teeth at the agent.

  It wasn’t until Richter held up a hand and his soldiers raised their weapons that Hakon realized how loud he’d been growling.

  Tor placed a restraining hand on Hakon’s shoulder. “Easy, son.”

  “You need to do a better job of keeping your wolves in check,” Richter hissed before hurrying toward the van.

  Hakon could tell by the man’s jerky movements as he dove into the front seat that he was scared shitless, and scared humans were the most dangerous kind.

  AFTER AN INTERMINABLE wait, Amara heard the front door open.

  “Amara, we need you,” Hakon called to her.

  Not needing to be told twice, she hurried up the stairs. She would’ve taken them two at a time if she hadn’t suddenly become dizzy and breathless. Damn pregnancy.

  Her heart slammed against her ribcage when she saw Drasko at the foot of the stairs, holding a bruised and battered Luc.

  “Oh, Luc!” she cried, running a hand over his black and blue forehead. “Put him on our bed,” she said. She followed her mates upstairs, cursing her three-story house when she reached the landing tired and out of breath.

  Tears streamed down her face as she sat beside Luc, taking his cold and clammy hand in hers. She scowled at the leather bracelet with metal clasps encircling his wrist, reminding her of a dog collar. At the tip of one spike were tiny amethysts, which prevented his wolf from escaping. Closing her eyes, she sensed a great chasm in his soul that engulfed his physical pain. She smoothed her hands up and down his arms for what felt like hours, healing every cut and bruise until there was nothing left but that aching in his heart. She sensed exactly what had caused it. He’d tried and failed to keep the lone wolf safe.

  Hakon helped Luc sit up and they wordlessly fed him soup and hot tea. She ate, too, famished and exhausted after using so much magic. Though her mates tried to get Luc to talk, he refused to speak, turning from them and burying his face under the blankets. She crawled in beside her tracker and rested her head on the pillow beside him, holding him while he shook and sniffled.

  “Luc, brother, what can we do?” Hakon asked.

  When Luc refused to answer, she turned to Hakon, sensing what Luc needed. “Could you leave us alone for a while?”

  “Of course.” Hakon ushered his brothers out of the room.

  Luc’s mother and sister were by the door, wringing their hands and peering into the room.

  “How is he?” Mihaela asked.

  She didn’t hear Hakon’s muffled answer because he shut the door behind him. After the sound of retreating footsteps faded, she lay beside him once more, stroking his back.

  He turned to her, eyes glassy. I’m not a soldier anymore.

  She felt sorrow at the hopelessness in his eyes. This is only temporary, Luc. Once I heal Johnson, Richter won’t be in charge.

  How will you heal him? The reservation is on lockdown.

  Hakon said he’d find a way to get me off. And Amara believed him. He had to get her to Johnson. Their whole tribe was depending on it.

  I can’t help. He looked at the amethyst bracelet chaining him to his mortal body. I have to wear this damn thing.

  She forced a smile, refusing to accept defeat. We’ll figure something out. At least she sure as hell hoped so.

  THE FARTHER TAKAANI descended into the cavern, the stronger the musty, moldy smell became. Mako followed her, sniffing and making small noises. He wanted to turn around, but she couldn’t risk being spotted by the men hunting her.

  She froze at a soft mewling sound; There was a litter up ahead. Why hadn’t she smelled them? She pointed her snout in the air, picking up on a subtle but unrecognizable scent. The mother of the cubs had gone to great lengths to mask the smell of her young. That musty odor was probably from grass and moss she’d used to make her nest.

  She turned, indicating for Mako to turn back when an eerie howl filled the cramped chamber. A flash of fangs was Takaani’s only warning before the creature flew at them like a bolt of lightning and latched onto Mako’s leg. Her dog let out a howl of pain and spun in a circle, trying to shake off the beast.

  Debris and rocks pelted her when she lunged for the creature, ripping it off Mako and sending it careening through the tunnel. The animal landed with a thud and then launched at her, lips pulled back, claws extended. Though Takaani had never met one in the flesh, instinct told her what it was—a wolverine.

  She leaped aside and bit it hard, snapping its neck. The wolverine went limp in her mouth, and the reality of what she’d done cleaved her heart in two. She’d killed a mama defending her young. Now the cubs would starve to death or be eaten by predators. Her jaw went slack, and the wolverine tumbled to the ground. She turned her attention to the cubs, whose cries grew louder. Mako limped toward the mouth of the tunnel. She cast one last furtive glance at where the crying cubs were hidden, but there was nothing she could do for them. She couldn’t replicate their mother’s milk, and Mako needed her. She followed, alarmed at the blood pouring from the gash in his leg. Damn, his injury was more severe than she realized. Forget hiding. Mako needed help.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Skunk pulled into the dirt drive to Roy’s rental cabin, one of many in the small park outside Anchorage. Why Roy had chosen to live so far out of town was beyond him, though it was dirt cheap. But Roy made enough money that he could afford a decent apartment.

  “Roy? Where are yo
u, buddy?” Slamming the truck door, he glanced over his shoulder at Moose and Henry. “Moose wants her money,” he called to Roy.

  No one answered, but Roy’s truck was here, so he couldn’t be far away. Skunk walked up the steps to the tiny porch, and an odd sensation prickled the hairs on the back of his neck. There was a spray of holes in the door and window. Had someone shot up Roy’s place?

  Rubbing his beard, he said, “What happened here?”

  Moose pushed past him, slamming into the door repeatedly until the lock broke, and it busted open.

  “Holy fuck!” she cried, rubbing her shoulder. “His place is trashed!”

  Skunk stepped over broken dishes and scattered papers and noticed bullet holes in the walls and TV, but no sign of Roy. “Somebody shot it up.”

  Moose stomped a foot. “I ain’t never gonna see my money.”

  Henry hung back, nervously pacing. “I think we should go before whoever did this comes back.”

  “Chickenshit,” Moose muttered, stomping down the stairs.

  Skunk looked through a pile of clothes and empty tins, surprised when he found a wad of money under the mattress. Whoever trashed this place had to have seen it, so why had they left it? Moose and Henry were outside. He surreptitiously tucked the wad in his pocket. That money should’ve gone to Moose but considering all the beer, pot, and pizza she’d bummed off him over the years, he figured he was collecting his dues. She gave him blowjobs whenever he asked, but she didn’t suck dick nearly as good as Lacy. Not a thousand dollars good.

  “Look over here,” Moose called.

  Skunk untucked his shirt so it concealed the bulge in his pocket and then went back outside. “What is it?”

  Sucking on a lollipop, Moose pointed at the ground. “Those are some giant-ass paw prints.”

  He eyed them; they were bigger than any animal he’d ever seen. “Bear?”

  She shook her head. “They look wolf, only bigger.”

  Skunk rubbed his beard, wondering if Moose was talking out her ass, but she had grown up in a hunting family, something she bragged about. He had to take her at her word. “Who do you think did this?”

  She scratched her scalp. “I don’t know.”

  “Guys, I really think we should go.” Henry backed away from the prints, his eyes shifting from left to right. His hands shook.

  Skunk marched over to him until they were toe to toe. “You know something.”

  “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He backed Henry up against Roy’s truck. Picking the man up by the collar, he slammed his bony frame into the door with a sickening crunch. “You know something!” he hollered, spittle flying. “Now speak.”

  “Please don’t hit me!” Henry shook like a leaf in a windstorm. “I promised I wouldn’t tell. They will kill me, Skunk,” he pleaded. “Please don’t make me tell.”

  Skunk pulled back his fist and slammed it into Roy’s truck so hard, he left a dent in the door. “The next fist will be aimed at your nose if you don’t talk.”

  AMARA WOKE FROM A FITFUL nap and looked over at Luc, who was blinking at her. “How are you feeling?” she asked, running her fingers down the stubble on his jaw. “Better?”

  “A little.” He covered a yawn. “You?”

  “Just groggy.” She rubbed her eyes, then leaned into him, relishing his warmth. “I’ve missed you.”

  “And I’ve missed you.”

  He feathered a soft kiss across her lips, just enough to make her want more.

  “Guess what?” she asked, rubbing her cheek across his rough face.

  “You’re pregnant.”

  She scooted closer to him, so close that her nipples perked up as they rubbed against his chest. “How did you know?”

  “You have the glow.” He ran his fingers through her hair, and her eyelids fluttered.

  How she’d missed him touching her.

  “Would it be wrong if I made love to you?” he murmured.

  She wrapped her arms around him, dragging her foot up his leg. “It would be wrong if you didn’t.”

  His lips crashed down on hers. She sighed into his mouth, welcoming the invasion of his tongue and his hands sliding up under her shirt, unclasping her bra.

  They made quick work of each other’s clothes, alternating between kissing and nipping each other. She explored his taut, lean body, committing every muscle to memory as if her life depended on it.

  “Oh, Luc,” she said. “Please hurry. I want you so much.”

  He dragged his teeth down her neck and grazed her shoulder before rolling her onto her back. He bit her shoulder, then released her, swirling his tongue across the tender area. He lavished kisses across her collarbone and breasts, stopping to tenderly suck one breast, then the other, before gently latching onto a nipple, stretching it between his teeth.

  The sensation was so painfully exquisite, she cried out his name, then panted when he trailed kisses down her belly and then buried his face in her mound, lapping up her juices before fucking her with long, deep strokes of his tongue. She clenched his hair by the roots, coming hard and fast, her muscles contracting around him while he drank in her essence. She nearly flew off the bed when he drove a finger into her anus, swirling, swirling, until she came undone again, this orgasm more powerful than the first.

  She lowered her hips to the bed, as boneless as a gutted fish. He climbed up the length of her and buried his shaft in her. Her eyes flew open as he filled her tight sheath, tunneling into her while whispering sweet words of love into her ear. I’ve found heaven in your arms, she projected, holding on tight while he picked up speed, banging against her electrified bundle of nerves.

  You are my heaven, Amara.

  He fucked her harder, faster, until she melted into him, surrendering to the pleasure that consumed her. As she was swept away by another euphoric climax, he called her name and stilled, his head throbbing as he spilled his seed inside her. He rested his forehead against hers, shaken by spasms. Then he rolled over, taking her with him, kissing and stroking her while he was still buried inside her.

  She rode her lover hard, their bodies slapping together as she pumped up and down on his slippery shaft. They climaxed together again, this one so intense, it robbed her of breath.

  Spent, she fell into his arms, cooing, relishing the delicious little aftershocks while he stroked her back.

  After a long and satisfactory snuggle, she sighed when Luc slid out. He went to the bathroom and returned with a towel, cleaning them both before diving under the covers and holding her close.

  AFTER A SUFFICIENT amount of kissing and spooning, she reluctantly moved away from her handsome tracker. “I suppose we should go downstairs,” she said. “Hrod will be hungry by now.”

  She kissed Luc one last time and sat up.

  “Wait.” He latched onto her wrist. “We need to talk.”

  “Oh.” She laid back down beside him, caressing the wolf tattoo on his forearm. “What’s wrong?”

  He settled a hand on her abdomen, which was still flat though a little soft from Hrod stretching it. “I don’t want you risking your life, trying to get to Johnson.”

  She heaved a groan. “All our lives will be at risk if I can’t bring Johnson back.” If only she’d gone to him when she first saw him coughing, but she’d been in a hurry to get Hakon home.

  Luc leaned on his elbow, looking at her with shadows framing his eyes. “You don’t know the cruelties this Richter is capable of.”

  Amara sat up, wrapping her arms around his neck and nuzzling his nose. “What did he do to you?”

  “He electrocuted and beat me,” he said hoarsely, “but that’s not the worst of it. He didn’t want me to help the lone wolf. He wants her dead.”

  “Why?”

  “He thinks she’s a vicious killer, and there’s no convincing him otherwise. He calls me derogatory names like wolfboy. He hates us, Amara. I don’t think he’ll be happy until our entire race is wiped out.”

 
Rage pulsed through her veins and made her ears ring. “That son of a bitch,” she hissed. A burst of energy shot out of her palms. She fell back against the headboard, and that’s when the entire house rattled and shook.

  “Earthquake!” Luc hollered, sweeping her off the bed and shoving her underneath a side table. He pressed her into the wall, shielding her as a lamp fell off the table and shattered beside them.

  She screamed when a portrait of infant Hrod fell off the wall, the frame cracking and shards of glass scattering across the hardwood. She looked down at her palms, which were red, as if they’d been sunburned. Was she causing this? She closed her hands, imagining she was pulling energy back, like reeling in fishing line, and the earthquake stopped. Her hands were their normal color again.

  “Stay here,” Luc murmured, holding her. “An aftershock is sure to follow.”

  Not if she’d caused the tremors. She took several steadying breaths while summoning the nerve to stand. She had to check on the others, especially Hrod.

  Hakon burst into the room as a big, furry protector. “Amara, Luc.” His deep tenor rattled the walls. “Are you okay?”

  Luc stood, pulling Amara up with him. “Yes. What about the others?”

  “We’re fine. We took cover.”

  “Hrod, too?” she asked, her throat constricting with fear for her child.

  “Rone shielded him,” Hakon answered.

  “Thank the Ancients,” she breathed, slumping against Luc. She was so glad everyone was okay. She would’ve never forgiven herself if she’d killed anyone, for she knew without a doubt that earthquake had come from her hands. But how?

  “That was a big one,” Hakon said as he lifted her off the floor and carried her to the bed. Glass crunched under his big feet.

  “I’d say.” Luc said, hopping over the glass and crawling onto the bed before putting on his clothes.

  She dug her clothes out from under the blankets and wordlessly dressed, trying to process what had happened. She’d caused a fucking earthquake!