by Amanda LeMay
All the females in my line had these strange two-toned eyes. “Actually, I have my mother’s eyes.” The pain of what my mother had done stabbed through my heart. I sucked in a breath and pushed it away. “These stupid eyes are why I ended up in this mess. And I’m not beautiful.” Not anymore.
“Those brands don’t make you ugly and if you think they do, well, you’re just gonna have to let your inner beauty shine.” Her hands took mine. “You’re not a bad person and, it’s not a crime to fall into something you can’t get out of. I know what that’s like, believe me.”
She stood, tugged her strappy five-inch white stilettos off, and walked into the bathroom. She tucked a small hand towel into the bodice of her wedding dress and washed the makeup from her face. “Maygan, can you give me a hand with this dress, please?”
“Sure. And Simone...” Maygan looked at me. “It doesn’t make you weak to ask for help. We wouldn’t think of turning you away.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m Maygan.” Her hand reached out, grasped mine, and gently squeezed.
A knock came at the door. A deep, masculine voice rumbled, “Jessy?”
“Come on in,” she called out, and the door opened.
The smell of warm male wafted into the room. Jessica’s mate was impressive in his black tux, so tall, so handsome, so young, and so in love. The way he looked at Jessica, how his dark reddish-brown eyes took one long sweep of her before they settled on her face, how his smile moved slowly, made little creases around his eyes and formed large dimples in his cheeks—that one look he gave her spoke of all the love he held for her. And the way she looked back at him, was so...intimate, I felt I should turn away, stare anywhere else in the room.
It was plain to see Jessica and Dain were deliriously happy. They deserved to be left in peace, not have their new marital bliss disrupted by an outsider who should have sought protection somewhere else. Anywhere else.
“Dain, this is Simone. She’s asked for sanctuary and I’ve agreed to be her sponsor.”
Sanctuary? Sponsor? I wasn’t sure what Jessica was talking about or why she made my request for protection sound so formal. I needed someone to believe me. To help me escape. To find justice for what had been done to me.
But...was I selfish thinking I could just pop into Jessica’s life because it was convenient for me? I was. I was doing it again. Thinking only of myself.
“Wait, Jessica—”
“Jessy.” She smiled.
“I’m sorry, Jessy,” I corrected. “I can’t do this to you. I can’t ruin your wedding day, your honeymoon. I can’t. Rule will come looking for me. He’ll find me here.” I gripped the towel tighter around my body and rose from the chair. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
“Simone, Dain and I have been mated for six months. This wedding thing is just for show and all the legal human stuff and you are not ruining it. We’ve already had a honeymoon, we just got back.” Jessy laughed. “We’re kind of doing things ass-backward here. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already agreed and you’re staying.”
I looked at her mate and waited to hear an argument or see the disagreement in his eyes, but he only smiled.
“I stand by my mate. We’ll sponsor you together.” Dain’s arms wrapped around Jessy’s waist as a confident smile curved his mouth.
My throat seemed to swell as tears pricked my eyes. I couldn’t find my voice to whisper a small thank you.
“Simone, I’m sure I can find you a room, a shower, some food, something to wear, and whatever else you might need.” Maygan slid open a closet door. She rifled quickly through the clothing hanging there and pulled a couple of items out. “Here, we’ll get you into this first.”
She held up a thick terry robe and slipped it over my arms and shoulders. I tugged at the towel and let it drop to the floor. Maygan’s dark eyes grew wide with shock and she tried to hide her little gasp. Nothing hid the last brand Rule saw fit to leave on my skin.
“They don’t hurt anymore.” I pulled the two sides of the robe together and tied the belt to hold them in place.
She sighed and shook her head. “Well, let’s get you to your room.” Maygan steered me toward the bedroom door.
I glanced back to say one more thank you, only to see that Jessy and her mate were much too involved, looking deep into each other’s eyes, to notice anyone else in the room. Before my ordeal, I would’ve been jealous. I would’ve envied Jessy finding love, a good mate, and a nice home. Now, I was happy for her. Happy for them both.
CHAPTER THREE
STANDING IN JESSY’S robe, I looked down at the clothing in my hands. The yoga pants were several inches too short and the dark blue T-shirt Maygan handed me looked much too big. Still, they were more than I had before and I was grateful to have them.
“Thank you so much, Maygan. I’m sorry to put Jessy in such a predicament.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Jessy has some wonderful friends.”
“Oh, I’m not her friend. I mean...” Maygan laughed. It was sweet and deep and honest. “I’m mated to Jessy’s dad, Kern, and Dain is my son.”
The connection between the two females clicked in my head. “So, Jessy is your step-daughter and your daughter-in-law.”
“Yeah, exactly.” Maygan’s dark eyes sparkled. “Now let’s get you to a room and I’m sorry we don’t have any new underthings for you, but Jessy and I will make sure we get you some new clothes first thing tomorrow.”
“Please, don’t go to any trouble.” I already felt like a beggar off the street.
Maygan looked up at me, her eyes full of concern. “Just because it may be convenient to dress in a robe so you won’t have to fully undress each time you need to prove your case for sanctuary, I believe you would be more comfortable in real clothing.”
“If you don’t mind lending me whatever you can spare, I’ll be happy to wear them and replace them as soon as I can.” Though where I would get money, I had no idea. And prove my case? What did that mean?
“Right now, clothing is the last thing you need to worry about.” She smiled. “I’m sure I can find something that should fit you.” She turned and walked ahead of me down the hallway.
Sanctuary? Why did everyone behave as if what I was asking for was such a formal act instead of the favor I had thought it would be?
“Maygan, what did you mean when you said, ‘prove my case for sanctuary’?”
She came to a stop and turned to face me, a serious look in her eyes. “Sanctuary is not something given for no good reason,” she said, matter-of-factly. “I really can’t remember the last time our pack granted sanctuary. It’s not something that comes up every day. Not that our Alpha refuses the requests, it’s more I think others are just not brave enough to take the step and ask for it, knowing what is involved.”
Her eyebrows went up as if I should know exactly what she was talking about. I opened my mouth to speak then closed it just as quick. I didn’t know what to ask first so I said nothing and followed as Maygan turned down another long hallway.
My brain seemed to catch up, but all I could do was stutter. “But...sanctuary...I don’t know...”
As I took my next step, a strange wave of energy flickered over my skin accompanied by the most amazing scent of smoky mesquite and leather. The energy wave wrapped around me like a thick, warm blanket. I walked blindly down the hall as my skin prickled and I breathed the comforting scent into my lungs. I heard Maygan speaking, but her words sounded far off and jumbled. My mouth watered as the smoky-leather scent coated my tongue and my overworked, too tired, muscles relaxed into mush. Time seemed to slow. I wobbled into my next step and stumbled into a wall.
However, it wasn’t really part of the house at all.
What I ran into was a wall of muscle covered in a crisp, white shirt.
I looked up and up until a pair of intense green eyes locked on to mine. I toppled to the side and reached out to catch at anything to keep from fal
ling. Strong arms caught me and brought me back up to that hard wall of flesh and bone with a slow, gentle tug.
Those sparkling eyes flashed down at me. His pupils dilated, leaving only a small, green ring surrounding them. He was tall, so tall, with short, silver hair just above his ears that blended into longer, dark brown locks on the top of his head. His short moustache was the same dark brown, with fine, silver whiskers threaded throughout, and his goatee transitioned from brown just below his bottom lip to pure silver at his chin. And his mouth...two identical peaks lifted his upper lip, making it appear full and luscious atop a plump, pouty lower lip.
A mouth made for kissing.
And where that thought came from, I didn’t know.
The scent of mesquite smoke and leather enveloped me, overwhelmed me, and I inhaled it deep into my lungs. The heavenly scent so thick, so heavy, so intoxicating, The taste of him coated my tongue and flowed down the back of my throat. I had the strangest urge to open the robe I was wearing and offer him what was left of my body.
I heard the words “yes, yes, yes,” coming from somewhere and it sounded a lot like my own voice begging for something I didn’t know I needed or wanted.
What is wrong with me?
“Dammit, Gunner, you scared me half to death!” Maygan was right next to me, talking quietly, but I barely heard a word she said as she gently dragged me from the male’s arms and pushed me down the hall toward an open door.
“Who are you?” His voice, deep and rich, floated over me like a caress while his whispered question had my feet changing course and steering me straight back to him.
“Simone, honey, are you okay?” Maygan’s question didn’t seem to register as I looked at the huge male who took up all the space in the hallway. All the space in my new world.
“Simone...my name... ”
Numb, I stumbled again. And, he caught me, again. His green eyes gazed down at me, then moved slowly over the rest of my body, and stopped as he stared down at my hands. His dark brows knit together before he looked into my eyes again.
“How long have you been running?”
Running?
How did he know?
His palms slid down my arms until my hands rested on his. His energy, warm and wonderful, traveled through my body, beginning at the point where his hands linked with mine. Compared to his, my hands were small and delicate, like a child’s hands.
And dirty. So dirty.
I yanked them back, crossed my arms, and hid my ragged fingernails in my underarms. Suddenly, heat engulfed me and blazed red-hot in my cheeks.
“Gunner, this is one of Jessy’s friends from San Francisco. She’s asked for sanctuary.”
The male’s eyes seemed to darken as his brows came down again. The warm energy he had been giving off changed into something hot and charged with anger. His smile disappeared as his hands clenched into tight fists.
“Someone has harmed you?”
“Yes. The damage is done.” Maygan sighed, put her arm around my shoulder and gave me a little hug. “It can wait. Let her shower, and eat and get some rest. We’ll bring her by tomorrow, if that’s okay with you.”
Gunner nodded slowly. His eyes never left mine. “You’re hungry.”
Hungry? Yes, but the ache in my empty stomach couldn’t match the sudden ache below my abdomen. A throbbing, tightening ache that heated the space between my legs.
“Considering how long she’s been on the run, she’s probably starving, I would think.” Maygan’s arm tightened around my shoulder. “Would you mind getting someone to fix her a plate while I get her settled in?”
“I’ll do it.” But he didn’t move, only stared into my eyes as I stared into his. “It would be my...honor.”
And then it happened. He smiled. So beautiful. So perfect. My heart stopped beating. Then it raced frantically.
“Gunner?” Maygan asked, next to me.
Gunner.
“Food?”
“Yeah. Food.” He turned and with one hand braced against the wall, he slowly walked away.
“Well, that’s interesting,” Maygan murmured before she tugged me around and led me down the hall. “C’mon, let’s get you into a hot shower and then you can eat.”
CHAPTER FOUR
I’D FOUND AN EMERY board in one of the bathroom drawers before I stepped into the shower, and quickly filed off what remained of my ragged nails. My hair was filthy and my scalp needed a good, rough massage to loosen and wash away the dust and soil that clung to me.
Not even the steamy shower mist and fragrant, herbal shampoo masked the smell of food waiting for me out in the bedroom. The aroma of smoky barbequed meat made my mouth water and my stomach ache. Starving, I was ready to devour whatever food Gunner had set on my plate.
Would they allow me to have a little more food if I asked? Was this pack as restrictive with females as Rule’s pack?
Stop it. I can’t think about that now.
Food was the least of my worries.
I leaned back into the water, rinsed the thick shampoo lather from my hair.
But if I asked Gunner...?
Stop it! Stop being ridiculous.
Irritated with myself, I twisted my hair into a tight coil and squeezed out the excess water. What was it about Gunner that made my body heat up and my heart flip upside down? Yes, he had an electric, male aura, and a thick, heavy scent I found so perfectly delicious, but it wasn’t like me to respond so quickly to a male’s touch. And that, too, was disconcerting.
And strange. And sudden. And...a little scary.
Over the last three years, I’d put a tight clamp on my personal desires. I’d paid a high price for the month of frolicking fun I’d had in my very short college career. I’d been foolish to think my mother would’ve never found out. And now, I’d spent seven straight days in a form that I had spent no more than two or three hours a month in, my entire life.
My mother would be appalled.
Not that her feelings or opinions mattered to me anymore.
She was as guilty as Rule for the brands he’d burned into my body.
Running as a wolf, I’d felt free...liberated...independent.
And nothing and no one will ever take that freedom from me again.
I shut off the water, took a towel and wrapped it around my body, and wrapped another towel around my hair. The steam-covered mirrors were a blessing. The last thing I wanted to see was what was left of me, now that I’d scraped away seven days of dirt.
With the way the music pounded through the walls like a faint heartbeat, I could tell the wedding party was still in full swing.
“Simone?”
“Jessica?”
“Yeah, it’s Jessy.”
“Jessy. Sorry.” I opened the door an inch, her amber eyes stared back at me. “It’s probably going to take a bit for me to remember.”
Jessy had changed out of her fairytale wedding dress and into an extremely short, body-hugging, lacy white party dress. I was sure her new mate...husband...would certainly appreciate the sexy way it showed off her tanned legs and shoulders. She had also washed her tear-streaked face and reapplied her make-up, adding a row of tiny, sparkling crystals along her eyelash line. She was stunning and looked as though she was heading out to an exclusive club, instead of just outside her front door to dance beneath strings of twinkling white lights.
“Jessy, I’m so sorry I’m keeping you from your wedding celebration.”
“No more apologies.” She smiled. “Feeling better?”
“Yes. A lot better. Thank you.”
I peeked around her, hoping to see Gunner. His scent permeated the room, as if he’d been there and gone. Beneath his scent, I smelled food, and lots of it.
“My dad is a doctor...a vet, veterinarian...he takes care of the pack whenever they need something. Gunner wants him to check you over, look after you, make sure you’re okay. Not injured, running a fever or anything. But only if you’re comfortable with that, of course. You don’t
have to show him your...you know,” her gaze flicked downward, “but if you think they might be infected, he’ll give you something.”
Gunner wants me looked after.
“Will you be in here with me?”
“Sure. If my being here makes you more comfortable, I’ll stay.”
Wrapped in the towel, I stepped out of the bathroom and nodded for her to let her father in.
“Dad, this is Simone. Simone this is my dad, Kern.”
Kern smiled as he looked at me, his face kind. Though not as tall as Gunner or Dain, he still towered over me, but not in a threatening way. His straight, sun-bleached golden hair hung loosely, an inch or so past his broad shoulders. Eyes the bright yellow-ochre of a sunrise were identical to Jessy’s. He had a stethoscope draped around his neck and held a blood pressure cuff in his left hand. He offered his right hand in greeting and I took it, grasping it firmly in mine.
“Sorry we have to meet under such circumstances.” His deep voice was sympathetic and when his eyes met mine, he paused and stared for several seconds before he looked away. “I’m just gonna check your vitals, okay?”
“Yes.”
He took my blood pressure and if he didn’t have to keep his eyes on his watch, I was sure he would’ve been staring into my two-toned eyes. The staring didn’t bother me. Everyone did it. My mother said my eyes were a genetic gift, though after what Rule had done and why, I considered them more of a curse.
Kern listened to my lungs, looked in my ears, down my throat, and declared me in good health.
“Thank you.” I tugged the corner of my towel free and lowered it below the brand on my right breast. “Please tell me if these healed normally.”
His golden eyes widened for a split second as he glanced down. “Would it be all right with you if I probe it...touch it—your brand?”