by Brenda Trim
Leaves rustled nearby, and he whispered, “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
On light feet, he sprinted in the direction of the noise. Up ahead, he saw movement, and a figure darted behind a large tree.
“Ryan?” he muttered.
No reply.
“Ryan!” he shouted louder.
Nothing.
He crept closer and spotted the sleeve of a jacket peeking out from behind a tree. Lawson wasn’t sure if it was Ryan’s jacket, so he moved a little closer, cursing himself for not grabbing the tranquilizer gun from the Jeep. Lawson didn’t think he needed it at the time, but now he wished he had it. What if it wasn’t his brother? His wolf growled a warning in his head, and Lawson prepared to shift.
As soon as he rounded the small group of trees, Lawson saw the owner of the jacket.
It was his brother, alright, but he didn’t look like Ryan.
The creature before him looked more like Jeremiah than his brother. The same contorted face with fur, elongated snout, and sharp teeth jutting from its jaws.
Ravin. His brother had become a demented creature straight out of a nightmare.
Lawson couldn’t help but recall his own episode before leaving the hotel. He was on the cusp of becoming the same monster, and if that happened, he would hurt, or possibly kill Liv. It was imperative that Lawson have Liv treat him soon, but more importantly, Ryan needed help now.
As Lawson met the Ravin’s gaze, he felt his brother’s presence. It wasn’t too late. Ryan was still in there. They could save him before too much damage was done.
“Hey, bro. We’ve been looking for you. Come back home so we can help you,” Lawson muttered and reached for his brother.
“Get away,” the creature spat. Its voice was gruff and barely audible.
“No,” Lawson countered. “I won’t abandon you. Liv can fix this. We just need to get you to her lab,” he explained.
“Leave!” Ryan shouted then took off into the woods.
Lawson followed, but the Ravin was too quick. He remembered chasing Jeremiah on the four-wheeler. Ravins were faster than shifters, and Lawson contemplated shifting to wolf form.
When the Ravin increased its speed, Lawson was left with no choice. Thank fuck he brought extra clothes, he thought as he shifted, and felt his clothes rip and fall to the ground.
As his wolf took control, Lawson’s senses sharpened, and his speed surged. It didn’t take long before he was on the heels of the creature. Lawson howled, hoping the Ravin would turn around. When that didn’t happen, his wolf lunged and pounced on its back.
The Ravin stumbled and fell to the hard ground. They rolled several times before slamming into a tree. When the creature tried to get away, Lawson’s wolf bit down on its shoulder.
The Ravin roared in pain and Lawson’s wolf bit harder, wanting blood. His wolf didn’t differentiate between Ravin and Ryan. It didn’t care. Lawson knew his animal wouldn’t let go until the creature was dead. His heart thundered in his chest, and he panicked. He couldn’t kill his brother. His sisters would bury him alive, and his parent’s deaths would have been in vain. The whole reason his mom gave Liv the container filled with his father’s blood was so Liv could help others.
Lawson forced his wolf to recede then shifted again. He wrapped his arms around the Ravin’s torso, caging it in his arms. It took all his strength to maintain a hold on the feral beast.
“Don’t do this, bro. It’s me, Lawson, and I love you. Let me help,” he gritted as he struggled to hold onto the Ravin.
He felt the Ravin relax slightly and Lawson eased off on his tight grip. Maybe he was getting through to him. “Ryan, I know you’re scared shitless, but I promise we can help you. Liv’s cure works,” he panted as he tried to catch his breath. The Ravin was strong as fuck, and he didn’t know how much longer he could hold him.
When the Ravin sighed, Lawson let go, carefully watching the creature’s next move. At first, it just stood there, staring at him. This close, Lawson could see every detail on its face. The dense flesh on his face and snout. Long hair covered what he could see of his hands and neck. But the brown eyes staring back at him were all Ryan.
“It’s okay. I’m here now. Try shifting into your wolf. That might help you gain control again,” Lawson encouraged as he thought back to his episode at the hotel.
Releasing his wolf saved Lawson when he feared he would lose the internal battle for dominance against the foreign entity in his mind and body.
And then Ryan’s familiar brown eyes filled with rage.
And the Ravin attacked.
Lawson didn’t see it coming and wasn’t prepared. The Ravin knocked him to the ground and, in the next blink, he felt sharp canines bury deep in his upper arm. Pain assailed, and Lawson cried out as he pounded his fist against the Ravins’ head.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared overhead, and a large branch came into view right before it smacked the Ravin’s skull. The creature was knocked to the side, and Lawson looked up to see Liv standing over him like a mama bear protecting her young.
“Ryan, we’re here to help you, but I’ll be damned if I allow you to hurt Lawson,” she shouted.
Lawson watched in awe, and couldn’t think of a time when he’d seen such bravery. She was a vulnerable human, yet prepared to fight a vicious creature on his behalf. She continued to amaze him. Yet that didn’t stop the fear that raced through his veins like wildfire. Liv was in danger standing this close. Her only experience with a Ravin was Jeremiah, and he luckily regained some control after his treatments. Ryan, on the other hand, was a wild animal that would tear her apart.
The Ravin eyed her closely then growled. Liv took a step towards the beast and swung the branch. Lawson jumped to his feet and stepped in front of Liv, guarding her.
“We’re not your enemy, we just want to help,” Lawson blurted and held out his hands in surrender, making sure to keep his body between Ryan and Liv.
“Ryan?” came a voice, and Lawson turned to see Cassie standing behind him and Liv. He noticed she was carrying his boots and was relieved they weren’t destroyed when he shifted.
Cassie’s eyes bulged as she perused the creature standing in front of her. “Is that you?” she asked with a shaky voice.
“Leave me alone!” shouted the Ravin before he turned and fled, vanishing into the woods.
Liv dropped the branch and grabbed Lawson, turning him to face her. Her eyes landed on his injured arm, and she cried out, “Oh, my, God! Are you okay?”
Lawson looked at his arm. It wasn’t a deep wound and would heal in a day. “I’m fine. And, since when did you become such a badass? And, so reckless?” he teased and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Don’t ever do anything like that again. He could’ve killed you.”
“Hey, nobody messes with my man,” she declared and claimed his lips.
Their mouths crashed together, and the kiss quickly turned fervent. Lawson’s hands roamed Liv’s backside, and he tugged her against his straining erection. This female ramped him up from zero to a million in an instant. Damn, he wanted her. Right here, right now.
“Um, hello! Still here, you two,” Cassie interjected.
Liv broke the kiss and murmured, “TBC, Outlaw,” then removed her coat and wrapped it around his waist, covering his nude body.
“Damn, I thought he was about to play hide the foot-long right in front of me. And, what the fuck was that thing? Please don’t tell me that was Ryan,” Cassie exclaimed as her arms flailed wildly.
“I know it looks bad, but don’t freak out,” Liv replied and walked over and put her arm around Cassie’s shoulder. “Jeremiah is improving every day, and I believe in my heart we can help Ryan, too. We just have to catch him, right?” she said and looked to Lawson.
“Yeah. I needed the tranquilizer, but it’s in the Jeep. Let me change clothes then I’ll drop you off at the Packard’s cabin,” he informed them.
“Are you not coming with us?” Liv inquired, and he noted the concerned
look on her face. “Your wound needs to be cleaned and dressed,” she added, looking at his arm.
“It will be fine. I’m going to look for Ryan again. It’ll be dark soon, and I’m hoping he remains in the area. I promise I won’t be long. You can play nursemaid when I get back,” he said with a wink as he took his shoes from Cassie then trekked to the Jeep.
Lawson’s thoughts were all over the place. One, his brother was farther gone than he expected. Two, he wasn’t sure what that meant for him. Would he deteriorate as quickly as Ryan? Three, he wasn’t comfortable with Liv and Cassie tagging along now that he’d been the target of Ryan’s temper. He didn’t trust his brother not to hurt the females, and he was more than happy to drop them off at the cabin where they would be safe.
When they reached the Jeep, Liv’s cell phone was ringing. She glanced at the screen and muttered, “It’s Staci. I better get it.”
She climbed inside the Jeep, and Lawson grabbed his duffle bag. “I’ll change out here,” he said to Cassie as she joined Liv in the cab of the vehicle.
“Don’t get all shy now, foot-long. I saw every glorious inch earlier when you––” Cassie spouted, but he slammed the car door before she could finish.
He didn’t have the patience to deal with her right now. In fact, he hoped there was an open liquor store nearby because he needed a drink. This day had gone from bad to worse. Way fucking worse.
Chapter Seven
Lawson climbed in the Jeep as Liv was saying goodbye to Staci. “Everything okay at the lab? It wasn’t about Jerry, was it?” he asked as he buckled up and threw it into drive. The Jeep skidded along the gravel when he floored the accelerator.
“Yeah, everything is great, actually. Staci managed to get Jax’s address, and Jeremiah continues to get better each day,” Liv replied.
“Who’s Jax again?” he asked. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place it.
“Jeremiah’s brother. I’m thinking about contacting him to see if he wants to visit his brother. Maybe Jeremiah will be well enough, and they can both attend our Christmas celebration,” she offered and gave him a knowing look. That was when they planned to share his life force. Lawson wanted that more than anything, but he needed to find Ryan first.
“Might be less awkward for them if they’re with a group,” she continued as they drove toward the Packard cabin. Lawson hadn’t been there in years and hoped he remembered how to get there.
“Or, it could make it worse. Don’t get your hopes up, Babe. This might explode in your face. But, I’m definitely looking forward to our party,” Lawson murmured with a smile.
Liv grinned at his last comment. “Well, I’m going with this will be the best reunion ever,” she declared.
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he replied. Blood was thick, but wounds ran deep when it came to family feuds. And, Lawson was well-aware of the kind of destruction a Ravin could leave behind.
“I know, but I have to try. Anyway, that’s not the best part. Staci said our latest test with the shifter blood, and cancer cells was encouraging,” Liv rambled, and he could hear the enthusiasm in her tone. She had worked so hard with little return on her investment, so it was nice to see her make some headway.
“That’s fantastic. What did you do different?” he asked, suddenly feeling inadequate about his scientific knowledge.
“We incorporated polyphenol extracts, believe it or not. There has been such hype regarding these superfruits and their health benefits that I thought, why not try a combination of that and the shifter blood from a shared life force. Oh, by the way, the Andersons stopped by the lab and donated more blood. They have been a godsend. Don’t let me forget to do something special for them,” she sputtered at a million miles per hour.
She was in overdrive, and Lawson knew there was no stopping her now. She would probably be up until the early morning hours going through Staci’s latest reports.
Lawson spotted a small convenience store that looked open and pulled into the lot. “I’ll fill up the Jeep then run in and see what they have for food. Need anything?” he asked Liv.
“Grab some beer or wine, if they have it,” Cassie muttered, making him glance in the rearview mirror at the brown-haired female.
It had been a rough day for Cassie, too. Between her anxiety over finding Ryan then seeing him in Ravin form, she looked like she needed a drink worse than he did.
“Got it. Anything else?”
“Ooo, see if they have anything sweet. I’ve got a craving,” Liv said, and Lawson cut his eyes her way.
“I’ve got a craving for something sweet, too,” he replied and reached over, sliding his hand between her thighs. Her eyes flared with his touch, and she blushed to the roots.
“I was thinking more along the lines of ice cream or maybe pie,” she countered, but he didn’t remove his hand.
His finger grazed the apex of her thighs, and Liv’s tongue darted out slightly, licking her lower lip. Despite her words, she was aroused by his touch.
“Me, too. Pie sounds delicious,” he teased with a wink.
“Pahleeeease, would you two get a room? My ears can’t take this abuse,” Cassie interjected, once again destroying their moment.
“You’re spoiling all my fun, Cass,” Lawson declared as he exited the Jeep.
Fifteen minutes later, he walked out of the store, arms loaded with six bags of any and everything. You’d think they were going to be at the cabin for a week with all the shit he bought, but he couldn’t concentrate on anything but Liv’s sexy body, so he kept tossing items in his basket. He unloaded the grocery bags into the back of the Jeep and hopped into the driver side.
Several miles down the road, he spotted the Packard mailbox and turned onto the dirt path leading to their cabin. The sun dipped below the skyline and darkness followed. He forgot how quickly daylight disappeared in this area after the sunset. His shifter eyesight kicked into gear, much like turning on the bright lights of a vehicle, and his surroundings became clear again.
“Oh, it’s so cute,” exclaimed Liv as the cabin came into view.
“I don’t care about cute. All I want is a hot shower and a cold drink,” Cassie muttered.
Lawson pulled beside the small structure and parked. Each of them grabbed their bag of clothes and a few shopping bags then he led them to the front porch. From what he could see, the place was kept in good condition. The log cabin itself was low-maintenance, but it was obvious someone was taking care of the grounds.
He used the key Henry gave him and opened the front door. He reached to the wall inside and fumbled until he felt the switch. Soft light brightened the room, and Lawson scanned the interior.
Dark green sofas and a brown Lazyboy took up most of the front area. A large fireplace separated the kitchen and dining area from the living room. Off to the side, a hallway led to three bedrooms, if he remembered correctly.
“Brrr,” Liv announced as she huddled in her coat.
“I’ll start a fire in just a sec,” he replied as he made his way to the kitchen while Liv and Cassie explored the rest of the cabin.
Lawson opened the refrigerator and put away the items that would spoil if left on the counter. He scanned the room, surprised how clean everything was, given Annette said they hadn’t been there in a while. Other than a little dust, the place was immaculate.
He exited the back door and walked the short distance to the storage shed. Again, he was impressed with how clean it was. He wondered who was keeping an eye on the place for the Packards. Grabbing as many logs as he could carry, Lawson walked back to the house and made a mental note to ask Henry who their caretaker was. Perhaps if he could find a reliable person, he and Liv could buy a place nearby. A getaway, of sorts.
Placing the wood by the fireplace, he proceeded to build a fire. Minutes later, the pop and crackle of burning logs filled the room. Wouldn’t take long before the place was nice and toasty for his cold-natured female.
Lawson walked back to th
e kitchen and opened several drawers, looking for a bottle opener. Liv and Cassie entered the kitchen just as he popped the cork. “Wine?” he asked, holding up the bottle of Merlot.
“Yes,” they replied simultaneously, and he searched the cabinets until he found the stemware. He poured two glasses and handed them to the females.
“Aren’t you having any?” Liv asked.
“No. I’m going to go back to Deerhead and look for Ryan. You two make yourselves comfortable,” he explained as he grabbed Liv and tugged her to his chest.
“Well, I’m taking my wine…and these,” Cassie quipped as she grabbed a bag of Doritos, “I’ll be soaking in the tub if anyone needs me.”
He watched Cassie disappear down the hall then took the glass of wine out of Liv’s hand and set it on the counter. “I thought we’d never be alone,” he muttered and cradled her face in his palms. His body was ramped to overdrive after the run-in with the Ravin, and he needed his female.
“I know. I almost jumped you in the Jeep when you put your hand between my legs,” she muttered softly then wrapped her arms around his neck.
His mouth came down hard and fast on her luscious lips. She tasted of wine and sunshine, and Lawson was immediately intoxicated. He devoured her mouth, plunging inside to taste and explore.
Liv lifted one leg and hooked it around his waist. Lawson reached between their bodies and rubbed her sex like it was a magic lantern, granting him his wildest fantasy. She moaned in his mouth and writhed against his hand as he massaged her.
“I hope Cassie takes long baths,” Lawson husked and picked Liv up, placing her on the kitchen countertop.
He took a step back to appreciate the female before him. Liv reached up and tugged the band that secured her long red hair. It fell in loose waves down her back as she looked at him with raw need.
“I thought you had to go,” she purred as she slipped off her coat and tossed it to the floor.
“I do, but I’ve been going crazy ever since we left the hotel. We didn’t finish,” he declared as he removed her boots then tugged her jeans from her body.