his mate in his arms. “I said, release her. Do it now or I’ll break your damn neck.” The man slowly let go, his arms opening to the side and stepping back. “She’s ours. That’s her father and it’s up to him to take her back to our Pack.” Shade looked as his mate rubbed her throat, coughing and drawing in gulps of air, before he turned back to her . . . father. Shit. What kind of parent treated their child in such a manner? “This is my land and it’s my decision who stays and who goes. I say you go and she stays. Leave now before I lose my temper and make you pay for trespassing. Which is my fucking right.” Every cell in his body thrummed with the need to lash out at these interlopers. Not just for being on his land but for their obvious mistreatment of the young woman now standing next to him. She’d shuffled closer to him the moment she was set free, so close he could feel her body shaking next to his. Her fear hadn’t abated. It still rolled off her in waves, her eyes going around the men and then back to Shade. Maybe she doubted his ability to take on five and win, but she didn’t know him. Yet. These idiots were no match for him. Besides, he wasn’t alone, and it
was then that Royce and Ash made an appearance, having circled around and coming in on either side of the group. Their Wolves snarling as they prowled back and forth, their warning clear: leave or die. Her father eyed his Betas before staring hard at his daughter. “You’ll regret this, daughter. I swear you will.” “The only thing I regret is not sticking a knife in your heart before I ran,” she snapped back at him, fire in her eyes before she spat at his feet. Her father turned his eyes to Shade. They were cold, dark, and full of hatred. “I think we’ll meet again, Alpha.” “I hope so,” Shade growled. “Leave. My patience has, as they say, left the goddamn building. Pack up your mutts and get off my land.” If it weren’t for his mate, Shade would not have left it like that. No. He wanted to fight. His Wolf wanted to rip into those that were still an obvious threat to her, but he could sense her weakness. She was barely able to stay upright, for all her grand show of defiance, he knew she was on her last legs. He had to get her home, safe, and get Lana to have a look at her. His mate needed help and he couldn’t waste time
feeding his rage for vengeance. Not now.
Shade stayed alert until they were out of sight. “Royce, follow them and ensure they don’t follow us home.” His Beta’s Wolf spun around and shadowed the men. If they didn’t do exactly as expected, then Shade would soon be alerted. Ash stayed with them, his Wolf still vigilant, his eyes and ears attentive for any threat as Shade turned his attention to the most important person in the universe; his soulmate. “Hi, I’m Shade Shawcross, Alpha of the Silver Lake Pack, and this is my land.” He held out his hand formally, nerves suddenly making an appearance which was a first for the normally suave man. “Thank you for helping, my name’s Marissa Farrar,” she said, leaning down toward the oak they were beside. “Sorry, I hid my stuff here.” She picked out a backpack, swinging it up on her shoulder. “I was going to transform and try and escape in Wolf form. Guess that didn’t go down so well.” “Guess not.” Shade smiled down into those chocolate brown eyes he’d caught a glimpse of earlier in his head. That short vision didn’t do them
justice. They were like dark pools that he was sure he could dive into, they were so . . . wait. . . they were dimming as he stared at her. Marissa’s face turned chalky white, her lips turning a pale blue, and then her legs gave way beneath her.
Shade caught her before she hit the ground, scooping her up into his arms, as he grabbed her pack. “Shit! We need to get her home, Ash. Stay close and guard us in case those cocksuckers try anything.”
Ash’s light brown Wolf nodded its massive head, a low rumble in its chest as he began to lead the way back. The journey far slower on the return and causing Shade to curse time and again as Marissa lay limply against his chest.
took. It seemed like hours as they trudged through the forest, Royce joining them part of the way back. Shade jogged, not wishing to run at full speed for fear of harming his precious cargo. He wasn’t certain what ailed Marissa but he wasn’t taking any unnecessary risks.
He couldn’t help himself glancing down at her every few moments. Taking in the beauty of her features, her small nose, full lips, heart-shaped face, but at the same time he saw the dark circles beneath her eyes and the paleness of her skin. She felt cold and clammy, her dark hair sticking to her face, her heart beating slowly. Too slowly for a Shifter, and that worried him far more than anything else. What had she been through for her body to be in such a state?
This was long-term neglect. Not a few days of going without food, but something far worse. Damn. Now he wished he’d taken the time to rip those men apart because her father would have to be complicit for his daughter to be in this condition. And the way she’d responded to him, well, that spoke fucking volumes. Shade hoped he did see her father again, because next time he would not hold back. Next time her father would feel the full force of his wrath and anyone he brought with him would suffer the same fate. Lowering his head, he inhaled, ingraining her scent deep inside him, body and soul, animal and man. Shade ensured he’d be able to find her again if ever they were separated. Never again would she be able to hide from him, whether of her own volition . . . or forced. He’d easily track her from here to the ends of the earth and nothing would stand in his way. Certainly not her father or those dogs he’d brought with him. He’d keep her safe, no matter from what or who. No matter the price, it didn’t matter. Shade would pay it, for this woman in his arms meant everything to him. “Holy shit,” Shade muttered aloud, his feet faltering as the enormity of it slammed into him. “She’s my soulmate.” Ash’s snout nudged his thigh, whining. Shade chuckled. “Yeah, I know. You told me so. But damn, Ash, this is . . . incredible. It’s, shit, I can’t describe it. It’s out of this fucking world.” Royce’s Wolf let out a soft rumble, which sounded suspiciously like laughter. “All right, Royce, no need to rub it in. Remember, I’m still Alpha, and I can give you the crappiest jobs to do if you piss me off. For now, why don’t you go ahead and get Lana to my cabin. Tell her I have a very important person that needs her help.” Shade saw Royce’s beast rush away with the knowledge that the Healer would be waiting on him and that settled him, slightly. His concern was still high though. Marissa was still out cold with no sign of her coming around. What worried him most was that her beast hadn’t attempted to take over, if it had been him, then his would have transformed him immediately to heal him. Marissa’s skin hadn’t even rippled, telling Shade her Wolf hadn’t done what most would. Was it also too weak? His mate was in bad shape, and it was down to him to ensure not only her safety, but also her wellbeing and that weighed heavily on Shade. More so than his Alpha duties to an entire Pack. He never imagined the enormity of finding a soulmate would have such a profound effect on him. He, Shade Shawcross, the toughest Alpha in the area, and he was being brought to his knees by the pain he felt for the suffering of a woman he’d only just met. Was this what it felt like to have a soulmate? Hell, it hurt. Like nothing he’d ever imagined possible and this was only the beginning. How in blazes did people survive this? How did they function with all these damn feelings running rampant through them? Shade wasn’t sure he had it in him to do this. He wasn’t used to dealing with emotions but the alternative was unthinkable, unbearable, and agonizing to even contemplate. No. He knew he couldn’t survive without Marissa by his side. Come what may Shade would have to man the hell up and deal with the baggage that was part and parcel of finding his soulmate. Emotions and feelings included. Well, damn. He’d have to hide that well. It didn’t fit with his rep he’d worked so hard to build up and he wouldn’t allow anything to take away his Alpha status, or what he’d accomplished for the Pack. Shade didn’t have a clue how he’d do that but he would work it out. He always did. When he emerged from the forest and saw his cabin, the relief that flooded through him took his breath away. His feet speeding up to a slow run to reach his home and the Healer he knew would be waiting. Shade wanted not
hing more than to hand over the woman in his arms to someone that knew what to do. His own lack of knowledge as to what ailed her stung his pride more than he cared to admit. He was Alpha and it was a rare occurrence that he wasn’t in control of a situation, but this, this was something he couldn’t fix and it was like a knife being twisted in his guts. It was a physical pain, deep inside, growing by the minute and he needed to know Marissa was going to recover and be at his side. His Wolf hadn’t stopped whining the entire journey home. Although somewhat assuaged that they’d located their mate, its agony that she was sick affected it just as much as it did the man. Shade had given up trying to talk to his beast. It just wouldn’t
listen to him anymore so he’d tried to shut it out, but it had been difficult and added to the stress building inside him. Royce waited for him at the door, dressed and looking like the cat that caught the proverbial canary. “Lana’s waiting in your room.” “Thanks.” Shade rushed through the living room and up the stairs, his long legs reaching his bedroom quickly. Lana’s eyes opening wide when she saw Marissa in his arms but she said nothing as he placed his mate on the bed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She collapsed and she’s not regained consciousness since.” Lana sat beside Marissa, her hands moving Marissa’s dark hair from her face and feeling her forehead before peeling open her eyelids to stare inside. She remained silent as she examined her from top to toe, removing Marissa’s clothing as she went. With each item that fell to the floor, Shade’s heart sped up until it was racing in his chest. Marissa’s skin was pale, with several scars that had his blood boiling and his teeth grinding. Lana glancing over at him several times as he growled in anger. “She’s in bad shape, Alpha.” Lana sat back,
turning to look up at him. “She’s underfed and it’s not recent. It’s been a long-term situation and, I don’t need to point out that she’s been abused. There’s scarring here that’s not been allowed to heal. If she were permitted to transform, then her Wolf would repair any damage so there wouldn’t be any scars. That’s not what happened, but I don’t need to explain that to you.” “No, you don’t.” Shade snapped, fury growing inside him like an inferno. “What’s wrong with her and can you help?” “I think she just reached the end of her endurance, Shade. Quite simply, she couldn’t take anymore. She needs rest, food, and plenty of TLC. She . . .” “Her name is Marissa and she’s my soulmate.” Shade’s eyes bored into Lana’s, conveying the importance of the woman on his bed. “I see.” Lana nodded. “Well, Marissa needs to be taken care of, Alpha. She will heal but I can’t be sure if it will be days or weeks. I can set up a drip, for now, until she regains consciousness. After that she needs plenty of good nutrition and lots of patience and love. She’s going to be scared, Shade. If her body is any indication of the life she’s led, then she’s not
had a happy one. You need to be . . . kind.”
Shade’s eyes lingered on Marissa, his mate lay before him and even though she was skinny as hell, with scars and skin so pale it was almost translucent, she was the most perfect and beautiful being he’d ever seen. “I’ll take care of her myself. With your help, Lana. We need to ensure her recovery. She means . . . everything.”
Lana rose, her hand patting his crossed arm. “I know, Shade. I know. I’m sure we can sort her out. It might just take some time. I don’t think she’s going to trust easily but the mating bond will surely help with that. Now, why don’t you go and organize plenty of supplies for her while I give her a wash and set up the drip?”
“Supplies?” Shade asked.
“Yes,” Lana said, smiling. “I doubt you have items that she’s going to need. Female things like shampoo, conditioner, clothes, underwear, all the things she’s going to want and need to make her stay more comfortable when she wakes. Or, do you want me to do that?”
Shade frowned. “No, I’ll do it. But I’m not sure on sizes.”
Lana cocked her head to the side as she looked down at Marissa again. “I’d go with the smallest you can get. She’s pretty tiny, well, for now anyway. Until we can get some meat on her bones.” “Okay, I’ll deal with that now and then I’ll be back.” Shade reached down, running a hand down Marissa’s cheek before leaving quickly. Everything inside of him screaming to stay but knowing he had to provide for his mate pushing him to go. Ash and Royce anxiously waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. “How is she?” Ash asked as soon as he saw Shade. “Still out cold. Lana is putting in a drip for now. I’m going to get some supplies for her. Royce, stay here and guard her. Ash, get at least three more around the cabin. I want ‘round the clock duty until I say different. I’ll be back shortly.” Shade didn’t wait for a response, rushing away to get what he required. He wanted to return as quickly as possible, every second he was away from Marissa seemed an eternity and his stomach clenched with anxiety that he wasn’t by her side. He sped through the camp, arriving at their stores warehouse and going inside to bark out a long list of items. The two Shifters on duty moving like lightning to accommodate his rare appearance. Shade rarely went to the store in person. He’d ask for what he wanted and it would appear in his home. The perks of being Alpha. So, for him to arrive was a novelty, and had the workers rushing around to get what he wanted, even though he could see their surprise as everything was obviously for a female. He gave them credit though, not once did they make a query on anything he requested. Even when he’d asked the She-Wolf on duty about the fancy item she had in her long hair to hold it up, she didn’t bat an eye, merely told him what it was. He’d nodded and asked if they had them, and she’d said yes, and ran to get him a selection. With Marissa’s long dark locks, Shade thought she might want something like that. If not he could throw them in the bin, no loss. Soon he was on his way home, arms laden with packages galore and the ache in his belly eased with each step that brought him nearer to his mate. Shade noticed the extra guards in place, easing his concern for Marissa’s safety. Ash and Royce sitting on his porch steps drinking beer when he arrived. “A hand would be good.” Shade interrupted their relaxation. “You have two already,” Royce quipped back, before he rose to help. “Jeez, Shade, what’s all this?” “For Marissa, she needs stuff. Lana sent me to get her some things.” Ash grabbed a few precariously balanced packages. “Looks like you cleaned out the store.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” Shade snapped. “I got the basics, that’s all.” “Hells fire, if this is the basics I wouldn’t like to see you going overboard.” Royce laughed, following him inside. “Just put those on the table and I’ll get them later.” Shade moved to the stairs but Ash stopped him. “Alpha, can we talk? You’re obviously going to be otherwise engaged for a while so we need to discuss running the camp.” “Ash, you and Royce are more than capable of taking care of things for a couple of days.” Shade looked over his shoulder. “If I’m still otherwise engaged then, you can come by and we can talk again. For now, please, just leave me in peace. I’ve a lot to process and none of it is going to be easy for me. You two, of all people, should know that. I just need a couple of days to get my head around all of this and then I’ll be fine. For now, I need to get back to her and make sure she’s okay.” “Sure,” Ash said quietly. “We’ll take care of things but I need to know if it’s all right to let the Pack know about . . . you know?” “Lana knows and I doubt she’ll be able to keep it to herself. I guess it would be better coming from you two, as Betas. Just explain Marissa’s been hurt and that’s why I’m not announcing this myself. I’ll introduce my mate to the Pack just as soon as she’s fit enough, and not a moment sooner.” “I’ll get right on that,” Ash replied formally. “Everyone will be excited but they’ll also understand, Alpha. I’ll make sure I’m here to field the well-wishers that are sure to arrive.” “Thanks.” Shade inclined his head. “Royce, are you all right to take over the full running of The Den for the foreseeable future? I’m not sure when I’ll be able to return. I’ll have my hands full with Marissa for a while, according to Lana anyway.” “I’ll be fine, Shade, don’t worry about it.
” “Great, thanks to both of you, for everything. I know I’ve been a pain in the ass but I appreciate your help. To be honest, I’m still in shock about this, but I know she’s mine. There’s no doubt about it, she’s my soulmate and I have to devote my time to ensuring she recovers, and then I guess we’ll see what happens next.” “Pups, lots and lots of pups.” Royce guffawed. “You’ll be knee-deep in them.” “Shut it!” Shade snarled half-heartedly before turning his back on his friends and loping up the stairs, desperate to return to Marissa.
to her as if she were awake, telling his mate about Silver Lake Pack and, more importantly, that she was safe. Lana turned when he walked in, her eyes twinkling when she saw the large number of packages he carried. “Did you leave anything in the stores?” “Yes, of course.” Shade strode to his walk-in wardrobe, depositing Marissa’s supplies on the large dresser in the middle, before returning to the bedroom. “How is she?” he asked, looking down at Marissa, now covered by his comforter. “She’s stable. I’ve attached a drip to keep her going for now. It’ll keep her hydrated and it’s got my special something added to it that should help her. I’ve washed her and as I didn’t have anything to dress her in, I hope you don’t mind, but I put her in one of your t-shirts.” “That’s fine,” Shade replied quietly, sitting on the end of the bed, taking one of Marissa’s hands in his gently. “Alpha, do you want me to unpack her things for you?” “Yeah, if you don’t mind. There’s plenty of room in there, on the right,” Shade said absentmindedly, his thoughts focused on the prone body in his bed. Marissa’s pale face and dark circles gave her an ethereal appearance, her beauty unsurpassed in Shade’s eyes. He’d never seen anything as stunning in his entire life and he longed to see her lids open so he could stare into those dark pools of chocolate. Shade couldn’t wait to connect with his mate, as a Wolf should have very soon after first meeting. Unfortunately, they didn’t get that opportunity, what with her father and his band of merry men there, and then she’d collapsed. Hell, his beast was desperate to meet hers, hunt together, run wild together, and have her submit to his while he marked her as his. Damn, that was what he craved right this minute. Shade could almost feel his fangs piercing her delicate skin, taste her blood as it swam over his taste buds to flow down his throat, and his cock as it . . . no. Don’t go there. Not now. “Fuck!” Shade shook his head, clearing it of the thoughts that clouded his mind. “Are you okay?” Lana’s question causing him to jerk around. He’d forgotten she was still there. “What? Yeah, I’m concerned about Marissa and I’m still getting used to having found her.” “I can understand that.” Lana smiled. “I now know why the discs of the Archives were suddenly so important.” Shade refused to look at her, not wishing to lie, but also not confirming anything either. “I’m glad you found her, Alpha. If I may add something. I think she’s been running on empty for some time, but when you found her she must have sensed she was safe, even if she didn’t have time to recognize what you were to her. She knew inside she could let go and that’s why she finally collapsed. She instinctually knew that you’d protect her, Shade.” Shade tilted his head, looking between his Healer and his mate. “You think?”
Shade: A Wolf's Hunger Alpha Shifter Romance Page 5