Travis sighed. “Please, let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain. I’m no one you need to clarify anything to.” It hurt to say it, but it was the truth. She was nothing to him.
She relaxed, and her eyes lost their hard glitter. “Look, I get it. It’s fine. I would like to go now.”
Travis eyed her, probably determining her stance on running, but finally released her hand, motioning towards his car.
Without another word, Vanessa walked over to the vehicle, and before she could open the door, he had it ajar and was waiting. She didn’t say anything as she slid in and waited for him to as well. He walked around the front of the car and sat in the driver’s seat, but that’s where he stalled. He stared straight ahead, his hands on the wheel.
The silence lengthened until the tension was thick.
“Look, I–” Vanessa began.
“I’m not used to caring,” he cut in quietly.
She froze, the words she had been about to say lodged in her throat.
“When you told me you had seen that prick’s brother, I almost lost it,” he continued, his words soft as he glared out into the night. His knuckles whitened on the wheel. “I picked up a few traces of some rebels around the restaurant, but not enough to get a handle on.”
He turned to face her, emotions at war in his eyes.
“I know you are still planning to leave once Ava’s old enough. I was hoping for a romantic evening ending with you giving me a chance to prove that we belong together, that the three of us belong together,” he quickly amended. “That you don’t have to go.”
Her heart seemed to stop.
He sighed and stared out into the night again, almost as if he couldn’t face her. “Have I ruined that chance?”
Her stomach rolled at what he was asking her. Shock held her quiet until she saw the misery on his face.
“I…” She couldn’t speak and didn’t know what to think. She had never contemplated someone wanting her, accepting her daughter. She had reconciled with the thought of leaving soon, of finding a place to raise her child by herself, and now here he was offering her so much more.
“Please, Vanessa,” he said. “I want the chance. I don’t have that right, but I want it anyways. What does she say?”
He was talking about her wolf, and up to now, they hadn’t ever discussed that part of her. The tired animal had been sleeping in the far corners of her mind, exhausted, for a long time. She had just now started to recover.
Vanessa tried to speak past the lump in her throat, hating herself for snapping at him before. She had to think about what was best for everyone. Especially her daughter, who seemed to light up whenever she saw him.
“Y-you know I’m mated,” she said sadly, the lump growing in her throat and the tears barely holding on. The fact that she was bonded to someone not meant for them was another depressive state for her wolf, another reason for her lack of willingness to live and get all-encompassing sleep. “It’s hard to miss. I…I smell like him.”
She shook her head, a tear escaping as she thought of the mate she had refused to think about.
A caress on her cheek forced her to look up, meeting Travis’s soft eyes. The night surrounded them, his face cast in shadows as they stared at each other.
“It was forced, Vanessa. There’s a way to break his hold.”
Her eyes widened. “There is?” she whispered, almost afraid to hope.
He nodded, a turbulence of emotions in his eyes. “If you give yourself to someone else of your own free will, taking him as a mate, the bond to the rape is severed.” He paused looking deep into Vanessa’s eyes. “My wolf wants you, and so do I.”
Travis took her hand and squeezed gently before releasing her and starting the car. “Just think about it. It’s not something you have to decide now.”
He wasn't demanding. He was leaving it up to her. Shock held her silent as they pulled out into the street and headed back to the house.
Mind spinning, she didn’t know what to think and was glad he didn’t see the need to talk. She hadn’t thought about the possibility of breaking the mate bond. Her best hope had been to disappear, but now…
It started to rain, large raindrops hitting the windshield as a streak of lightning flashed across the sky. Vanessa glanced behind her and saw a pair of headlights top the hill behind them.
Sighing, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, her mind flashing back to what Travis had told her. Could they make it work? Could she give her daughter a stable home? Or was that hoping for too much? She didn’t know, and the fear of making a wrong choice wouldn’t leave her, not when her daughter could be hurt in the process. She already had too much against her in that regard.
As an afterthought, her gaze shifted to the mirror again, to the bright lights coming up fast behind them. She frowned. “Um, Travis?”
“I see them.”
It was said with such calmness that Vanessa froze and her heart dropped as her gaze shot over to him and the intensity of his stare. His eyes briefly met hers before returning to the wet stretch of empty road, and she finally realized how fast they were going.
Oh, shit.
She looked behind them again, and the vehicle seemed to be right on their bumper. In fact, they hit in the next second, and her seatbelt kept her from flying into the windshield.
“Call Patrick. Tell him that we’re on Route 24. Now.”
Vanessa grabbed his cell phone from the console and dialed the number. After he had answered, she explained the situation and got off the phone, her voice shaking as she waited for the next impact. They were flying down the road, and she knew curves could be more dangerous than what was behind them.
“He’s on his way.”
Another pair of headlights seemingly came out of the dark from in front of them. Travis cursed, and his knuckles tightened on the wheel even more. She had a bad feeling about this.
Oh, God, no.
“Travis,” she whispered, horror threatening to choke her as she watched them get closer and closer; two beams of lights headed straight for them.
“Hold on,” he ordered.
With no other warning than that, they left the highway and seemed to fly through the air, suspended for a few seconds before landing hard on the ground. Vanessa’s head snapped back, and she heard a loud crunch that echoed in her ears before pain radiated up her spine. Travis was losing control, and the car threatened to roll from the two wheels they were on.
She held on to the side door, blood filling her mouth from where she had bitten her tongue, and she prayed. Four tires finally made contact with the ground as they raced across the desert.
She turned, flinching as her neck pinched. Two pairs of headlights appeared behind them, speeding to catch up. In their car, it wouldn’t take long.
Something exploded in the night over the sound of the engines, and Vanessa realized it was gunshots. They were being fired on.
I just want my daughter.
She turned back and started to lower her head when she saw six pairs of new headlights coming their way in the distance.
“Oh fuck.” She didn’t think prayers would help at this point.
“Don’t worry. That’s the pack.”
The two vehicles behind them abruptly veered off and raced back the way they had come, probably having realized what was going on. Three SUVs passed them causing their other three attackers to turn around and make their way back to the highway.
Thankful for the amazing shocks on the car—which were probably shot by now—they bumped us back up onto the road as we headed back to the ranch.
Vanessa didn’t think she could speak as it was, so she jumped out of the car before it even came to a stop, and Travis didn’t bother stopping her, probably sensing that she needed her daughter. She ran up the steps of the porch and inside without a pause. The stairs were next, where she met Samantha at the top, concern on her face.
“Is everything alright?”
; She shook her head and worked on controlling the emotions that seeped out of her.
“Is Ava okay?” Vanessa’s breathing ragged, Samantha nodded quickly and led her towards the nursery. “Of course. She’s asleep right now.”
Vanessa looked in on the sleeping child, and her breathing slowed as she realized that her daughter was safe.
She closed the door, resting her head on the wood. Closing her eyes, her heart pounded as she thought of what could have happened.
She’s safe. My baby is safe.
Chapter 20
Vanessa was too wired to sleep. The house quiet, she opened her daughter’s door for the third time and peeked in, the moonlight streaming through the closed curtains. Unable to resist, she walked over to the crib, her steps muffled by the carpet, and watched her little girl’s chest rise and fall. The sound of her child’s breathing relaxed her. No matter how hard she tried, slumber continued to evade her, especially after that night.
She’s fine. I need to relax. We’re secure here! It was a mantra she had to convince herself to believe, but after so long, it was hard to.
Sighing, she left the room and closed the door. Hesitating at her own chamber, she looked down the hallway and, mind made up, headed downstairs to make herself a cup of tea. Anything to help her relax. She felt as if she had been tossing and turning for most of the night, and sure enough, when she had looked at the clock by her bed the red digits read three-o-three.
She walked into the kitchen and set about making that tea, trying to be as quiet as possible, but that was hard in a house full of wolves and their sensitive hearing.
So engrossed in her thoughts for once, she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her until he spoke.
“You couldn’t fall asleep either?”
She squeaked and whirled, her hand flying to her heart where it threatened to burst from her chest. Thankfully, she hadn’t had a cup in her hand, or it would have gone soaring as well.
She stared up at Travis’s concerned eyes.
“Sorry,” he said when he realized he’d scared her.
Vanessa nodded and went back to making her drink. Travis leaned back against the counter and folded his arms across his chest. Silent, he watched her, his eyes entranced as the familiar motions of the act calmed her racing heart. The hush that engulfed the room started to get to her until she finally looked over at him, hot tea in hand. He took her arm as she tried to walk past him, and scalding hot liquid hit her flesh. She flinched, immediately putting the cup on the counter.
“Damn it,” she muttered.
Travis grabbed her hand.
“Shit, Vanessa. I’m sorry. Here, put it under cold water, and I’ll be right back.”
He turned and walked out of the kitchen before she could protest. Sighing, she turned off the water. Why was he so jumpy all the time?
When Travis returned, he was holding a small box in his hands.
She frowned up at him. “Um, Travis? You do realize we’re wolves, right? This will be gone in a few minutes,” she said, motioning to her hand. Now it was her turn to be amused.
Red stained his cheeks, and she watched with fascination, unable to believe that he was blushing. Again.
“Yes, I know, but until then, I don’t want you to be in pain. This cream will help.”
He took her hand and began to apply some ointment to her skin, and the burning lessened the more he rubbed. Truth be told, she didn’t feel any pain. Vanessa gazed at his lean features, at his strong chin and cheeks, his dark eyes that were focused on her wound.
“If you keep staring at me like that, I won’t be responsible for my actions,” he said still rubbing her hand.
Her breath caught, but she didn’t look away. In fact, she glanced lower, down his chest to his waist, his lean legs, ending with his bare feet. She reversed the direction, slowly coming back up again.
The bulge between his legs caught her attention, and she couldn’t help the small gasp of delight. Her eyes flew up, snagged by the intensity of his.
The rubbing had stopped, but he still held her hand.
“I can’t help it,” he whispered.
The tingling started again, and her wolf woke up, sidling up to the mental bars of her mind.
Mate.
Shock held her still. Or it might have been him holding her hand. She couldn’t be sure, but either way, she was unable to move and could barely breathe. Nonetheless, she heard her beast clearly, but almost wished she hadn’t. It couldn’t be.
“Travis.” She gulped.
“Vanessa, leave. Go back to your room.”
Uncertain about his statement, she drew back. “Why?”
“Because I want you beyond reason, and you aren’t ready.”
She regarded him but knew she couldn’t leave, couldn’t run. She wanted him, too, and so did her wolf.
“I do want you,” she whispered, inching a little closer.
His nose flared as his eyes darkened even more.
“Vanessa…” he warned, the waves of desire striking her full force.
Her insides started to throb, the ache between her legs almost unbearable. She recognized the moment he realized what was happening. Black hair began to grow on the side of his face, his eyes turned to obsidian, and his face tightened.
“Vanessa, if you don’t want me, if you don’t want to be my mate, leave,” he growled, the low sound almost intangible.
She slowly shook her head, but her eyes never left his face.
“She wants you, as do I.” The words were barely a whisper; it was all she could muster at that moment.
With a low growl, he kissed her, taking her mouth in a rough plunge. His tongue swept in just as she opened for him and moaned, her arms circling around his neck. He crushed her to him, her breasts smashed against his chest as his hands grasped her ass. With one fluid motion, he turned with her and pushed her against the counter, spreading her legs apart with his own. His mouth leaving hers, he burned a trail down her neck to the V of her night shirt. She mewled, the ache growing.
“Travis,” she gasped, throwing her head back against the cabinet.
He lowered to his knees in front of her and within seconds, had her pants down around her legs. Her breath caught as air touched her exposed flesh, and she inhaled softly, her heart pounding as the ache grew almost painful. Her underwear was next, and before long, her bottom half was naked.
“I’ve dreamed of this,” he muttered, his dark head coming closer. His tongue swept inside of her, drawing out a moan that was louder than she expected. Her hands went to his hair, and she tugged, not to pull him away but bring him closer.
“Harder,” she gasped, spreading her legs wider. “Please, harder.”
He took the nub of her pleasure and bit it gently, drawing a breathless moan from her as her legs threatened to cave.
“God, Travis, please,” she begged. His fingers entered her, stretching her, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted more.
“Mate with me. Now.”
His control snapped. He jerked up and kicked off his pants. Picking her up, he slid inside of her pussy with one forceful thrust, filling her completely and sending waves of pleasure tingling throughout her body. She screamed, and he covered her mouth with his own as he rammed her again against the counter, maintaining a brutal rhythm.
Her hand latched onto his forearm, and her nails dug into his skin. She groaned against his hand.
He didn’t need any more encouragement. His fangs extended, and he bent down, sinking his teeth into her neck. Vanessa gasped as she felt them pierce the flesh where her shoulder and neck meet, igniting a cry of pleasure. Her nerve endings danced, and she melted into his arms as his canines went deeper, marking her, claiming her. She stiffened and then bit him, her own incisors digging in deep, cutting through the muscle to the bone. He pummeled his hard cock into her harder as the climax neared, roaring towards them.
Harder. Faster.
Mine.
The thought was a tempo inside of
her, a fast beat, and she knew he was echoing it.
Mine.
Mate.
Ours.
The orgasm overtook her, her whole body contracting as the same wave hit Travis. With a groan, they collapsed, holding each other as the tremors slowed and finally came to a stop.
They didn’t speak, and Vanessa didn’t want to break the silence. It wasn’t awkward or tense, just comfortable and loving if that were possible. It was perfect. She felt free for the first time in her life.
Quietly, they both got dressed, and without a word, Vanessa followed Travis to his room after checking in on her daughter.
She was his, and she was never letting go.
“Alpha, I just got news that rebel wolves have been spotted on the east corner.”
He cursed. Sometimes being Alpha was a bitch.
“Get the pack together. Leave three men at the house. We’ll leave immediately,” he said grimly.
Patrick nodded and left as Travis sat back down. He glared down at the gleaming surface of his desk and resisted the urge to punch it. He had never had a problem with anger before, and now he was acting like a spoiled brat that had just had his favorite toy taken away.
Damn it.
“Is everything okay?”
Travis looked up, and his heart skipped a beat. It always happened whenever Vanessa was around. Hell, if she were in a five-hundred-mile radius, Travis could sense it. And after the night before, he just wanted to show her how many ways he loved her all throughout the house.
“Yes, just some rebel wolves I have to go check out. They appear to be trespassing where they don’t belong. I’m leaving a few men behind to guard the house.”
Vanessa nodded, looking worried as she glanced out the window. Travis noticed she didn’t have the baby with her.
“Where’s Ava?”
Vanessa chuckled as she settled on the couch, crossing her slender legs. “With Anna. That girl is so in love, but I can’t blame her. It’s been a fight between all three. They keep taking the baby and hiding.”
Both of them grinned as they imagined the girls running from each other and being bested by their mother.
Crescent Vendetta Page 14