by Gwen Knight
Only one person stood in his way.
His hand strayed to the small of his back, his fingers touching the cold, steel gun pressed against him. One silver bullet was all it would take.
All he had to do was wait for his moment, and then Sky would be his forever.
Chapter 17
Wyatt stood tall and watched those in attendance with great fascination. Seeing the inner workings of another pack was rare, but beyond that, he was watching for anything out of the ordinary. Though Sky’s grandfather, Gavin, had deemed his pack innocent, it didn’t necessarily mean it was true. Had another alpha come to Wyatt’s pack to question the whereabouts of his people, he would have lied through his teeth and then investigated for himself.
Unfortunately, at this point, it seemed Gavin had spoken the truth. Though Sky had suffered some brutal questions and assumptions, few had shown interest in anything beyond her whereabouts for the past decade. Amberly had exaggerated their excitement to see her again; Sky had been quite right when she’d called herself a pariah.
“Walk with me,” Gavin’s voice sounded next to him.
Wyatt crooked his head and studied Sky’s former alpha. He settled against the wall, his burly arms crossed over his chest as though to appear intimidating. Wyatt snorted under his breath and shook his head. There was no doubt in his mind—if it came down to a fight, the old man didn’t stand a chance. “No.”
Gavin blinked. “Excuse me?”
For a moment, the corner of Wyatt’s mouth twitched. The indignation in his voice was one that Sky mimicked perfectly.
“I wasn’t asking.”
Wyatt cocked a brow. He’d used that line himself a few times on Sky. He chuckled to himself and shook his head, marveling that she’d accepted him as her mate. Now he understood how she felt when he ordered her about. Hilarious how some things came full circle. “Good, because I’m not going anywhere with you. My job is to keep Sky safe. That means keeping an eye on her at all times.”
“Sure, because that’s the way to start off a new relationship, by smothering your mate.”
“I’m not—”
“She’s with her brothers. My boys will ensure no harm comes to her. You can spare a few moments to speak with your new mate’s grandfather.”
Wyatt spared a glance in her direction. The old wolf was correct—she was surrounded by a whole herd of family members. He scrubbed a warm hand down his face and sighed before following in Gavin’s wake.
The old alpha led him to a small office, and once he stepped within, Gavin closed the door with a soft click.
“All right, get it all off your chest,” Wyatt grumbled.
Gavin lifted his hard gaze. “I know what Sky has told you about us.”
All right, not how I expected this to start. Wyatt frowned and slanted against the door, his legs crossed at the ankles. “Really.”
“I would think, as an alpha, you would understand my perspective.”
Wyatt gave a bitter chuckle. “Is that so?”
“I gave Sky multiple chances to return to us. Her constant rejection of my authority had begun to raise questions. I love my granddaughter with all my heart, but you should understand who it is that you’ve chosen as your mate. She disobeys every command, refuses to take her place in the hierarchy, and undermines all authority.”
Wyatt’s brows lifted. Her grandfather had listed every reason he loved her. Wyatt blinked, his loud thoughts drowning out Gavin. He hardly knew her, but he knew without a doubt he would do anything to have her in his life, forever. I love her… “Well, imagine that…”
Gavin’s words trailed off, and he pinned Wyatt with an annoyed glare. “What?”
Wyatt shook his head. No need to pepper her grandfather with declarations of love. That was a little too…fruity for his liking. The only person he would ever utter those words to was Sky.
“Were you even listening to me?” Gavin sighed.
“Nah, not even a little bit. Did I miss anything important?”
The old man groaned. “Maybe you two are suited for each other. Must I threaten you? You will treat her well, right?”
“Like your threats would mean anything to me.”
Wyatt pushed off the door and turned to leave, but before he did, a flash of something caught his eye. He hesitated, then reached out and plucked a titanium photo frame from the nearby bookshelf. The picture within was heartrending. Turning, he held it up, his fingers caressing the glass. “You keep photos of Sky?”
Gavin nodded, a pained expression twisting his face. “I told you, I love my granddaughter. This is my private study, so I keep her pictures here.”
Wyatt lowered the photo and studied it. Draped in black, Sky stood next to an earthen mound, a single rose clutched to her chest as she stared down. The angle of the picture was just right to catch the single tear that scoured her cheek, and boy howdy, it was a knife to his heart. “Her mother’s funeral?”
Gavin cleared his throat and nodded.
“You took a picture of her at her mother’s funeral?”
“No.” He sounded disgusted. “If you take the back off, you’ll see it’s a newspaper clipping. I’ve kept every article ever posted about her.”
Wyatt lifted his head. “How many are there?”
“Quite a few.”
“Show me.”
Gavin’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
Wyatt waved an impatient hand. There was something off about this photo, though he couldn’t put his finger on it. What sort of reporter capitalized on someone’s personal pain like this? He shook his head. All right, all of them, but this photo didn’t sit well with him. He studied it, his attention landing on the faint outline of bushes in the far edge of the picture.
“Here,” Gavin grunted. “Knock yourself out.”
Glancing up, Wyatt noted a box of trimmings, all stamped with Sky’s image. “What the hell…” He reached for the box and pulled out the top two.
Sky at the presidential ball, following in line at her mother’s funeral, standing behind a podium, coming out of the sheriff’s office…it went on and on.
“Look at this,” Wyatt muttered. He handed the picture frame to Gavin. “Down in the right corner. Does that look like an edge of a bush to you?”
“Ya, so?”
Wyatt sighed. “So, do you know many journalists who hide in the bushes to catch a snapshot? Gossip columnists, maybe, but these all belong to respected newspapers.”
“So what?” Gavin dropped into his chair and nudged the box across the desk. “Sky welcomed this nonsense into her life when she took such a high profile job. These articles started the moment she completed her master’s and entered into politics.”
“Exactly,” Wyatt murmured, his thoughts buzzing. This was an angle they hadn’t approached yet. He’d thought it had something to do with her former pack, but maybe it didn’t. Maybe the funeral had been the trigger. Something must have happened to instigate the stalking, but it didn’t mean the stalker was someone local to Hidden Creek. “Who took all these photos?”
“I don’t know.” Gavin rocked back in his chair. “Never looked.”
Flipping over the article, Wyatt’s eyes widened at the familiar name. “Son-of-a-bitch!”
“What?”
He tore through the box, snatching out one article after another, finding the same name written on each of the images. Mother fucker, this obsession had been going on longer than they’d thought. Years. He sucked in a sharp breath and threw the articles back into the box. But how was it possible? He was human.
The answer had been given to him this afternoon in the hotel—Sky’s thesis. “These are coming with me.”
Gavin shot out of the chair. “What did you find?”
“I may be wrong, but I think I know who’s stalking her.”
“Who?”
Wyatt gestured toward the photos. It was the only logical explanation. “James Griffon, the journalist.” He glanced up at Gavin. “I’m taking Sky home
. This lead needs to be investigated.”
Gavin gave a clipped nod. “Keep my girl safe.”
For once, they agreed on something.
***
Sky sagged against the nearest wall and sighed, exhausted. She’d forgotten how tiring her family could be. Everything was always who had mated with whom, and who was having a baby. It all felt so superficial. She’d told Wyatt that she’d wanted to come back to rub her success in their faces, but not a single one of them cared about what she was working toward. Her brother had casually mentioned her career, but they’d simply nodded politely, as though it was of no interest to them.
After hearing Paxton talk about their upcoming fourth child—two more months now!—Sky had wandered off to find Wyatt, only to see him following her grandfather into his office. She couldn’t imagine that was going to be a pleasant conversation, but she wasn’t brave enough to interrupt.
Tipping her head back, she drew in another deep breath. Fresh air would be nice right about now…take a moment to stare at the moon and recharge her energy. She had the rest of the night to look forward to and already she was fading.
Pushing away from the wall, she made her way toward the front entrance and slipped on her boots. A few moments, that was all she needed.
“Sky?”
She lifted her head and peered through a curtain of hair to see Noah bearing down on her.
“Where are you going?” The teenager’s face pinched, his brows knotted with concern.
Of all her half-siblings, Noah was by far her favorite. Paxton had only ever cared about dolls and hair, while Noah seemed more mature. Though he didn’t yet understand the ways of the world, he seemed to care about them. She’d actually missed him when she’d left. “Out for a breath of fresh air.”
“You shouldn’t be alone right now.” He glanced behind him. “Sawyer told me that someone is after you.”
Fifteen, and already he carried the weight of the world. With a gentle smile, she jerked her chin toward the door. “Care to join me? You can protect me.”
The boy blushed, but after a sharp nod, he threw on his shoes and opened the door, his hand held out to keep Sky from leaving until he scented the air. Finally, he nodded. “All clear.”
“You’re going to make a fine man someday, kid.”
His blush deepened. “I watch you on the news every chance I get.”
It was a line she often heard, but from Noah, it was flattering. “Yeah?”
“I told Grandpa that I agreed with what you were doing.”
She chuckled. “And how did that go over?”
The boy’s mouth twisted. “I was assigned three weeks of landscape duty.”
Ah, some things never changed. Sky blew out a breath, watching as it misted in the frosty air before being swept away by the chilled wind. Together, they walked across the property, the house shrinking in the distance. Pausing by the fence line, she stared at the moon, drawing on whatever energy she could. Out here, she felt free, the burdens of her family lifting from her shoulders. Home, she had Wyatt and his pack. Those who had accepted her without any hesitation. A smile had just cracked her lips when Noah gave a soft gasp.
Glancing his way, she frowned at the sight of his gaping mouth and twisted brows. “What is it, kid?”
His head dropped and she followed, blinking at the sight of a dark stain blooming across his chest. Dead center was a silver knife, gleaming in the moonlight.
“Noah!” Skylar shrieked, her hands reaching for him as a dark shadow rose behind him. Her brother sagged into her arms, his head lolling against her shoulder. Sky’s gaze climbed the tall figure, her entire body going cold the moment she recognized him. “You…” Before she could suck in a breath, he descended upon her and something sharp pricked her neck.
The world tilted, and she staggered as her brother slipped from her grasp.
“Noah,” she murmured, her boneless knees threatening to give out beneath her.
A savage snarl rent the night air, one that her mind instantly recognized. Wyatt. Her mouth shaped his name, but the only sound that escaped was a faint whimper.
James Griffon stood next to her, a wicked grin splitting his face as he lifted his arm. Steel glinted in his hand, and, with a gasp, Sky threw her weight at him. Too slow! Multiple gunshots rang in her head, and Sky’s gaze snapped across the field where a monstrous wolf jerked mid-air and toppled to the ground.
No!
All she’d wanted was a breath of fresh air and to gaze up at the moon. She could see them now, twinkling up in the midnight sky. Her eyes grew heavy, and one-by-one, the stars winked out until nothing remained but darkness.
Chapter 18
James brushed the back of his fingers down Skylar’s smooth side. For years, he’d imagined this moment, but the fantasy had paled in comparison.
The moment he’d first laid eyes on her, he’d known. His sweet, sweet Sky. Nothing would keep them apart ever again. For years, he’d watched from the shadows, too intimidated to approach her in any fashion other than professional. So beautiful, so graceful, Skylar Callahan was out of his league. Every time he’d phoned, he’d failed to find the right words. He’d hoped his letters would clarify his feelings, but instead, they’d sent her into the arms of Shane. And so he’d waited for Sky to realize the sheriff wasn’t right for her. Then came Wyatt… James gnashed his teeth as he thought of the fucking alpha. But now, Wyatt was no longer a threat, and finally, she was his.
He touched a lock of blonde hair and smoothed it back from her pale cheek. So beautiful. Her full lashes fluttered as though she might wake, but with a soft sigh, she settled deeper into sleep, the drugs carrying her further into her dreams. How he longed for her to wake, but the sedative had been necessary. He hadn’t wanted to harm her, not like the others.
Lust lured him closer to her sleeping form, and with a shuddering breath, he inhaled the air around her. The drug’s scent lingered, but with every passing moment, her sweet honeysuckle fragrance grew stronger. It wouldn’t be long, now. A few hours, and then, finally, they would be together.
Gut quivering with anticipation, he stole a kiss from his Sleeping Beauty, reveling in the feel of her soft mouth. His heart thundered against his ribs, ratcheting his pulse until it deafened him. There’d never been a connection like this with any of the others. They’d been nothing more than substitutes, and poor ones at that. This…this was real. This was what he’d needed for so long.
Poised over her mouth, his hand crept up the length of her thigh, and his cock jumped. Excitement quickened his breath until he found himself panting above her. Consumed by his need, he slowly drew down his zipper and freed himself from his constraining jeans. God, he wanted nothing more than to sink himself within her, to take what he’d waited so long for. Restraint, he cautioned himself. Though his desire burned him from the inside out, he knew he had to wait for Sky to wake. Taking her in her sleep wouldn’t sate his need. He wanted her awake, wanted her aware. He could only imagine the bliss when he rocked into her…he ground his jaw and sucked in a deep breath. Such thoughts wouldn’t help chill his blood.
He pushed himself away from her. After craving her for so long, he never wanted them to be apart again. And with Wyatt dead, he would take her as his mate once she woke. He would plunge his fangs and cock into her, make her scream with rapture, and when he was done, she would be his.
He grunted and glanced down, noting the firm grip he held on himself. Excitement flushed his skin as his gaze strayed back to her. His breath hitched, his fully engorged cock throbbing for release. He’d already freed her from her clothes. Bare to the world, it would cost him nothing to bury himself between her legs and relieve the pressure.
No… He closed his eyes and gave himself a final squeeze, imagining Sky’s fingers instead. He’d waited so long, what were a few more hours? The asshole was dead; the silver bullets to the chest had guaranteed that. All that remained was to mate with her, and then this whole ordeal would be finished.
With a strangled moan, he stuffed himself back into his pants and stretched out next to her, his fingers idly running across her stomach. He could wait.
And until then, he would watch.
***
Wyatt snarled, a mangled sound of pain and fury.
“Lie still!” Gavin barked. “You can’t go stomping off after her with a friggin’ bullet inches from your heart and another in your gut.”
“Hurry up!” he shouted.
His fingers flexed, a reaction to whatever the hell Gavin’s people were doing to him. Searing pain scalded his chest, but it was nothing compared to the fear that had burrowed its way into his heart. Sky…she was out there, somewhere, and with James.
James.
How could he have been so blind? At every turn, the psychopath had been there, but he’d written off his persistence because he was a journalist. Wyatt dropped his head back against the kitchen table and growled. He’d ignored him because he’d thought he was human. But he’d sure scented him out in the fields—the bastard hadn’t hidden himself well enough this time.
“Sit still!” Gavin yelled.
“Where would he have taken her?” He needed to focus on Sky, needed a plan to kill that son-of-a-bitch before he laid one goddamned finger on her.
Guilt perfumed the air. “I don’t know,” Gavin admitted. “Until we heard the gunshot, we didn’t know anything was wrong. By the time we reached you, she was already gone.”
Wyatt shoved Amberly’s hands away from his chest and sat upright, unleashing his golden stare on her grandfather. “What kind of place do you run? Had she been home with me, James wouldn’t have stepped one foot on the property without my knowing.”
Rage flickered in Gavin’s eyes. “I run a peaceful pack!” he barked. “And I don’t take kindly to others interfering.”