Connor could hear the erratic heartbeat thumping loudly, Lizzy was getting more and more anxious as they drove down the single track road into Oakfield pack territory. Stealing a quick glance at her, her skin was pale and she kept licking her dry lips.
“Baby are you ok?” he gently asked.
“No”
That single response had him stopping the car. Turning to face her he stroked her hair, a gentle soothing action he knew she loved.
“I won’t let anything happen to you Lizzy”
“I know”
Her voice was quiet as the car ambled deeper into the forest. She looked out at the landscape she once called home. She did not appreciate the lush green ferns, the ancient oak trees or the stream that ran by the territory. Her eyes were purely focused on the guard tower fast approaching. Yes they had a guard tower, another one of Lawson’s additions. The vehicle slowed to a stop as a shifter she recognised approached the vehicle.
“Whatever they say Connor, you have to keep your mouth shut, please don’t antagonise them”
He shot her a sharp incredulous look.
“Antagonise? I don’t know what you mean Lizzy. However, if they disrespect you then I will let my wolf loose”
“Connor! You can’t” she gasped
Scrubbing a hand across his face and sighing heavily he reigned in his emotions. She need support right now, not some fucking mate on the edge.
“Ok, I will do my best baby girl”
Lizzy noticed how his hands had gripped the steering wheel tighter, his energy was changing into what she realised now was protective mode. Connor opened the window, nodding to the man.
“You seem a little lost, this is private property”
Before he could open his mouth, Lizzy beat him to it.
“We are not lost Reece, I request a meeting with your alpha”
The man she called Reece looked at where the voice had come from, his twisted sneer making her gut spin.
“Well, if it isn’t the little runaway, you got some nerve showing back here Lizzy”
She felt Connor tense, and prayed he did not act on pure instinct, by smashing the fucker’s nose into his face. Yes she would like that but this had to be calm and controlled. Gently she lay her hand upon Connors arm and the tension ebbed away slightly.
“Unless you have trouble hearing, I said I request a meeting with your Alpha”
Reece glanced between the two of them before stepping back, his eyes looking in the distance, communicating with the pack. Seconds passed before he stepped aside.
“Alpha is waiting Lizzy, be quick, you know how he gets impatient she wolf”
Connor closed the window so fast he was surprised he did not catch the sleazy bastard’s nose in it. Every instinct was screaming to turn the truck around and get his mate out of there. Then, come back and gut that dimwit Reece. But he made a promise and Lizzy needed to do this, so he continued the drive down the forest track.
“Connor, I know your angry but try to be calm. The Oakfield pack have certain ways of dealing with situations”
“Such as….”
Lizzy rubbed her forehead, she could feel a monster headache coming on, but Connor had a right to know.
“In a nutshell, the males are cruel, callous and malicious. Their punishments are brutal, even to women”
Connor growled so loud she could feel the vibration through the floor.
“Tell me Lizzy”
“Where would you like me to start? The fire walk”
“The fuckin what?” he snapped
“Walking on hot coals in human form whilst being whipped with silver chains as you pass”
Connor lurched the car to a stop once more.
“Just what type of fuckin alpha does that to his pack? The bloody council should be made aware of such barbaric practice! Holy fuck Lizzy, if this was not as important to you I would be getting you as far aware from this place as I could”
“I know and I am sorry but I need to do this. Look, why don’t you wait here whilst I speak with the alpha”
“Fuck no, I protect what is mine Lizzy” he growled low.
Lizzy shook her head as they entered the small village that had not changed since she left. Turning off the engine, Connor glanced at her.
“If anything goes bad in there, I want you the hell out of there as fast as possible, do you hear me Lizzy, no second chances.”
To emphasise his urgent request he collared her neck in a possessive manner, rubbing gently at the nape.
“I hear you Connor”
“Good, then let’s get this over with and get your wolf back baby girl”
Stepping out of the vehicle, she inhaled deep. The peppery scent of five males of the pack whom she had once known, surrounded them. Josh, who she grew up with, smiled a little, before gesturing for them to the alpha house. Connor took hold of her hand tightly, completely in Beta mode, assessing every single one of the males, his muscles taut ready for action, eyes scanning constantly. He was taller than most of them and his menacing look alone should make the shifters think twice before attacking. Thank god she had his support, because right now her legs felt like jelly and her wolf was being very quiet, cautious.
The alpha house had the usual stench of lust and sex, making her want to vomit not only at the olfactory memory but the stink invading her nostrils right now. She knew Connor had picked this up way before she did, his arm had snaked around her waist pulling her tight against him.
“In here Lizzy, he’s waiting. And who are you with?” Josh asked.
“Her mate” Connor growled.
Josh assessed the male shifter before him before opening the door to the main living area. Connor stopped Lizzy going forward, taking one step into the room, to assess the man that was once her alpha. As a Beta his nature was to conform to the alpha, but this one in particular stank of evil, his essence bitter and raw. Besides, Marcus was his Alpha. The smug bastard smiled as Lizzy stepped behind him. Greying around the temples, heartless brown eyes, exaggerated by a long scar from temple to cheek. Connor did not give a shit about the alpha vibes he was putting out, his concern was Lizzy right now. Her small hand gripped the back of his shirt.
The alpha stood, opening his arms in welcome.
“Lizzy, it has been a long time, we were worried about you”
Connor could feel her hand tighten on his shirt before she stepped around him to face her old alpha.
Lizzy felt sick. Like really sick, the kind you get when your mouth goes dry, your palms become sweaty and your breathing speeds up. The only strength she gained at this moment in time was keeping herself upright against Connor. But as she set eyes on the man she used to call Alpha, she knew her life had changed the moment she left Oakfield. Steeling herself she stepped around Connor.
“Thank you for agreeing to see me Lawson”
Connor stepped close to Lizzy, his hand resting on the small of her back, he needed to be close, a ripple of anger had just glided off the alpha. His enforcers, all fuckin five of them shifted from foot to foot. Connor had noticed on the walk in that the pack houses were run down, some looked abandoned. He had not scented any other males other than the five that they walked in with, which had him thinking that the pack was falling apart, maybe some had decided to find a more receptive alpha.
The alpha kept his eyes on her, a smile spread across his face.
“Lawson? I am your alpha Lizzy, so why would you call me by my first name, know your place she wolf”
Connor pushed Lizzy behind him, he was so pissed at this shit head, his wolf was just waiting to tear him to shreds.
“Lizzy is no longer a member of the Oakfield pack and as such does not need to address you as her alpha.”
Lawson stepped in front of them, arms folded in front of him. He tried to stare down Connor but where his mate was concerned they could bring on ten of the bastards and he would not let him win.
“And you would be?”
“Connor, her mate”
he snarled.
Lawson chuckled, before turning and snapping his fingers. Three very submissive females entered the room, they were thin, no expression, eyes fixed on Lawson.
“Now beta, power as an alpha gives me three mates and many of the moon, as do my enforcers. Lizzy knew her place when she was here, besides she was due to be mated to my son Oliver”
Lizzy had enough. The testosterone in here was suffocating. Moving around a dangerously quiet Connor, she addressed Lawson.
“I had no intention of mating with your son, you wanted someone to strengthen your line with my gift! Then that fuckin seer bound my wolf. That is the reason I am here, where is Duncan?”
Surprise flitted across Lawson’s face. The door slammed open and said son marched into the room. His eyes roaming over her body.
“Well, Lizzy I like the new look”
Lizzy averted her eyes, part submission and part she was going to claw Oliver’s fuckin eyes out. Connor pulled her into his arms, watching the newcomer with deadly intent. From the familial features he assumed this was the son. Cold blue eyes scanned over Lizzy, his closely shaved brown hair hugging his stern features.
“Lizzy had come to see Duncan, what do you make of that Oliver?” Lawson asked.
“Duncan? The seer? Oh little she wolf, he died last year, or should I say accidently fell off a cliff”
“What!?” she yelled.
Connor could see where this was heading and needed to start making exit plans. He had no doubt he could take on the enforcers and the son but the alpha might prove tricky.
“Oh I get it, you thought you would get your wolf unbound? Well sorry to disappoint you, but unless you became a bloody good necromancer in the past five years then I would say you were fucked and considering I was your intended mate, that should have been my job”
Connor lost it, his wolf surfaced and all hell broke loose.
5
The noise was deafening, Lizzy watched on is horror as Connor shifted and launched himself at Oliver. The pair collided mid-air, slamming to the floor seconds later. Her eyes found Lawson’s, his soulless orbs staring back at her as he gave a quick command with his hand for the rest of his pack to stay back.
“NO! Stop! you have to stop, both of you!” she screamed
Her pleas fell on deaf ears as two very pissed off dominant wolves swiped at each other. Lizzy stepped forward to intervene but a low warning growl from Connor had her resuming her original position. His claws tore at the underbelly of Oliver, the yelp of pain instant before the metallic scent of blood permeated the air. Connor circled his prey, amber eyes focused and determined.
“ENOUGH!”
Lawson’s voice boomed in the air, at once the pack males lowered their heads. His malicious son rolled to his feet, panting hard before shifting back to human form. Connor followed quickly after. The aggression coming off both men was stifling, a very naked Connor came to her side, pushing her slightly behind him.
“You insulted my mate you son of a bitch” Connor snarled.
“My mate, not yours I was to have her, fuck her and claim her”
Connor made to move forward but the feel of Lizzy’s soft fingers on his arm stopped him.
“We need to leave Connor, there is nothing more to be gained here”
Lawson stood, his eyes roamed over the now healing gouges adorning his sons stomach.
“I would agree Lizzy” he spoke directly to her.
“What? Your letting that bound whore leave without me taking her? Your giving away the chance of creating an extremely powerful wolf with her telekinesis?” Oliver roared.
This time, Connor was taking no shit. Before anyone could stop him he had Oliver pinned against the wall, hand around his throat, claws pressing into his skin.
“I warned you shithead nobody insults my mate”
“Boys, now come, let us be responsible wolfs, we do not want the council to be involved now do we?”
Lawson’s alpha energy rolled off him, his tone almost strangely complacent and that had Lizzy curious. He rested his hand on his son’s arm, speaking directly to him.
“Son, you will be alpha one day and with that role is many responsibilities, sometimes we have to make decisions we don’t like but in the end the right solution will always prevail”
Oliver’s eyes watched his father, a silent communication passed between them before lowering his eyes to Connor.
“That’s better, now you are going to forget Lizzy even exists and if I so much as see or hear you near her I will not be so lenient next time, I will gut you deeper so you can die an agonising death”
Connor abruptly released him before taking Lizzy’s hand, guiding her out of the room and once more into the fresh air.
“In the car, now, Lizzy”
She could only abide by what he was asking as the anger pulsing off him was dangerous. As she sat in the front seat she watched in the mirror as he pulled some clothes out of his bag, dressing quickly. This could not be happening, I thought this shit only happened to blondes not fuckin brunettes, I knew I should have just stayed the same colour. Lizzy silently cursed herself. Connor jumped into the front seat, started the car, taking the exit road back out. The first half hour was silent but Lizzy could tell by his energy that he was royally pissed, his knuckles had stayed white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. She knew this was a bad idea and now even worse, she had no way of getting her wolf back. Selfish fuckin seer! How dare he go and die just when I need him! Her wolf was whining so loud it was giving her a headache, there was no way in hell Connor would want her now, she would not be surprised if he dumped her off at the nearest hotel and hightailed it out of there. Sighing she rubbed her forehead absent-mindedly.
Connor was just starting to come down from his adrenaline surge, he had never experienced such rage and protectiveness before, his instinct was to shield Lizzy completely from the bastards that were her old pack. Now he could sense her uncertainty. Flickering his eyes to the side, he watched as she rubbed at her temples, he knew she was in pain and it was his job to take that away. They may not be bonded yet but she was still his mate first and foremost. Reaching across with his free hand he rubbed the nape of her neck.
“Hey, how are you doing baby?”
Lizzy moaned at the gentle massage on her neck, the soothing action had her closing her eyes, inhaling Connor’s scent deep into her lungs.
“I’m ok I guess, my wolf is still bound but I have known no other for five years so I guess I am just going to continue to live like this”
Connor pulled the car over to the side of the road, his large hands cupped her face, before gently kissing her lips.
“We will find a way Lizzy, there is always a way, I’m not giving up so neither should you”
“Connor, there is no use pretending anymore, I have a bound wolf, I thought I could fix it but with no seer I am broken. For your sake you have to leave me, it’s not fair to you or your wolf, please, just drop me at the nearest hotel”
Connor visibly recoiled at her words, before he could stop it a low growl left his lips. Her eyes flickered to him as she moved back slightly in her chair.
“Now you listen to me Lizzy, for the last time I am not going anywhere without you, you are mine, my mate, the other half of my soul and I refuse to be pushed aside. You are not broken, you are perfect and like I said there is always a way, trust me”
“I do trust you, but think about this, just say I can’t get my wolf back……..”
“Lizzy….” He interrupted
“No, listen to me. If we were to become bound mates and wanted our own family, what if I cannot have cubs? What if I can, and our children turn out bound as well? I could not imagine how that would devastate us and them and………….”
Seconds later, she felt Connors mouth crash onto hers, the heat searing from his lips was intense. Her head spun with the emotions filtering through her. His hands pinching her nipples though her shirt, before they slowly descended, m
aking quick work of offending buttons before she felt two large fingers plunge into her aching core. He caught her cries of pleasure as his tongue explored her mouth. With every thrust, he could feel the heat build within her, the need for release.
Looking down at her lust filled eyes, he pushed her to the brink.
“You talk too much Lizzy, give your mate what he needs, come for me”
Lizzy felt a surge of pleasure race through every nerve ending, before it exploded in a euphoric release. Her groans echoed in the small space. Connor continued to prolong the experience as he pinched her clit. He growled his approval when she clawed at his back as a second release hit her. Finally, as he watched her panting, the storm clouds that were in her eyes were now became calm, the waters had stilled. He took great pleasure it letting her watch him lick his fingers clean.
“You see how quick you respond to me Lizzy? That’s because we are mates, destined to be together. You are mine and I am never letting you go, so once and for all enough of the bullshit, whatever happens we face it together, even if I have to fight a hundred of those fuckers we just left behind I will do it Lizzy because I am not giving up on you, so buckle up baby, it’s going to be a long and bumpy ride”
“Ok” she whispered.
Connor turned the car back onto the road, inhaling the scent of her arousal that flooded the vehicle, it calmed and soothed his wolf. As he listened to the steady breathing indicating she was asleep he thought about the next course of action. They needed a plan, there was no way in hell he was letting her go back to the Oakfield pack. He had thought about contacting the council to see if they had any historical background on wolf seers, but that would arouse suspicion and bring up more painful memories for Lizzy. The council were thorough but ruthless when they wanted to get their teeth into a case. Besides, that would bring Lawson into it and he really did not want to start a pack war, Marcus would tear him a new one if he brought that to his door. Sighing he scrubbed his hand over his face, watching the early afternoon sunshine filter through the woodland on the side of the road. He needed to keep her safe whilst they figured this out and the only place he could do that was to take her back to amber woods. Glancing once more at her beautiful serene face he turned the wheel to the road home. They would have to stay at a hotel overnight due to the distance but it would give Lizzy time to rest and for him to make some phone calls ahead of their arrival, or return whichever way you looked at it. One thing was for sure, Lizzy was not going to run anymore.
Connors Pursuit (Amber Woods Shifters) Page 4