Ryan's heart catapulted into triple beats.
“Your brother is awake and asking for you.”
Untitled
Chapter Sixteen
Jessica
The earlier flirty expression on Ryan’s face shifted at whatever the caller said on the line. “Thank you, I’ll be right there.” His smile faded and the bridge of his nose creased as he clicked end on his cell. His gaze drifted to somewhere behind her, but his eyes were glazed over, distant and lost.
“Everything okay?” Jessica set her fork down on her plate.
“Yeah. I think so.” He dug out his wallet, his hand trembling slightly. After tossing several fifties on the table, he rose. “Sorry, that was the hospital. My brother’s woken up.”
“That’s wonderful. Don’t worry about me, I can call a cab.”
He shook his head. “No, I can drop you off at your hotel. It's on the way to the hospital.” Ryan led the way outside and opened the passenger door for her.
“Thanks.” She wanted to go with Ryan to the hospital, make sure he was okay. The look on his face screamed concern, meaning the doctor’s message wasn’t a cheery one. Something was wrong with his brother, perhaps. No one ought to be alone when receiving difficult news… but then again, they were family. Jessica wasn’t. And he might consider her a burden.
As they rode, Jessica clenched her middle. What Ryan’s brother was going through with the accident and leg amputation, she couldn't imagine. And Ryan must be so worried.
For fifteen minutes, they drove in silence as she stared out the window at the passing landscape. A line of shrubs with summer purple flowers in full bloom, like the ones on Ryan’s land, spread along the side of the road. The wolves. Speaking of which, she needed to research about wolves and Ryan. Maybe he was a conservationist or something. And she needed to find info on this rare diet he and his team followed. She checked online for the library's hours. Please be open. Success. “Actually, mind dropping me off at the library?”
“No problem.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “Let me know if you need a ride to your hotel. Sorry, we couldn't go dancing. Next time, though.”
His voice sounded mournful, almost like he was saying goodbye, despite his words.
“Next time, then?”
“Sure.” He gave her a half-smile.
They pulled up to the front of the library.
“Here.” He gestured for her phone. She handed it to him, and he put his phone number into her contacts. “Call me if you need anything, promise?”
“Sure. I hope your brother is okay. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” She twisted her hands in her lap, wanting to hug him and tell him everything would work out. Take away his pain, and his brother’s too. “My friend Amber is a miracle worker in physical therapy, I can ask her to fly out.”
“Thanks. Goodnight.” He nodded, then brushed his lips across hers.
A thrill raced through her and she grasped his face, pulling him back before he could move away. She was rewarded with a growl as he kissed her deeper, his tongue gliding past her lips into her mouth. Her insides liquefied and she moaned, returning his kiss. Breathless, she scooted closer, but the stick shift cut into her hip.
He pulled away and smiled. “I’ll see ya later?”
“Yup—yes.” She really wanted to climb on top of him and do more than a kiss, but his brother was more important right now. Her throat tightened as she hopped out of the car and hurried up the steps to the glass doors. When she glanced over her shoulder, Ryan was waiting to ensure she was safely inside. The gesture made her heart swell. Some of her dates would have driven off as soon as her foot hit the curb. It was nice to know Ryan was a gentleman with manners. And he must care about her wellbeing. A zigzag of excitement weaved through her.
She waved and then pushed the door open, the air conditioning a welcome breeze from the humid summer evening. A few people milled about the rows of books. Most of the computers were full.
Jessica walked up to the librarian behind the desk. “Do you have a dedicated system for newspaper and magazine articles?” Before she’d come to New Zealand, Jessica had researched online about Ryan, but sometimes local sources were better.
“Of course. Follow me.” The woman led her to a small table with an ancient-looking machine. “Ever used a microfiche before?”
“Sorry, but no.” Wasn’t everything now on computers and online?
The librarian tucked a piece of auburn hair back out of her eyes. “Just pick which date range from the files here.” She ruffled small blue plastic sheets in a file cabinet beside the table. “Then set them under here and turn off the machine's light whenever you are done. It gets hot if left on too long.”
“You don't have this on a computer?”
The woman laughed. “No, it wasn't in our budget and we get very few requests for this information anymore.”
“Oh, well thank you.” She bit her lip, looking at the monstrosity in front of her. “I'm Jessica Martin from The Australian, by the way.”
“Maye Rivers. Librarian by day, and an IRD auditor on some evenings and weekends.” She shook Jessica's outstretched hand. “Many people don't file their taxes correctly, but I don't mind because me and my daughter could use the extra money. Ballet and gymnastic lessons cost a fortune. Last month she told me she wanted to learn Jujitsu.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a handful with her. And you like math and taxes?” Jessica shivered. “Better you than me. Thanks again for setting this up for me.”
“No problem. Let me know if you need anything.” Maye strolled away.
Jessica sat down at the dinosaur instrument. First, she combed through the publications looking for reports on wolves or missing animals. Nothing unusual fourteen months ago. A farmer lost nine sheep in one night. The bodies were found the next day, ripped into pieces. No one saw anything and it was speculated that it was a vicious prank or wild animals. Even the zoo was contacted to find out if any animals had escaped.
A wilderness expert examined the carcasses and said they looked like they’d been attacked by wolves... huge ones. Six feet or more in length and weighing at least two hundred pounds.
How were there wolves in New Zealand? The white wolf from the other day popped into her mind. Was it one of the ones that had done this? It had certainly looked as big as the expert had claimed. Flashes of it on the hood of her rental car crept into her mind, and the fact that it didn’t seem afraid of her. Its gaze had been searching... intelligent. Where had the animal come from? And was it the same one she’d seen later on Ryan’s property? Next time she met Ryan, she was grilling him about the wolves. He had to know why the animals were on his property.
She frowned and resumed her investigation, finding several more animal missing or remains cases.
Was there a pattern? Jessica strolled through the library until she found an atlas with a large map of New Zealand. After making a copy, she ran through the timeline, making note of animals missing or sightings of wolves and the locations on the map.
Two hours later, she finished. On the library's printer paper, she'd mapped out all the sightings, killings, and missing animals. A few random marks were scattered across the map, but predominately, there was a pattern, spiraling out from a center point.
She squinted, examining the map for what could possibly be there. Holy shit! Her instincts had been right about the wolf. Ryan’s mansion was the central location of the killings. He had to know about the wolves. She didn’t know what exactly or how, but she was going to find out what he knew.
Untitled
Chapter Seventeen
Ryan
With the hospital elevator packed with people, Ryan dashed up the stairs to his brother's room. Kevin was still in ICU and the doctor on the phone said he wasn't coping with his injury. He had come out of his coma but when the doc told him his leg had been amputated, Kevin had flipped out. He had cursed and thrown the hospital phone at the nurse. It had taken three doctors
and a nurse to hold him down and sedate him.
Ryan’s gut churned at the thought of what his brother must be going through. He should have been here for when he woke up.
Outside Kevin's door, Ryan skidded to a stop and took a breath. His wolf whined, wanting to be anywhere except here. Not that he couldn't deal with confrontation, but if Ryan had shared his secret and turned Kevin with the pack... then he wouldn't be a cripple. Guilt slammed into his chest.
He plastered on what he hoped was a neutral expression and opened the door.
Kevin was lying on the bed, sitting upright. He stared out the window, not glancing Ryan's way despite the door clicking closed behind him.
“Hey, little brother.” Ryan scooted the visitor chair forward and sat. “Want me to snag something decent for you to eat?”
“No, I want my fucking leg back!”
“If I could man, I would go back in time and stop you from doing that stunt.” If he’d brought his brother on months ago, this wouldn’t have happened.
“Life is over, Ryan.” He waved a hand out to his wrapped leg. “What the hell am I supposed to do now?”
“I’ll get you the best help. Anything I can do… just name it.”
“How am I going to compete? Huh? Who wants to come out and watch a cripple perform?”
Ryan grabbed his brother’s hand. “We’ll get through this. It could’ve been a lot worse. The doctors were afraid you wouldn’t wake from your coma and –”
“I want you to tell me what's going on with you and the team.”
“Kev, I don't know what you’re talking about.” The truth was there below the surface, burning his tongue. “We pay our dues just like everyone else.”
His brother snapped his head around. “And why are you lying to me? We both know you and your team were good... minor league good.” He narrowed his eyes. “Then all of a sudden you rocket to the top in a season?”
Ryan clenched his fists but kept them on his lap. “It's not steroids or drugs. We've just practiced harder and—”
“Don't feed me that bullshit!” Kevin yelled. “Those lies might work for the rest of the world, but I know better. Like how you used to get sick every Easter. Eggs come out and you'd get a cough that lasted for weeks. This past year, you've not had a sniffle even. Ever.”
What could he say? Kevin would never believe him. Worse, what if he did? Would he demand a bite or shun him? There was the chance it could kill him too. Ryan had had fatal wounds from the werewolf attack, yet he’d been the first one to turn. Their manager had only gotten grazed on his ankle and, less than a day later, had gone into convulsions and died. Not everyone had it in them to become shifters.
No, he couldn't risk turning anyone. Not until he knew if the person would be safe, and none of his research had helped confirm success. He wouldn’t purposely harm another by biting them. Not even his brother.
“Look, man, I don't know what you were expecting from me. I don't have some magical mojo to give you.” He shrugged. “However, I’m going to get you the best help I can.” One that doesn't come with a risk of death or a lifelong curse.
“Go to hell.”
“Kevin.” What could he say? Hey, I can bite you while I'm in wolf form, but I've no idea if it would kill you or not. Or even if it would mend your leg. The Ryan of the past wouldn't have cared. But he did now. “Let me know when you're ready to talk. I'll always be here for you.”
“Whatever, man.” Kevin didn't even look his way as he left.
Ryan's shoulders hunched and he stopped the doctor in the hallway. “I want him to have the best care. Physical therapist, state of the art prosthetic, and psychologist. The best you've got.”
“Amber Reese in Sydney is a whiz at physical therapy.” The doctor nodded. “But I don't know if she'd come here, unless it was for a few weeks to get him started.”
“Do it. I don't care about the costs.” And he’d be there for his brother in every way possible.
Ryan stalked out of the hospital and rolled his shoulders back. This was the only way his brother would be safe. He’d ensure his brother’s recovery went as smoothly as possible.
The night air hit his nostrils and the gleaming moon rose. An inner sense of when the moon was full itched under his skin, growing from a twitch between his shoulder blades to his body thrumming at the full moon rising.
Tonight, he would have to change. His inner wolf would demand it. Rip from his flesh if necessary. Bryon, one of his teammates, had been in the clear. He’d made the change and everything. Then, the second night, he’d morphed into a half-man, half-breast monstrosity that couldn’t shift back, and he’d come after them. Ryan had been the one who’d broken his neck. He wouldn’t subject his brother to that.
And there was no way to stop the transformation. Before, Ryan had tried locking himself up in a cage. In chains. He’d even tried sedatives, but no matter what, the wolf would come out and with a vengeance.
Ryan drove back to his mansion and bit down on his back teeth. His brother had to understand keeping this secret was for his own good. Besides, his brother was a player who loved women. Ryan could imagine that conversation. Yo bro, I can bite you and see if you survive the werewolf venom, or you could die. Oh, and there’s another catch, you can’t be intimate with a woman without shifting into the wolf after, and hopefully, you don’t decide she’s prey and slaughter her before you change back into a man. No, Ryan wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy.
Clicking the remote button on the gate, Ryan entered his property. He didn't bother going inside, but parked and hiked to the edge of the woods. He undressed and gave himself over to the wolf who constantly waited for this moment. His muscles spasmed and his bones snapped. Agony tore through him. The pain seeming to never end. His jaw broke, lengthening, and his sharp teeth changed and grew longer.
He fell on all fours as white fur covered his body.
Once the transformation complete, euphoria replaced the debilitating pain. It was the greatest high Ryan had ever experienced, except it came with a great price: an excruciating death or living in fear of being found out and dissected for science.
Ryan's wolf tongue lolled to the side of his mouth. His muscles strained from the hunt. After a few bites of the raw sheep's flesh, his appetite vanished. With a nod, he padded away and let his pack mates tear into their recent kill. It would be dawn in a few hours and he needed to sleep a bit before dealing with Jessica, and take advantage of the morning hours and line up everything for Kevin.
If he had bitten his brother while he’d been unconscious, would he be fully healed? Perhaps even hunting with Kevin by tomorrow night?
If he did turn Kevin, would his brother thank or curse him?
Weariness clawed at Ryan. Time to leave. He checked the woods and after he was certain no one was around - including a reporter with a sexy pout - he shifted.
Naked, he trekked the feet yards toward his home.
When he reached the back door, it squeaked open. Before he could enter, a flashlight flicked on.
He spun, momentarily blinded.
“So, it’s true.” Jessica’s voice was full of tears and grit. “You hunt wolves for sport.”
Her words surprised him. “What?” Guess it might appear that way from the blood covering his chest and arms. How would she have responded if she’d seen the gore covering his mouth?
“Why? Is it some macho thing to pad your ego or something?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“I don’t need to prove myself. Come in if you like.” He entered the kitchen and grabbed a towel to wipe his arms and face.
How long had she been here? She must have been downwind, or he’d have smelled her scent of vanilla and oranges. He leaned against the counter, naked, and she marched inside.
“Oh?” Her eyebrows rose. “A-and why do whatever it is you did, naked? Are you an exhibitionist? Is that why the tabloids say you’ve not brought a woman here in over a year?”
“To hell with the
paparazzi.” He pushed forward, towering over her as she shrank back against the fridge. The terror in her gaze and her eyes widening sickened his stomach, but he had to end this before it went too far. “What I do in my private life is my business. I don’t pry into your life or anyone else’s. Yet you think you can come in here and judge me?”
“You’re right.” She straightened. “I don’t know anything about you. And neither does anyone else… including your fans. You live here, alienating yourself. Why?” She took his hand and brought it to her chest. “Help me to understand, so I can show others who you really are.”
He wanted to trust her. The words curled on his tongue, desperate to find someone who would accept all of him, but that was for humans. Not him. Not the wolf that howled at the moon and tore into flesh. “This is what I am, sweetheart.” He pulled away and held his hands out. “Get used to it.”
“Why are you acting like this?” She lifted her chin. “There’s more to you than the bad boy rep you’ve got going on. Maybe if you allow someone to get close to you, learn to trust, care for someone other than yourself, then you’d be happier.”
Did she think they had a chance to be together? Be a couple? He had to end this before her fantasies overruled reality. “Sweetheart, just ‘cause I kissed you, doesn’t mean we have a future together.” He lowered his gaze before meeting her stare. “I don’t need anyone.”
“Right. What was I thinking?” She pushed past him. “You’ve dozens of women out there waiting for you to snap your fingers and order a booty call.” At the bar, she turned. “But anyone with half a brain can see your hunts are a way to cope with the reality that, without your fame and fortune, you’re just like the rest of us. No, you’re worse, because you're alone and will never find happiness by yourself or with anyone until you drop your guard.” She shook her head.
He opened his mouth to say something, but clamped it shut. The sense that she could fill the hole inside him was there. Brushing around the edges of his heart. He’d never realized suppressing words would hurt so damn much.
Falling for Shifters: A Limited Edition Autumn Shifters Collection Page 66