As if reading his mind, tears clouded her eyes. She looked at him like he’d hurt her beyond repair, and it took every atom of his being not to beg her to forgive him. But they couldn’t be together. Not when a rabid wolf lived inside him. She’d never understand.
What now? For the first time, he had no idea what to do next. His heart twisted at how much he’d fucked up. Potentially, the most important person who had ever come into his life would never be his because, at the critical moment with both her and his brother, he’d faltered and ruined everything.
Untitled
Chapter Eighteen
Jessica
If Ryan didn’t want to admit he had feelings for her, Jessica wasn’t going to force him, even if the ache deep in her gut grew with intensity. She squared her shoulders. “Fine. See ya around.” Marching past him, she let the door slam shut behind her.
Why was he refusing to admit what was so obvious? Even their kiss, as short as it had been, had sent tingles through her. She shook her head. Maybe he didn’t feel the same way.
At her car, she climbed in and cranked the motor. She checked the rearview mirror, part of her hoping to see Ryan run out, to tell her that he’d made a mistake and to beg her to come back inside. But the mansion remained dark, except for the kitchen light.
“Your loss.” She pulled out onto the road, turning on her high beams. So what if Ryan was a big shot rugby player? Didn’t make him God. She smacked the steering wheel. Damn, she still needed her story to land the reporting job. How could she have let her emotions drive her away?
Yet her mind kept returning to the wolves. For some reason, Ryan had wolves on his property, but no cages that she could find. And he had been naked and covered in blood. What was he doing? Some type of occult sacrifice thing? Had her boss heard rumors of the wolves and that’s why he’d sent her to find out what she could about Ryan and the team? Had he suspected something?
And she’d let her heart get in the way of her job. As if Ryan would fall for her… guess the joke was on her. Tomorrow, she needed to wrap up the story and fly back to Sydney. Be business-minded. Have a list of questions, shoot them off to Ryan, and don’t let him dodge the answers. She could get the scoop on the Christmas party fundraiser through email and phone calls. But she could maintain a professional stance with Ryan. He’d never know how much his words and lackadaisical attitude had ripped into her heart.
Her cell phone buzzed. What if it was her boss asking for an update? What would she tell him, Ryan’s got wolves on his land and likes to run in the dark naked and covered in blood? And he’s a great kisser and cooks divinely?
She clicked the answer button. “Hello?”
“Jess? It’s Amber. You know, your BFF you were supposed to call today?”
Crap, she’d completely forgotten. “Sorry, I was super busy. How are you?” A trailer full of sheep passed her. She really needed to save some money for a new car if a truck full of animals could pass her so easily.
“How long are you going to be in Zealand?”
“Not sure, why?” Was her best friend missing her already?
“’Cause I just got a job offer I couldn’t refuse.” Amber squealed and Jessica cringed and held the phone away from her ear for a second. “I’m coming out there… to New Z. There’s a client that needs help with a recent accident and they’ve asked for me personally. So we have to get together and do dinner and drinks.”
“Cool. Who’s the new case?”
“Kevin Taylor. He’s a daredevil on motorcycles and travels the world.” She sighed. “If only I had the time and money to do that. Someday, though.”
Had Ryan taken her advice and hired her friend for his brother’s physical therapy? It couldn’t be a coincidence. A warm sensation spread through her.
“That’s awesome. But what about your other patients?”
“They’re nearly done with treatment. Or at least what I can offer them. I’ll transition them to other care providers this week and be able to spend Christmas Day with you. And I got you the best present ever.”
“Thanks, but you don’t have to get me anything.” She flicked on her signal to switch lanes.
“And you say that every year.”
“How do you think your clients in Sydney will react?”
“Liz hasn’t needed therapy in months, Jerry just likes to tell me jokes he makes up ‘cause he says I’m the only one who laughs. Marge and Sammy have been skipping out of appointments and they’ve been doing better on their own anyway. I’m actually in-between patients right now, so it’s like the best time. Besides, it’s been six years since I had a vacation and went anywhere outside of the city. So I’ll take twelve weeks off, help this guy out, then return home to my boring life.”
“I’d never call what you do boring.”
“Not my job. I love what I do. But my date life sucks. Between helping people at all hours, keeping up with my studies, and my physical fitness, I’m too tired for even a bag of popcorn and late-night TV.”
Was there a hint of longing in her friend’s voice? “It’ll be so cool for you to come down. We’ll have to plan something.” She could postpone her trip back to Sydney. It would be fun to have her friend here. Maybe she could bounce the questions she had about the wolves off Amber, get an outsider’s point of view.
“Maybe you can introduce me to the team. You know I’m a total die-hard rugby fan. Think they need cheerleaders? I still have my pompoms from high school.”
Jessica laughed. “Sure.”
“And is Ryan as a bad boy as he seems on TV? Come on, dish.”
“Oh, he’s cocky with that killer smile of his.” She took a breath. “I stayed at his house the other night.”
“What!” Amber’s voice shrilled. “You go girl.”
“No, it wasn’t anything like that. It was just late and…” She took a sharp curve, and a deer dashed out in front of her car. “Shit!”
Jerking the wheel, she screamed as her car drove off the side of the road.
Ryan toweled off and pulled on a pair of boxers. Even without trying, he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. His wolf was restless, insisting he phone Jessica and apologize. But he couldn’t. Not while he was a werewolf and the slightest danger of harming her remained. In a few days, she’d fly back to Sydney and he’d never see her again. No way would he live in the city and she’d never leave her job for the country and woods. Would she?
He tossed the towel into the laundry. Crap, he couldn’t even play pool without thinking about her. Or go in his study, since he’d spotted her in there the other night. Hell, even the kitchen held memories of her, and in such a short time, with her loving his cooking and then later, when he hadn’t admitted his growing feelings.
His cell rang and he snatched it up, answering it without looking at the caller ID. It could be Jessica. “Hello?”
“Oh my God, is this Ryan? I’ve been trying to find someone with your number forever now. The police and ambulance people thought I was a prank call,” a woman’s frantic voice said.
Was this a crazed fan? “Listen, I appreciate your support, but this is a private number.” He’d have to change it once again.
“Don’t you dare hang up on me!” She panted. “I think she’s hurt. You’ve got to call the police, fire department, whatever you have over there. Have everyone out searching.”
Prickles of unease raised the hairs on his arm. “Who is this? And who’s hurt?”
“I’m Amber. Jessica’s friend.” Her words were running together. “We were talking on the phone and I heard her scream and crash. Then nothing. I’ve tried calling her back, but her phone goes to voicemail. I told the New Zealand Police, and they said they’d look into it but haven’t had any reports of an accident. I don’t think they believe me. But she wouldn’t just cut our conversation off without saying why or goodbye.”
His breaths stuck in his chest. The sound of blood rushing to his ears blocked out any sounds. Images of Jessica hurt or abd
ucted crashed into him and he staggered back a step.
“How long ago did you speak with her?” He could try and work out from there plus when she left his house to figure out a general location, chancing that he was right and she’d been headed back to the hotel.
“Forty-five minutes or so. Please, I’m not crazy. Something’s wrong, I can feel it.”
This was his fault. He’d seen she was upset when she’d left and he’d let her go. “As soon as I find out anything, Amber, I’ll let you know.” Jessica must have headed back to the hotel, at least he prayed she had. There was a long patch of roadway with little lighting halfway between here and there. He ended the call, then pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
She must be off the road in the dark for the cops not to have spotted her. Barefoot, he ran through the house and jumped into his car. He had to find her. God, please let her be okay.
Untitled
Chapter Nineteen
Ryan
Ryan’s tires squealed as he suddenly stopped, seeing a break in the trees. Rolling down his window, he peered into the night, searching. A fallen log was the cause of the break. He kept his windows down and let the car cruise slowly down the road as he listened for any sound or sight of her.
“Jessica!”
No response.
This was the halfway point between his home and the hotel. She had to be here somewhere. His throat tightened. Unless she’d taken another street or hadn’t been going to her room.
Another mile crept by and still no sign of her. Every instinct in him told him she’d taken this road. She had to be here somewhere. The forest opened up to a small glade. Something in the distance caught his gaze. A piece of metal? Flipping off the engine, he jerked the car door open and jogged to the edge of the forest. Part of an old bumper lay in a bush. Not Jessica.
His feet crunched through leaves as he ran up and down the roadway. “Jessica!” He called her name over and over. This was taking too long. He had to find her… do something else.
He yanked off his clothes. Pushing his wolf forward, his bones snapped, lengthening and realigning. The pain rocketed through him, but he focused on the end result. As the wolf, he had a better chance of finding her. His senses were better as a human now than before he’d become a werewolf, but they were nowhere near the distinct as a wolf.
White fur covered his body as he fell to all fours. He let out a long howl knowing that any pack members within six miles of the forest would be able to hear his call for help and respond.
Closing his eyes, he brought the scent of Jessica into his mind. Vanilla and oranges. And the fact he’d smelled her in his wolf form helped. He lifted his muzzle, sniffing the air. Nothing to the south or east. Turning, he smelled again. The breeze brought fresh grass, cooling asphalt that had baked in the summer sun all day, and wood to his nostrils. Underneath the currents around him was a whiff of copper. Blood.
After he opened his eyes, he galloped at his full speed of fifty-six kph. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to keep the pace for long, he opened his senses, searching for her, his gaze picking up the slightest movements of bugs and animals in the woods.
His muscles burned, but he forced his legs faster. A stitch in his side brought his steps down to a trot. She had to be here. Catching his breath, he let out another howl and was answered by Carmen and Nate. Good. They could aid in the search. The stench of gasoline clogged his muzzle. Jessica?
He leapt over a fallen log and let his claws scratch the surface as a visual marker to any of his pack members. His lungs squeezed for air as he raced toward the smell. It had to be her. He pushed aside the thoughts of her lifeless, mangled body while his heart hammered with each stride.
Tracking the gasoline smell, Ryan now detected an underlining scent: blood, and a hint of vanilla.
Jessica! She was close. His paws tore over the grass and through the trees.
He flew across the ground, remembering a sharp curve in the road several feet away. Smoke tickled his nose.
Dodging a low branch, he zoomed faster until he spotted her car. Its front end was crumpled against a kauri tree. His legs gave way and he stumbled. Not waiting, he shifted back into a human, forcing the agony of burning muscles and breaking bones aside. Panting, he crawled to the vehicle, his stomach knotted.
Please be okay. The windshield held a huge bloody hole over the driver’s side. Her torso lay on the smoking hood, her body gushing blood from multiple wounds. He staggered upright, leaning heavily against the side of the car as he yanked on the handle. It was locked.
“Jessica!” His voice was raw from the fumes. He was surprised the car hadn’t caught fire.
She wasn’t moving. With his fist, he banged on the window, but she didn’t respond. Fuck! He dashed around the car, stopping before the passenger window. Taking a breath, he rammed his elbow through the glass, shattering it. He climbed inside and undid her seatbelt.
No way to call for help, he’d left his cellphone in his car as being a wolf didn’t come with pockets.
He sank into the seat beside her. Finding her cell on the floorboard, he punched in the emergency number and gave the operator their location.
“An ambulance is on its way here. Just hold on.” The hospital would stitch her up and she’d be well. When she didn’t move or open her eyes, his chest tightened so hard he pressed a hand to his breastbone. There was no way the medics were going to make it in time.
“I’m right here.” He grasped her hand and she squeezed it back.
Her breaths were labored and she gurgled blood. She was slipping away. The stench of blood was so thick he didn’t know how she could have any left.
He had to do something. Would she want to live if it meant being a werewolf? If it meant that his bite might end her life just as fast as her injuries? If he moved her, he might make it worse, but her eyes widened as she looked at him through the smashed windshield. That look told him he was going to lose her if he didn’t help her. Her gaze shifted behind him and she closed her eyes. Her breathing became shallow. She was so pale, and dark circles lined her eyes. His fingers felt for her pulse. It was weak and faltering. No! He couldn’t lose her.
“I’m going to do something that might make you better.” Would she even understand him? Or hear him? “It sounds crazy, but it happened to me. I’m a werewolf and my bite might save you.”
With no sign of help, he had no other option. If he did nothing, she would die. His bite might give her a chance, or it could kill her faster. Beneath his fingers, her pulse fluttered to nothing. He couldn’t wait any longer. Damn the consequences. Even if she hated him for making her a werewolf, he couldn’t live with himself knowing he’d let her die when could’ve saved her.
He partially transformed. Lightly, he lifted her arm, watching her for any hesitation in her face, and then bit down on her wrist.
She hissed out a breath but didn’t flinch. Releasing her, he shifted back into a full human and wiped his mouth. Her copper-tasting blood was warm on his tongue. Inside him, his wolf howled a lone mating call.
Suddenly, her body convulsed.
No! Was she going into cardiac arrest? “Ride the pain, Jessica. Accept the transformation. The wolf. Stay with me.”
Her eyes rolled up and her head snapped against the hood. Then she stilled. Not moving. Not breathing. He felt for a pulse, his insides quivering when he found none. Ryan Taylor was cursed - and now a murderer. He’d just killed the only woman he’d cared about since he became a werewolf.
Untitled
Chapter Twenty
Jessica
Acid burned through Jessica’s veins. Her muscles convulsed. She pushed up on her arms to move away from the pain, but glass cut into her hands and arms.
Beside her was a person. She felt them rub her back and say something to her, but she couldn't make out the sound from the inferno rushing through her body.
She squeezed her eyes shut, each breath lodging in her chest.
Her bones felt as i
f they were twisting in her limbs. She stared at her arm, something twitching and shifting beneath the flesh. Her bones snapped, and she screamed.
Warm hands grasped her shoulders, pulling her back into a warm chest. Coldness seeped into her, and she couldn't stop shaking. Arms enveloped her. A masculine scent tickled her nostrils. Ryan? Underneath his scent was an undercurrent of a fur smell. The image of the white wolf filled her mind and she hunched forward.
Her body seized, and she couldn't breathe. She clawed at her throat, darkness pressing around her.
A wolf howl echoed somewhere nearby, low and mournful, a heartbroken melody.
In her mind’s eye, an image of the wolf shifted into Ryan. He held out his hand, beckoning her forward. A bright full moon shone behind him. Instinctively, she knew if she took his hand, her life would never be the same. But if she refused, her life would be over. Without saying words, her hallucination of Ryan held. His gaze was full of hope and love. He loved her! She felt it deep in her soul.
She doubled over as pain lanced through her. Another howl sounded, and part of her wanted to answer the call. But she was human, not a wolf. Damn, werewolves didn’t exist! Was she hallucinating?
Next to her, Ryan’s blue and gold gaze took on the full yellow of the wolf. Impossible. She back-peddled.
The stench of gasoline and something metallic clogged her throat. Her eyes flew open. Ryan held her a few feet from her car. Her front windshield was busted and her hood smoked. What the…?
Wait. She'd been in an accident? A wave of nausea hit her. She cringed, fighting back as her vision darkened.
“What the hell happened?”
“You were in a car wreck. Lost a lot of blood.” He choked on the last word. “I did what I could to save you.”
Falling for Shifters: A Limited Edition Autumn Shifters Collection Page 67