“Thank you,” Roxy said, standing over the woman.
The woman glanced up at her, fresh blood seeping from the long gash along her forehead. “You’re welcome,” she replied, swiping the blood to keep it from going in her eyes. “I’m really sorry.”
“You’ve nothing to be sorry for.” Roxy frowned, searching for something to give the woman to stop the blood from running. Of course being in the woods, there was nothing. Spotting a pointed rock, she bent and picked it up, then stabbed a hole through her thin shirt under her jacket. After ripping a strip, she knelt down, moved the woman’s blonde, blood-soaked hair out of the way and gently held the cloth to the angry-looking wound. She noticed the woman clutched her ribs, her breathing coming in short gasps. “How badly are you hurt?”
“I’ll be fine.” She smiled, then grimaced when the smile caused her pain.
“What’s your name?” Roxy felt the dampness of the dirt but ignored it.
“Roslyn, but I go by Ross.” She took the cloth from Roxy’s hand and peered at it.
“Tomboy, huh?” Roxy grinned, hoping to take the woman’s mind off all the blood that had soaked the cloth. “I’m Roxanna, but I go by Roxy. If it wasn’t for you, I never would have been able to escape, so again, thank you.”
“Didn’t I tell you to stay over there?” Marcus walked up, standing directly over her.
“Yes, you did,” Roxy replied, glaring up at him. “But I wasn’t going to sit there and watch her bleed to death. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to get away.”
“Is that true?” Marcus glanced at the woman, his eyes narrowing.
“Carl is trouble.” The woman glared over at where the man named Carl was now standing with a pair of sweats someone had given him. “You don’t want him in your pack, mister.”
Roxy watched Marcus closely to see how he was going to respond. He had turned to look at the man, anger clouding his eyes.
“I’m Marcus.” He turned back to the woman. “And don’t worry, he won’t be.”
“She’s hurt.” Roxy stood, dusting the mud off her knees. “She needs a doctor.”
“No, I don’t.” Ross shook her head and stood slowly, a moan escaping. “I just need somewhere safe to shift, and I’ll be fine.”
“You can stay with me,” Roxy offered, but Marcus stopped that real quick.
“Ah, no, she can’t.” Marcus’s tone clearly indicated that was final. “We’ll find you a safe place.”
“She’ll be fine at my place.” Roxy put her hand on her hip, glaring at Marcus. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Excuse us,” Marcus said, pulling Roxy toward the hill, then stopped. “She will not be staying with you. We don’t know who she is, who any of them are and until then, they’ll be watched closely.”
“Well, that makes no sense at all.” Roxy frowned, looking back at the woman. “She tried to help me, not hurt me.”
“I’m not budging on this, Roxy.” Marcus rolled his shoulder with a hiss of pain. “But I do promise you she will be well taken care of.”
Knowing he was hurting, Roxy caved. “Okay, I just feel bad that she was hurt and you were hurt because of me.”
“This wasn’t because of you, Roxy,” Marcus assured her. “And by the way, how in the hell did you end up in that tree?”
“I was going into work when three wolves came out of the woods at the end of my driveway. I wasn’t sure if they were shifters or real wolves, but I knew I’d never seen them before. The woman came out and took one look at me. I knew then I was in trouble. The one started stalking toward me and then howled. Before he could take off after me, Ross—”
“Ross?” Marcus’s brow dipped into a frown.
“Yeah, her name is Roslyn, but she goes by Ross. She jumped on him and screamed for me to run.” Roxy glanced at his shoulder before looking back into his eyes. “I tried to make it to the house, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to unlock the door in time so I headed toward the woods. She fought him all the way down the hill, and if it wasn’t for her, he would have caught me. I saw the tree and knew if I made it up there, he couldn’t get to me unless he shifted.”
“You’re a very smart woman.” Marcus cupped her cheek, running his thumb close to the stinging scratch on her face.
Roxy glanced up the hill, then to the tree. “No, I’m a very lucky woman.”
“Come on, let’s get you home. I have to take care of some things, and then I need to heal.” Marcus clasped her hand and led her toward the base of the hill.
“I have to open the coffee shop. I’m already late.” Roxy tried her best to get up the hill on her own because she knew his shoulder was hurting, but it was nearly impossible for her. Midway up, he stopped and picked her up after she slipped for the hundredth time. “No, your shoulder.”
“Is fine,” Marcus said against her hair. “We’re almost there.”
She figured he would let her down as soon as they broke through the woods at the top of the hill, but he didn’t. It looked like the whole town had shown up. Everyone stood around, and all eyes landed on her and Marcus.
“You can put me down now,” Roxy whispered, but couldn’t help the rush of pleasure from being held by him. He looked damn good without a shirt on and even with it being cold, his body heat warmed her better than an electric blanket.
“Nah, it’s time this town knows exactly who you belong to.” Marcus grinned down at her. Then in front of everyone, he kissed her soundly on the lips.
She actually groaned when he pulled his lips from hers. A large masculine grin spread across his face, making her blush. She looked away only to see Sadie Johnson glaring at her. Maybe he was right. It was time this town knew that she and Marcus belonged to each other.
Chapter 8
Marcus left the coffee shop reluctantly, but he knew he was close enough to keep an eye on the building and didn’t plan on being gone long. Roxy had assured him she was fine, but still, walking out that door had been the hardest fucking thing he’d ever done. But he had work to do and his alpha demanded him to be present.
They had taken all the new wolves to Jonah’s, and that was where Marcus was headed. His shoulder hurt like a bitch, and he knew if he didn’t shift soon, he might have permanent damage, not to mention an infection setting in.
Walking inside Jonah’s, he heard his alpha talking and respectfully found himself a spot in the back of the small room. The wolf who’d been after Roxy stood in the middle of the room with the other two wolves slightly behind him. Marcus took pleasure in the fact he looked like he was in as much pain as he was.
“You came into my town, attacked someone under my protection, and expect me to keep you on as part of my pack?”
“I wouldn’t have hurt her,” Carl said, not realizing Marcus had walked into the room.
“Bullshit,” a female voice spoke out.
“Shut up, Ross,” Carl growled her way.
Dell smacked the guy upside the head. “You shut the fuck up, asshole.”
Marcus stepped forward. “I agree with her.” He nodded toward Ross. “Bullshit. You chased a human female through the woods, down a small mountain and scared her enough to send her up a tree to escape you. Not to mention she is my mate. You’re lucky you’re breathing right now, motherfucker.”
“I didn’t know she was mated.” Carl glared at Marcus. “She’s not marked.”
“It doesn’t fucking matter.” Marcus headed toward him, but Hunter stepped in front of him, stopping his progress.
“Chill, brother,” Hunter warned him. “Remember who you are.”
“She is a female. We treat our females with nothing but respect,” Marcus shouted around Hunter, then looked at Garrett. “He does not belong here, and I can pretty much guarantee you if he does stay, he’ll die at my hand.”
Garrett gave Marcus a nod but didn’t say a word.
“And as for you.” Marcus turned his focus on the other two men standing behind Carl. “You let a female defend my mate
while you did nothing?”
“He’s our alpha,” one of them said, which made Carl puff out his chest.
“There’s only one alpha in this town, and that fucker is not him.” Marcus shook his head and turned toward Garrett. “I vote for these three to go. I’ve already stated my reason why on that asshole, and these two… I don’t think I need to say anything. He said it all in announcing who he thinks is the alpha here.”
“That’s my vote also,” Hunter added, Dell nodded, and Jonah also gave his nod.
“They were given the rules before we were even on our way here.” Jonah’s hard stare was directed toward Carl. “They all agreed, even those three.”
“How are you involved with them.” Marcus turned to look at the woman who had helped Roxy.
“He’s my stepbrother.” Ross pointed to Carl. “And voting him out would be in everyone’s best interest.”
“You bitch!” Carl spat her way and took a step toward her.
“Make one more move, and it will be your last.” Dell’s deadly tone filled the room, stopping him instantly.
“I should have killed you when I had the chance.” Carl growled at her with a snap of his teeth.
“Yes, you should have,” she shot back.
Carl turned toward Garrett. “I challenge you for this pack.”
“Please accept,” Hunter snarled toward Garrett, but his eyes never left Carl.
“It would not be a challenge since you’re injured,” Garrett responded, his tone full of disgust. “And because you disrespected one of my high-ranking member’s mate, he has the right to accept the challenge in my place, and we all know how that will turn out.”
“It’s a shame to see an alpha afraid to accept a challenge,” Carl baited, but Garrett just smiled as he took a step toward him.
Grabbing Carl around the throat, Garrett lifted him off the ground with one hand. “You just made my decision simple.” The man’s feet began to twitch as Garrett lifted him higher. “You are banished from this pack. If you return, it is a definite death sentence without trial. I will warn other packs in the area about you and your disrespectful practices.”
Garrett tossed him toward the other two men.
“I’ll see that they leave the area,” Dell volunteered quickly.
“Do not take my mercy as weakness,” Garrett warned all three of them. “If I see you back, even hear about you in this area, you’ll be hunted down and will not be given this mercy twice.”
Dell grabbed Carl by the back of the neck, pushing him toward the door. Carl stopped and glared toward Ross. “You coming?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Even if I’m refused here because of you, I’ll find my own way.”
“Stupid bitch,” Carl sneered, still rubbing his neck where Garrett’s handprint was displayed. Then he looked at Marcus.
“If you want to leave here alive, I suggest you keep moving with your fucking mouth shut,” Marcus warned with a cocked eyebrow, daring him to utter one word. Once Dell, along with a few others, ushered Carl and the other two out the door, he relaxed, but only slightly. There were still strangers among them and after this, he was rethinking making their pack stronger by bringing others in.
“I was never loyal to him. He was not my alpha.” The woman looked from Marcus to Garrett. “If you want me to leave, I will.”
Garrett looked away from her without answering to the other six, his eyes meeting each one. “Have no doubt that we are a strong pack. I am a strong and just alpha, as you have seen. What Carl did warranted death, but I have shown mercy and will say again, do not mistake my mercy for weakness, because you will greatly regret it.” Garrett’s voice boomed through the small room. “For those of you who want to stay, you will follow my rules. You will respect not only my pack but the humans who reside in this town. Is that understood?”
The remaining shifters nodded, their eyes wide.
“I have a different set of rules here. Women are not for your taking. We do everything here the shifter way other than that of mating. The woman has to be in full agreement. We do not force our will on the women as has been the way of many packs. I am alpha, and you will abide by my rules. You will be loyal to not only me but everyone in this town, shifter and human alike.” Garrett again looked at each one in the eyes. “Know that anything my brothers, Marcus and Hunter, say to you is coming from me. Is that understood?”
Most nodded in agreement, a few agreed verbally.
“Each one of you will be interviewed by one of us, but until then, you will stay with Jonah under his charge by my word.” Garrett turned to look at Ross. “You have already displayed your loyalty by saving one of ours and putting your life in danger. You will have a place to stay by the end of the day.”
“Thank you.” The woman bowed her head to Garrett in respect.
“For now, Jonah will find you a room here so you can shift and begin to heal.” Garrett gave Jonah a nod. Jonah waved her over and walked out of the room with her. Garrett waited for her to leave before continuing, “It’s going to be a long day so get comfortable.” Garrett dismissed them.
Marcus had relaxed and was leaning against the wall. His eyes watched each new individual closely, but it was hard to focus. His shoulder was killing him.
“You need to shift and heal.” Garrett looked at his shoulder and frowned. “Infection is already setting in.”
Marcus knew what Garrett said was true. A wolf’s bite was vicious, and if not taken care of properly, it would, in fact, turn bad very quickly. “I’ll help you interview, then I’ll shift.”
“No, you will do it now,” Garrett ordered. “You’re no good to me dead.”
“Go shift, man.” Hunter nodded to him. “We got this, and Dell will be back soon. With four of us interviewing, it will go quickly.”
“Shit,” Marcus grumbled, hating being hurt. He was a bad patient when he was sick or injured. “Should’ve killed the bastard.”
“Probably,” Hunter replied, both teasingly and serious. “I hope that wasn’t a mistake.”
Marcus agreed as he walked out Jonah’s front door. Automatically, his gaze traveled to the coffee shop. He headed that way, needing to make sure she was okay one more time before he found a place to shift and heal.
******
Roxy was glad it had been busy. With all the activity, the coffee shop had been packed, especially since she and Clare hadn’t had time to take coffee to the construction workers. So instead, they came into the shop. She finally had a slow period so she was able to straighten up in back while Clare manned the front.
She was worried about Marcus. His shoulder looked bad and she knew it hurt. Glancing once again at the frosting knife on the table, she smiled when her stomach didn’t dip with nausea. Walking over to it, she picked it up and stared at the dried frosting. Glancing at the drawer, she crossed the floor and opened it to see the silverware still in the messy state she and Marcus had left it in last night. With her free hand, she messed them up a little bit more and then closed the drawer, her smile growing. When she turned to the sink, her eyes met Marcus’s, who leaned in the doorway still shirtless.
“You are beautiful.” His voice was low as his eyes searched her face. “You need to smile like that more often.”
Heat filled her cheeks, and she knew she blushed, but she also noticed how pale he looked, his eyes glassy. Tossing the knife into the sink, she rushed toward him. His shoulder looked worse. “You need to see a doctor.” She touched his cheek and frowned. “You’ve got a fever.”
“I need to shift,” he replied, pressing his cheek into her hand. “I’ll be fine.”
“What are you waiting for, Marcus?” She didn’t like how pale he looked. She suddenly realized she couldn’t lose him. “Shift.”
He reached up, taking her hand in his, then kissed her palm. “I wanted to check on you first. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Now please go shift,” Roxy urged. “I don’t know what I’ll do if something
happens to you.”
A grinned tipped his lips. “So you do care for me?”
“Of course I care for you.” She rolled her eyes. “Now please, go take care of yourself.”
“I’d walk through hell for you, Roxy. Don’t you know that?” Marcus pushed away from the doorway and nudged her body further into the back with his. He bent his head and kissed her, and not with the sweet soft kisses he had been giving her. This time it was a hard promise that she was his. He pulled her against him with his good arm, deepening the kiss.
Roxy was sure she was going to pass out from lack of air, but she didn’t want him to stop. She would happily faint if he just kept going, but he pulled away, and she wanted to cry. Never had she been kissed like that.
“Wow,” Roxy whispered, her wide eyes staring up at his hooded gaze.
“Yeah, wow.” His deep voice vibrated through her. He then shifted his body and grimaced. “Okay, I need to go. Hunter and Dell are going to keep an eye on you until I can get back. Don’t leave until one of them comes and walks you home.”
“Where are you going to go?” Roxy didn’t like the idea of him being alone.
“I’ve got a small place outside town. I’ll head there,” Marcus replied. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers again. This time it was a short peck.
“Alone?” She frowned. “No, I don’t think so.”
She grabbed his hand and stepped into the front of the shop. Clare stood behind the counter staring out the window. “Hey, what else you need me to do?” Clare asked, seeing them come from the back.
“You think you can close up for me?” Roxy asked, hoping Clare wouldn’t mind.
“Yeah, of course.” She glanced at Marcus’s shoulder and cringed. “You need to get that shoulder taken care of.”
“That’s what we’re going to do.” Roxy led Marcus toward the door. “Just leave the dishes in the back. I’ll do them tomorrow morning. Thanks, Clare.”
Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves) Book #3 Page 6