“My whole life the bastard’s always gotten what I wanted.” Somehow Serena doubted that. From what she’d heard, Clive had been doted on by his mother and was spoiled, but there was no denying the hatred he had in his eyes for Connor. He was so deranged that he truly believed what he was saying.
Serena found herself shrinking away from him as a new fear surfaced. Was he going to kill Connor?
“When Trina told me you two were at the restaurant I knew exactly what I was going to do.”
Trina had called him?
“I called her to meet up with me later, and she just happened to let it drop that you and Connor were having lunch there, and that she would be off duty once she was done with your table.”
Serena was about to remind him that he was supposed to be gone from the area, but she knew that would be a colossal mistake. Clive reminded her of a keg of dynamite getting ready to explode. The last thing she wanted to do was make him angrier.
She couldn’t help notice that they were traveling on the road that led to Connor’s home. “Where are you taking me?”
“Connor’s home,” Clive said without hesitation. “Where better to take his beautiful mate than in his bed?” He sounded very pleased with himself. “And when he sees what I’ve done to his precious mate, while he’s busy looking down at your broken, bleeding body, I’ll kill him.”
Oh, God, no! The image of what he had planned flashed before her. Clive hadn’t said that he was going to kill her, but a life without Connor? Serena couldn’t fathom it, she couldn’t bear the thought. “Connor will kill you–”
“You think I’m scared of him?” Clive all but screamed, cutting Serena off. “By the time he makes it home I’ll be done with you and waiting for him. He won’t know what hit him.”
“You’re a coward!” Serena dared a glance behind them, hoping to see Connor there.
He hauled off and back handed her, laughing cynically. “Don’t get your hopes up. That’s a new friend of mine. He’s following us to give me a ride when I’m done. And if I should need help handling Connor, he’ll come in handy.”
Connor, can you hear me? She decided to try telepathy with him. Clive is taking me to your house. Connor? Oh, God, Connor, I’m so sorry for not locking the doors like you said. Serena felt hot tears fill her eyes as the situation with Clive began to get the better of her. Connor? She wiped at her cheek. Be careful, Connor. Clive will be waiting for you. Serena hesitated. I love you, Connor. Hear me, please!
Don’t cry, love. Serena felt intense relief when his voice came through. I’m on my way. No matter what happens, do what Clive wants and stay alive. Do you hear me? Stay alive!
“Crying won’t help you,” Clive scoffed cruelly, cutting into their thoughts. “But I hope you show a little more spirit when the time comes. I like women who fight a little, especially when I’m fucking them. Turns me on.”
“You’re nothing but an animal,” she finally said, shooting Clive a look of contempt. “You need help, Clive.”
Her comment enraged Clive, and the next thing Serena knew she was suffering another blow to the face. Before she had time to acknowledge it, he’d grabbed a hand full of her hair and hauled her over to his side of the Hummer. Her face was suddenly inches from his, and he took a moment to glare down into her tearing eyes.
“You’ll need help by the time I’m done with you,” he threatened. He then released Serena with a shove.
Heart beating wildly in her chest, Serena began to tremble. The left side of her face was numb, and she could taste blood where her teeth had cut into her lip. Clive’s savage anger was enough to convince her that he could very well carry out his intentions. He was determined and fueled by deep-seated emotions.
What if he did catch Connor by surprise? It would be two against one. Serena had faith in Connor, but would he be so distracted by finding her that he’d let his guard down? She squeezed her eyes closed and let the tears fall again. If I cause Connor’s death…
You won’t, baby. Trust in me.
“Oh, baby.”
Serena was unprepared for Clive’s sympathetic tone, and for the tenderness of the back of his hand as it brushed against her bruised cheek. However, she knew not to trust the change in him.
“Tears just won’t do. I’m sorry if the gravity of your situation is getting the best of you. I promise I won’t leave you in pieces, like I did the eagle back at the sanctuary.”
Serena pulled away from his hand. His admission didn’t surprise her. She glanced out the window, realizing they were getting close to Connor’s cabin.
Connor! We’re almost at your cabin. They’re planning a trap for you.
All too soon, Clive was coming to a jerky stop at the cabin, his so-called new friend right behind them. “Get out,” he ordered, opening the door and exiting the vehicle.
Serena watched him walk around the front of the Hummer before her numb brain registered that she was alone in the cab. Just as Clive reached her side of the Hummer she quickly locked the door and then reached over and locked the driver’s side door. Maybe she could buy some time, but she had no doubt that the locked doors wouldn’t keep Clive out for long.
Clive just stopped, stunned for a moment, glaring at her. “Unlock the door, bitch!” He pulled on the handle. “Unlock the fucking door!”
Serena ignored him. Soon his friend joined him. He said something that Serena couldn’t hear, and then the two were looking around them toward the ground. Her heart fell when Clive picked up a large rock. Screaming, Serena scooted away and ducked when he crashed the rock through the window. She jumped into the back seat, and, just as he reached through the broken window she unlocked and pushed the door open to make a run for it.
She didn’t get far. His friend caught up to her and forced her back to the Hummer. Serena struggled against him, knowing that Clive would retaliate once he got his hands on her. Her struggling only got her a couple of slaps as she was dragged to the tailgate.
“Get off me!” she screamed.
“I’ll take you right here, bitch!” Clive threatened, slamming Serena back against the unyielding vehicle. He ripped at her blouse, tearing it open down the front. His eyes followed the strip of flesh he’d exposed.
“Why don’t we both have a go at her?” His friend suggested, holding Serena’s legs so that she couldn’t kick out.
Clive stared down into Serena’s eyes. She was terrified and totally at their mercy. Between the two of them, they had her good and secured against the unyielding metal of the Hummer. A mixture of emotions flooded her, from anger, to fear, to panic. Connor’s words came back to her, reminding her to do whatever Clive wanted in order to stay alive, but there was no way she was going to let him rape her without a fight.
“Maybe I will,” Clive responded, smiling down at Serena. “But as much as I want this bitch now, I want her in their bed.” He took the torn edges of her blouse in one hand and hauled her against him.
Serena stumbled as Clive turned her toward the cabin. Her hands came up to fight him off, but he backhanded her so viciously that she saw stars. She cried out, or at least she thought she had, until it dawned on her the sound was more of a threatening growl.
“Connor!” she whispered, catching sight of him off to the side of them. He was in wolf form, looking huge and powerful, his canines exposed.
He lunged for Clive’s friend. Serena was pushed away as Clive joined in the fight. She hit the ground and glanced up in time to see the two men change into wolves. Her eyes grew large as they pounced on Connor at the same time. Clive was almost as big as Connor, though thankfully his friend was a lot smaller.
Serena could only watch in horror as Connor fought the other two. He was a formidable opponent, and he fought as if their lives depended on it, which they did. Serena wondered how long he would be able to fight the two alone before they got the better of him. Right now, he seemed to be winning.
She got to her feet, wondering what she could do to help Connor. The three wolve
s were locked in a vicious battle, teeth ripping at one another and drawing blood. A yelp of pain came from the smaller wolf as he was tossed aside like a rag doll. Nevertheless, he scrambled to his feet again and went for Connor’s hind leg.
“Connor, behind you!” Serena screamed. When he turned to ward off the smaller wolf, Clive used it to his advantage. He jumped for Connor’s throat and bore him to the ground. “Connor!” she cried, watching in horror as the two wolves ganged up on him. They were both on top, jaws snapping as they aimed to maim and kill.
They were going to kill him! Serena’s heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. Her blood was on fire, racing through her veins like lava. Something feral and gripping took control of her senses. The smell and taste of blood was in the air. Something was happening to her, and the more she watched the fight the more she felt it have power over her. The instinct to join in the fight had her struggling with something she couldn’t see or understand.
There was another yelp, and this one she knew came from Connor. Tears flooded her eyes when she saw the blood on him. Clive and his friend were going at him like ravenous, rabid dogs. No! He’s not going to die! Serena didn’t know what she was going to do, but she ran to where they had him pinned to the ground. Fear and anger as she’d never known before rose to the surface. When she jumped towards them she came down on all fours.
She didn’t stop to question why. Without thinking, Serena aimed for the smaller wolf, landing on top of his back. The force knocked him off Connor, and suddenly they were rolling on the ground. She came out on top, chomping down on his shoulder and getting a yap for her efforts. Then as he tried to squirm out from under her, she managed to give him a painful nip on his nose before moving on to his throat. Giving him no chance to recover, she bit down as hard as she could and didn’t let go. The wolf beneath her whimpered.
A high-pitched yelp drew her gaze to Connor and Clive. They were going at each other in a mindless frenzy, and Serena had no doubt that it was a fight to the death. Both wolves were covered in blood, yet neither one acted as if he were wounded. Revealing any weakness would give the other wolf the advantage, and could mean the end.
The wolf underneath her was kicking all four legs in an effort to dislodge her, but Serena only clamped down harder on his throat. She knew he was slowly suffocating to death. Gradually his legs stilled, and just as he began to go limp, she released her death grip and sprinted to help Connor.
No, Serena, stay back!
You need help!
As if sensing that she was near, Clive swung around and was on Serena in a heartbeat. He bore her to the ground. She felt his teeth sink into her shoulder and released a yelp. As he lunged for a second bite Connor was on him, and they were rolling over and over into the dirt.
Serena jumped to her feet, but the pain in her shoulder was worse than she thought. She was unable to put her weight on her injured leg, and when she tried to shake it off, she cried out in pain. Damn! Her gaze flew to Connor. He and Clive were practically standing on their hind legs as they attacked one another, the power of their snapping jaws mingling with the sound of their growls.
A glance in the direction of where she’d left the other wolf revealed that he was gone. Apparently, he realized he’d bitten off more than he could chew. He was good when it was two on one, but even the odds and he had tucked his tail and ran. At least they didn’t have to worry about him any longer. She started to limp over to Connor.
Serena, stay back! Please!
She hesitated, knowing that her injury would prevent her from doing much to help and that her presence would distract Connor. Their gazes met for a second before he pinned Clive to the ground and savaged him. Clive’s shrieking cries told her that Connor was ending it.
She couldn’t stomach watching it and turned away. In the distance, she could hear the sound of approaching sirens.
She sank to the ground, changing back into human form on the way down.
Chapter 16
“We’re a mess, aren’t we?” Connor said, joining Serena in the bathroom. They were both naked, standing in front of the mirror, examining the bites, bruises and scratches marring their bodies. He came up behind her and moved her hair aside to kiss her shoulder. “Everyone is gone now. We can take a shower.”
Serena watched his mouth move over the wound on her shoulder with tenderness. A lump formed in her throat. A torrent of emotions were winding their way through her body, too many to understand or deal with. She did know one thing though, she’d fallen in love with Connor Savage.
She turned to face him, running her gaze over his body. He looked far worse than she did, yet his wounds didn’t seem to bother him very much. She ran her hands over his shoulders, which seemed to have taken the brunt of his fight with Clive, and leaned forward to kiss his bruised and bleeding flesh.
“God, I was so frightened when I saw the two of them take you down.” Serena kissed him between each word. “Then, before I knew it I’d changed into a wolf.” She smiled, looking up to meet his eyes.
“Your wolf was magnificent and beautiful, she wanted to fight alongside her mate. There are several emotions that can bring on the change without our conscious permission, anger and lust are at the top of the list. If the change hadn’t happened earlier, it would have tonight while we were fucking. That’s what I meant earlier when I said we’d talk about tonight. It was time.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “So, how did it feel?”
Serena thought about it for a moment. She honestly couldn’t remember. “I was so frightened for you that I didn’t pay any attention.”
He laughed. “The next time will be more momentous, I promise. Later tonight we’ll run in the mountains with the pack. We’ll slip away and mate in wolf form.”
Serena lifted on tiptoes to reach his lips. “I’m going to hold you to that.” She kissed Connor softly, trembling with emotion at how close they’d come to losing one another and at what cost. “I’m so sorry about Clive–”
Connor put a finger against her lips. “Shh, not another word about Clive, he made his bed. There was no love lost between us. The sheriff will be able to follow the blood trail and the scent of the other man and bring him to justice for his part.” There was amusement swimming in his eyes when he added, “You were ferocious for a little wolf.”
He reached in and turned on the shower. “Let’s get that shower, put some antiseptic on our wounds, and then I think rest is in order. Sound good?”
Serena nodded, letting Connor take control. When they were done with his suggestions they shared a glass of sherry, and then he was covering them with a cool sheet. Without being told, she turned onto her side, welcoming his body behind her when he spooned her. In spite of his hard-on and his hand cupping her breast, he made no other moves.
She closed her eyes, praying for peace.
****
A couple of hours later Serena roused. She hadn’t lain down with the intention of going to sleep, but the warmth and protection of Connor’s strong arms had been too comfortable. She moved onto her back, glancing out the window at the velvet blanket of stars cloaking the sky.
Connor was gone, but she could hear his voice coming from the other room. It sounded like he was on the phone with someone. Serena missed his closeness. Had it only been a few days? She felt as if she’d known him for a long time, yet there was still more that she wanted to know.
Is it possible to love someone after only knowing him for a few days? Romeo and Juliet came to mind, and Serena found herself smiling. Whether she did or not, she was there and she planned to stay.
Leaving the bed, she grabbed the sheet, wrapped it around her body, and went into the other room. Something smelled good, and it dawned on her that Connor must have put something in the oven.
When Connor noticed she’d walked into the room he motioned her over to him. Serena joined him in the oversized chair, sitting on his lap and placing her head upon his shoulder. She could hear the voice on the other end of the lin
e but couldn’t make out if it was a man or a woman. Connor just listened patiently, slipping his arm around her. Finally, he said goodbye and hung up.
Serena glanced up at him.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“Surprisingly good. I was sore all over when I went to bed.”
He nodded in understanding. “Wolves heal exceedingly fast,” he explained, smiling. “Another perk of being a werewolf.”
Serena’s eyes grew round, and she ran her gaze over his naked upper torso, confirming for herself that he spoke the truth. Her hand went up to explore where she’d been bitten. The wound was closing up. Amazing!
“Who was that on the phone?”
“The sheriff. He caught the other guy just as he was about to cross the line into his own territory. The elders will deal with him according to our laws.”
Serena shivered, deciding that she didn’t want to know what his fate would be. Relaxing her head against Connor again, she brought her hand up to rest it on his chest. He was so warm, and she could feel his heartbeat beneath her palm.
“I’ve also spoken to Mother.” He moved his lower body as if he were uncomfortable. “She knows what happened.”
Oh, God. “I feel so bad for her.”
“It will take time, but she’s a strong woman. Maybe now she’ll remember that she has three other sons.”
Before long Serena began caressing Connor’s chest and abdomen, marveling at the tight skin pulled over his defined muscles. Moaning with contentment, she nuzzled her nose against the side of his neck, taking in his manly scent, then lost herself in the moment by running her mouth over his skin. All at once, she wanted to devour him.
Connor drew in a harsh breath.
“I wanted to give you time,” he said in a husky tone, lifting his hips. “But if you keep this up–” He shuddered when Serena reached down between them and took hold of his cock. It was hot and hard. “Fuck, Serena!”
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