by S. K. Yule
“Do you live here, Collin?” He was attractive in a boyish sort of way, but he wasn’t her type.
He nodded his head yes.
Okay, so he wasn’t a talker either. She ate her food and tried several more attempts at starting a conversation with him, but he didn’t take the bait. When he was finished eating, he took his plate to the trash can and walked back toward the woods where he disappeared into the shadows of the trees.
“He’s only been here a week. He’s had some bad luck,” Janine told Sherry.
“That’s sad. I hope he gets better.” She hated to see others suffer. She figured it was due to the tragedy she’d lived through, and could understand, at least on some level, their pain.
“He will. That’s what Sanctuary is for.” Janine smiled.
She finished eating, took her plate to throw it away, then walked back over to where Janine was sitting with the others. “I’m going to run back to the cabin real quick and use the bathroom.” Sherry said to Janine.
“Feel free to use the bathroom in our cabin.” Rindy pointed over her shoulder to the log cabin she’d seen when she’d first walked to the gathering.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” Rindy took a bite of a burger that looked almost as big as she was.
“Thanks. Be right back.”
* * * *
Piers made his way through the woods toward his target. He was delayed when he spied the young, blond lycan. The boy hadn’t stayed with the group for long before making his exit. Now that he was gone, Piers started to move in again. When he stood at the edge of the clearing, his gaze went straight to the lycan who had to be Anthony Wolfson.
He was big, bigger than the other lycans had described, but Piers wasn’t deterred. He was sure he could take him. He found it hard to drag his eyes from the man who’d killed his brother, but he had to assess the battle ground. Besides Anthony, there were two other men and three women. He knew the women’s presence was to his advantage since at least one of the males would protect them by keeping them away from Piers.
They all appeared to have just finished eating and were setting up a game of horseshoes. They were going to be playing close to the edge of the woods, and his opportunity to avenge his brother was close at hand. The deer scent he’d sprayed on himself would wear off soon and give away his true identity, but for now, they’d think nothing of his presence, thinking it was a doe or buck that had wandered close.
He tensed when Anthony moved closer to his position. Within moments, the ancient’s nostrils flared. He’d been made. His plan of a surprise attack was compromised and he put plan B into action. He ran toward the log cabin, hoping that only Anthony would follow before the others caught on to what was happening. There was a small chance his backup plan would work since the others were a bit farther away from where he’d been standing. He was hoping the ancient would instruct both the other males to stay behind and protect the females.
He ran all out and knew Anthony was now on his tail. The first opportunity, he’d take him down quick. He didn’t want to risk a drawn out fight, which might allow enough time for the other males to get the females to safety and return to help out.
Chapter Six
Sherry thought the cabin was a beautiful place and very modern, unlike the small cabin she’d been staying in with Janine and Raze. If she had a place like this, living in the middle of nowhere might not be so bad. She opened the front door and stepped out onto the deck. She looked up at the ceiling and admired the woodwork. She stepped back to get a better look and ran smack into a solid wall. She shook her head, thinking somehow she’d walked into the wall, when a strong arm snaked around her waist and she froze.
At first she’d thought that maybe Raze was playing around with her, but when every hair on the back of her neck rose in warning and instant dread swirled in her stomach, she knew something was very wrong. Her eyes flew wide, and a scream bubbled from her throat, but was cut off when Anthony ran into the clearing from the trees and froze.
“Let her go.”
“I don’t think so. You murdered my brother.” His low voice sent shivers through her body.
Sherry watched as Anthony’s brows drew downward as if he was confused by the man’s accusation. What was going on, and how did she end up in the middle of it?
“Who is your brother?” Anthony asked quietly.
“You mean who was my brother. His name was Daniel, and he came here to talk to you about Raze along with Damon when you slaughtered him.”
“That’s not how it happened.” Anthony remained calm, but his green eyes hinted at his agitation and worry.
“I heard more than one person tell me exactly how it happened, and they all had the same story.”
He started moving down the stairs of the deck slowly, keeping her tight against his chest while he dragged her along as he inched toward the others. When they got closer, she noticed Raze and Brent standing in front of Karen, Rindy, and Janine trying to protect them while she tried to push around Raze.
“Sherry! Are you okay?” Janine’s voice was frantic, and tears streaked her cheeks.
Sherry could barely breathe from the arm wrapped so tightly around her. She covered the hard forearm with her hand and was surprised when electricity shot through her fingertips. He tensed behind her, giving away the fact that he’d felt it as well.
“Please. You’re holding me too tight. I can’t breathe,” she gasped. He instantly loosened his hold on her, but not enough to where she thought she could get free. She took a couple steady breaths before answering. “I’m okay, Janine.”
“Please! Please, let my sister go. Take me. Just don’t hurt her.”
“No!” Raze yanked Janine to him as she tried to get around him again. She fought him like a hellcat, but he subdued her, and she sobbed against his chest.
“What do you want?” Raze glared over her head at the man holding her.
“He wants me.” Anthony said, who was now standing about twenty feet from them with clenched fists. “He accuses me of killing his brother during the encounter with Damon after he came to deal with your desertion from the pack.” He looked at Raze as he spoke.
“You’re Raze, aren’t you?”
Raze nodded at the man who had Sherry in a death grip.
“You are part of the reason my brother is dead. As it must be painfully obvious what I want, and also that I’m not going to get it, at least at this point, I’ll be taking her along with me to make sure I have another chance.”
He started dragging her toward Janine’s Jeep. She kicked and fought, but it was like a fly fighting a giant. Once they got to the Jeep, he opened the driver’s door and pushed her inside. He kept pushing her until she was sitting in the passenger seat, and got in beside her. She tried to jump out, but he grabbed her by the arm, his grip relentless and unbreakable.
She was terrified. Was he a rogue? Was he going to hurt her? He hadn’t hurt her yet, but who was to say what he’d do to her once they were alone? She began praying that she’d get out of this alive and that she’d see her sister again.
* * * *
They watched helplessly as the Jeep pulled away. Janine sobbed uncontrollably against Raze’s chest.
“We have to go after her. He’s going to hurt her,” Janine cried out through ragged breaths.
Her crying tore at his heart. He was going to make the bastard pay for upsetting his woman. “I don’t think he’ll hurt her.”
“How can you say that?” She gripped his shirt hard with both hands.
“I think she’s his mate.”
“Wh-what? No. No, it can’t be.”
“He could have hurt her very easily, but didn’t. Didn’t you see his eyes when she touched him?”
Janine shook her head.
“He looked like I felt when I first met you—a lost man who’d just been saved.” He stroked her back, trying to comfort her. “Trust me in this. I don’t believe he will hurt her.”
/> “We still have to figure out how to get her back. She’ll be terrified.” Janine laid her cheek against his chest, and he hugged her tight.
“We’ll get her back, but if I’m right and she’s his mate, he won’t give her up easily.”
* * * *
Fate was a bitch. When he’d gotten close to the deck of that cabin and caught her scent, the impact of her being there nearly dropped him to his knees. How hadn’t he known she was that close? He knew the answer to that. He’d been too focused on revenge—that mixed with her flowery scent had been enough to mask her closeness. Had she not had that damned perfume on, he’d have known of her presence last night. She was in the Jeep—the one he’d just stolen—when it had driven up yesterday. He could smell her scent, her sister’s scent, and Raze’s scent, who was obviously her sister’s mate.
He felt bad about upsetting her sister. Hell, he felt even worse about scaring Sherry, but he’d had no choice. They would have never let him near her again had he not taken her now.
He glanced at her, and his chest tightened when a tear escaped down her cheek. He gripped the steering wheel so hard it creaked under the pressure.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
“You kidnapped me, and I’m supposed to believe you aren’t going to hurt me?” She brushed the tears off her cheeks with the back of her hand in a choppy motion as if she was angry that she’d let him see her cry.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t here for you.” Not yet anyway.
“We are almost to the highway. Can’t you let me go and just take the Jeep?” she pleaded with him.
“Sorry.” And he was. Not for taking her, but for scaring her, and for their first meeting taking place as a hostage situation. She deserved better, but it was too late now. He’d find a way to make it all up to her somehow.
A few silent hours later, she’d fallen asleep. Her head rested against the passenger window, and her coppery hair tangled over her face. She was so beautiful. His body was in a state of constant aching for her. He wanted to claim her, love her, show her how much he cherished her, but he knew he had to take it slow with her. She was flighty, and he couldn’t blame her for being wary of him.
He’d have to prove to her that she could trust him, that he’d keep her safe and never hurt her. Throwing her down and jumping her wouldn’t be the way to earn that trust. His cock hardened when she moaned in her sleep. Since his place was still several hours away, he’d planned to stop at a motel for the night. There was one about twenty miles up the road, but the fuel light had been on for a few miles now, and he’d have to stop and fill up before they reached their destination.
He could already picture how she’d look lying naked on his bed. Her red hair flowing over the pillows, her gorgeous green eyes burning for him, her pink lips parted in invitation, and her thighs slightly parted in welcome. He growled in frustration. He needed a fucking cold shower to calm his dick down.
He took the next exit and pulled up to what looked like a deserted gas station—most things looked deserted in these parts. He parked next to the pump closest to the road, and slid a sideways look at her. The long lashes that rested against her skin and her even breaths told him she had not awakened. He gingerly stepped out, activated the pump with his credit card, and filled the tank. Within a couple minutes, he was back on the road. It was dark as pitch out now, and the ghost town he’d just gassed up in grew smaller in the mirror as he drove away along the road thickly lined with trees. He stopped at the stop sign at the end of the road that signaled he’d reach the on ramp for the highway shortly.
Just as he started to roll on, Sherry awoke with a startled gasp, jerked the door open, and ran through the edge of the tree line. He pulled to the side of the road and parked the Jeep. He wasn’t worried about finding her. He’d have no trouble. His main concern was for her safety. She wouldn’t be able to see in the thick woods, and she could fall and hurt herself.
He sprang from the car, locked the doors, and shoved the keys in his pocket. If she had any idea how his body came to life at the thought of chasing her, she’d be petrified—more so than she already was. Lycans loved a good chase, and chasing after his mate brought out primal demands that were close to impossible for him to control. He took a deep breath and went after her.
Chapter Seven
She ran through the dark forest until her lungs felt as if they would burst. Branches and thorns caught her clothes and scratched her face and arms as she blindly fled through the thick woods. She was scared and confused. When she realized the man who’d kidnapped her was the man from her dreams the night before, she’d nearly fainted. But how was that possible? The memories of the way he’d touched her, kissed her, stoked her body to life had rushed back to her brain like a shock of cold water dumped on her.
He was huge and intimidating. His golden brown eyes were intense, predatory...beautiful. When he looked at her, she felt as if he were staking a claim, and his black hair framed a face that could tempt Aphrodite herself. He was built like a Viking warrior—sleek, strong, hard, mouth watering, and the black T-shirt and jeans he wore hugged his perfectly sculpted body. But her attraction to him was what confused her most She wanted to run her hands along every hard contour of his body, outline every indentation of gorgeous muscle that shrouded him.
She’d never felt such an intense, sexual attraction to a man. And it had to be to a man that kidnapped you? She couldn’t go on much longer. Her legs shook with the exertion of running, and piercing pains shot through her heaving sides. She had to escape, but a sinking feeling in her stomach told her she’d never outrun him, and even if by some small miracle she did, she had no idea where she was. What was worse? Being caught by him again or being lost in the middle of the woods? She knew absolutely nothing about surviving outdoors.
Her paces slowed and she was about to surrender to exhaustion when she ran into a hard, male body. She didn’t have to see him to know exactly whom she’d run into. His clean, woodsy scent assailed her, and she was almost relieved when his arms came around her. He held her securely against his chest as she gasped for breath. She eyed him, a little peeved at the way his breathing came slow and even as she labored against him. He brought a hand up to her nape, tangled his long fingers in her hair, and tugged her head back. She expected to feel his mouth on her skin, but instead, he lowered his face to her neck and sniffed.
She had every intention of protesting until his lips touched hers. After that, she was lost. What was it about him, a man she should loathe, that made her lose all logic? She’d wanted to feel his mouth on hers just like in her dream, but this time, there would be no waking up.
His kiss wasn’t gentle or coaxing, but more of a soul-searing promise of things to come, a promise of the pleasure he would show her. Her heart thumped even faster when his tongue eased between her lips, and she gasped as he twirled it around her own tongue, tasting and retreating and repeating. She raised her hands and laid them flat against his deliciously hard chest. She wanted to caress him, hear him growl in pleasure against her as she stoked him higher.
He groaned and nudged her until her back met a tree. His mouth never left her as he covered her with his hard frame and pinned her to the trunk. The low, rumbling growls coming from him sent heat straight to her belly. When he wrapped one hand under her thigh and wedged his hips between her legs, his cock strained against her, and all she could think about was him inside her, taking her, making love to her. She arched against him, and he broke the kiss, his face a scant inch from hers. His breathing was now nearly as labored as hers, giving proof that he was as affected by her touch as she was by his.
“Don’t do that again, or I swear, I will take you right here against this damned tree.” His eyes glowed eerily.
“What is wr-wrong with your eyes?” His eyes scared the hell out of her, but his words heated her wanton body even more.
“Nothing.” He closed them for a second, and when he opened them, they were normal again.
�
�Oh my God.” Then it dawned on her. “It’s all true. What my sister and Raze told me. Werewolves exist and you are one of them.”
The growling, the sniffing, the eerie eyes, Janine had told her the truth. What if he was a rogue? Terror gripped her hard in its ugly hand and squeezed until she could barely breathe.
“You know about us?”
“Are you a rogue?” Tears streamed down her cheeks now. “Are you going to hurt me because I carry the scent?”
He sucked in a deep breath and swore when she started to sob, then tenderly wiped the tears off her cheeks with his thumb.
“I’m not a rogue. I’m not going to hurt you. If I had any intention of hurting you, I could have—would have—done it by now.”
“Why won’t you let me go then?”
“I can’t.”
“Why?” Was he going to bargain with her? “Please don’t try to trade me for Anthony. I can’t bear knowing I’m responsible for someone else’s death.”
“I meant it when I said I won’t do anything that will hurt you.” He released her and held his hand out. “Come on. Let’s go back to the car. There’s a motel up the road that we are stopping at for the night.”
“Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
“I have my reasons.” A muscle in his jaw started to tick.
“Janine told me what happened the night Damon came for Raze. If your brother was one of the members of the pack that came with him, he deserved to die. He would have abused and killed my sister without a second thought.”
He clenched his teeth, snagged the front of her shirt, and yanked her to him. She squeaked when he brought his face down to hers.
“You don’t know anything about my brother.”
“No, but I know my sister, and she would not lie about something like that.”
His eyes closed and dark, thick lashes—sinfully thick for a man—fanned against his skin. When his lids opened a moment later, some of the rage that burned in them had subsided. “I don’t want to hear another word about it right now.”