by Leite, Lynn
“It’s bad enough what happened to her, but with Bane out there possibly looking for her. Damn it, I should have just gone after him.”
“Bryce, until we know he’s actually after her, you can’t go off halfcocked. An unprovoked attack on another pack’s Alpha is serious business.”
“I know. I just feel so helpless.”
“Bryce, we all do. The fact that she’s comfortable around you is promising.”
“I wouldn’t hurt her.”
“I know that, but she doesn’t. She’s terrified of men, and I suppose I would be too in similar circumstances. She likes you. She doesn’t seem threatened by you, and look at you; you’re a huge Alpha male.” Lexi had the urge to tell Bryce she thought there might be more to his possessiveness than just normal concern, but she left that unsaid. They would figure it out in their own time. Then there was the possibility she was wrong about the attraction. Maybe Ashley just needed a hero, and Bryce was a good fit.
Maverick greeted them in the waiting room as Bryce stood to shake the Alpha’s hand. “Faith sent me out here to let you know they would be a while. She’s waiting on some tests.”
“But she’s alright? She will be alright?” Bryce’s was panicked. He didn’t like the not knowing.
“She’ll be fine. She’s been through a lot. Look, I know what you’re going through,” he said to Bryce specifically.” When Rory was attacked…”
“Wait, your mate was attacked? When?”
“Not many people know the circumstances. Rory was human at the time. A feral were tried to rip her throat out. She had to turn or die. I still beat myself up every day that I wasn’t there for her.”
“You didn’t change her? But I thought...” Bryce started. The story was that Maverick Cheveyo had changed his human mate in order to be with her. The fact that Rory Cheveyo had turned into a rare white wolf meant that not only was the turned human accepted by the shifter community, but she was fit to be an Alpha’s mate.
“We let people think that. Rory’s transformation was against her will. I had hoped to turn her, but the decision was taken out of both our hands. My point is, it all ended well. The were who attacked her is dead, and she is the chosen. My life would be nothing without her. Your Ashley is strong. She was nervous about me being in the room, but she didn’t show it outwardly.”
“She’s afraid of men touching her. I can’t say as I blame her,” Lexi muttered.
“The Bane pack is notorious for treating its woman as little more than servants. A strong willed woman like Ashley would be a problem.”
“Are you saying she asked for this?” Bryce snapped at the Alpha. Lexi waited. It wasn’t a good idea to challenge an Alpha on his own land. Would Maverick take it that way? She didn’t know the man she was now related to well enough to be sure.
“No Bryce, of course not. I’m saying that your concern that Bane might seek retribution is valid. He might make Ashley’s defiance a lesson to the pack.”
“Not to mention she killed his son.”
“She what?”
Bryce hesitated. He thought Maverick knew the story of the attack. Apparently, a big chunk of the truth had been left out. “Her attacker was Warren Bane’s son. She killed him.”
“I didn’t know. Then your concern for her safety is more than justified. I’ve only met Bane once and it wasn’t pleasant. I know my father and the council have no love for the man. You have the Cheveyo pack’s support should you need it.”
“Thank you Maverick. Let’s hope we don’t need it.”
Ashley waited for Faith to return. She was crawling out of her skin. The waiting was killing her. What was she going to do if the news was that she had not only been attacked but raped? The thought made her sick. She had no real recollection of the attack. It was a blur of sensations and images. Gwen had suggested that her mind had shut down to protect itself. Ashley didn’t know if that was true. Not knowing if Richard had managed to actually mate her unwittingly was driving her crazy. That had been his intention, to force a mating. The combination of sex and a bite would do it. She told herself it didn’t matter. He was dead. He had no claim on her.
Faith came into the room after what seemed like hours. Ashley waited, her stomach somewhere lodged in her throat.
“The test was negative. You can relax,” Faith said seeing the girl physically relax.
“So he didn’t?”
“If he did, it didn’t result in a pregnancy. It’s been days since the attack, Ashley. I can’t say for certain he didn’t try.”
“Thank you, Faith.”
Ashley was unable to contain the well of emotion that had built up. The tears fell like rain soaking her face. A knock at the door startled her as she clutched her chest. Going with them to the clinic had been her main focus, but being away from the safety of her uncle’s home suddenly made her feel vulnerable.
“Come in,” Faith said looking toward the door.
Maverick’s hulking form loomed in the doorway. Ashley looked up trying to hide her fear. “Ashley, Bryce and Lexi are waiting for you in the waiting room. I told them I’d come back to check on you.”
“Tell them I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute,” she said with a shaky breath.
“I wanted to tell you that you are welcome here. The Cheveyo pack will do anything they can to help you. I know your uncle is pack leader of the Rainer pack, but if you ever need safe refuge, my pack is yours.”
“Thank you, Alpha. I haven’t decided where to go yet.”
“Go? You’re thinking of leaving?”
“I can’t stay and risk Bane attacking my uncle’s pack. I thank you for your offer, but that would put your pack at risk as well.”
“You can’t go this alone Ashley. Both packs are very capable. If Bane decides to make a move against you, the protection of a pack is crucial.”
“This is my mess, Alpha.”
“No, I disagree. Bane has defied council and treated his pack like slaves for years. His actions hurt the whole were community. He risks our being discovered by turning humans against their will and forcing unwanted mating. You may think this is your fight, but you are wrong. If Bane makes a move to harm you in anyway, the Reiner and Cheveyo packs will take him down. I’ve already spoken to your uncle about this. Our Families are connected now that Lexi is a Cheveyo and we protect our own. Please consider staying with your uncle. It would kill him if anything happened to you.”
“I will, Alpha. Thank you.”
“Are you comfortable having Bryce drive you back? I can ask Lexi or Gwen to take you.”
“Bryce will be fine. I don’t think he will hurt me.”
“If what I’ve seen is any indication, Bryce couldn’t hurt you.”
Ashley just nodded. She didn’t know what the Alpha meant, but he was right. Bryce was safe. His family made her feel comfortable, but Bryce made her feel protected. He cared for her. She was beginning to care for him as well.
9
Bryce was thankful to be going back home. He would have to speak to Drew about getting some female doctors at the Rainer Clinic. Lexi had said Ashley had refused care because the doctors were all men. Faith had been a godsend. Ashley sat in the passenger seat. Her head rested against the window as she stared into space.
“Are you speaking to me?” Bryce asked as they started the long drive.
“I didn’t say anything,” Ashley said swinging her gaze to the man in the driver’s seat. She wondered what it was about Bryce that made him feel safe.
“No, you didn’t say anything. I was asking if you were still speaking to me. I figured you’d probably tell me where to go once we were alone.”
“No, I’m glad you called them. I guess I needed someone like your sister to talk some sense into me.”
“Ashley, I …” Bryce stopped mid-sentence. What was he going to say? I like you. I need to know what tests you had to have before I go crazy. “I... I’m hungry. How about you?”
“I could eat.”
; “You up for fast food? We don’t even have to stop.”
“Sure.” She had a sneaking suspicion that food was not really what he wanted to say. Ashley was trying to smile. Bryce was really trying to make her feel more comfortable.
Ashley sat quietly as they edged into the takeout line when her cell phone rang. “It’s probably your uncle or aunt,” Bryce said flashing a killer smile. He was really one of the most handsome men that she had ever seen.
Ashley looked at the caller ID and panicked. “What who is it?”
“It’s… it’s a friend.”
“A friend?” Bryce asked pulling out of line and off to the side.
“Yeah. She’s someone I grew up with, Yasmin.”
“Are you going to answer it?”
“Should I?”
“Yes. See what she has to say. Maybe she’s just worried about you.”
Ashley nodded. Yasmin had been with her the night she was attacked. Of course, she was worried. Ashley had disappeared the next day.
Pushing the accept button, she put the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Ash, is that you? Please tell me it’s you.”
“It’s me Yas.”
“Oh god, honey, are you alright?”
“No Yas, I’m not alright.”
“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t help. I just...”
“There was nothing you could have done.”
“Yes there was. I was a coward. I’m trying to make it up to you, Ashley. Bane has sent Dan and Julian to look for you.”
“What!” Bryce’s chest felt like someone had stomped on it. He could hear the woman clearly in the confines of the car. Bane was making his move. “Who are Dan and Julian?” he snapped.
“They are the men that were with Richard that night,” she choked.
“Ashley, who is that? Where are you?” Ashley didn’t respond. She loved Yasmin. They had grown up together, but she didn’t trust her enough to tell her where she was. For all she knew, Bane was listening in.
“I’m nowhere, Yas. When did they leave?”
“Bane sent them out this morning to look for you. I couldn’t call then. There were too many people around. From what I hear, he told them to bring you back alive, or not come back at all.”
“Sounds like him. Thanks for the warning.”
“Ashley, be careful.”
“I will,” Ashley hung up on her friend. If this wasn’t a set up, then Yasmin had risked a lot just calling her.
“Ashley, honey, are you okay?” Bryce asked softly leaning into the girl. He was fighting the overwhelming urge to haul her into his lap and just hold her.
“Bryce” she said looking at him with tear filled eyes.
“Hey, you’ll be alright. I’ll make sure of it.”
Ashley reached out to Bryce as he closed the gap between them. He didn’t frighten her. She wanted him to just hold her. The feel of him as he pulled her toward him was like nothing she had ever experienced. His touch felt more than right. This was more than just simple physical contact. Her heart that should have been panicked was singing with the nearness of him. She gasped as she realized that, with Bryce, she felt more than just protected, she felt loved.
“Fire in the blood,” that’s how Lexi had described it. Was this what she had felt?
“Holy shit,” Bryce huffed as he enclosed her in his arms. “Ashley, please tell me you feel that.”
Ashley knew what he meant, but was having trouble responding. Her emotions flooded her brain to the point it threatened to shut down. “Bryce, I can’t...”
“Ash, please?” he pleaded.
“I feel it, Bryce. That’s not what I was going to say.”
“Okay, tell me,” he said holding her closer.
“I can’t be with you right now. I want to. I do. I just…”
“Don’t reject me just because you’re scared, Ash. I’ll wait. I’ll wait a lifetime. Just give this a chance.”
“’This, as you call it, will probably get you killed, Bryce. I need to go, to run somewhere they can’t find me.”
“I won’t ever let anything happen to you, Ash. You are meant to be mine. Don’t shut me out.”
Ashley was silent for a moment the thought of running didn’t override her need to be with Bryce. He still held her against him like she was something precious. There was no doubt this was the feeling that Lexi described. Could she walk away from Bryce? The answer came easily. No.
“I won’t shut you out, Bryce, but I have to do something,” she said relaxing into him. She couldn’t fight the feeling his touch sent through her, and, in truth, she didn’t want to.
“We will do something, you and I. We are a team. You’re my mate, Ashley.”
“I got that memo the second you touched me, Bryce. Lexi said the mate fever was real. I didn’t believe her.”
“You believe her now?”
“Yes Bryce, I believe her. I just don’t want to put you in danger.”
“Losing you would put me in more danger than Bane ever could.” Bryce kissed the top of her head. He was holding her. Under the circumstances, that was as far as he knew he should push her. She wasn’t pulling away. She trusted him. In time, she would be comfortable with more. They had a lifetime. He could wait.
“You should call your uncle. Tell him what your friend said. If they left this morning, I doubt they will try anything today. We will come up with something to smoke them out. Do you know what they look like?”
“Yes.”
“That will help. First we eat. Then we’ll head back to the pack house. No one will get in there I can assure you.”
“Bryce, what kind of life will we have if I can never leave the pack house?”
“We will have it all, Ashley. No one is going to stop me from giving that to you.”
Ashley tipped her head to look at Bryce as he held her against him. The warmth and love coming off the man were mixed with sheer determination to make his promise to her come true. It was strange how she could almost tell what he was thinking. He was her mate. There was no doubt in her mind that Bryce Woodland was sent to her to heal and protect her. She wanted to give him everything. She wanted to give him herself. That discussion could wait until they were at least out of the car. He was hers, and nothing, not even an attack by another were, was going to keep her from mating with this man.
“Bryce, I think you might have to let me move so you can drive,” she smiled.
“Oh… right… it would be a bit difficult. Call Drew. I’ll order us something. Burgers okay?”
“Yes with everything.”
“A girl after my own heart,” he said as he slid her back into her seat and strapped her in like a two year old. Ashley wasn’t offended by the action. In fact, she was quite the opposite.
10
Despite the knowledge that Bane was indeed after her, Ashley was surprisingly alright. The tension of not knowing was gone. Bryce was holding her hand as they drove the feel of him sent rivulets of pure energy coursing through her. Mate fever was definitely not mythical. It was real.
“Uncle Drew said he’d have security in place. Do you think that Dan and Julian will know I’m there? It’s the first place they will look.”
“Let them look. No wife of mine is going to have to live in fear. If I have to eliminate the entire Bane pack, I will do it.”
“Your wife, huh?”
“I’m sorry in getting ahead of myself.”
“It’s alright. I kind of like the sound of it.”
“A true mating is forever. You do know that, right?” Ashley felt him squeeze her hand tighter.
“I do know that, Bryce. Relax. We will be fine.”
“You’re the one who was hurt, and you’re telling me to relax?”
“I’m better now that I’ve shifted.”
“Ash, what tests did they have to run?”
Ashley thought for a moment. She could make something up. The truth would just hurt him or, even worse, drive him away. She didn’t w
ant to start a lifetime with this man with any secrets. So taking a deep breath she said.” They did a pregnancy test.”
“Shit,” Bryce barked. “He...”
“I don’t know, Bryce. I was so out of it, the pain the fear. I just don’t know.”
“And the test?”
“It was negative.”
“Ashley, none of this was your fault. If you hadn’t killed him, I swear to you right now, I would. Any children you have will be mine. No one will ever hurt you that way again.”
Ashley’s eyes filled with tears. Had this been a male born to the Bane pack, she was sure that even with the mate fever he would have blamed her. Bryce Woodland was too good for her, and she vowed right then and there to make him never regret his kind words. She would be worthy of him, strong and supportive like her aunt and mother.
“Thank you,” she squeaked as soon as she could talk.
“So, about what I said before…”
“Which part?”
“The part about you being my wife. Are you up to being the Alpha’s wife when the time comes?”
“I’m up for anything that keeps me with you.”
“I won’t ask you to do more than you’re ready for,” Bryce said softly as they pulled into the compound. “If you need time, I’ll be there for you.”
The water works started again. Ashley couldn’t help it. This man was just too good to be true, and he was hers. “We’ll take it slow Bryce, but I’m not waiting. I want it all.”
“You have it. Let’s go in. I’m sure the family is worried.” Bryce came around the cab of the SUV and opened the door for Ashley. He wished he could lead her right to his room and lock the door. Helping her down, he looked at the woman that now meant everything to him. She looked beautiful, even with a tear stained face. Her eyes flashed an emotion he could only equate with love. The dull vacant look was almost gone. His girl was strong. Even after all she had been through, she was letting him in. “Are you okay?” he whispered as he took her hand and headed for the door.
“I’m fine, Bryce. A little overwhelmed, but fine.”
Ashley’s Aunt Julie ran out as soon as she saw the truck pull in. It was clear that Ashley had been crying. It was also a shock to see her niece’s hand was being held by Bryce.