“Dude, she’s passed out cold. Cracked her head good, too,” Mark called.
“Then don’t worry about her, and get your ass back over here.”
A crunch of leaves told her he was moving away, and Stephanie peeked her eyes open just enough to see Sarah shooting her daggers with her gaze. Well, tough shit. Stephanie wasn’t about to leave her alone.
Sarah pushed away from Phillip and verbally taunted him. “Phillip, are you ready to lose the other fang? I’m not so sure your pack will understand when their alpha wolf returns with no fangs. How long do you think it’ll be before they challenge your position in the pack?”
He snarled and stepped closer to Sarah. She emitted a cry of pain before stumbling backward, her hand to her side. Stephanie strained to see what had happened and nearly lost her composure when she saw Sarah’s hand come away covered in blood.
“You stabbed me!” Sarah yelled. “You’re such a fucking coward you can’t beat me fairly and so you resort to cheating?”
“I prefer to call it ‘hedging my bets’.” His smug smile was clear in his voice. “That’s silver, so now, we should be on more even ground.” Phillip circled Sarah, and Mark mirrored his movements on the opposite side. “I plan to have a piece of what you’ve denied me before I’m through with you.”
“I’ll take my due, as well,” Mark put in. “At least, then, all of this time chasing your ass won’t have been for nothing.”
“You think my mate won’t come after you?” Sarah was bleeding heavily and needed to shift to heal quickly, but that few seconds could cost her dearly. Not to mention being raped in wolf form was the worst insult dealt to a woman of her kind. To be tied to a man, who had violated her, until the knot left his shaft was a torture she had no intention of living through. “I’ll never let you get what you want. I’ll kill myself before you have the chance.”
Sarah hoped like hell that Erik felt her through their link because she was in a bad way. The silver from the blade would prevent her from healing as quickly as she normally would, and therefore, she’d continue to bleed and weaken.
These assholes weren’t fighting fair, so why should she? The Wolfe brothers would more than ensure a good ending to this battle. Sarah just prayed that Erik slowed down enough to bring his brothers along with him.
* * * *
As Erik and his brothers approached the small clearing, they spotted Stephanie lying on the ground. Abraham made his way to her side in near silence but came to a halt when Stephanie rolled over, her gun raised and aimed at Abraham’s chest, even as she recognized it was him. His finger went to his mouth, not that she needed the reminder, Erik was sure. He watched as Abraham came up beside her and whispered in her ear.
Though he and his brothers could hear each other perfectly, Stephanie was the only human there, and that was something they would all have to remember as things went down. A mere breath of sound could be heard by them while she required a good bit more, so while it would seem to her that Abe was being discreet, the brothers could hear every word.
“I hope like hell that you are strong enough to look past what you are about to witness.” Her startled gaze shot to Abraham’s, and Erik saw his brother was truly worried. “Sarah will be fine. She’s strong, but she’s hurt. Erik felt it, and I can smell her blood. Just make sure you pay attention and don’t shoot the wrong wolf.”
“The wrong wolf?” Her question ended on a gasp because Abraham had turned and was quickly stripping off his clothes. In the next moment, his form wavered and shimmered out of focus. When the air cleared, a large black wolf stood in his place. It turned its massive head and regarded her with pale, silvery-blue eyes.
Poor Stephanie barely had time to acknowledge what had just happened before fighting broke out between Sarah and the two men, and Erik was rapidly restrained by Adam and Ethan.
Despite her injury, Sarah still held her own against the unfair odds. It was amazing to see her in action. She executed moves that would have been impressive to view in a Hollywood movie, much less in a real, live fight.
Her arms and legs were a blur of motion as she kicked out, catching one man in the jaw and sending him airborne while her fist connected to the other man’s knee with a sickening crunch. He buckled, bellowing in rage. Amazingly, he jumped right back up and charged her again.
Sarah laughed. Laughed! The girl was bleeding like a stuck pig, fighting two men and laughing like a hyena every time she landed a shot, which was more often than her assailants did.
Within moments, three more wolves made their way to stand near a stunned Stephanie. They needed her to get a good look at them, so she didn’t shoot them by mistake. She seemed to understand and gave them a small nod. He hoped she held it together until they were able to explain everything to her later. Her breakdown would simply have to be put on hold for now.
“Well, don’t just stand there! Fucking save her!” She whispered her command with as much force as one could manage with a whisper, and the wolves split up, moving through the woods to surround the clearing.
Erik vowed in that moment that the men in that clearing would not be leaving these woods again.
* * * *
A well placed kick to her injured side sent Sarah to the ground, gasping in pain. “Shift, whore! I’ll take you like the mangy bitch that you are!” Phillip bellowed. When she didn’t comply, he backed away a step. “Fine, then I’ll mount your ass while you’re human. I’ve heard that it’s even more painful, so you let me know if that’s true.”
His form shifted, and a gray wolf snapped its jaws inches from Sarah’s nose as she glared daggers. “I’ll kill you,” she wheezed.
The wolf chuffed in her face, and her hand came up, quick as lightning to slam into its snout then another to its throat. The other man had shifted, as well, and was almost atop Sarah when Erik’s wolf slammed into him from the side, sending him crashing to the ground.
Snarls erupted as the two wolves who’d just come into the clearing launched their own attacks. This was exactly what she needed. The alphas were distracted, leaving the perfect opportunity for her to slip away, yet she was still lying on the ground unable to even drag herself to safety.
Stephanie’s face appeared before her own, her expression one of fear and concern. “Sarah?”
“You need to leave. It’s not safe for you to be out here,” she whispered.
“Not happening, chick, so get over it. The boys have this handled right now, and I can tell you something: we are definitely having a lengthy conversation about these men’s furry tendencies.”
Sarah felt a little of her panic ease at Stephanie’s remark. “Now, let me see your side.”
The words had barely left her mouth when a large, furry mass flew over Stephanie’s head and landed in a heap mere feet from her. Then—faster than human eyes could track—it latched onto her leather jacket and pull her toward the trees.
“Stop! Heel! No, bad wolf! Drop it…er, me. Yeah, drop me!” Her yelling was obviously not doing any good, so she started fumbling for her gun. Sarah saw her get it free from her waistband, only to drop it when he gave her a brain-scrambling shake.
Then a big, black wolf was there, snatching away Phillip’s wolf and tossing it with a flick of his neck.
Abraham. Stephanie would be safe now.
He looked up and snarled, the only warning Sarah had before Phillip leapt to where she lay. Stephanie scooped up her gun and turned to the furry bastard.
* * * *
Stephanie had already taken aim and fired on the beige wolf that had landed on Sarah. A patch of red bloomed on the beast’s chest as it dipped its head and placed its jaws over Sarah’s upper arm, though it never had the chance to bite down. Erik quickly dragged the body from her back and whined as he nuzzled Sarah’s neck.
She rolled, her hand holding pressure to the gash in her side, and said, “Good shot, Steph.” Her eyes then closed, and her body went lax.
Stephanie ran to her side and lifted her dress to
get a better look at the wound. All around them had gone quiet, and Erik knew that Sarah’s attackers were now dead. He just prayed that Sarah wouldn’t be, as well.
Erik allowed his brown wolf to retreat, knowing he would be more capable of helping his mate in his human form. “Sarah, you need to shift. Come on, wake up for just a few minutes and shift.”
“Shift?” Stephanie exclaimed. “I’m a human doctor, not a damn vet. If she changes into a wolf like the rest of you, then I haven’t a clue how to help her.”
She probed the wound then removed her shirt, leaving herself in just a white lace bra. She created a pressure dressing using it and her leather jacket, which she tied around Sarah’s side to hold it in place.
“Let’s get her to the clinic. The keys are in my pocket. I can treat her better there. The cut doesn’t look too deep, but I need to check it in better light.”
His brother’s wolves disappeared into the trees, and within moments, they were back, in human form and handing Erik his clothes as they lifted a still unconscious Sarah and headed to the clinic. Abraham wrapped his jacket around Stephanie’s bare shoulders, and they moved on silent feet, keeping to the shadows and taking every back street and alleyway they knew to the clinic in order to avoid being stopped by the people still enjoying the festival.
* * * *
Stephanie was a trooper during the whole ordeal as she calmly sewed up the werewolf on her exam table. Thanks to Erik explaining things to her, she now understood a little more about their kind, but he wasn’t at all sure how she felt about it.
Like how the whole soul mate bond worked between himself and Sarah. He explained how he’d actually felt it when Sarah had been stabbed, how he could feel her emotions, but she hadn’t been afraid until that moment when the men had sought to even the odds. Erik even explained a little about Sarah’s past and how she’d been running in order to preserve her freedom for the last six years.
The life she’d been forced to live had made her a strong woman, and now, she was lying on an exam table, getting a transfusion from him in order to replenish what she’d lost. Thankfully, Erik had known the blood of a mate would be compatible because Stephanie had assured him that they did not supply werewolf blood in the blood bank.
After the transfusion was complete, they decided it would be better to move Sarah back to Erik’s home. Stephanie, of course, insisted on being present, at least until Sarah awoke, and Erik was fully onboard with that idea.
Stephanie was determined to thank Sarah. She’d reminded them that Sarah had sent her away, knowing she was heading into a fight for her life, to protect her.
“That’s a true friend,” she’d told him. “And I intend to make sure she knows I want to continue to be her friend.”
Erik was restless, pacing the small bedroom. He was sure there’d be a path worn in the floor by the time Sarah finally woke up, but he simply couldn’t be still, and this was the only way he could think of to expel his excess energy while still being in the room with his unconscious mate.
Stephanie remained by Sarah’s side for the next two hours while she thumbed through a magazine then nursed a cup of steaming coffee Abraham had brought in. He, along with Adam and Ethan, were in the living room while Stephanie and Erik stayed beside Sarah’s bed.
A movement brought their attention to the bed in time to see Sarah’s form waver and become a beautiful caramel-colored wolf. She lifted her head and regarded Stephanie with wary eyes, before turning to Erik. He sensed her uncertainty and knew she was worried about her friend. She moved to rise and whined when the stitches in her side pulled, but when she moved to nip at the stitches, Stephanie snapped her fingers in her face.
“Don’t make me put one of those damn cones around your neck! You leave those stitches in until I say they’re ready to come out, missy.” That earned her a growl and a huff as Sarah plopped back down on the bed to rest her head on her front paws.
“It’s just her wolf’s natural reaction to a foreign body. Just like any other canine would try to chew them out, we will too.” At her incredulous look, Erik just shrugged. He knew it was kinda weird, but really, how else could he explain it?
Finally, Stephanie gave her head a little shake and turned back to Sarah. “It’s a little weird talking to a wolf, but I wanted to tell you, thank you. You tried to save me, and I’m touched, but if you ever do that again, I’ll shoot you myself.”
Sarah cocked her head and stared at Stephanie then at Erik as he explained to Stephanie, “I don’t think she remembers much about the end of the encounter.” He turned his focus back to Sarah. “Stephanie shot the wolf that had jumped onto your back. She hit him square in the chest. I actually think he was dead before he fully collapsed on top of you.”
“Sarah, I can take care of myself, for the most part, and while it’s going to take some getting use to, I think I can even handle hanging around some werewolves.” She reached out and ruffled the fur between Sarah’s ears. “It’s just a really good thing that I’d come to trust all of you before this happened.”
Between one breath and the next, Sarah was lying on the bed again. “Thank you for saving me. I knew I was in trouble, but I had no intention of allowing my past to destroy the only true family I’d ever known.”
“Then you should have let me know through our link that you were in trouble before those bastards hurt you,” Erik scolded. “We’re here for you, Sarah, but you have to let us help. You aren’t alone anymore.”
“And you have friends who care, as well,” Stephanie added.
“And brothers who can’t pick on you if you’re dead,” Adam yelled from the front room.
The feeling of love in the house was so strong, so warm, that Erik knew everything would be all right.
Stephanie suddenly sat up. “I should go. I don’t want to intrude on you guys any more than I already have tonight. You rest, and I’ll come back to check on you after a little while.” She bent and gave Sarah a gentle hug, careful not to press on her side. “And leave those stitches alone. Erik told me you guys heal quickly, and he can call me if he feels they need to come out before I get back. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sarah replied.
“Good. Now, get some rest.” Stephanie turned to leave, and Erik pulled her into an ironclad embrace. “Umph.”
“Thank you for saving her. You have no idea what that means to me, knowing that you risked yourself like that.” Erik released her and smiled. “Abraham is getting a little peeved at me right now.” He leaned down and whispered softly, “Go easy on the poor bastard. I think you may be his mate. He’s had a hard past, and it’ll take him some time to get past it, but he’s already coming around.”
Erik could see she was startled and more than a little confused, but Stephanie simply nodded and moved out the bedroom door. Abraham rose when she reached the living room, but she motioned for him to stay.
“It’s been a long night, Abe, and I need to get home and rest for a while. I’ll call you later, though. You should stay and help out here.”
Abraham’s facial expression never changed, but the way his eyes dropped and he refused to look back up, told Erik that he considered this as her ending things between them.
“You could use that time to figure out what we could do on our next date, if you like. Run your ideas by me when I come back,” she added. Bless her, but Erik was tempted to hug the woman again.
Now, Abraham’s eyes met hers and Erik could see the relief there. “I can do that,” Abraham replied. “You rest up. You’ve been through a lot tonight, too.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve been through much worse.”
Before anyone could voice the questions now visible on each man’s face, she ducked out the front door and jumped into her car.
It would seem that Stephanie had a bit of a history herself.
Chapter Twelve
A week later, Sarah was as good as new. She sprinted through the woods with Erik at her side. He’d been gone most of the
morning with his brothers and had come home anxious for a run. She knew that he was heading to the clearing, so she darted ahead. At the edge of the tree line, she drew up short. Thick robes hung from branches, and a blanket and basket had been spread out near the bank of the creek.
“I wanted to surprise you with a picnic. It’s a little chilly, so I left robes out here, as well.” Erik walked past her, retrieved his robe then slid it on. He held hers out for her to do the same. She shifted and gladly accepted the robe once the chilly air blew over her bare skin.
“This is so nice. I’ve never had a picnic before,” she admitted as they walked over to the blanket.
“Well, we can just start crossing things off of that list of things never done. You just let me know what you want to do, and we’ll do it.” He kissed her gently and gestured for her to sit. “This will just be the first.”
He pulled out a thermos and two mugs, sandwiches and a bowl of chocolate dipped strawberries. He’d brought some steaming tomato soup to enjoy with their meal. Next, he removed a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses. After pouring the wine, he put out some plates, and they began to eat.
It was absolutely perfect.
The sun shown brightly with little white wisps of clouds streaking the otherwise clear blue sky while a cool breeze blew through the changing trees, reminding them winter was closing in. It was her favorite time of year, watching everything change while knowing that the land only slumbered for a short time before life would return with warmth and beauty in a few short months.
Sarah was curled into Erik’s side, munching on a strawberry, when she felt him shift. He drew a deep breath, and she felt he was nervous and maybe even a little scared.
“What’s wrong?” She sat up, scanning their surroundings, but found nothing.
“I just wanted to try another first with you,” he replied. “I guess I’m just nervous about how you might react to it.”
To Tame His Mate Page 9