Blood Born

by Catherine Wolffe

  “You stopped him!” She raced forward wrapping her arms around J.T. in a bearhug.

  “Easy,” he grinned gingerly. “Not before he retaliated on my ribs. They hurt like a mother.”

  Meagan glanced down to where J.T. held his side. “Are you okay? Can I help?”

  “No, I’m fine. Nothing Jessie can’t cure. How’s Dorran?” He lifted his chin in the hybrid’s direction.

  His reference to the healing powers of his girlfriend made Meagan consider Dorran. Dorran lay where he’d landed crumpled on the floor. The light shimmering through the window caused smoke to rise from his form. “He’ll fry if we don’t move him. Can you help me?”

  “Sure.”

  Meagan glanced around quick and found no one else so she grabbed Dorran by the leather jacket and tugged him out of harm’s way. Dropping down, she examined the marks on his face. Some were already healing. Checking his airway, she found him still breathing. One of the wounds nearest his heart gave her a panicked moment before she watched his body’s skills go to work. “Dorran?” She could have cared less how her voice broke. “Can you hear me? Wake up. Come back to me.” The groan coming from his throat sounded so good. “Hey you! Dorran O’Hare, wake up!”

  His eyes remained closed, but a wobbly grin creased his mouth. “I’m awake. Christ, you don’t have to yell.”

  She laughed. Maybe it was fear, maybe it was joy, but hearing his voice again sounded like heaven. “Damn you, Dorran. Damn you all over again. Why did you make me come looking for you?”

  “Well Stretch, I needed to get your attention. Figured facing down the Sultan would do the trick.” His wicked grin appeared then.

  “Get my attention!” She opened her mouth and then closed it as she watched his eyes open and focus on her alone. “You left me. What was I supposed to think when I woke up and found you had left?”

  “Yeah, well I figured with my history and luck, you didn’t need me around.” His eyes remained on her even when voices and shouts could be heard racing toward them. “I just couldn’t stay gone. I’m sorry.”

  She watched the apology play out in his face. Those gorgeous eyes of his filling for an instant before he blinked in rapid succession. “Did we get him?”

  J.T. grunted from behind Meagan. “Well, hell.” He poked a thumb in his solar plex and said, “More like you left the dirty work to Miss Chosen One here and me as always.”

  “Yeah, but I softened him up for you.” Dorran’s laugh turned into a cough that had his face twisting in pain.

  “You’re not all right. We have to get you back home. Logan needs to take a look at you for sure.”

  His hand squeezed hers. “Sure Stretch, lead the way.”

  Meagan stood and watched as Logan and Duke lifted Dorran to a makeshift gurney. His face wasn’t his normal pale but ruddy shade. Lines of strain framed his mouth and creased the corners of his eyes. There was an ashen gray undertone to his skin that concerned her.

  J.T. put a reassuring hand on Meagan’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ve got him now. Let’s go home.”

  She followed them to the ancient van. “I’ll ride in the back with him,” she told Duke.

  “Okay,” he said. Taking a moment, he smiled at Meagan. “You know, I lost about five years back there when we found you gone.”

  “Yeah, I know. For that, I’m truly sorry. I had to go.”

  Duke nodded. “I know. It doesn’t stop the worry, though.” Glancing at the van where J.T. and Logan worked on making Dorran as comfortable as possible, he turned back to her. “Guess, you know about concern for someone you love now too.”

  Her eyes met his and locked. “Yes, I do. Even if it isn’t returned. Doesn’t stop the caring.”

  Duke studied middle-distance before firming his chin. “I get it. Still, I’ll always worry about you, Meagan. Know that.”

  A smile broke across her face as warmth filled her heart for Duke. “I know.”

  “Good. We better go. Come on, I’ll help you in.”

  ***

  Dorran, come back. Wake up, Dorran. You bull headed hybrid. I need you to come back to me. Come on, come back.

  Dorran felt like someone had dropped a truck on his chest. Even with the meds he was sure they had given him, it hurt to breath. His brain was working on autopilot. Sluggish and thick tongued, he tried to speak. Nothing made sense. Was he dreaming? If so, his dreams now included sensory perception. His head felt as if it needed to explode. Who said hybrid healing was a breeze? He was lying in the same bed where he’d laid with Meagan not so long ago sharing small talk. “Turn out the lights.”

  “They aren’t on.”

  Meagan’s voice held irritated anxiety. He hated making her hurt. Sometimes it had been necessary, but he hated it all the same.

  “Stretch?”

  “Yeah, blockhead?”

  Her ire was up. That was good. It meant she was reeving on all cylinders. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you by leaving. It’s just that…” He trailed off because even though he’d told himself his reasons were legit, he never convinced his heart.

  “You shouldn’t make commitments you can’t keep, Dorran. It probably doesn’t mean anything to you, but I cared for you. I still do.”

  His eyes tracked back to her. In all the world, he’d never seen anyone who could compare to her. What was he fighting? Why had he gone to such lengths to put distance between them? She cared about him.

  Meagan made sure the scowl on her face was deep. “I’ve got something to say to you, and you’re going to listen.” Her eyes burned with fury. “You don’t get to decide everything in this world and whether or not you’re to blame. Somethings are going to happen. It’s just fate. One of those things is the fact I’m in love with you. You’ll just have to live with it.”

  Dorran’s heart swelled in his chest. He thought it might break. How had he managed to become the only one she wanted? What made him so special? Surely, she was infatuated instead. Funny, but right about then, he didn’t care. He’d go through hell and back for her. That was the bottom line. No one had ever garnered his soul. Meagan did.

  “I can live with that.”

  Meagan blinked before the corners of her mouth turned up. Her lips wanted to tremble before she flattened them in a tight line. “Yeah, well, we’ll just see about that. And another thing, you don’t get to be right all the time, either. Sometimes, a man or werewolf hybrid needs to admit when he’s wrong.”

  “I was wrong. I’ve been wrong about a lot of things, Meagan Christiana. But not about how much I love you. That I could never get wrong.”

  One lone tear escaped from her eye and fell down her cheek. The smile grew on her mouth.

  “Come here and kiss me.” He opened his arms to her.

  She hesitated a split second before the smile grew into a laugh of pure happiness. Meagan fell into his embrace with tears rolling down her face. “Oh, Dorran O’Hare. I love you.”

  “Yeah, I know, Stretch.”

  The End

  Books by Catherine Wolffe

  The Lady in the Mist (The Western Werewolf Legend #1)

  The Civil War took Sonja Brooks' husband and left her alone. Unprotected and scared, she runs headlong into a life-changing event when she is attacked by a wolf. Her fate as a werewolf is sealed. When she stumbles upon Ty Loflin, a Rebel soldier dying of his wounds, she nurses him back to health. He is the perfect mate but will he want her once he knows the truth?

  In Book 1 of this new series by Award-winning author Catherine Wolffe, the Western Werewolf Legend weaves a new blend of western romance with paranormal elements involving werewolves and vampires.

  Waking Up Dead (The Western Werewolf Legend #2)

  The truth, Sonja Brooks understands is relevant. She's a werewolf with a special 'gift' and faces danger at every turn. Now, the bloodsuckers stalk her family and the man she loves.

  He vowed to protect his men despite the cost. Tyler Loflin must save them and Sonja f
rom the threat of Yankee vampires. Seeking help from one of them will test his faith in the human he once knew and his own strength as a newly born werewolf.

  Escaping to a better place, Ty and Sonja set out for Texas, but will the freedom and safety they seek elude them?

  Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3)

  Not only do our dreams hold secrets to our future, but as Sonja Brooks discovers they also hold the keys to immense danger for her kind. Sonja finds the western werewolf pack in great peril when she and her mate, Tyler Loflin have to take on the vampires and their undead magic.

  When confronted with vampires that won’t ever die, Tyler Loflin has to formalize a plan to protect the woman he loves as well as the men who are like brothers to him. The only problem is keeping the plan a secret from Sonja, who is the alpha she-wolf of their pack.

  Salvation’s Secrets (The Loflin Legacy Prequel)

  Seth Loflin didn't expect to discover the love of his young life bathing in the creek on Loflin land. Yet Celia satisfies his body and his heart the moment he sees her. But trouble isn't far away when his father finds out about his oldest son's summer romance with the beautiful Comanche half-breed.

  Charles Harrington walks a thin line between right and wrong. One false step could land him in jail or at the end of a hangman's noose. His only friend, Seth Loflin guards his secret with his life. The burden of guilt he has carried weighs heavy on his heart for the family he unwittingly put in harm's way.

  Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1)

  From the moment Celia, the emerald-eyed, Comanche half-breed, gets off the stage in Tyler, Texas, Seth Loflin realizes he is on a collision course with the past. She was his first love and now the Shooter Creek's ranch boss can't allow her to succumb to the danger that stalks her. Someone wants to kidnap her and sell her as a slave, but now that she's in his protective arms, he intends to keep her safe.

  Celia can't run back to the safety of her former life in South Carolina. If she stays at Shooter Creek with Seth, she'll be putting the man she has always loved and his ranch in danger of harboring a Comanche. Seth refuses to leave her side, and his vow to protect her gives Celia the hope and courage she needs. Now she'll fight for her new life with Seth...or die trying.

  Casey’s Gunslinger (The Loflin Legacy: Book 2)

  When Casey St. Clair returns to Tyler to locate her birth father, she seeks the help of the town’s attorney, the wickedly handsome, Charles Harrison. Abandoned as a baby by the town’s most influential man, Earl Loflin, Casey’s plan includes going to any length to shame the man who sired her. Charles sees her plan as a foolhardy attempt at revenge. He’ll do his best to protect her without resorting to the methods of his past. But when his past comes calling and Casey walks blindly into a trap, he’s the only man who can save her and any future they have together.

  A Dance in Time (J.T. Leighton, Time Traveler #1)

  J.T. Leighton was a good Marine until one extraordinary night in Iraq. Now he’s a good Private Investigator with special skills. He’s on the trail of a woman who’s acquired a priceless necklace. His superiors want her killed, but J.T. wants her. Discovering why will put their lives in jeopardy.

  Jessie Colter always wanted to be a dancer. Now, her life’s on hold until she can understand what the strange request left by her deceased parents means. She turns to J.T. Leighton, the only person who believes her, and in doing so, understands more than she’d ever imagined.

  Desire’s Embrace

  Morgan Latimar hires Laura Sinclair as a nanny to his children. From the start, he's told his plan is a bad idea by those near to him. He's a shifter and that secret alone would put him and his family in mortal danger. He's also a renegade against the U.S. government. Living as an outcast, he struggles daily with the desire to be normal and secure a future for his children.

  Laura Sinclair grew up as an orphan after the death of her mother. She wants to be an independent woman, so she answers the ad from the mysterious man from Louisiana. At first, Morgan admires the courageous spirit Laura possesses. But when she plans to help his daughter regain her health without his knowledge, they draw a line in the dirt. Stubborn to a fault, she seeks the help of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Little does she know that Marie is the reason Morgan is a shifter. She also wants payment for her services in the form of the soul of a 'Seer'. Laura is that seer. Morgan can't hide his desire for Laura any more than he can hide the need to run free as a wolf. The Voodoo priestess kidnaps Morgan's daughter Sara, in exchange for Laura and her powers. Morgan uses the powers of the wolf to save both the women he loves more than life itself.

  Beyond the Veil (Shadow Company: Book 1)

  Aubrie Sinclair, a seer from a long line of empaths, considers her talent a gift and a burden. She’s a loner until she meets Logan Latimar, an ex-Navy SEAL and warlock. Sparks fly as they discover each other’s hidden talents as well as personal challenges. They find common ground in their battle with the demons known as shadow walkers who live between worlds and steal memories for their pleasure. Danger and treachery lurk behind every breeze as Aubrie and Logan face a threat that will test their strength as well as their sanity.

  Deliberate Intent (Shadow Company: Book 2)

  Katie Tibideaux, a small-town pharmacist and Duke Taylor, a rodeo cowboy, drifter and ex-SEAL ignite the sheets with the attraction between them. Reality takes a bite out of their world when shadow walkers attack once more. This time their best friends, Aubrie Sinclair and Logan Latimar face criminal charges and are on the run. It's left up to Duke and Katie to find the truth. Can Katie convince Duke she has what it takes to follow him into danger?

  Blood & Magic (Shadow Company: Book 3)

  J.T. Leighton, ex-SEAL and vampire is the newest member of Shadow Company. When Jessie Colter, his former lover shows up out of the blue needing their brand of assistance, he can't resist her. Keeping his true identity, a secret from her proves harder than he imagined. The Sultan kidnapped Jesse's parents and J.T. risks his dead life to help her get them back.

  Blood Born (Shadow Company: Book 4)

  Dorran O’Hare, a hybrid werewolf seeks the Chosen One. According to the Elders, a woman can rid the world of the Sultan, once and for all. While searching for the Chosen One, he discovers Meagan, a mortal among supernaturals and finds his mission compromised by the woman in his arms.

  Meagan Christina is a youthful adult with an old soul. Devoting her time and energy to an animal shelter gives her life meaning and purpose. But when she learns something seems wrong with the animals taken into their care, she knows she must act to save them.

  Learn more at www.catherinewolffe.com