“What was that?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she replied, still giggling beneath her breath.
He rubbed at the bridge of his nose, a habit that Tess was getting used to seeing. It usually meant that he was thinking about something, so she would do her best not to bother him when he held that posture.
“Since it’s probably our last night in the bear den, I have a surprise for you,” he said. He took Tess by the hand and stepped down from the patio. She smiled at the idea of a surprise. The gears in her mind started turning, trying to figure out what it might be. She leapt from the patio, into his arms. He was a beacon of warmth in the cold early afternoon.
“Onward,” she said. She planted a kiss on his cheek as he started his way toward the edge of the thicket. The surprise didn’t matter so much as the company, so she already had her present.
CHAPTER 2
She smelled intoxicating. He could have just held her all day, like they had in the past. The past few months had been frustrating, but having her around made them tolerable. His own stress would melt whenever he had her in his arms, or whenever she would stand on her tip-toes to kiss him on the cheek. There was no other woman alive that could make him feel that way, which is why he wanted to make her feel like the queen that she was.
He’d spent the last couple days gathering what little he could to surprise the woman in his life. Even Henry was willing to lend a hand, albeit reluctantly. There was something about Henry that was still not forthcoming. Connor could see Henry’s feelings for his wife being worn proudly on his sleeve. But, anything past that was enigmatic. He was like a riddle; Connor hated riddles.
He carried his beloved past the rows of tents where the bears had setup a makeshift campsite. There were so many of them. If what Samantha said was true, bears don’t stick together. They compete for the same resources. Sure, they come from the same blood, but none of them stick together for long. They’re an independent breed, which is why it was so odd that there were so many here.
It wasn’t only the adults either; whole families were camped in the back of trucks or under hastily built huts. Nothing looked permanent, everything temporary. The mood around the camp was solemn every time Tess and Connor would walk through. Even now they knew they were in enemy territory, they were only alive by the grace of the alpha.
For Henry to have as much command of the bears was astonishing. This many families for this long would be a nightmare to manage. Connor was already feeling that with just a few extra shifters setting up camp near the farmhouse. Henry must have been something special.
The thicket itself had a dense canopy that blocked out almost all sunlight. Tiny pin pricks of light pushed through, appearing as stars amidst a night sky. The bears didn’t seem to mind the darkened space. They’d sleep for hours without a care. A luxury not afforded to the wolves.
“Are we almost there?” Tess asked.
“Almost,” he replied. He could hear the guards that were assigned to them following close behind. Connor hated that he couldn’t spend five minutes with Tess alone, but at the same time he knew he would have done the same thing in Henry’s position.
The camp ended at the edge of a fresh water stream that ran through Henry’s property. At about twenty feet across it was large enough to provide water for the entire camp with ease.
“We’re here,” Connor said, releasing Tess to the ground. He’d brought her to a small blanket, strewn out over thick dirt and solid sand. On top of the checkered quilt was a bundle of hastily prepared food. It was nothing special, but Tess was excited nonetheless.
“Connor! It’s great,” she said. She hopped over, taking a seat on the blanket, then falling to her side to get comfortable. She still continued to giggle for whatever reason.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“It’s nothing,” she replied.
Connor eyed her suspiciously.
“Honest!” she said, “I was just thinking about one of our first dates.”
If she was laughing then there was only one that she would be thinking about.
“Remember when you took me out to see that herd of horses?” she asked. She continued to laugh to herself while she opened the bundle of food.
Connor rolled his eyes; yes, he remembered. It was a disaster for them both. He’d tried his best to forget, but it was not so easily forgotten. She’d told him on their first date how she loved horses and wanted to learn how to ride someday.
He remembered that little factoid. It took him a couple weeks to prepare everything for her; he wanted to impress her after all. One of the local farmers owned a large herd and had a vast property for his animals to run. It was perfect; Connor could have taken her there. She could have spent as much time as she wanted just running around and playing with the object of her desire. Meanwhile, he had prepared a small feast for them to enjoy.
“You had me blindfolded the whole way. I was nervous you were trying to kidnap me. I guess you sort of were,” she said.
Connor joined Tess on the blanket. Her hair cascaded down her neck while she lied on her side, exposing her supple, vibrant skin. The smile she wore on her face could have melted an ice berg, amplified by her wide-eyed gaze. Still, Connor was instantly turned on by the way her shirt opened just enough to show her cleavage, her perfect breasts were barely contained by the tight fitting article. Her body was like a masterpiece, soft, tender and gorgeous. The hem of her jeans sat on her hips that stuck out past her tiny waist.
His cock pressed uncomfortably against his shorts. He wanted to be between those thighs, but the guards that followed them made being intimate impossible, even though his wolf was screaming at him to mate. He let out a sigh from the frustrated feeling he would have to deal with for just a little while longer.
“Yeah, that was probably a dumb idea,” he said.
“Looking back, yeah. But, you were so excited to show me that herd,” she said. “I’ll never forget when we were standing at the edge of the fence. The second you took off the blindfold I died.”
Connor smiled to himself, somewhat pleased.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you change that fast,” he said, “Or any other shifter for the matter.” He gobbled into a sandwich from the bundle. He couldn’t take his eyes off Tess.
“It was the first time I’d seen that many horses in one place. I hate to admit it but the change was involuntary. I was on autopilot,” she giggled.
“I could tell,” he replied. He leaned in for a kiss which she obliged him. “Sorry I’m not a better cook.”
“I like sandwiches too, you know. You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to get into my pants,” she said with a wink while she wiggled her hips on the blanket.
Why does she have to be doing this now? Connor shifted in his seat, trying to keep his dick in a place where it wouldn’t ache. It felt as though he was holding on to a delicious slab of fresh meat but he wasn’t allowed to eat it.
“Which reminds me, was it your plan to have us almost die on that date?” she asked.
“No,” he replied, waving his hand, “Definitely not.”
She still giggled while tearing pieces of bread from her sandwich.
“I had zero idea the landowner was there with his shotgun,” Connor continued. He could laugh at himself now because he’d survived, but at the time it was quite frightening.
He’d set up their lunch on a rocky outcropping that looked out over the plains. It was one of the best views of the entire ranch, the perfect place to impress a woman. They played with the horses, running close, hoping they would play back, but none of them seemed interested in getting too close to a couple of wolves. After what seemed like hours, Connor brought them to the picnic site.
It was the first time he’d ever seen Tess completely naked. The sunlight licked at the sweat on her skin, while her chest heaved with heavy breathing after the run. That memory was one that Connor would never forget as long as he lived.
The second memory th
at he’d never forget happened shortly afterward.
“You had such a goofy look on your face,” she said, “when that farmer popped out of the brush with that shotgun I swear it looked like you were ready to shit yourself.” Her belly laugh filled the forest, echoing between the swaying trees.
“You know, you’d think an old geezer like that would be too busy ogling your ass,” Connor replied as he rubbed at the bridge of his nose. Tess slapped him playfully on the arm.
“Maybe he was more into men,” she smirked, trying to keep a straight face, but finding that impossible she continued to laugh.
“It was the first time I got to see your cute butt running for the hills,” Connor quipped.
“Yeah? Well it was the first time I got to see that hammer you’re packing,” she winked.
Here we go again.
He leapt out and tackled his woman. He was careful not to be too hard; he didn’t want to be so rough that it might hurt the baby. Once she was on her back, her hands held over her head by just one of Connor’s powerful hands, he tickled at her stomach. She was incredibly sensitive. Her body reacted instantly to his touch causing her to double over to protect her belly.
“Ah!” she shouted between laughs, “I give up, I give up!”
Connor stopped his attack, hovering over her face, absorbing every detail he could. She craned her neck upward while he leaned down to her and they fell into their passions. Their mouths locked in a wordless embrace.
A yawning bear knocked them from going any further. Connor released her completely; she lied smiling on her back.
“You know,” she said, “I always found you attractive before that day. God you were so sexy I could have just eaten you up. But, after the excitement, when we were both exhausted from running so fast; I think I saw part of you blushing.”
“You were the first woman that I ever got to have fun with,” he replied. His father was so strict while he was growing up. The girls in the pack would rarely leave him alone, but anytime he would try to get close his, father wouldn’t approve. “My dad would always make sure that I had my eye on the prize. I was destined to lead, not to love,” he said.
Tess crawled up and over to sit beside Connor. She leaned against his expansive chest with her arms around his abs.
“I think I knew that,” she said, “You deserve to be happy.”
She was right. He valued her as though she were part of him. She made him into a better man and he knew that deep in his heart.
“I know I never told you this before, but on the drive home that day it was the first time that I realized I loved you,” she said. She caught his attention with a soft-hearted smile that begged to be kissed.
He gave in to her demands. He didn’t care if the bears were watching. This was his woman and whatever she wanted, he would to make sure she had.
“You’ll be an amazing father.” She added.
Will I?
He wasn’t sure what he’d be, but as long as she’s there, he knew he could manage. Tess and Connor spent the rest of the afternoon, relaxing on the blanket by the river. Something they both wished to return to for so long. Even as the sun crested over the horizon and the temperature dropped, they had each other. That was plenty enough.
CHAPTER 3
“Today is the day!” Henry shouted to the gathered pack. “Some of you may not come back, but justice demands sacrifice. I would do the same for each and any one of you that came to me asking for help.”
Tess and Connor stood near the back. Beth and Greta were close by with Greta holding tightly to Connor’s leg. None of them wanted to be too close to the front right now.
“You all have your orders,” he continued, “Hit them hard and fast. Watch out for their guns. They’re loading silver ammunition. I know the lot of you are the hardiest bastards this side of the county, but don’t go becoming a hero. Come back safe so your families don’t have to bury their father. I know what loss feels like and that’s a sting that nobody should have to feel.”
Connor was reminded of his father. It was only a couple months back that the bears had killed him. The sting of his loss still stabbed at his heart. He might not have been the best father, but he was the only one Connor had known.
At the same time, Connor knew that he’d taken a few lives that day. He’d probably taken his own share of fathers and sons on the battlefield, did he really have the right to judge? He struggled to forgive even now as the guilt from what he did sunk into him.
“Stay strong, stay close, and end these bastards once and for all,” Henry shouted. The rest of the crowd cheered. Connor still couldn’t put his finger on exactly why they followed Henry. Was it something he did? Was he the biggest and the strongest one? That couldn’t be right. There were a lot of big strong guys about the crowd. No doubt they could have fought for the right to be the alpha without fail. Yet, they all paid homage to the old man with the eye patch.
He shook off his curiosity as the crowd began to disperse. The men said their goodbyes to their families. The wives, tear stricken, replied with their love; hoping they would return unharmed.
In a wave of roars they transformed into massive mounds of fur, claw, and teeth. The ground shook beneath Connor’s feet, a feeling that he’d grown to fear but was now proud to be a part of.
The beating of the feet was drowned out by the honking of a horn driving into the thicket. Henry stepped further out on the patio to make out the source as Connor and Tess looked on with interest.
Samantha was behind the wheel. She barely had the car to a stop when she started shouting out the side window.
“Guys, this is bad,” she said, “Really, really bad.”
“What is it, Sam,” Henry said as he pulled the door open, “News from the Cliff Walkers?”
Samantha was visibly shaken. The bear that joined her on the trip pried his large body from the passenger side, slamming the door shut behind. He walked to the back side of the truck and flipped down the tailgate.
“I don’t know what happened. When we go there …” She spoke while Connor and Tess walked slowly around the truck. “… I did just like you said, I waited by the mile marker but nobody came. I got worried. I decided to try to sniff it out for myself. I almost wish I didn’t.”
Connor looked in the back of the truck. The Cliff Walker alpha was there, holding on for breath. His wounds were patched but the bandages were soaked through with blood. Any longer in the back of the truck and he might not survive. He needed real medical attention, fast.
Tess was the first to react. Connor expected she would look away in horror but she was strong. She bit her lip, wrinkled up her forehead, and got to work.
“I need a medical bag, right now. If we don’t get these sewn up soon he’s going to bleed out,” she said.
The bear passenger sprinted toward the house to follow her orders. Connor was proud of her for being able to take control of the situation so easily. In moments, Buck, the alpha from the den was being carried into the house. Tess threw Connor a sideways glance, the obvious question was on both of their minds but she was too afraid to hear it. Connor could tell.
“How many?” he asked.
“A lot,” she replied. Samantha couldn’t look anyone in the face; her gaze was planted firmly on the ground as she recalled everything she’d seen. “It was mostly the warriors that must have stayed behind, I still counted a couple women, but no children at least; other than that alpha, I didn’t see anyone else breathing.”
No.
“What about Alex,” Connor asked, “And, Cynthia. Did you see either of them there?” Connor hoped for Tess’s sake that Alex wasn’t among the wounded. Hell, he hoped for his own sake. She didn’t need that kind of loss now. He allowed himself to relax when Samantha shook her head no.
“I didn’t see either of them. They were the first people I looked for. Couldn’t find a trace of them,” she said.
“If I know Alex, there’s only one place that he would have taken the survivors
,” Connor said, “There’s only one place close enough to that den that could house that number of people comfortably. I have a good feeling they’re at Crunch’s place.”
Samantha nodded, finally able to lift her head with hope. Connor was sure of it. Alex was smart and strong, even if he hated having to deal with his cocky attitude. If he knew that the bear den was closer he would have brought them here, but even Connor barely knew where here was.
Tess stepped from the house. Her tight fighting shirt was blood stained.
“He’ll be okay. It’s a good thing there’s an actual trained doctor here. I don’t think I could have saved him. It’s nothing like sewing up your leg wound,” she said.
Connor felt at the shotgun wound he’d received a few days ago. It still stung a bit but it was more or less healed. As he felt at the wound he saw Samantha’s head sink back down to the ground.
“Good,” Connor said, breathing out a breath he only now realized he’d been holding in. “I’m going to go find Alex and the rest of those pups that are missing. The last thing I need today is more bad news.”
“I’m going, too!” Samantha said. She stamped over to the yellow truck that never seemed to die. “Alex is my friend and I want to make sure he’s okay.”
Connor sighed and rubbed at the bridge of his nose.
“I suppose that means that I can’t convince at least you to stay here, hun?” he said. Tess hopped off the patio to join Samantha by the truck. That was answer enough for him. He dug around in his pocket for his keys, not that they really mattered, and tossed them to Samantha.
“If we’re goin’, you’re drivin’,” he said. Samantha knew the truck almost as well as Connor. Hell, she was half the reason the damn thing still ran at all. It was covered in dents from the impact of bears, shattered glass, shotgun holes, and a very crappy old spray can paint job. Through all of it, the truck started like a champ every time. Another adventure was awaiting the old girl.
Tess took the middle seat while Connor slammed the door shut on the passenger side. Henry came up to the driver’s side window.
The Dragon's Woman (Elemental Dragons Book 3) Page 92