The mudroom door opened. Reylin came running out. “What’s going on? Your arguing woke me.”
“Nik’s in charge while I go search for Bianca. I’m going alone because the pack is exhausted.”
“Let me go get Rune and Tristian Smith. They’ll help you search.”
“No, let them rest. I will—“ Law’s cell phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number. “Foster.”
“Hello Mr. Foster, do you know where your mate is?”
“Damn it, Kane, if you’ve hurt her—“
Kane interrupted. “Ms. Archer is safe and sound in bed. My wife is with her now. Chessa has run off into the woods and her ever-stubborn mother tried to chase her down.” Kane laughed. “You aren’t doing a very good job.”
Law gritted his teeth. Bianca was asleep in the dragon’s lair. My mate is at his mercy. Fuck. “I’ll be right there to get her.”
“You’ll do no such thing. There’s no point in waking up my household at this hour. She’s safe. I give you my word, but tomorrow is a very different story. You’ll bite her. She’s a loose cannon, and I want my town to go back to normal. I’ll be sending a car around for Ms. Johnson too.”
“You won’t. Sabrina is part of my pack. Ethan Dupree gave her his protection.” God, I hope he did. “She’s one of mine.”
Kane’s soft growl rumbled, barely audible, over the phone line. “Did he now? Your pack will be entirely human soon if you keep picking up strays.”
“Strays are always welcome here.”
Kane cleared his throat. “I’m just glad Ms. Archer isn’t a stray. You’ll be biting her tomorrow.”
Law gripped his phone tighter. “That’s not your call. She’s my mate, my very human wife, and I won’t hurt her. Some bittens die, it’s rare, but I’m not risking her life.”
A loud rumble came from Kane’s side of the phone as if he’d slammed his fist against his desk. “She comes from a strong bloodline. Bite her; this is not a request, and I’m sure she would much rather have that between the two of you than have it done by another wolf.” Joy was right. Bianca must be his niece.
“I’ll protect her—my pack will protect her. No one is biting my wife.”
“It’s good to hear how much you value her happiness. That bodes well for the future of your life together, but that life will be very short if she remains human. You are offering her to death every moment she stays human. If you love her, bite her.”
“If I ever bite her it will be because she asked me to do it, not because you commanded it. I want to come and get her.”
“You won’t. My family needs rest and so do you, Mr. Foster.” Exhaustion hung heavy on Kane’s tone as he sighed. “Bianca Archer is part of my pack, as much as that bothers you, she’s one of mine, and I protect what’s mine. You should consider adopting my attitude. When she accepted your protection she accepted our world—ways and part of that is you will need to make decisions that are in her best interest.”
“Are you giving me marriage advice, come on, humans aren’t like wolves. She’s a capable, talented woman. I have no right to change her on such a fundamental level without her permission. I love her.”
“Love isn’t always enough.” Sorrow hung heavy on Kane’s tone.
“Thank you for sheltering her tonight. As for Chessa, I’m going to go looking for her.” Law sighed.
“Mr. Foster, get some rest. The girl will be fine. She needs the woods. Believe me, if she’s anything like…just leave her be.”
“Anything like what?” Law’s curiosity spiked.
Kane paused. “Like most wolves that age. You must surely remember being young. Bitten or not she’s a wolf.”
“Bianca would want me to look.”
“You are a good man, Foster. I’m sure you’ll be a good mate and do the right thing in the morning.” Kane hung up.
Nik and Reylin regarded Law curiously.
“Bianca’s okay, but Kane has her.”
Ten
Sabrina’s brows drew together. “What do you mean? You give me your protection? Is there a reason I need it?”
Ethan gaped at her. He still held onto her arm from when he’d stopped her fall. She resisted the urge to lift his chin to close his mouth. That man looks positively horrified. He looked away. “Ah, well—I mean—I will take good care of you.”
Sabrina grimaced. Well, that’s not creepy? “Thanks, but all I need you to do is get me to the hospital.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay the night?” He wasn’t trying to hide the insistence in his tone. “I’d be happy to get you to the hospital first thing in the morning.”
Straightening her back, she made sure her center of gravity was stable before she pulled her arm out of the dumbfounded man’s grasp. “I’m good. Thanks. I’m ready to go back to town.”
He shook off his stupor. The corner of his mouth tilted down. Has he always been this hot? That chin dimple is sexy-adorable. How hard did I hit my head?
“Let me help you.” His gruff voice was no-nonsense as he swept her into his arms. Sabrina stiffened. Shock turned off her brain, and he’d brought her downstairs before she’d collected herself.
“What. Are. You. Doing?”
“Helping you. Shh, lots of people are sleeping. You should be too, but I’ll get you to the doctor.”
No man had ever carried her, not since her father had done it when she was a child, and the feeling of helplessness mingled with the oddest sense of safety. I feel…cherished? Oh shit. “Um, put me down,” she whispered. I feel so foolish. Gazing up at Ethan’s handsome face made her mouth go dry. “Please put me down.”
He paused and looked at her. “What if I like holding you?”
Heat burned in Sabrina’s cheeks. Her mind went blank.
Ethan’s eyes were bright in the dim hall. Are they glowing? She shivered. In response, he held her tighter. “I don’t want to put you down.” Oh my, his voice. Yum. The soft seduction in his tone sent arrows through her core.
“Um,” she attempted to speak. Oh God.
“I’m not leaving your side.” His no-nonsense statement thrilled her far more than it should.
****
Chessa ran beside Trin. The night rushed by like magic and the smells and sounds filled Chessa with a rush beyond anything she’d ever experienced. This wasn’t like running with Tobias’ pack because she had no fear. Trin is my pack. The bond of friendship made everything a little brighter as the moonlight caressed the world and Chessa let her soul exist without expectations.
Trin stopped, sniffed, and headed off the trail. Chessa couldn’t fully transform since it wasn’t a full moon, so she did her best to follow, but Trin moved faster. Then Chessa’s bitten senses caught up with Trin’s superior born sense. Trax? His unique earthy scent, hints of pine, musk, and freshly cut grass reminded her of the night he’d saved her life. Evan Traxler had a kill order hanging over his head like the rest of Tobias’ pack. She ran harder, using her half-metamorphosed arms as protection for her face as branches struck her. She stumbled on vines but managed to stay on her feet. Trax’s scent strengthened—spurring her on.
Skidding to a halt in a clearing, Chessa almost tumbled into Trax. His human form was totally hot. Her mouth went dry, and she didn’t know what to say.
“Hey, Chessa.” Trax smiled.
How can he be so casual? “Um, hey.” Chessa cringed because her voice rumbled with distortion from wolfiness.
Trax grinned wider. “I’m glad to see you’re okay.” Then his expression grew serious. “You are okay, right? Why are you out here instead of home?”
“Nothing feels like home.”
“Yeah, I get it, but you should go back to your farm. The place seems nice.”
Chessa growled. Trin was at her side baring her teeth at Trax.
He held up his hands in surrender. “Ladies, come on, I’m just looking out for Chessa.”
“Sexist much?” Chessa asked. Her wolf receded, and she was human again. Thank go
odness, my clothes stayed on. Her wolf was small compared to the others so she could wolf in and out, staying fashionable.
The smell of goldenrod and bachelor’s buttons carried on the breeze along with the scent of rabbits and squirrels. There were no human or wolf scents; they had the woods to themselves.
Trin looked up at Ches and whined. Trin couldn’t turn back in front of Trax because she’d be naked. “Should we ditch this jerk? He left you.” Trin’s voice came to Ches telepathically. Trax couldn’t hear the conversation.
Chessa bit her lip.“No. I want him to explain why he left.”
“Oh jeez here comes the drama.”
Chessa glared at Trin. “You’d want to know.”
Trin’s wolf looked up at Ches and whined. “Probably.”
“Ladies, I’m still here.” Trax’s teasing tone brought their attention back, and they both looked at him.
The night breeze ruffled his shaggy brown hair. Her new eyesight helped her see his big chocolate brown eyes in the darkness. He still smiled, but there was something guarded in his expression.
Chessa stomped her foot. “I want to know why you left.”
The melody of crickets and tree frogs resounded in the silence of his awkward pause.
Trax shrugged. “I felt better.”
“But you’d be safe at the farm. Law’s a cool guy, so is Joy, and Mom’s okay too. Come back.”
Trinity put her paw on Trax’s arm and yipped.
“Who’s your friend?”
“Don’t change the subject.” Chessa put her hands on her hips.
“They don’t want me there. I can’t go back to my family. Mom doesn’t know about werewolves.”
“What about your dad? I’m sure your mom would rather learn the truth than think you’re dead.”
“It’s been almost a year since my uncle bit me to punish Dad.”
Chessa’s head tilted and her lips pursed. “What’s up with that?”
“Shit, the feud confuses the hell out of me, but here I am. Dad let them take me because he wanted to keep his secret so bad. He said it’s better to have a pack—any pack.”
“Come back to the farm.” Chessa reached out and touched his arm.
Trin’s wolf circled them.
Trax rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why, don’t you like Joy and me?”
Looking at her, Trax frowned. “I like you. Joy’s cool. I—I’ve been doing my own thing for a while, and I don’t think I want to follow someone’s rules.”
“There are rules everywhere, even in the woods,” Chessa said.
Trax shook his head. “Like what?”
“Don’t wipe your butt with poison ivy.”
His mouth fell open, and he gaped at her for a second before a burst of laughter echoed through the trees. Trax doubled over and gasped for air.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you said that. Awesome,” Trin thought.
“You know me, zero filter. I want him to come back and live at the farm.”
“Yeah, he’ll be easier to kiss that way.” Trin’s wolf sat down.
“I wish I hadn’t told you about that.” Ches grimaced.
Trax composed himself. “I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. Maybe I could come and stay for a night, just to make sure you get home safe. Is your friend from the farm too?”
“Trin meet Evan Traxler. Evan this is Trinity Louvel, she’s a town wolf, but don’t hold it against her, she’s cool and my best friend.”
“Before or after the bite?” Trax tilted his head, and his lip curled smugly.
“Since kindergarten.”
“That’s hilarious; you had a werewolf buddy and didn’t know you could become a werewolf. My dad is the only wolf in River Bluff; we played against you guys all the time, and I was the only one who knew The Wild Rose Valley Wolves were cheaters because you were werewolves. That’s totally an unfair advantage.”
Trin’s wolf whined. “Not all the players are wolves. Some kids are human or bitten. You tell that jerk the Wolves aren’t cheaters, we’re just good.”
“So, you’ll come home with me?” Home. “Oh, and Trin says being a werewolf isn’t cheating.”
Trax rolled his eyes at Trin. “Even as a bitten I’d be cheating if I ran track or played football against a human.” He shook his head. “Yeah, I’ll make sure you get home, and I might stick around for a bit.”
Ches grabbed his hand, and he didn’t pull away. “Promise you won’t take off without saying goodbye.”
“I don’t make promises, but I won’t ditch you again.” Trax kept hold of her hand as the three of them entered the brush and headed back to the trail.
Trin ran ahead. “I thought you guys could use some privacy.”
Chessa’s cheeks burned. “Shut up. But thanks.”
Eleven
Bianca gasped. Where am I? The last twenty-four hours came back in a rush. She sucked a breath through her teeth as she pushed herself up in bed. Without any pain meds in her system, the gunshot wound hurt like hell. She’d fallen asleep with the picture of her mother, and it was on the floor now. Luckily, the glass in the frame hadn’t broken. Bianca stood up and put the picture back on the wall. Her clothing was where she’d left everything, and she put the dirty, stained ensemble back on. I can’t wait to take a shower. What did the doc say about my bandage getting wet? I shouldn’t have left. She did her best to make the bed, moving with stiff precision and put the folded nightgown on top of the blue comforter.
The pink sky out the window told her the hour was early, just barely passed dawn, but she’d gotten enough sleep to function. She picked up her purse and stepped out of the room. Kane stood in the hallway. He wore a different suit, so she assumed he’d gotten some sleep too.
“Good morning,” Bianca whispered.
“Everyone is up, no need to be quiet. Good morning.” Kane frowned. “Are you alright, Ms. Archer?”
“I’m paying for my stubbornness, I’m afraid, but don’t tell Law. Did you reach him last night?”
Kane frowned. “Allow me to bring you back to your doctor.”
“I need to find Chessa before I do anything.”
Kane moved forward and supported her sore arm as if he were a living sling. “Your Chessa is a wolf now. She’s fine, but you are not. Please allow me to help you.” They walked slowly. Kane helped her down the first step. “You’re light-headed, aren’t you?”
Bianca’s face heated. “A little. I know you mean well, and I am honestly very lucky you came along when you did, but it’s okay. I’ll reconsider voting against you in the next election and everything.” Wincing, she took another painful step. “But my daughter is the most important thing in the world. Without her, my health doesn’t matter.”
“Your life matters very much to Mr. Foster. Consider what this is doing to him. As a human, you can’t fully understand, but wherever he is right now, he feels your pain in a very real way. Take my advice and ask him to bite you.” She could have sworn Kane’s eyes glowed as he helped her down another step.
“Bite me?” Bianca stopped half way down the staircase and jerked her arm out of Kane’s grip. Pain radiated through her torso. She teetered, but he reached up and steadied her, but didn’t try to hold her arm again. “I don’t want to change.”
Kane sighed. “Life is change nothing stays the same. You will still be you, but you’ll be harder to hurt and even harder to kill.”
“I’m surprised you’re so interested in my safety.” Bianca rolled her eyes, but she allowed him to help her down another step.
“I am too.” Kane gave a dry guff of amusement. “I believe you’re starting to grow on me, Ms. Archer.”
“Aww, Mr. Mayor I think that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Kane’s laugh grew into a genuine boom. He helped her down the rest of the stairs. When they got the bottom, sweat beaded her forehead, and she breathed harder. Kane�
�s smile slid away. “Allow me to take you right to the emergency room.”
“No. I’m fine. I just need to get used to no pain meds in me. I hate those things.”
“You being too stubborn to accept medication doesn’t surprise me.” He chuckled. “I suffer from chronic stubbornness as well. I will bring your daughter to you if you’ll just concede to get the care you need. You are weak.”
Bianca huffed. “I am not weak! Ches said the same thing. It’s what caused her to run off, but I’m as tough as anyone.”
“You are not a wolf. Allow Mr. Foster to bite you, and you’ll know what real strength is. You’ll be like your daughter.”
“You’ve been so kind to me, thank you, K—Kane,” she said the mayor’s name awkwardly. “I have taken up enough of your day. I’ll just say thank you to Pearl and give Law a call to pick me up.”
Kane’s face mottled red, and his nostrils flared. “You will have breakfast with the family before you leave. Then I will drive you to the hospital.”
“I don’t take orders well, but thank you for offering me breakfast. I’ll eat, but I’m leaving for home, not the hospital, after. Your concern is appreciated, and I hope I haven’t offended you.”
Meeting him halfway seemed to placate him. “Very well, the boys haven’t left for school yet.”
“Your sons are wonderful little boys. Chessa and Hayden get along very well; they have the same interest in video games.”
“You know my children?” Kane’s surprise caught Bianca off guard.
“Two of them, Hayden and Jack, they come down to the community center for basketball. That fancy private school you send them too doesn’t have a team. Didn’t you know that?”
Kane paused. “I’m a very busy man.”
“Believe me, I can relate, it’s been just me since Chessa was a year old. Lucas recently came back into her life.” Bianca’s voice cracked. She cleared her throat. “It’s still hard to believe he’s gone. Lucas wasn’t built to be a father, and we were too young. He had dreams, and it wasn’t until recently he realized what he was missing. I don’t think anything would have ever grown between us again, but he wanted to make things right with Ches.”
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