She looked at Leo and her heart stopped as he sprang through the air to attack the two other wolves that were advancing him. The injured wolf healed remarkably fast and was bracing itself to join the other two.
Leo couldn’t fight all three! She had to help him, but her injury wasn’t healing. Horrified, another fear assaulted her senses. Sam was transforming back into her human form.
She lay naked on the cold, damp grass, the gash on her arm throbbing with pain, and she cried out in terror as she watched Leo fell one of the wolves with a bite on its back. Sam’s heart nearly stopped. She tried in desperation to change back into her wolf or lycan form and failed.
“Dammit!” She screamed with a mixture of frustration and fear. What kind of a lycan was she if she couldn’t change into one? Frantic with despair, she searched the ground for a weapon, anything, a stone, a piece of wood. She snatched the rock by her feet and flung it at one of the wolves. It hit it on the head and the wolf turned with a growl and snapped its jaws at her. Its tongue snaked out and it licked its bared fangs as it slowly advanced her.
Terror numbed her and she felt the ground for more rocks while she kept her gaze fastened on the wolf.
She flicked a defeated gaze to Leo, her eyes burning with tears. Leo snapped his gaze to her and he made a deep, guttural sound, saliva dripping from his jaws.
His massive wolf went into a frenzied rage as he fought all three wolves. He felled one by ripping a chunk of fur from its back and it fell to the ground making pathetic, yelping noises.
The pain in her arm disappeared and she looked down and saw her cut had healed. Leo growled like a demon possessed as he clawed, bit, and thrashed the two wolves he fought. Sam scrambled to her feet and grabbed a thick branch from the ground.
She splayed it in front of her, brandishing it like a sword at the wolf threading its way slowly towards her.
A sharp whimper caused her to turn back to Leo and she saw the wolf he fought slump to the ground. Sam heard the distant sound of sirens. Leo sprung in the air towards her. She gasped noticing the streaks of red on his fur. Even though she knew his cuts would heal, she still felt her legs weaken at the thought of him being hurt.
The first wolf rose from the ground, healed, and was about to attack Leo from behind when she heard three consecutive gunshots. Shocked, she saw the three wolves slump to the ground. A policeman stood a few feet away, a gun in his outstretched hand. Dazed, Sam watched Leo transform into his human form, his injuries healing right before her eyes. He collapsed on the ground, breathing hard.
“Leo!” She gasped, running to his side.
The policeman dropped a bag by Leo’s feet. “The boy called. When he mentioned wolves, I took the call. You okay?”
Leo nodded. Then, with a grimace, he gently took Sam’s arm and inspected it. He looked relieved.
“Your healing abilities are kicking in,” he said hoarsely. “I was worried they wouldn’t. I thought I arrived too late.” His expression darkened with a brief flash of anguish.
She watched him reach into the bag the cop gave him and pulled out two T-shirts and two black sweat pants. He gave her the smaller sizes. She gave him a confused look.
“Standard issue, ma’am,” the policeman said as he pulled out his phone. “I better call for back up. We’ll sweep the area in case there are more of them. We’ll dispose of these bodies.”
Leo nodded, his expression a grim mask.
In her fear for Leo’s life, she had forgotten she was naked. Blushing, she slipped on her clothes as Leo dressed in his. The cop put his gun back in his holster and gave the three wolves a grim look. Sam followed his gaze and gasped. They weren’t wolves anymore. They were in their human form. She tossed Leo a dazed look.
“Werewolves. The cop is human and shot them with silver.”
All she could say was, “Oh.”
She looked back at the dead bodies and her stomach dropped. The youngest one didn’t look older than sixteen. He looked so peaceful, almost like he was asleep and Sam couldn’t believe a short while ago he was ready to maul her alive.
The cop called for back up on his phone. Leo thanked him for his help and led a dazed Sam away.
In his car, she turned to him. “That cop was one of us, wasn’t he? He’s part of your secret organisation.”
“Yes.”
She squeezed her eyes. “I couldn’t change back to help you. I couldn’t,” she whispered.
“You’re still a fledgling, Sam. You’re just developing your skills.” A heavy silence fell between them. “You should not have run off like that. Even though they could not kill you, they could have dismembered you, Sam. The only thing we cannot heal is a missing limb.”
She felt sick. “I…I couldn’t help it. The boy was in trouble. I had to do something.”
He gave her a look tinged with admiration. “I know. You were very brave.”
They drove to her home in silence. Every once in a while, Sam felt Leo’s concerned gaze on her face.
Once inside her home, he led her straight to her bathroom. He ran a hot, steamy shower.
Without saying a word, he stripped and then he removed her clothes. Numb with shock, she stood there as he bathed her and himself, washing away the blood and dirt from their skin. Sam closed her eyes and welcomed his soothing touch.
He towelled them dry and led her into the bedroom. He turned down the sheets as Sam stood quietly to the side. Leo strode to window and drew the blinds closed.
Without saying a word, he took her hand and slid into bed with her. She laid her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. They lay naked beneath the covers and Sam knew he wasn’t going to make love to her. She didn’t mind. Leo was giving her exactly what she needed.
Comfort.
He kissed her on her forehead, his mouth warm and soothing. “Try to get some sleep, my love.”
She nodded, closing her eyes.
Her fears slowly melted away as something powerful settled over her, giving her newfound courage and determination. Love.
Leo, Elizabeth, Alek, her family. Sam had to be strong for them now. She couldn’t be afraid anymore.
“Leo,” she whispered.
“Mm?”
“I want you to teach me how to fight. I need to learn everything I need to know so I can protect the people I love.”
He squeezed her gently. “That has always been my plan. I will teach you the art of hand to hand combat and weapons use.”
“And you’ll help me control my beast? You’ll teach me how to call it when I need it?”
“Yes.” He rubbed her back. “I want you to be able to protect yourself when I am not around.”
Sam sighed contentedly.
There was a new life ahead of her now and she was going to stand by Leo’s side, helping him make this world safer for Elizabeth and Alek.
She turned her face and kissed his bare chest. “Thank you, Leo. You always said we would work out our problems and we did. Most of them, anyway.”
“And we will the rest. I love you, Sam.”
“I love you, too, Leo.”
Coming out soon…
Tall Dark Handsome Lycan, Book 3, September 2013
Other books from this Author…
Lycan Prince
Lycan King
Lycan Warrior
Lycan Mate
The Lycan and his Witch
Her Vampire Lover
Tall Dark Handsome Lycan, Book 2 Page 12