by Toni Goode
There were fires all around them as they got outside. It literally looked like a warzone. There were wolves everywhere and they were clawing and attacking each other. They dodged between a few fighting wolves and they began to head for the wooded area but as they neared it a huge grey wolf landed in front of them. This was a very powerful wolf. The power it exhumed was blinding as it snarled at them. This wasn’t any ordinary wolf; this one was ancient.
Lexi and Emma’s wolves looked at one another and then charged the ancient wolf as they all collided in midair. Emma’s wolf bit down on the shoulder of the ancient wolf and it howled out as it shook violently. The movement alone sent Lexi and Emma’s wolf flying through the air. Lexi’s wolf slammed into a tree and it cracked loudly as she fell lifelessly to the ground. Emma’s wolf fell to the ground but not before her head smacked into a large rock. The pain radiating through her body was intense as she howled loud. Her body shifted almost immediately back into her human form as she laid there. The ancient wolf growled as it walked over to her menacingly. It was literally foaming at the mouth as it got over her.
Emma covered her face as the ancient wolf’s mouth opened wider but before it bit down on her, it was hit into by a massive force. It took Emma a second before she could see the second wolf that was now there. It wasn’t just any wolf. It was Nicholas’ wolf. He looked back at her for a moment as their eyes locked, but that small distraction made the ancient wolf lunge for him as he took a huge bite against Nicholas’ back hind leg. He let out a loud howl as Emma screamed out.
Nicholas bit back as the ancient wolf howled and then he swung Nicholas in the air as he slammed into the ground. He yelped as the ancient wolf snarled once more and then sauntered over to Emma as foam dripped from its large canines. He growled loud as she quickly tried to scramble to her feet, but he lunged at her. His weight pressed her into the ground as she screamed. Suddenly his head snapped around at an unholy angle. The loud crack of bone and flesh filled the air as the wolf’s eyes stared lifelessly and then it was crashing next to Emma as she gasped in shock. Nicholas leaned over her. He was covered in blood and panting heavily. He had shifted back into his human form.
“We have to go. We have to go now.” He said as he looked back at the ancient wolf’s body that had shifted back to human. It was the elder Tomas.
Before Emma could stand another wolf came rushing over. It was a huge black wolf and it skidded to a stop as Nicholas stood now. His leg had a huge gash in it but thankfully it was healing slowly. The wolf walked around Nicholas and looked down at the body.
“He gave me no choice. He was going to kill her.” Nicholas said to the wolf.
“Steele?” Emma said as realization hit her but the sound of Lexi moaning in pain filled the air as they all looked.
“Lexi. Oh my god.” Emma ran to her friend and knelt as Lexi groaned again. “Hey girl. You’re ok. We’re ok.” Emma said and then she looked at Nicholas. “We’re ok, right?”
“We have to go. That man right there is Tomas. He is the elder wolf from the council, and I killed him.” Nicholas said as he walked over to Emma.
“She’s not strong enough.” Emma said as she looked back at Lexi.
“I got her. Nicholas is right. We have to go right now.” Steele said as he stood before them in his human form. He leaned down and picked up Lexi’s as she groaned again. “We’re only a few miles from my pack. We’ll go there and figure out what to do next.” Steele said as he began to walk off with Lexi in his arms.
Nicholas stood in front of Emma. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She began as he touched her face softly and then his lips were colliding against hers in a passionate kiss. The sound of howls in the distance made them pull back.
“Come on. Let’s go.” He said as they headed off into the woods.
Chapter Eighteen
It was the middle of the night by the time they got to Steele’s pack and that was a good thing considering Nicholas had just killed the wolf elder Tomas.
Steele had taken Lexi to a guest bedroom in his house as she slowly began to recover. Meanwhile Nicholas and Emma were in another spare bedroom, both now dressed from spare clothes Steele had laying around.
“Are you sure you are ok?” Nicholas asked as he touched the side of her face softly.
“Yeah. What about you? How is that gash healing?”
“I’m good.” Nicholas looked at her with concern. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No. I got out of there just in time.” She said as she walked across the room. “John didn’t make it.”
“I’m sorry. If I could have gotten there sooner.”
“No. You were perfect. You saved me and you saved Lexi.” She turned and faced him now.
“I will never let anything happen to you, Emma.” He walked over to her and tears filled her eyes. Within seconds his arms were wrapping around her as she cried into his chest.
Nicholas soothed her while reality began to set in. They were in a lot of trouble, more trouble than she could fathom. She pulled back as she wiped her eyes.
“This is all my fault. All of it.” She said with tears.
“No. This isn’t on you. Lawrence should have never taken you. He had it coming.”
“But now the council is going to.” Her words trailed. “I can’t lose you.”
“You’re never going to lose me. Not ever.” He said as his mouth moved to her and he kissed with a hunger that made her heart race.
Within seconds their clothes were falling to the ground. Their hands roamed over toned skin and muscle. Soon they were collapsing on the bed as they continued to kiss and then he was entering her body as she cried out in pleasure.
Hours later they laid entwined in one another on the bed. Nicholas moved some as she slept on his chest. He brushed a piece of her hair back as he looked at her. She was sleeping so peacefully; he didn’t want to wake her and so he moved slowly until he was standing beside the bed. He pulled the blanket over her body.
“I love you Emma. I will always love you.” He said softly and then he got dressed and left the room.
Steele was sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand as Nicholas came down the stairs. He looked over at him. “Want one?” He glanced at the six pack of beer on the table and Nicholas walked over and grabbed one.
“One hell of a day, huh?” Nicholas said as he took a long swig of the beer.
“Yeah, something like that.” Steele said as he sipped his beer. “You know we are pretty much fucked, right?”
“Yep.” Nicholas kicked his feet onto the coffee table.
“What’s your plan?” Steele asked as he too kicked his feet up onto the table.
“Well by tomorrow everyone will know what happened, including the council which means I have just become public enemy number one.” Nicholas said seriously.
“Maybe you could try and talk to the council again. I mean Tomas was there. He had to be involved somehow.” Steele said as he looked at Nicholas.
“They would kill me on the spot. I can’t go back there. I need to just go away for a while. A long while actually.”
“Alright well where do we go next?” Steele smirked.
“Oh no. You know I can’t involve you any further. I’m just going to lay low for a while. Who knows maybe it will all blow over?” Nicholas smirked.
“Listen Nick, we can figure this out ok.” Steele said seriously.
“No, this time it’s all on me and the longer I stay here the more danger I put everyone in.” Nicholas stood now.
“Nick don’t do this.” Steele stood too.
“I need to ask you a favor.” Nicholas’ voice got serious now as he looked at Steele. “I need you to keep her safe. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to her.”
“You know you never have to ask for that. Of course, I would keep her safe but Nick, there has got to be another way.”
“Right now, this is all I got and leaving is the only way I can guarantee that she wil
l be safe. I love her.” Nicholas turned from him. “I gotta go.” He said as he quickly left the house as Steele stood there.
Emma woke up to an empty bed as she sat up and looked around. She got out of the bed and looked at the window where the sun was shining in. Her mind went to Lexi and she quickly got dressed and made her way out of the bedroom. She glanced down the hall and made her way to the guest bedroom that Lexi was in. The door was cracked open and she peered inside. Lexi was sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked up as Emma pushed the door open.
“Emma.” Lexi said with tears in her eyes.
“Oh, Lexi.” Emma ran over and the two girls embraced as they cried against each other. Emma pulled back and wiped her eyes. “I tried to get to you sooner. I am so sorry.”
“Don’t you apologize. You came back for me and you didn’t have to.” Lexi said with tears.
“You’re my best friend, of course I would come back for you.” Emma hugged her again. “I’m just glad that you are out of there and we’re all ok.”
“Me too.” Lexi said as they pulled back again. “Where are we exactly?”
“It’s a long story. I have a couple people I want you to meet.” Emma smiled as she took Lexi’s hand. They made their way downstairs as Steele stood in the living room. He turned and looked at them both. “Hey, so it’s probably time that you two both formally meet. Lexi this is Steele, this is his house and his pack.” Emma said softly.
“I’m glad to see you are up and about. You feel ok?” He asked Lexi who smiled nervously.
“Yeah. A lot of it was a blur.” Lexi said as she fidgeted with her hands.
“Where’s Nicholas?” Emma asked Steele with a soft smile. “You’re going to love him. He is just amazing.” She added as she looked at Lexi.
“How about some coffee. I am sure you both want some. I will make it.” Steele said nervously as he began to leave the room.
“I don’t really need any coffee right now. Where is Nicholas?” Emma asked once more.
“Trust me, you haven’t tried a cup of my coffee yet.” Steele said as he walked into the kitchen and Emma quickly went after him. He was anxious as he began to pour water in the coffee pot. So much so that his hands were shaking. Emma’s stomach began to tighten.
“Steele, where is he?” Emma asked seriously as he kept his back to her. “Damn it Steele! What is going on!” She snapped now as she yanked on his arm and forced him to look at her.
The look on his face made her heart sink even further. He looked broken. “He’s gone, Emma.”
“What?” She said with a nervous laugh. “What do you mean he is gone?!” She yelled now.
“You wouldn’t be safe around him. This was for the best.” He finally said as she gasped.
“No. NO! He wouldn’t leave me!” She yelled as she went to run past him, but he grabbed her and held her back to his chest. “Let go of me! LET GO!” She yelled out with tears as Lexi ran into the kitchen. Her eyes got wide as she looked at Steele.
“I’m sorry Emma. It had to be this way.” Steele said softly.
“No! Fuck you! You don’t know anything!” She used her elbow to hit him hard in the gut as he finally let go of her and she took off running. He ran after her as Lexi stood in shock.
Emma ran through the property as she headed towards the woods.
“Emma, wait!” Steele called out as she continued to run. She jumped and shifted in midair as her wolf landed on the ground. “Fuck!” Steele yelled out as he jumped and shifted too as he continued to run after her.
Emma ran as she tried to catch Nicholas’ scent, but it was fading too fast. She couldn’t sense him around her. He was truly gone. Her wolf howled in agony as she continued to run. She ran through neighboring towns as she searched for his scent but to no avail. She went to the only place she knew. She headed for his house. She had to find him. He couldn’t leave her like this!
She crossed his territory line and kept running but the smell of smoke filled her nose and then she saw flames shooting into the sky as his house came into view. It was on fire and surrounded by wolves in the distance. Suddenly a weight came upon her and she was slammed into the ground. The force was so hard it literally made her shift back into her human form as she groaned. The sight of a large black wolf hovered over her. It was Steele.
“Get away from me.” She yelled at him as he shifted back into his human form and rushed over to her. She tried to scramble to her feet, and he held her down. “Stop! Get off!” She yelled.
“They will kill you. Do you hear me? This isn’t a game!” He snapped at her.
“Why did he leave me?” She said with tears as she looked up at Steele.
“Because he loves you and you are not dying on my watch.” He said seriously as she began to cry hysterically. He moved off her as she curled up on her side and she cried with everything she had in her. He was gone. Nicholas was gone.
To be continued…