Ashton Grove Werewolves (Boxed Set, Vol. 2)

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  * * *

  The next morning, Colin leaned back in his chair in his office and held the phone to his ear. “What happens now?”

  “You want to be a little more specific?” Connor asked.

  “Gabriel is a mess. We lost part of our family and the pack lost their matriarch. How do we recover from something like this?”

  “It won’t be easy,” Connor said. “But we’ll pull through. I think we need to be there for Gabriel right now. He seemed withdrawn and hollow when he went home yesterday. I can’t begin to imagine what he’s going through. If I’d lost Aislinn, I’d be a wreck. Hell, I’d probably crawl in the grave next to her.”

  “You don’t think he’ll try something like that, do you?”

  “I don’t think so,” Connor said. “You really think we should worry about him harming himself? It just doesn’t seem like something Gabriel would do.”

  “Yeah, well, it doesn’t seem like something you would do, either. But you just admitted if you lost Aislinn you’d be tempted to follow her.”

  “Good point.”

  “Maybe you should stop by and check on him,” Colin suggested.

  “I’ll give him a few days. I don’t think he wants company right now, not even family. I know Cole was going to go home with yesterday and Gabriel wouldn’t let him. He said he wanted to be left alone. If he won’t let his brothers near you, do you really think I’ll get through the door?”

  “Well, we need to try. If you aren’t able to see him in a few days, let me know. Maybe if we all go as a group, he won’t turn us away.”

  “How’s Kendall holding up?” Connor asked.

  “She’s doing well. Eric came by and healed the brand on her hip. She’s blemish free again.” Colin cleared his throat. “We also discussed the possibility of starting a family. Now that the trouble with the demons is behind us, I don’t see the harm in it. I didn’t want to chance it before, but I think she’d be safe enough now. Don’t you?”

  “Eric said that the trouble is gone for now.”

  “For now?” Colin asked, feeling ill at ease.

  “Well, the demons are gone, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be trouble free forever. Remember, Marin went up against a psycho. Kiera dealt with a vampire. We’ve had to battle demons now. It only stands to reason that there will be other beings out there intent on causing trouble. I’m sure they’ll show themselves sooner or later.”

  “I’d prefer later,” Colin muttered.

  “You and me both.”

  “I’m going to go wake Kendall and take her out for breakfast. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Enjoy your time with her, now that there isn’t an ax hanging over your head. Try to enjoy life, Colin. You’ve found your mate. There’s nothing better than that.”

  Colin smiled. “I plan to. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Later, bro.”

  Colin hung up the phone and stood. Connor was right. It was time to enjoy life, and enjoy his mate. And he was going to start by waking her up nice and slow, then taking her out to eat. Maybe do a little shopping. He’d give her whatever she wanted, in celebration of them surviving.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, he couldn’t keep the smile from his face.

  Epilogue

  Gabriel stood in the doorway to Radha’s room. The blanket was still mussed from the last time she’d lain in her crib, her favorite bear on the floor where she’d dropped it the morning of the fight. It had only been a week, but it felt like months. Her scent was still there, it was faint, but it hadn’t disappeared, yet. If he closed his eyes and inhaled, it was almost like she was still there. He could hear her happy giggles, her contented coos, and the sweet little sigh she’d make as she drifted off to sleep.

  His eyes snapped open and he moved further into the room. Kneeling on the floor, he lifted the bear to his nose and breathed deep. His throat felt tight with unshed tears, his eyes burned. But no matter how many tears he shed, no matter how often or how long he cried out at the injustice of it all, no one was bringing his little angel back to him. She was gone, forever.

  The angels had assured him that Kiera and Radha were in heaven, safe and happy. He knew that should lessen his grief, somehow, and yet it didn’t. Yes, he was glad to know they were in heaven, that they were some place nice. But it didn’t take away the pain of his loss. Nothing would. He supposed that in time he wouldn’t feel as if his heart were being ripped out day after day, but nothing would ever replace them, could ever fill the space in his heart where they belonged.

  A hand landed on his shoulder and he snarled, turning to face whoever had intruded in his home. His eyes landed on his cousin, Connor and he relaxed, marginally.

  “What are you doing here?” he growled.

  “Checking on you. Colin, well, all of us, we’ve been worried about you. You’ve shut yourself up in this place, not allowing anyone in, never coming out. It’s not good for you, Gabriel.”

  “What the hell do you know? Your mate is still walking around. Without a scratch on her, I might add. What did you lose in this stupid war?”

  “Kiera,” Connor answered softly. “I lost Kiera, and Radha. We all did. I know you miss them, that you always will, but you aren’t the only one. I lost family that day, so did Colin, Cole, Michael and our mates. You aren’t alone, cousin.”

  “I want to be alone, can’t any of you understand that?”

  “Yeah, I get it. You want to be here by yourself to lick your wounds, to wallow in self-pity, to close yourself up in this mausoleum, a shrine to your family. I get it, I really do. Who’s to say I wouldn’t do the same thing in your place? But, Gabriel, it isn’t healthy.”

  “I lost my only reason for living that day. Don’t you get that? Why? Why couldn’t they have taken me instead? Radha was an innocent, just a child! And Kiera... she’d never harmed anyone in her life.”

  Connor smirked. “Except that vampire.”

  A ghost of a smile graced Gabriel’s face. “Yeah, she was pretty fierce that day, wasn’t she?”

  “I don’t have to worry about you doing something stupid, do I?”

  Gabriel shook his head. “I’m not going to kill myself, if that’s what you’re thinking. Kiera wouldn’t want me to. But God how I wish they’d taken me, too! Just the thought of living without them is almost more than I can bear.”

  “The keyword there is almost. You can pull through this, I know you can. And you have me, and the rest of the family, not to mention the pack. We’re here for you, if you’ll let us in.”

  Gabriel rose. “I need some time, Connor. I can’t face anyone right now. And... I need you to take over, completely. I can’t be alpha at the moment, it just isn’t in me. I’m too messed up to lead anyone or make decisions.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”

  Gabriel nodded. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready to come back. I’ll have to ask Michael to take over the garage. I need some time off, a lot of time, I think.”

  “Take as much time as you need. You know how to reach me if you need me.”

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d tell everyone to leave me in peace. I don’t want visitors, even if they do mean well. I just want to be left alone.”

  Connor sighed. “All right. I don’t agree with it, but I’ll do it.”

  Gabriel turned away, moving further into the room. “Thanks, Connor.”

  He heard his cousin walk out, and he slowly lowered himself into the rocking chair by the window. How many nights had he sat here and rocked his baby girl? Too many. He’d paced this floor when she’d had colic, sang to her when she couldn’t sleep, sprawled across the floor to stack blocks with her. There were so many memories, all of them good, and all of them weighing heavy on his heart. He’d never get to watch her grow up, teach her to ride a bike, threaten her first date, watch her walk across the stage at graduation, get married. He felt cheated.

  And Kiera. God! He couldn’t even begin to think of what his l
ife would be like without her. She was his other half. Without her, he was nothing. He’d had his shot at a mate and now she was gone. He hadn’t kept her safe. He should’ve listened to Colin. His cousin had told him, time and again, that the women needed to learn to defend themselves. But had he listened? He’d scoffed, thinking the pack would protect the women and children. And look where that left him. If he could do things over again, he’d have Kiera in practice from day one, he’d have sent Radha to Cassie and Matt’s. He’d have done something, anything! Instead, he’d watched, helpless, as that demon had murdered his family.

  There would come a day when he would be able to move past it, could get on with his life, but that time wasn’t now. No, now was the time for grieving, for crying and mourning the loss of his beloved wife, daughter and unborn child. It was a time to relive all of the good times and wonder what might have come if they’d still been with him. That’s what the present was for. But the future... he couldn’t deal with the future just yet. Not yet. One day, though. One day he’d wake up and things would be better. He’d take back over the duties of alpha, get back to work in the garage and try to settle into some sort of life. He knew he’d never have another mate, but he did have family that cared about him. If for no other reason, he needed to move on for them. And he would. Eventually.

  Moonlight Angel

  Prologue

  Adriel stood before the Archangel Gabriel, hoping he wasn’t making a huge mistake. In his heart, it was the right thing to do, but so many things could easily go wrong with his plan. His fellow angels couldn’t believe what he was going to do, had in fact tried to talk him out of it, but Adriel wouldn’t be swayed.

  He’d seen her once, across the battlefield during the demon war in Ashton Grove. The moment he’d laid eyes on her, something inside of him had shifted, warmed, and he’d felt a certain rightness as he gazed upon her. She’d fought valiantly, attacking the demons who chose to pick on her for petite size with gusto, her long blonde hair cascading down her back in a ponytail that whipped around with her movement.

  Fighting the demons that came his way, he’d kept an eye on her, making sure no one dealt a deadly blow. When he saw two other packmates join her, he was relieved. The three women worked together, protecting themselves, hacking and slashing at anything that came their way. When the last demon fell, and all that could be heard were the painful moans and cries of the injured, Adriel’s gaze had sought her out once more, grateful she seemed to be okay.

  He’d wanted to walk up to her, introduce himself, maybe even touch her sun-kissed skin that looked silky smooth. But he’d felt the pull of Heaven and knew that his time on Earth was at an end. With a heavy heart, he’d ascended into the Heavens, taking his place beside his brothers and sisters once more, left with nothing to do but observe those down below.

  It had been a month now, and every day he watched the woman he’d learned was named Kinley Taylor. He had watched over her, guided her actions, and made sure no harm came her way. And if he deterred an amorous male or two in the process, well, no one was the wiser. She deserved better than the horny wolves sniffing around her skirts.

  Gabriel cleared his throat, bringing him back from his memories, his cheeks warming in embarrassment. One did not wander off, mentally or otherwise, when facing one of the archangels. They were God’s generals and oversaw the running of Heaven.

  “Are you sure about this, Adriel? There’s no coming back from this.” Gabriel’s blue gaze drilled into him.

  “I’m certain.”

  “You would give it all up, for a human you don’t even know? What if she turns you away? Did you stop to think that maybe you aren’t her destined mate? Perhaps there’s a shifter out there, maybe even a wolf in the pack, who has been biding his time to claim her.”

  He felt a growl rumble out of him before he could think better of it. “No one will touch her! Kinley is mine!”

  “If you go through with this,” Gabriel said, “your only way back into Heaven is to live a life without sin. I can read your thoughts, Adriel. You’ve already sinned over and over in your mind. If you do this, you may never see Heaven again. Are you willing to take that chance?”

  He stiffened his spine, lifted his chin, and stared Gabriel right in the eyes. “Yes. I’d rather have one lifetime with Kinley, than an eternity without her.”

  Gabriel sighed. “Very well.”

  Adriel held still as Gabriel reached out and placed his fingers against his forehead. There was a warmth that suffused him from head to toe; then, the world tilted. Heaven fell away, and Adriel was free-falling to Earth, his wish having been granted. Pointing his feet toward the ground, he landed with a thud that vibrated through his whole body. There was a slight indention in the ground as he moved toward the road in front of him.

  To the left, lay an open two-lane highway with nothing but trees and hills. To the right, the most beautiful thing he’d seen yet today—Welcome to Ashton Grove. He smiled at the sign and began walking toward town. Now that he was here, he didn’t have a plan. He couldn’t very well walk up to Kinley, declare himself her mate, and cart her off to the nearest bedroom, much as he’d love to. It just didn’t work that way.

  As he meandered the streets of Ashton Grove, he found himself on the doorstep of none other than Colin Tierney. He shouldn’t be surprised, really. He’d gotten to know Colin rather well when they prepared for the war. Maybe the wolf would have some idea as to what he should do. Adriel had nothing – no clothes, no money, no job. Heck, he didn’t even know where he was going to sleep tonight. Perhaps this hadn’t been the best laid out plan ever, but he was here now, and he wasn’t leaving anytime soon. Not unless the pack forbade him from seeing Kinley. He hadn’t thought of that before.

  He rang the bell and waited patiently. When the door opened, a tousled Colin answered, and he winced, realizing he’d probably interrupted a rather delicate time for the couple. It was nightfall, after all.

  “Adriel,” Colin asked, his brow furrowed, “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m not exactly certain. I just started walking, and this is where my feet led me.”

  “Walking?”

  “A lot has changed since we last saw one another.”

  Colin shoved the door open further. “I think you should come in. Kendall will be happy to see you.”

  Adriel wiped his feet on the mat and brushed past the wolf. The last time he’d been in their home, it hadn’t been under the best of circumstances. Now, he took the time to look around, taking in his surroundings. The furnishings were comfortable; their home, inviting. He could see Kendall’s subtle touches here and there, in a vase of flowers or set of knick knacks—things only a woman would think to add.

  “Why don’t you have a seat?” Colin gestured. “I’ll go get Kendall.”

  Adriel obligingly made himself comfortable on the sofa, . He was starting to wonder how he was going to pull this off. When he’d asked to be made human, he hadn’t thought about his daily needs. Having been created an angel, he’d never had to eat or drink, never had to worry about a roof over his head, or a change of clothes. What could one of God’s soldiers possibly do here on Earth? He no longer had any of his heavenly powers or connections. He was human, with all that that entailed.

  Kendall stepped into the room, giving him a warm, welcoming smile.

  “Adriel, it’s so nice to see you.”

  He rose and gave her a hug. “It’s good to see you, too. I’m sorry to just show up on your doorstep like this, uninvited and unannounced.”

  “You’re always welcome in our home,” she responded.

  “What brings you back to Ashton Grove?” Colin asked. “There aren’t more demons coming, are there?”

  “No. Nothing like that. At least, not that I know of.”

  Colin laughed. “And here I thought you knew everything.”

  Adriel rubbed the back of his neck. “Not anymore. I’ve sort of been expelled from Heaven.”

  Kendall’s eye
s widened. “Expelled? But... what did you do?”

  “I asked to be made human, so I could be with someone special.”

  Colin smiled broadly. “You’re in love? How splendid! Who’s the lucky lady? Anyone we know?”

  “Yes. Well... about that. She doesn’t know me, has never met me. Not officially, anyway. I’m sure she knows of me, but...” He sighed. “I’m in love with a woman who doesn’t know I exist.”

  “You gave up Heaven for someone you don’t even know?” Kendall asked. “Adriel, how could you do such a thing? What happens if she never returns your love?”

  “Then, I’ll have given it all up for nothing,” he said softly. “But I have to try. The moment I saw her, I knew she was special, that I wanted to be with her. Angels have been left to roam the world for far less than falling in love. At least I had a good reason to become human.”

  “We’ll help you in any way we can. Is it someone we know?” Colin asked.

  “She’s part of your pack,” Adriel admitted. “I watched over her during the battle.”

  Colin and Kendall shared a look.

  “Few of our females are still here, Adriel. Some fell during the war, others left looking for a more peaceful pack. Are you sure she’s still here?”

  “I’ve watched over her this past month. She’s here.”

  “Who is it?” Kendall asked.

  “Kinley Taylor.”

  Colin’s eyebrows rose. “The sugar glider?”

  “Yes.”

  Kendall nodded her head. “I can picture the two of you together. I think you’d be good for her. She’s fairly quiet at pack meetings, but one on one, she can be quite the chatterbox. She has that cute Aussie accent too.”

  “First things first,” Colin said. “You’re going to need a place to stay. With the pack losing several males, there are a few places that are open, and even furnished if you don’t mind someone else’s leftover belongings. .”

  Adriel shook his head. “I can’t take a handout from the pack; it wouldn’t be right.”