Esher: Winter Valley Wolves #7

by V. Vaughn

  It feels like hours before anyone returns, and I spend the time sorting out how I’m going to get away. I hope Mia had a chance to contact her alpha before she was taken. When Dr. Sand and the men do come back they have Mia with them. A strangled noise comes from her because she’s gagged, and her hands are bound behind her. I whisper, “Mia.”

  Her eyes are big, and she’s trembling with fear as her handcuffs release with a click. The men lift her and then drop her on the table. Her body thumps hard. I wince when I hear her groan as I imagine the pain. I say, “There’s no reason to hurt her.”

  Don says, “She’s a wolf. She hardly feels it.”

  Oh god. He has no regard for animals. I ask, “How do you know that? I’m her friend, and I’m pretty sure she’s human.”

  “We have our ways,” says Don. “Now shut up, or I’ll gag you too.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut to hold back tears. Esher. Will I see him again? The prick of a needle makes me flinch, and I glance down to find what appears to be an IV line stuck in my arm. I turn my head to watch what’s happening to Mia. Her blood flows through a line attached to her arm and into my vein. Warmth spreads as the fluid runs through my blood.

  I gaze into Mia’s eyes, and I mouth, “I’m sorry.”

  She shakes her head, and I wish I could figure out how to get us out of this. Because even if this cures my cancer, I fear for both our lives.

  12

  I’m not sure how much blood Dr. Sand pumps into my body before she stops. But even though she appears to be done with me for the moment, the evil scientist is not done with Mia. When the second bag attached to Mia’s IV line is almost full, I glance over at her to discover she’s deathly pale. Oh, god. They’re going to bleed her dry. I say, “Don’t you think you should stop soon? You’re going to want to use her as a blood bank, right?”

  “Don’t you think I know what I’m doing?” hisses Dr. Sand.

  “Of course.” I offer a dry laugh. “I’m just curious. You know how we scientists are.”

  I get no reply but notice Dr. Sand has clipped the line to stop the flow coming from Mia. Hang on, Mia. Even if she didn’t manage to get in touch with anyone about the men being here, I know Esher will be worried about me when I don’t answer my texts. I hold on to the hope he’ll be able to save us.

  Dr. Sand hovers over me. “How do you feel?”

  I control the urge to spit in her face. “It’s hard to tell. My bladder is full, and I’m hungry. I don’t suppose I can go to the bathroom?”

  She huffs. “Fine. Rafe, escort her.”

  Great, like I have a prayer of escaping from tall, dark, and beastly. My restraints click open, and when my wrists are released I sit up slowly. After my ankles are free, Rafe yanks me to my feet, and I stumble along beside him as he moves quickly toward the bathroom with my arm in a grip that makes his strength apparent.

  I enter a small room and breathe a sigh of relief when Rafe lets me shut the door between us. Not that it does me any good, because the bathroom is windowless, with only a toilet and sink. The only thing that could be used as a weapon is the sandpaper-grade toilet paper.

  When I’m done, Rafe leads me to a desk, and I sit in an office chair. A bottle of juice and a granola bar thump on the surface when Don sets them down, and he says, “Dinner.”

  “Thanks.” I tear open the foil package and devour my meal. As I twist open the orange juice I say, “Delicious. I can’t wait for dessert.”

  Dr. Sand approaches me and scans me with her eyes. “Finish your drink, and we’ll draw some blood to see how you’re doing.”

  I nod and take a big swig from the bottle. Sweet citrus flavor floods my mouth, and I know the sugar will give me a little energy to make me feel better. Although, my fate is beginning to look a bit dour, because I don’t think Dr. Sand’s going to like what she finds.

  I glance over at the tables and discover Mia is still on hers with her eyes closed. I watch carefully for the rise and fall of her chest to determine if she’s still alive. She’s breathing, and it offers me a little comfort. I notice Mia’s hooked up to an IV with clear liquid, and I hope it means they’re hydrating her to help with the blood loss. If they plan to use Mia as a blood bank, they’ll need her to be healthy.

  While I’m unrestrained, I take in my surroundings as discreetly as I can. Dr. Sand has moved over to a couch, where she’s reading something on her phone. Since I doubt she has friends, I almost snort as I imagine she’s watching Vines of werewolves. Rafe and Don are by the door I entered and are discussing some sports team.

  There are three entrances to this room. I know the one that I came through is activated by a palm scanner, and I guess the door Dr. Sand came through opens to her office. I wonder where the third one leads, and if it could be breached easily. Esher, where are you?

  When my gaze returns to Mia, I discover her eyes are open. She winks at me, and my body tenses. I’m not sure what she’s trying to tell me, but I think it’s good news, and I’m on the alert. I finish off my juice and say, “Dr. Sand, I’m ready to be tested now.”

  Her phone clicks off, and she stands to say, “Right this way.” I follow her to the rolling cart near the table where I was restrained. I climb on as she gathers her equipment. I glance at Mia, and she blinks a few times quickly. I think she’s trying to tell me something. I decide to create a distraction just in case. I shift my position on the table so that my foot kicks Dr. Sand’s cart. Items crash to the floor, and Dr. Sand swears before she calls out, “Don, get over here.”

  A louder crash sounds as the third door explodes open and slams to the floor. A flash of fur streaks through as wolves invade the space. I spring into action and jump off my table to race over to Mia as a gunshot rings out, and screams from our captors fill the room. I don’t dare look as I fumble with the restraints holding my friend prisoner. Once she’s free she hops off the table, and I stare in amazement as fur begins to cover her body. The cloth gag in her mouth rips as it’s torn to shreds by her teeth, and in an instant, she’s become a wolf. She nudges me with her nose before she begins to run.

  I follow her, and we race through the broken door. Adrenaline is working in my favor, and I move as if I’m an athlete, as Mia the wolf leads me down a dark hallway. I stumble and cry out when I fall. My palms and knees burn, and a wet nose finds my face. I pant out, “I’m okay.” I scramble to stand up and keep running.

  No amount of fear can make me move quickly though, because I’ve injured my ankle, and I whimper in frustration. Mia howls when she realizes my plight. Within moments, the thudding sound of a gallop makes me glance over my shoulder to discover a wolf larger than any I’ve ever seen is behind me. He thrusts his head between my legs and knocks me off balance so I land in a sitting position on his back. Fur is slick in my hands as I grip it tightly when he takes off. The ride would be exciting if I weren’t afraid bullets were about to descend upon us.

  We exit through another broken door, and the wolf I’m riding approaches a large, expensive-looking pickup truck. I scream when he launches in the air, and every bone in my body rattles when we land in the truck bed. I tumble off his back and slam against metal as the tires squeal and we race away. The wolf lowers himself next to me, and the weight of his paws is heavy on my torso as he traps me as if he’s my seatbelt. I gaze into his eyes. They’re the same blue shade as Esher’s, and I reach up to stroke the side of the wolf’s face as I whisper, “Esher?”

  He dips his head and licks my face. His tongue is rough on my skin, and my tears burst free. I wrap my arms around his neck as he lays his head on my chest. The truck slows down, and we turn onto a dirt road. The bouncing jars my injured ankle, and pain radiates through my shin, but it’s trivial. I’m safe.

  When the vehicle stops, an odd noise that sounds a bit like crunching carries to me as I sit up. The wolf begins to lose his fur, and my jaw drops in awe as he morphs into the man I love. Esher crouches down and scoops me into his arms. “Andi, thank god you’re okay.”
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  “You saved me.” I wrap my arms around his neck as he stands and carries me to the end of the truck bed.

  He hands me to an older man so he can get out. “Andi, meet Warren, the second-in-command to my alpha.”

  I smile at Warren. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  He grins back. “I always wanted to drive the getaway car.”

  Esher takes me from him and says, “Let’s get her inside. I need to make sure she’s really okay.”

  I say, “I’m fine. All they did was pump about a liter of Mia’s blood into me.”

  Warren opens the door to Esher’s house, and I’m carried to the couch before Esher sets me down. The two men fuss over me as I insist I’m okay. My ankle is only a slight sprain and should be healed in a day or two. Once the cut on my forehead is clean Esher says, “I’m sorry. It’s too late to stitch this, and you’re going to have a scar.”

  I reach up and place my hand on his cheek. “It’s fine. Every time I see it I’ll remember you’re my hero.”

  Esher places his hand on mine. “And it will always remind me of how precious you are, Andi. I’ve never been more afraid in my life than I was today when I realized you’d been taken.”

  A door thuds softly, and I think Warren has left us alone. I say, “I want to know how you managed to rescue us, but first I need you to kiss me and make me feel alive.”

  Esher leans down without a word and does just that.

  13

  Mia, Esher’s brother Ekton, and Paul, the alpha, arrive later in the evening to explain everything to me. Mia was kidnapped just after she received my call, but because werewolves can communicate telepathically with their alpha and their mate, Mia was able to let Ekton and Paul know what was happening. She kept them updated even when she was gagged and restrained. Dr. Sand and her goons have been turned over to the authorities, and Paul assured me the pack’s lawyer has plenty of ways to keep them detained in prison for years.

  I hug my dear friend before she leaves. “Mia, thank you for your part in rescuing me.”

  “I guess that makes us even,” she says. “I’ll never forget how you saved me and Ekton from the men in black last semester.”

  “This means we can spend time together again. I’ve missed you.”

  “It most definitely does. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other now.” She darts her eyes over to Esher before she winks at me.

  Ekton hugs me lightly and says, “I sure hope so. My mother’s going to love you. She has a thing for smart girls.”

  Esher says, “Hey, don’t spoil my surprise.”

  Ekton’s motorcycle rumbles away as Esher wraps his arms around me in an embrace and asks, “How are you feeling?”

  “About the same.” The cotton of his T-shirt is soft as I rub my hand over his shoulder. “I don’t think Mia’s blood made a difference.”

  He nods. “Lucky for you, I have a solution.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  His stare is intense when he asks, “What do you know about true mates?”

  Oh my god. Is Esher my true mate? “They mate for life?”

  “They do.” Our gaze locks as he says, “You’re my true mate, Andi.”

  “Oh.” I’m trapped in Esher’s blue eyes as I process that he loves me as much as I love him.

  “And that means once we bond we’ll never fall out of love. I can promise you a life with a mate you’ll never want to be without.”

  “Do I become a werewolf?”

  “Yes. But I think you might want to, because that’s how we’re going to cure your cancer.”

  I frown at him, and he continues. “Mia no longer wears glasses now that she’s been changed, and we’ve noticed other health issues disappear too.”

  “So you think changing will cure me?”

  “I do.” Esher rubs his thumb over my lower lip, and I tilt my chin up in response as he says, “Before you start to question why I want to change you, know that a life without you as my mate would make me miserable. I love you, Andi.”

  I lick my lips and say, “I love you too.” I pull him down for a kiss I need as much as air to breathe. I pour my love for him into it so he won’t doubt my intentions either. When we break apart I say, “Yes. I want to be your mate in every way. Bite me, Esher.”

  He winks at me. “There’s a theory in the Winter Valley pack that the best time to bite a female is during orgasm. Want to test it out?”

  “I think the word experiment might be one of the sexiest things you can suggest to a scientist.” I reach under his shirt and slide my hands up his chest. “Sign me up.”

  Esher tugs his tee over his head and lets out a low growl. “Get naked, woman. We’ve got some testing to do.”

  I chuckle as I work on the waistband of my jeans. And just like the other night, I don’t want much foreplay, so as soon as we’re both nude I grab his cock and grip it hard as I say, “Don’t waste any time. I need you to fill me.”

  Esher holds my hips and directs me to the arm of the couch as I hobble. He turns me so that he’s behind me, and he slides his hands over my bottom. “Bend over, Andi, and let me appreciate this incredible ass.”

  I lean over the extra-wide arm of his couch and support my upper body with my arms on the cushions as Esher groans and drops to his knees. He licks my slit, and I quiver with lust as I let out little cries of appreciation. He’s relentless, and I’m about to climax when he stops. I whimper before I beg. “Esher, please.”

  The tip of his cock teases my entrance as he says, “I love you.”

  “I love you too, but for the love of g—” I gasp as he thrusts all the way into me. Sweet friction makes me arch to meet him as he pumps quickly. His hand wraps around my hair, and he tugs my head up to kiss me. My mate’s tongue plunges into my mouth, and I suck hungrily before my approaching orgasm makes me stop and pant out, “Now.”

  Just as I begin to come, white-hot pain sears my shoulder, and I know Esher’s teeth have sunk into my flesh. Heat races through my veins as my mate explodes in me with his own release.

  Esher collapses over me and cups my breasts with his hands. He swirls a finger over my nipple, and tiny aftershocks of pleasure quake in me as he licks my wound. I sigh at the sensation of contentment. He says, “You’re mine now, and I’m yours.”

  A delightful tingling surges through me, and I inhale sharply as I imagine it’s the cure. “Esher.” He lifts off of me, and when I stand, my ankle no longer hurts. I raise my foot to twist it around and then set it back down to apply full weight. I say, “Oh my god, you did heal me.”

  I glance at my arms and discover all the bruises are gone. “Look.”

  Esher slides his finger over the cut above my brow. “Even this is faint.” He gazes into my eyes. “Should we go to your house and test your blood?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t need to. Not now. I want to shift first and test out my wolf.”

  My true mate smiles at me and says, “Of course you do. Mimic my movements, and think about the animal inside you. She’ll let you know she’s there.”

  I let out a low growl that I’m sure isn’t human and then say, “She already has.” I pace in a small circle the way Esher does and embrace the odd feelings of pain and pleasure that course through me as my body shifts. When I’m done, I gaze around the room with my heightened sense and speak in my head, hoping it’s how to communicate telepathically with Esher. “Let’s run.”

  “Right this way.”

  I let out a squeal and follow my mate as he pushes his way through the screen door to get outside where we can run free. Pain is nonexistent, and my powerful legs flex and extend with strength beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. My energy level seems endless as we race around the perimeter of the lake, and it’s a wonderful feeling after months of being weak and tired. The moon is full tonight, but I think my animal vision is acute enough I’d be fine without the light.

  We finally stop when we get to a large rock, and I leap up easily to jo
in Esher at the top. I’d expect to be panting with the exertion of our exercise, but find I’m breathing easily as I lean against my mate. “I love this.”

  “I thought you might. Welcome to my world, Andi. I’m thrilled to be able to share it with you.”

  “Thanks.” I nuzzle his neck with my snout, and the scent of his musk that used to be faint is now magnified. I find it intoxicating, and I long to be with him again as a human. “Take me home, Esher. I have a few more experiments in mind.”

  He hops off the rock and says, “One willing subject at your service.”

  I say, “One true mate at yours.”

  14

  I gaze out at the sun rising over Silver Lake. It sparkles on the water the way my ring sparkles in light. I lift my hand to look at my diamond one more time as Esher calls out from the kitchen. “Ouch!” He mutters a few obscenities under his breath that my wolf ears detect before he says, “Andi. Come save me from the cat from hell.”

  I turn toward the kitchen and discover Snowflake curling around Esher’s ankle. “Aw, she’s trying to make up.” I moved in with Esher a week after I became a werewolf. It’s closing in on two months now, and Snowflake is finally adjusting to her new home and roommate.

  “That’s because I just told her I was going to trade her in for a dog,” says Esher. He pulls the bowl of potato salad I made out of the fridge, and it thumps on the counter.

  I grin at my true mate and fiancé as I walk toward him. “I think you secretly like her.”

  Esher asks, “How old is she again?” I wrap my arms around his waist as he adds, “How many years of this do I have left?”

  “She’s still adjusting to the fact that her human now smells like you.” I slide my hand up his chest slowly, and the ridges of his defined muscles are hard under my palm as I move it around his neck. I let out a low growl. “A natural predator.”