Helping her into some clothes, he saw the way she winced with almost every movement. She was in pain from more than just her arm, he realized. She'd really taken a beating. He'd have to thank Dan for going to help her. A wave of nausea rushed over him as he remembered just how little he'd been able to do to help. He'd seen Lucas go for Savannah, but had been immediately attacked by the other two bears of the Northern Wind pack. It took everything he had to defend himself, but hearing Savannah's roars of pain had speared his soul. He wanted to get to her, but couldn't. Thank goodness Dan had made the choice to come back and help. Without him, Savannah could have been killed.
A shudder ran through him at the thought, as he eased the sleeve over her arm. Her face was contorted with pain as she rested her arm back down on the rolled up towel on her lap. “Sorry,” Tom murmured, buttoning up the top.
“You’re not hurting me,” Savannah replied, attempting to smile even though her face was growing paler by the minute. “Thank you for doing this.”
“This might hurt though,” Tom warned, getting up to get a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth. Sitting back down, he looked into her eyes for a moment before wiping the cloth over her arm. Her breath caught.
“You might need stitches,” Tom said, a little worried. “This gash looks bad.”
“Can you do it?” Savannah asked, her eyes finally meeting his.
He shook his head. “I’ve got some adhesive strips that might do the job, but if it doesn’t work, it’ll be a trip up to the hospital.”
Savannah grimaced. "I'd rather avoid that if I can." There wasn't ever going to be an easy explanation for her arm, as well as all the cuts and bruises she was sure she had elsewhere.
Tom carefully cleaned her arm, making her hiss with pain, before closing the gash with the adhesive strips. Wrapping it up carefully, he put all the things away and went out to wash his hands. When he returned he sat opposite her and handed her some painkillers with a glass of water. Savannah watched him in silence, knowing that, at some point soon, they were going to have to talk about what had happened.
“How does that feel?”
She gave him a brief smile after swallowing the painkillers. "Much better, thank you." If she was honest, she'd tell him that her entire arm throbbed with pain and all she could think about was getting a bath to sooth the aches and pains in her body, but instead, she just tried to smile.
He tipped up her chin with one finger. “Tell me the truth, Savannah.”
His words cut deep and she twisted her head away. “I’m sorry, Tom.”
Tom got to his feet, taking a few steps away as he ran a hand through his hair. "I know."
“I hurt you,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Tom. I should have told you the truth.”
“Yes, you should have,” he replied, heavily. Turning back, he looked at her distraught face, his heart tearing a little. She was the picture of misery, and, strangely, his heart was breaking for her. “But I understand why you didn’t,” he said, softly.
Savannah’s eyes widened, hardly able to believe what he’d said. This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. In fact, she’d expected him to leave her in the woods, so even what he’d done for her so far was more than she knew she deserved. “Why are you being so kind to me?” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t deserve this, Tom.”
He gave her a half smile, sitting back down again and reaching for her good hand. “I’m doing it because I feel you deserve another chance,” he said, simply. His smile widened as he saw the shock on her face, melting away into disbelief.
She swallowed hard, blinking tears away furiously. “But I betrayed you.”
“You were going to betray me," he corrected. "But you chose not to." He leaned forward, desperate for her to believe him. "Look, I don’t know all the details, and I’d be lying if I said I’m not hurt that you lied to me, but that doesn’t change the fact that you stood in front of me, Savannah, to protect me from Lucas. He might have killed you if Dan hadn't been there." Letting out a long breath, he gave a quick shake of his head. "I can't believe you did that for me, Savannah. That shows me just how much your loyalty has changed. After all that I’d be a fool to be blinded by anger and not at least hear your side of the story."
“At first, I believed everything Lucas said,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I believed your pack had killed Dan in cold blood. But then I met you and Nick and Jo, and things started to change.”
Tom’s eyebrows lifted. “In what way?”
Savannah looked back at him, her face open and honest in a way Tom hadn’t seen before. “I saw how you and Nick are with each other. There’s respect and friendship between you. Nick doesn’t force you to do anything. No-one tells you when to shift and when not to.”
"Lucas told you when you could shift?" Tom repeated, his eyes widening in shock. Lucas was more of a dictator than he'd realized.
Savannah nodded. “Yes, he did. We were never allowed to question him. If we did, the consequences would be severe.”
“He’d hurt you.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Savannah nodded. "After seeing how much of a family you guys were I realized that a pack shouldn't be run by threats and fear. I saw that there was a different way, and I fell in love with that - with you. Talking to Dan just made everything clearer."
Tom nodded slowly. He was quite surprised to discover that he wasn’t in the least bit angry, but rather full of sympathy for what she’d gone through.
"My plan was to tell Lucas that I was leaving, and then come back to tell you the truth."
Brushing away the tear from her cheek, Tom let his fingers linger on her soft skin. “But then I had to go and spoil your plan by following you into the woods,” he joked, lightening the mood.
“Yes, you did,” she replied, quickly. “But if you hadn’t, I’m not sure I would have survived.”
The gravity of what had happened hit them both full force. “The pack’s not going to leave us alone now, that’s for sure,” Tom muttered, running a hand over his brow.
“No, I don’t think they will,” Savannah replied, softly. “I’m sorry, Tom.”
“Don’t be,” he said at once. “This was always going to happen. Lucas is determined to either have us join their pack or kill us.”
“I guess so,” Savannah murmured. “Lucas isn’t the kind of guy to give up easily.”
Tom grinned at her, breaking the current of tension that filled the room. “So, do you think you’ll stay?” he asked. His eyes twinkled at her, as heat burst from her core.
Savannah gave a choked laugh. “Considering I don’t have anywhere else to go, I think I’ll have to.” Now that she’d left the Northern Wind pack, Savannah knew she’d have to get her things out of Lucas’ old place as fast as possible.
“Good,” he replied. “My bed’s big enough for two.” Leaning forward, he kissed her thoroughly, hearing her sigh of happiness. His heart felt whole, his bear happy and content as he carefully held Savannah in his arms. For the first time, there wasn’t anything between them. He knew everything about her now and, despite what had happened, he was glad it was all out. She was his mate and he wasn’t going to ever let her go.
Epilogue
By the time Nick and Jo arrived with Dan, Tom and Savannah were sitting in the lounge area, each drinking a cup of coffee. Anxiety written on her face, Jo rushed over to Savannah, with Nick and Dan not far behind her. “What happened?” she asked, crouching down to look into Savannah’s face.
Savannah shook her head. “It’s a long story, but I’m fine, Jo. I promise.” Remembering that Jo didn’t know she was a shifter, Savannah sent an uneasy glance at Tom. “Uh, I should probably tell you that - ”
“You’re a shifter, yes, I know,” Jo replied, with a quick smile. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Her mouth falling open, Savannah stared at Jo for a long moment as a slight rush of embarrassment sent color into her cheeks.
“You know?”
“Yes, of course I know,” Jo replied, allowing Nick to pull her into a seat. “Savannah, I’ve known since the first day you arrived!”
“How did you know?” Savannah asked, still surprised.
Jo grinned. “Savannah, I live with two shifters - three, if you include Dan!”
“What she means is,” Nick interrupted. “Is that I told her.”
“Oh,” Savannah murmured, as laughter echoed around the room. “Right.” Suddenly, she felt a little foolish, but Tom’s arm around her shoulders soon settled her again.
“If it makes you feel any better, I kept it a secret for all of 5 minutes before he bluntly told her,” Tom joked.
“Oh, that was supposed to be a secret? Sorry,” though he said he was, Nick was not sorry whatsoever.
“Anyway, Let me tell you what happened,” Tom began, giving them a quick rundown of the events. Savannah felt her face grow hot as Tom told them the truth about her, but a quick description of Lucas and what he’d done to her brought nothing but sympathy and a flash of anger to their faces.
“So this isn’t over,” Nick mused, once Tom had finished.
“No, it’s not,” Dan replied, shaking his head. “Sorry if we’ve made things more difficult for you all.”
Nick grunted, his hand tightening a little around Jo’s one.
Savannah braved a glance up at Tom and saw him look back at her, his eyes dark but a smile on his face.
“Savannah’s going to join our pack,” he said, still looking at her but speaking to Nick and Jo. “She’ll stay here with me.”
Jo let out a whoop of delight. “I’m so glad! Finally, another girl to talk to.”
“What about you, Dan?” Nick asked. “There’s not exactly a lot of space here but we could always use an extra pair of hands. Maybe train you up?”
The relief Dan felt was evident on his face. “Thanks, Nick. I’d really appreciate that. I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
“Then you’re welcome to stay,” Nick announced. “You too, Savannah.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, leaning over and resting her head on Tom’s shoulder. Finally, she’d found a home, a place she could make her own. It was here, with Tom. There wasn’t any fear or doubts, only love and a sense of security she’d never had as part of the Northern Wind pack. Tipping her head back, she looked up at Tom who dropped a quick kiss on her lips, making her smile.
“So, now that we’re officially a pack,” Nick began. “Reckon we need a name.”
“Not the Brewer pack, then?” Tom grinned, inciting a groan from Jo.
“No,” Jo said, emphatically. “Definitely not that. We’ve already got Brewer Mechanics and this pack isn’t just about you boys anymore.”
Silence ran through the room for a few minutes, as everyone thought hard.
“The Alliance?”
Three pairs of eyes turned to look at her, as Tom’s chest rumbled in agreement. Nerves filled Savannah for a moment, before she realised they were all beginning to smile in agreement.
“Suits us, I think,” Tom agreed. That’s what they were. Different shifters, from different places, with a human as well! Tightening his hand on Savannah’s shoulder, he pressed a quick kiss to her temple, smiling down at her.
“Sounds like something you'd read in a comic book,” Dan laughed, his eyes twinkling.
“Don’t you like it, then?” Nick asked. “After all, you’re going to be a part of it.”
Dan shook his head, the grin still on his face. “Like Tom says, it suits us.”
“The Alliance,” the others agreed, as a new sense of purpose filled the room. They were going to have to put a stop to Lucas and his dark intentions for their new pack somehow. Now, with Savannah and Dan in their pack, they were stronger than ever before, with a new bond between them all. Nothing was going to break them apart.
Thank you!
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Alpha Wolf Protector
Alpha Wolf Series Book 1
Emilia Hartley
Copyright © 2016 by 9591451 CANADA INC.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
CHAPTER 1
Not again.
Cynthia eyed her grandmother with a measure of both love and contempt. Every day was the same routine; wake up, get water, make food, clean, get more water, cook, take care of her grandma, and think about Alex. At least, that was the regular day.
“I need some water,” grandma said.
And I need a break.
Cynthia snatched the pail from beside the door and shoved her way outside. What she wouldn’t give for running water, or a flush toilet like they had in the farmhouse.
Once the door was firmly shut behind her, she punched at the air furiously while the pail dangled on the crook of her arm. She loved her grandma but always struggled for whatever freedom she could get. She slipped into her unlaced boots that sat beside the door and tapped the toe to the ground to make sure they were on.
Where the hell was Alex?
Oh, right, he was off driving around recruiting other wolves to help them in their fight against the bear clans. Didn’t he say he was supposed to return today? Today is almost over and he was pushing the limits of Cynthia’s patience.
“Great day again, eh Cyn?” her neighbor asked from his rocking chair.
She remembered herself, coughing twice and stood to her full height.
“Always,” she replied, Always.
Cynthia started marching across the tiny town that had sprung up around the farmhouse. Ramshackle houses flanked the one large dirt road that ran the course from the paved street straight up to the farmhouse. A few of the wolves in the area had vehicles, but most didn’t even run, or if they did run they wouldn’t get far.
A slight breeze blew toward the forest. The cold wind bit at her exposed skin, making her nipples perk up under her sundress. Her small fleshy mounds weren’t much to look at but they still got a lot of attention.
A couple of the mutts lying around caught sight and she could tell their jeans were getting a little tighter. There were so many new horny boys around now since the clans merged just two months ago, she could have done without them. Still, let them watch, it’s not for them, these were for Alex. If he’d ever get back. In the meantime, she could take care of herself.
“Hey Cynthia,” shouted one of the dumber ones.
Just leave me alone.
“Wanna go for a run later?” he asked with a smile.
Yeah, but not with you.
She pushed passed without saying a word and smiled through the frustrating nonsensical flirting. She’d found it easier to not say anything than try to say no. They’d get tired of talking and walk away most the time, but other times they couldn’t get it through their thick skulls.
The good news for Cynt
hia was that the water pump didn’t have a line so she could finish her chore quickly and with minimal harassment. The bad news was that the idiot was still trying to flirt and wasn’t leaving her alone.
“You know, I could take you for a ride in my-”
“Listen … er” she tried to remember his name which sat on the tip of her tongue.
“Billy,” he offered.
“Billy,” she continued to work the water pump lever, which squeaked with each crank, “I already have a boyfriend so you’re barking up the wrong alley.”
“Maybe I can provide something he can’t,” he said while he furrowed his brow.
Fucking mutts. Cynthia returned to working the water pump so she could finish her task quickly and get back to her grandma. She turned her face away and rolled her eyes while trying her best to ignore his advances.
“Guess I’ll just have to prove to your boyfriend why I’m the better man,” Billy suggested, starting to turn away.
“Is that a threat?” Cynthia asked as she growled below her breath. She was starting to get visibly upset. First her grandmother orders her around and now this moron wants to act like an idiot? Not today. Today is the day Alex comes home.
“It doesn’t have to be,” he offered, “you could get smart and just come with me.”
Fuck it. Her body reacted without thought. She tackled Billy to the ground and punched with whatever strength she could muster. He threw his arms up to defend himself while she furiously attacked.
The rhythmic thumping of an old truck engine echoed throughout the den. Cynthia sat straddled atop her bloodied foe and searched the road for the source of the sound.
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