Bile rose to my throat. “Now?” I asked. I had a feeling that son-of-a-bitch would pay a visit. I didn’t know it’d be so damn soon. Would he obey the laws or would he try to take Taylor away from me? Fuck no! I wouldn’t let him.
“He knows what you did. He’s pissed,” said the omega.
Taylor walked towards me slowly. “I thought he couldn’t touch me,” she said. Her heart beat faster and she ran her fingers through her hair.
“He can’t,” I said.
“No, but he could hurt you, Sam,” said Jimmy.
I frowned.
“He’s going to challenge you.” Jimmy flinched as I touched his ribs.
“How many are broke?” I asked.
“Idiot aren’t you paying attention?” he snapped.
“I hear you! Why’d they do this to you?”
Taylor walked away and came back with a bowl of hot water and a cloth. Then she wet it and rubbed the dirt from my friend’s face.
Jimmy blushed at Taylor. “Because I refused to hurt you,” he said while keeping his eye on my mate.
I balled my fists as my body shook. Colt that bastard!
The smell of his musk assaulted my nose and I turned around. Speaking of the devil. A knock echoed as I stood up.
I hurried to the door and opened it. No point in hiding. Not like he’d ever give up. At least he couldn’t touch Taylor.
“Colt,” I said and smirked.
My former alpha gritted his teeth. His eyes shone dangerously as he took a step closer. Eddie limped to his side. The man’s eyes blood shot and the skin puffed into a painful looking bruise. Even Colt didn’t get away without a good shiner.
I chuckled. “Jimmy’s work?” I asked.
“You’ve got some nerve, Sam!” Colt growled. “How could you do it?” He balled his fist. “Betray us like that?”
“Because she’s my mate,” I said through gritted teeth. “You kidnapped her.”
“She was our mate!”
“No!” I yelled. “Just mine.”
Colt’s eyes turned red and he snorted. “Well, you know I’m not just here to tear you a new one.”
“Yeah, I know,” I said. “Where should we go?”
“Where else? The woods.”
“Fine. I’m game,” I said and jumped as Taylor grabbed my wrist.
“No, don’t,” she said. Her eyes welled with tears and panic.
A spike twisted in my heart. I didn’t even know if I could beat Colt. There’s no way he would fight only to teach me a lesson. He wanted blood and if he won…
“I have to,” I said and kissed my mate’s hand tenderly.
“I’m coming with you,” she said and I pushed her back.
“No, you stay and look after Jimmy for me. I’ll be back. I promise,” I said as Colt snorted.
He licked his lip and smirked. “Actually he’s not going to be back sweetheart, but I am. And when I come back we could start where we left off,” he said and flashed a sharp smile.
I shoved him back and growled.
He laughed.
Taylor’s body shook and she glared. “If he doesn’t manage to kill you, I will,” she snipped.
Colt and Eddie laughed. “Okay, sweetheart whatever you say,” Colt said and walked away. “Come on, Sam we don’t have all night!”
I looked at Taylor and pulled her into a tight hug. “You’re not going,” I said again. “Stay here!”
“What if he kills you?” she said.
“I won’t let it happen!”
“You don’t know that. That fucker’s crazy! You can’t marry me and then die on me!” she cried and pushed me away. Then she punched my shoulder hard.
I flinched. “That actually stung,” I said.
“Moron!” she snapped.
She’s right to be pissed and it wasn’t fair to give her false hope, but what else could I say? “Please,” I said.
She crossed her arms and her jaw tensed. “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “You better come back,” she said and pulled me into a harsh kiss.
I gripped onto her. “Promise,” I said and pressed my forehead against hers before turning away and walking down the stairs. I didn’t look back.
Colt was already waiting in the density of the forest. Away from people and the city. Where no one could hear you scream.
I pulled my clothes off and waited.
Colt chuckled. “I’m actually surprised you came. Thought you’d run away with your tail between your legs,” he sneered.
“Well, you were wrong. Just like you were wrong about a lot of things,” I said and crossed my arms over my chest.
Colt glared daggers. “You know I’m not going to let you live!”
I smiled. The wolf raging inside. A couple of bones cracked. “Let’s see how strong you really are,” I taunted and shifted. Bones cracked and twisted under the change. My fangs protruded into sharp points, ready for the taste of blood and my hackles rose.
Colt shifted into an enormous black wolf and I charged after him.
The first hit sent pain down my spine as we butted heads. I rolled away and got up with my back hunched.
Colt bared is fangs and we circled each other. Pain already seeped into my brain and made my vision blur.
Before he could attack I lunged and sank my teeth into his neck. Pulling out a chunk of flesh and fur.
A howl cut through the trees as he reared back and pulled away from me. Then he snapped at my leg and tore into the tendons. Pain shot up through my body and I yelped.
Colt backed away as I got up. My leg dragged helplessly.
A low growl escaped from deep within my gut. I ran at him. Only three working legs. There was no way I was going to let him win!
We tore at each other. Tooth and claw. Fur flew in the air and the smell of our blood assaulted my nose.
I dragged him from his hind leg, but he reared back and bit down on my snout. Teeth once again sinking into my flesh.
I whined and laid on the ground. Broken and hurting. Then my eyes widened. Taylor’s scent flooded my senses. She followed me? What the fuck was the woman thinking?
I spotted her between a few trees. She stared at me, her green eyes intense. She urged me to stand up.
I bared my teeth and forced my body up. Adrenaline kicked into to overdrive as I snapped and growled at Colt. Anger fueled my strength as I tore at him. Sinking my fangs where ever I could. Ripping and tearing. I jumped on his back and held him down with my paws. Then I ripped his ear off. Blood spurted on my face as the former alpha wailed. He rolled over and I bit down onto his neck. The final death blow. I had him right there. All I’d have to do is tear away, but I shifted instead.
Colt followed. No longer a dangerous hunter, but a broken man.
I did it! I won!
Taylor ran out from the trees. “Sam,” she cried and grabbed me as I fell. I sank to the ground and my eyes widened as I looked at my leg. The bone broke free of the skin. I hadn’t realized how bad it was. I turned my head and tried to control the nausea building up in my gut.
Colt screamed. “Who said we were finished you fucking rat?” He stood up slowly, covered in blood. Then he grabbed at the grated flesh where he ear used to be.
Eddie hurried up and touched his shoulder, but Colt slapped it away. “Colt, he beat you. Let’s go,” he said.
“You better go,” Taylor threatened.
I raised an eyebrow and stared at her. “Taylor,” my voice cracked. Wow. The girl was really fucking stubborn!
Colt flashed a set of sharp fangs. “What? Now you’re threatening me sweetheart? What could you possibly do against…?”
A loud bang echoed through the trees and I jumped. She pointed a small hand gun towards the alpha. Her hand shook uncontrollably.
“That’s cute. You brought a gun,” Colt teased. “That’s one thing, but are you a good shot?”
Another loud boom filled the air and Colt yelped. Drops of blood dripped from the graze in his cheek.
Colt glared. “Takes more than that to kill a wolf,” he said.
I gritted my teeth. “You really want to chance it?” I asked. Was he really that stupid?
Colt frowned and finally backed away. He almost fell, but Eddie caught him.
Those two idiots really deserved each other.
I took a deep breath. It was over. Walking away admitted defeat. He couldn’t hurt me or come after Taylor anymore.
I smiled up at my mate. After Colt was out of sight she quickly kneeled down and touched my leg carefully. “We’re going to have to set this, Sam,” she said and worried her bottom lip. She still trembled.
I stared as she tucked the gun away. Somehow it was incredibly sexy. Not a good time to be turned on. I frowned. “I thought you were all nice and innocent,” I said and screamed as she pulled my leg and pushed the bone back down.
I whimpered. “Fuck! Shit! You could’ve warned me!”
She wiped the blood on her pants and made a splint with a thick piece of wood. “Sorry, I figured it was better to get it over with,” she said and helped me up.
Dizzy and wobbly, I couldn’t remember walking all the way to her truck. Finally I passed out and when I woke up I was in a hospital.
Taylor sat next to me. Her mouth parted as she switched channels to the television.
I grinned and touched her arm causing her to jump.
“You’re finally awake,” she said and touched my hand. “How do you feel?”
“I’m actually not in that much pain,” I said and smiled.
“That’s because they doped you up,” she said and kissed my lips lightly.
“Listen, I hate hospitals. Get me out of here. If they keep an eye on me they’re going to wonder how I heal so fast,” I said and she nodded.
“Okay,” she said, “be right back.”
It seemed like an eternity before she had me in the truck and back at her apartment. Two days passed and I slept for most of it.
Jimmy was up on the third night, enjoying the chicken Taylor cooked for us. His bruises were almost healed and he smiled. “Thanks, this is great! I haven’t had a home cooked meal in forever,” he said.
Taylor nodded shyly. “Welcome.” She glanced at me and I smiled. She’s putting on that innocent side again.
“We’re going to have to add more to the pack you know,” Jimmy said. “For protection.” He frowned. “We are going to be a new pack right? You’re alpha, Sam and I can be your beta?” His eyes brightened.
I laughed. “Well, course you’d be beta. Look what you did to Colt and Eddie all by yourself,” I said.
Jimmy smirked. “Yep, told you I was stronger.”
I nodded and looked back at Taylor. The truth is I didn’t know if that’s what she really wanted. To be tied down to a wolf pack. To me.
Jimmy washed his plate and stretched. “I’m going to take a shower,” he said and walked to the bathroom.
Taylor chuckled.
I laughed. “So, you never told me where you learned to shoot.”
She took my plate and walked to the kitchen. “My uncle,” she said. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know yet.”
Slowly I nodded. “I could leave with Jimmy if that’s what you want.” I had to ask even if saying it stung like hell.
She turned around and raised an eyebrow. “Where would you go?” she asked.
“I mean it’s not fair for you to be forced into this. We’re already married, but if that’s not what you want I’ll leave. No other wolves would bother you. You can make your own choice,” I choked the words out.
She took my hand. “I thought there was no going back. This was forever?”
“It’s supposed to be, but like I said if you don’t want me…”
“So, we’d just act like it didn’t happen and go on with other people?”
My heart ached at the thought and I balled my fists. “Not me, just you.”
Her eyes widened. “Why not you?”
“Wolves mate for life. There’s no one but you,” I said and caressed the top of her hand.
“So, you’d watch and be lonely and miserable for the rest of your life?”
“Pretty much,” I said and bit my bottom lip.
“That’s stupid!”
I raised my brows.
“Why would you think I didn’t want you?” she asked. She touched my cheek and her hand scorched my skin. “I… I like being married to you. I know I don’t show it, but I’m so used to being alone… For fuck’s sake everything happened so fast, so be patient!”
Relief flooded my mind and I cupped her face and kissed her hard. “I love you,” I said and smiled. I could kiss her all night, but I don’t think she’d let me.
She straddled my lap and I embraced her. Then our mouths connected, passionately. This was it. A chance at a new beginning. I had my mate, my best friend and the future to look forward to.
“So, what do you think about kids?” I asked.
Taylor’s eyes widened. “What? Now?”
I smirked and she slapped my shoulder. “We could wait a few months I guess.”
“Ha, ha,” she said and frowned. “I’d say give us at least a couple of years to ourselves.”
I nodded. “Whenever you want,” I said and kissed her again. “Love you.”
She smiled and a blush spread across her cheeks. “You too,” she said and I laughed.
“You need to work on that.”
She huffed. “Yeah, well, you need to work on things too… I guess,” she said and smiled.
I shook my head and held onto her. What more could I possibly ask for?
About the author:
Carrie Kelly lives in Washington and writes sexy erotic romance with lively heroines and smoking hot heroes. She started writing romance when she lost her main source of income as a freelance writer – and it was the best decision she’s ever made! Besides writing, she spends time with her lovely cats, travels and enjoys wearing ridiculously girly clothes.
Visit Carrie's blog at: http://carriekellyerotica.blogspot.com/
Email Carrie at: [email protected]
Friend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carrie.kelly.583
Check out the rest of Carrie’s work at her Amazon page.
Wolf's Bride (bbw, alpha werewolf) Page 4