by Claire Adele
Lucky frowned. “How about we give Derek a call?”
Rafe nodded. “That’s a good idea, if he doesn’t mind, and if he’s in town.” Rafe ground his teeth against each other. This was a bad situation. “If we can’t get Derek, let’s call Jared.”
“Sounds good,” Lucky said.
Rafe headed inside to make the call. Lucky followed close behind him.
The sound of a pickup out front stopped Rafe in his tracks. “Let’s check that out.” He headed for the front door.
Chapter Seven
Colt, Dallas, and Jared got out of Jared’s big silver pickup.
Colt and Dallas hurried to join Rafe. Colt said, “We got a call from Derek to be ready for a big fight with the Hawks. Word is the Hawks plan to attack you all, me, and Dallas, and send us back home to central Texas.”
Rafe bristled. “I have no plans to leave without first seeing the Hawks in jail. Any word on when this is supposed to go down?”
Jared joined them. “Derek said we need to be ready at any time. He’s picking up Juan who lives a couple blocks south of me in the foothills below Darlene’s house. So they should be here within about ten minutes.”
“We need to warn Darlene.” Rafe signaled Lucky, and they ran inside the house to find Darlene. They found her in the kitchen preparing breakfast for them.
“I can’t believe she’s fixing breakfast for us after I told her we’re shifters.”
“I’m surprised, too.” Lucky smiled. “That just shows what a neat lady she is.”
She looked up from the gas range where she was cooking ham and eggs.
“Babe, we’ve got trouble brewing. The Hawks have decided to come show us they want us to leave their territory for good.”
“They could be here at any minute,” Lucky added.
“We need you to stay inside and stay safe, especially since they threatened your life the other night when I ran into them.”
“I’ll be damned if they’re going to make me stay in my house. No one has that right.” Darlene set her pancake turner down with a thump on the counter. “The hell with them. How dare they come to my house looking for a fight. I’m going to call the police.”
Rafe smiled at her. “I believe Derek and Juan have already called the police.”
“Oh. Well, that’s a good thing.” She gestured toward the food she’d prepared. “I have breakfast ready if you would all like something to eat. There’s orange juice, coffee, milk, or sodas. Whatever you like.”
Lucky exchanged a look with Rafe. “You know what we like, darlin’.” Lucky grinned at her.
Tears filled her eyes again. “And here I fixed all this good food for your breakfast. I’ll be damned if the Hawks are going to interfere. All of you come get something to eat and drink.”
Rafe and Lucky walked around the kitchen counter and wrapped her in their arms for a group hug.
Rafe leaned back and wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’ll have some orange juice. Save the protein for after the fight, okay?”
“Okay.” She cleared her choked voice.
“I’ll have some coffee.” Lucky kissed her cheek.
“All of you please be careful and don’t get hurt. Let me get your beverages for you.”
Rafe turned to Dallas and Colt. “I need you two to stay in here with Darlene and watch out for any Hawks that might try to sneak into the house.”
“Got it,” Dallas said.
Lucky slashed his hand through the air. “Don’t take any chances. If they get inside the house, give a shout for us outside. Get Darlene into a protected place and stand guard.”
“Will do,” Colt said.
Rafe let out a big breath of relief. “Thanks, guys. I know we can count on you.”
“Here’s your drinks. Colt and Dallas, what would you like?”
“Coffee,” they both said.
“Jared?”
“Orange juice would be fine,” Jared answered.
When Rafe and Lucky finished their drinks, they each gave Darlene a kiss on the cheek.
She grabbed them and hugged them tight. “I didn’t mean what I said before, Rafe. Be careful. You’re both so important to me. I want you in my life.”
“Don’t worry, babe. We’ll finish off the Hawks and be back in here for that meal you’ve cooked up. Keep it warm.” He grinned at her.
“Darlin’, you stay safe in your home just for a little while, and keep Dallas and Colt safe, too.” Lucky smiled at her.
She swatted Lucky with her hot pad, her eyes glistening with tears.
“Rafe, go get your ring and put it on,” Lucky reminded him.
Rafe hurried to the bedroom and found Dutch’s ring. He slipped it on. “Need your help, Dutch.” He rejoined Lucky in the kitchen with Darlene.
“Why do you need your ring now?” She swiped tears from her eyes.
“I discovered a while back that when I shift, my strength is increased unbelievably by the energy from the ring. Our rings have been blessed by our mothers. They’re both members of the wolf pack. Their blessings made the powers stronger. I believe that if Dutch had shifted in midair, it could have saved his life. He would have landed on all four wolfen feet.” Rafe smiled wryly at her. “When I shift, an electrical current shoots from the turquoise ring upward along my arm and circles my body as I change. The energy stays with me during fights or whenever I need the protective power it holds, as long as I don’t abuse the power. Sadly, the power didn’t overcome the negative effect of consuming alcohol during our rite of passage that night. And alcoholic drinks make shifting impossible for our pack. Other than that, the added power can’t be beat.” He grinned at Darlene. “More information than you needed?”
She shook her head at him and hugged him and then Lucky again. “Stay safe, and come back to me quick.”
“Let’s go.”
They headed for the front yard to watch for the Hawks as Dallas and Colt asked Darlene about the most secure place in the house.
Jared joined Lucky and Rafe. “Derek and Juan should be here soon.”
Rafe and Lucky both nodded.
Jared no sooner finished saying that than a black Humvee pulled up in front of Darlene’s home. Eight Hawks left the vehicle and lined up on the edge of Darlene’s front yard. It looked like the Hawks had brought the big bruisers this time.
Rafe had no time to warn Darlene. “They all go down. No one gets by us. Got that, guys?”
“Yeah,” Lucky and Jared echoed each other.
“I hope Derek and Juan get here fast.” The thought of this scum threatening Darlene’s life sent lupine power surging through Rafe’s veins. The turquoise ring sang with electricity. A jolt shot from the ring up his arm and swirled around him with the speed of a Texas storm. Rafe shifted to his werewolf body.
He glanced to his side to see that his friends had also shifted. He grinned when he saw that at eight feet tall, Jared in upright wolf form was an even more gigantic werewolf than any of the Hawks. He hoped Jared was as fast as the Hawks. Rafe had to depend on his own speed as well as the speed of his pack to overcome these freaking damn Hawks and put them permanently out of commission.
* * * *
“Darlene, we need to get you to a safe place, right now,” Dallas said.
As the guys out in front of her house changed shape from humans to wolves, Darlene watched from a front window. Amazement held her spellbound as she saw a streak of something like lightning flash from Dutch’s ring and race up his arm and around his body. In a flash it seemed, his human form was replaced by a huge wolf. Lucky and Jared changed shape, too, although Jared was a rather human-looking wolf, or maybe he was a wolf-like human. Whatever, she could hardly believe what she had just witnessed.
Even though Rafe had told her before, in total surprise and disbelief, she realized that Rafe and Lucky, the most important men in her life, actually were real shape-shifters. Somehow to her, the fact that they could get hurt in the fight about to start concerned her more than the fact the
y became werewolves.
Lucky was the smallest wolf in the group facing the Hawks. She had always been attracted to shorter guys like Lucky, and she couldn’t bear to lose him. He could be seriously injured by those damn hulking Hawks. She felt the same way about Rafe, even though he could be maddening. Would Rafe always be in trouble? Probably, because he was so damned determined to protect everyone.
It seemed she feared for Rafe all the time. At least he appeared to be the largest wolf in his group from Hondo. Jared was bigger and walked upright like the Hawks. He had a more human body than the Hawks, except for his huge head and jaws, and the long claws on his hands and feet. The Hawks looked similar to Jared. They were huge and ran upright on their two hind legs.
What would happen to Rafe and Lucky?
“I know you and Colt would rather be out there helping your friends. And I heard Rafe telling you to keep me safe inside my house. The truth is there is no really safe place in this house. There are too many doors and windows they can break into. You can’t watch all the doors and windows, so I’m going to watch this fight from right here. If we decide that they need your help to fight those damn Hawks, promise me right now you’ll help them. I’ll be as safe as I can be right here in this room.”
“Darlene…” they both said together.
“Don’t you dare stay in here watching over me if you think they need your help. I won’t be serving you any more rare steaks if you do. I’m perfectly capable of calling the police for reinforcements.” Should she call the police? “What happens if the police arrive before the fight is over? Can they help?”
“Only if they want to,” Dallas said. “If they see a bunch of weird-looking wolves on your lawn, the police are liable to shoot us all.”
“Oh!” She hadn’t thought of that. So, no, she couldn’t call the police. “Then I won’t call the police. But if any of my neighbors happen to be home and notice the fight, they might call the police if they don’t mind becoming involved.” Her neighbors went to work before dawn or else they traveled out of town, usually. “You two had better get out there and help them right now. You need to finish this fight before the police arrive.”
She didn’t want Rafe and Lucky and her friends going to jail or accidentally shot. She’d call Derek and Kelly. Derek would know what to do. She dialed Derek’s cell.
“Yeah?” Derek answered.
“Derek, there’s a wolf fight on my front lawn. I don’t know what to do.”
“Sit tight and stay inside your house. I’m on my way now with Juan. We’ll be there in a sec. Lock your doors!”
“Okay.” Oh my God. She couldn’t take her eyes off what was happening in her front yard. The noise of their growls was incredible, and the actual fight was worse than the worst dog fight she had ever seen. How could she lock her doors? She might be needed.
As she watched in horror and amazement, the werewolves fought ruthlessly, determined to take each other down. Rafe had three Hawks he was dealing with, and so did Jared. Lucky held his own against two Hawks. They moved lightning fast and outsmarted the Hawks. As the Hawks fell one after another, unmoving on the lawn, Rafe and Lucky and Jared lunged to help each other.
A small silver Honda screeched to a stop in front of her property. She recognized Juan at the wheel with Derek next to him. They had arrived in time.
“That’s Derek and Juan. Go! Distract the Hawks so Derek and Juan can help.”
“You know they’re shifters, right?” Colt asked.
“Good! I’m glad to know that. That will even the odds. Now go!” She pushed them toward the front door. That was all they needed. She smiled as they hurried outside. Shaking with fear for all of her friends, she watched the vicious fight. They should be successful now with all of them helping. The addition of Dallas and Colt joining the fight should have ended it. Rafe stood and shook himself, the giant werewolf below him out of commission. Movement across her driveway jerked her attention away. To her horror another Hawk in werewolf form ran full tilt toward Rafe who didn’t see him coming. She had to do something. She raced to the den and grabbed the iron and brass fire poker from beside the fireplace. It was the only weapon she could think of that would do damage with one hard hit.
She rushed outside through the front door and stopped as Rafe looked toward her with eyes wide with fear for her. Too late she realized she’d put him in more danger by drawing his attention. The damn werewolf whipped out a long dagger from a belt around his waist and pressed the tip against Rafe’s chest. “Rafe!” she screamed in terror. A huge, solid mass of foul-smelling flesh hit her from the side. Pain tore through her body as monstrous arms and hands with long claws wrapped around her torso. She still held the poker in her hands, but her arms were held so tightly she couldn’t move them to defend herself.
“Darlene!” Rafe roared.
She saw the monster who held the blade to Rafe’s chest smile wickedly as his lips curled up over his canine teeth. “Move and you’re both dead.”
What could she do with her arms held under bands of steel-like werewolf limbs? If she could just get a good grip on the poker maybe she could help.
“Let her go!” Rafe shouted.
“Surrender and disappear forever or I’ll gut you right now.” An evil smile covered the monstrous face.
Rafe changed to his human form. That put him in even more danger. She gripped the poker in her hands. If this worked, it would give Rafe the distraction he needed to save himself. With every ounce of her strength she drove the iron rod upwards past her throat and face and hit hard flesh that gave.
A roar exploded above her and her opponent released her. He wrenched the rod from her hands and knocked her to the ground. She hoped it was enough time to allow Rafe to escape his own attacker somehow.
The werewolf leaped over her, dropping the poker near her as he ran toward Rafe who was thankfully on his feet. He roared with the snarl of a bear and throttled the werewolf who still held the dagger. They hit the ground and the dagger cartwheeled across the lawn. Rafe gained his feet and took a stance toward the werewolf who had held her captive. Blood dripped down the mongrel’s throat and chest from his jaw where the poker must have hit him.
Her heart pounded as she watched Rafe. Her bleeding attacker crouched, obviously waiting for Rafe to come nearer. Movement beyond Rafe drew her attention briefly, and she saw that his pack moved closer behind him. She hoped their protection would be enough. Sirens wailed, their shrill warning coming from far down the hill. The evil werewolf whirled away and ran behind her house. Rafe straightened and looked at her, his smile full of love. Relieved beyond belief, Darlene watched as the werewolves changed back to their human form. With sirens coming closer up the hill, Derek and Juan helped to quickly secure the fallen Hawks.
Rafe strode to Darlene and wrapped her in a big hug. “Thank God you’re safe. I knew I’d have a hard time keeping you out of the action. I think that’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”
“You’re amazing,” Lucky said. Rafe released her and Lucky grabbed her in a bear hug. “Don’t ever do that again. You scared us to death.”
She looked up at him and then Rafe. “If you don’t want me to protect my men, then you’ll need to stay out of harm’s way.” She smiled at both of her guys. “I love you both, and I’ll always stand by you.” Rafe and Lucky wrapped their arms around her and they all exchanged quick kisses over heated faces and lips.
The police arrived, followed by Kelly in Derek’s Honda. Kelly scanned the scene and ran to Derek.
With the police there, no one killed, and everything under control, Darlene figured no one would give her a hard time about being outside. It looked safe enough to her now. “Are you guys all right? Does anyone need any first aid?”
Rafe looked at Lucky. “I think we’re both all right.”
“I’m fine,” Lucky assured her.
Jared grinned at her. “Thanks, Darlene. I appreciate the offer.” He followed Dallas inside her home.
�
�Dallas can show you where to go to wash up.” She patted both of them gently on the shoulders as they walked by her.
Colt and Lucky helped Derek and Juan hold the Hawks for the police to handcuff.
She saw Rafe walk over to Kelly and overheard him talking softly to her. “I apologize for the way I’ve acted toward you recently. I hope you’ll forgive me for that and for the underhanded stunt I pulled on you during the testing ceremony. There was no excuse for my behavior, and I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you or make you uncomfortable. I’m so sorry if I did.”
“Thank you for your apology, Rafe.” Kelly smiled at him. “I’m glad to accept it. You didn’t hurt me. I would have been much happier not having to go through the testing ceremony, but I’m fine. I’m with the man I love, and we can all get on with our lives.”
“Thank you, Kelly. I’m relieved you’re all right,” Rafe said.
Derek joined them at Kelly’s side and took hold of her hand. “The police have everything under control now. They’re taking all the Hawks downtown and booking them. I gave them my brief statement, and we can leave if you’re ready.”
“I just want to see if Darlene is all right, and I’ll be ready.” Kelly kissed Derek and freed her hand.
Darlene gave Kelly a big hug. “You wouldn’t believe what I just saw…or would you?”
“Well,” Kelly said, and grinned.
Darlene lowered her voice to a whisper so the police couldn’t overhear. “You’re a shape-shifter, too, aren’t you?”
“As are Derek and Juan.” Kelly whispered, too, her voice soft, as the men joined them.
Darlene put her hands on her chest in utter amazement. “Oh, my. How exciting. I imagine life is going to be a little different for me from now on. When I think how much you all mean to me…just please, try not to get in so many fights. I can’t help worrying about you all.”
Kelly chuckled. “It tends to go with Derek’s line of work. Hopefully this will put an end to the Hawks’ criminal activities.”