His life was in the city and so was his job—a job he enjoyed. He’d always dreamed that he would one day make something of himself and he still wanted that. It was important to him and he’d been working hard to ensure it would happen. There was no newspaper office in Wolf Creek so what would he do for work? There wasn’t anything else that he wanted to do—he was already doing his dream job.
Checking his watch, Joey made up his mind. He’d meet Tristan as planned and try to get to know him better. He still had a couple of weeks of his vacation left. That gave him plenty of time to decide what to do.
And maybe all was not lost where his job was concerned. Joey might still be able to get his hands on a good story that could help his career. He couldn’t forget about the reason he’d come to Wolf Creek in the first place—the arson attacks. If he could get that story then he’d still be in with a shot at promotion.
Maybe Tristan could help him.
The sheriff’s house had been one of those hit. Had Tristan shared that house with his brother? If so then it was more than likely that he knew what was going on. If he was still thinking about going back to his job then that meant having to leave Tristan. He couldn’t have both, but he put that thought out of his mind for the time being.
He didn’t want to have to make a decision just yet.
Chapter Fourteen
Tristan checked his watch for the fiftieth time that day.
Only fifteen minutes remained until the end of his shift, which meant that he would soon get to see Joey. He could hardly wait. He’d been awake for most of the night thinking about Joey and his mate had been on his mind all day, too. Had Joey had been thinking about him?
The previous night, Joey had certainly seemed to be feeling the pull of their bond. Pete had told him that the bond would strengthen for Joey, just as it would for him. Tristan had been relieved to hear that. It meant that Joey wouldn’t want to leave him, which was Tristan’s biggest fear. He’d do anything to keep his mate now that he’d found him.
Tristan’s boss, Bob, had cut out thirty minutes early, leaving Tristan alone to lock up. It was the first time that he’d been given a set of keys to the garage and it made him feel good that Bob trusted him enough to look after the shop in his absence. He didn’t want to disappoint him so he wasn’t going to leave a minute before the end of his shift.
When he’d finished the jobs that Bob had entrusted him to do, Tristan washed up then went outside to see if there was any sign of Joey. The road that ran past the front of the shop was empty. With a sigh, he turned to go back inside when the roar of motorbikes caught his attention and, on instinct, he turned to look.
As soon as he saw the Harleys his stomach lurched.
He groaned when he recognized the two guys from Jackson’s bar and they slowed as they passed, their eyes widening in recognition. Tristan blew out a relieved breath when the bikers rode on by, but his relief was short-lived. They only rode as far as the crossroads at the end of the street before they both circled on back.
Crap.
Tristan wasn’t worried about getting hurt.
He’d been in plenty of fights before and he could hold his own, but he was at the shop. Bob would play holy hell if he found any damage when he came into work the next day.
What if he fired him?
Tristan couldn’t let that happen. He liked his job and he wasn’t losing it over two redneck bikers who got off on using their fists. Tristan’s biggest concern, however, was his mate. What if Joey showed up and got caught in the fight? What if Tristan couldn’t protect him? He’d never forgive himself if something happened to his mate. He couldn’t even run back inside to call Joey and warn him because he hadn’t taken his number.
Why hadn’t he asked for it?
That had been dumb.
Bracing himself, he watched as the wolves pulled their Harleys to a stop just a few feet away from him and cut the engines.
“Well, what do ya know?” the tall goateed man said to his friend. “Was hoping we’d run into Pretty Boy again and here he is.”
Pretty Boy?
Tristan held in the snort that was threatening to burst free from his lips.
The shorter dude with the ZZ Top beard grinned menacingly and his eyes flashed amber. “I reckon it’s our lucky day, Sam.”
Plastering a fake smile on his face, Tristan said, “Howdy, gentlemen. I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Tristan. What can I do for y’all today?”
Sam narrowed his eyes.
“You could start by telling us why the fuck you got us in trouble with the sheriff the other night.”
Eyebrows knitted together in confusion, Tristan replied,
“What? I didn’t get you in trouble!”
“That’s a damn lie!” Sam hollered. “We saw you talking to him. Are you trying to tell us it’s some damn coincidence that he arrested us right after he’d finished with you?”
Tristan’s mouth fell open and he blurted out, “I didn’t tell my brother shit! If you got in trouble it was your own fault!”
Sam turned his gaze to his friend, eyebrows raised. “Sheriff Ambrose is the kid’s brother, is he now? Well, what do you know?”
Crap.
When was Tristan going to learn to keep his big mouth shut? He’d got himself into trouble before for mouthing off like that, but he just couldn’t seem to help himself.
“Interesting,” the shorter man said. “No wonder he’s got some clout.”
Tristan rolled his eyes. “If that’s what you’re thinking then you’re sorely mistaken. My brother doesn’t listen to a thing I say. I have no influence over him whatsoever.”
Sam moved a few steps closer until he and Tristan were practically nose to nose. He leaned in near Tristan’s ear and said, “Never bullshit a bullshitter, kid.”
Tristan bit his tongue on a retort, but he held his ground, refusing to move away in case the wolves took it as a sign of weakness. It was becoming obvious that a fight was inevitable and it might just be best to get it over with quickly. He didn’t think there was anything he could say that would bring about any other outcome.
The wolves didn’t look like they could be placated. The feral glint in their eyes told Tristan exactly what they wanted. He just needed it over before his mate showed up. Just as the thought occurred to him, a shiny silver Taurus rounded the corner and Tristan fought to hold in the groan that was threatening to escape his lips. Sam stepped away from him and watched the car pull into the lot.
How the hell was Tristan going to get out of this mess now?
Fear curled in his gut as he watched his mate pull up beside the Harleys before cutting the engine then getting out of the car. Tristan wanted to tell him to leave, but he could hardly breathe let alone talk.
There was suddenly no air in his lungs.
He had to protect his mate, and would, at all costs. Joey’s smile was bright and friendly as he looked at each of the wolves before turning his gaze to Tristan.
“Hey,” he greeted.
The sparkle in his eyes made Tristan’s stomach flip.
He returned Joey’s smile even though there wasn’t a whole hell of a lot to smile about right then.
“Hey, yourself. Why don’t you wait for me inside until I finish up here?”
He stared at Joey intently, willing him to understand.
Joey gave a hesitant nod. “Okay,” he agreed, his smile slipping.
His brow knitted and the confusion in his eyes was more than evident.
“Who’s your friend?” Sam asked.
Straightening himself to his full height, Tristan almost growled but he held it in and instead replied tersely.
“No one you need to concern yourself with.”
Sam snorted. “You can let us be the judge of that.”
Joey had begun to make his way inside, but after the exchange, his steps faltered.
He turned and met Tristan’s gaze. “Is everything okay?”
Tristan scowled
when the goateed wolf began to crack his knuckles as he eyed Joey. Oh, hell no. The guy would lay a finger on him over Tristan’s dead body.
He had to deal with this quickly.
“Just wait for me inside, Joey. Please.”
He didn’t want his mate to think he was some sort of dominant asshole, but he had to get him out of the way. His mate was intelligent. He had to understand the danger he was in if he stayed.
Even though Joey’s eyes were narrowed, he nodded his acquiescence before taking a last glance at the two wolves.
“Sure,” he said through tight lips.
Tristan let out a relieved breath and kept his eyes on the wolves while Joey disappeared inside the shop. He was surprised that they’d let his mate walk away. It was obvious that they were itching for a fight, but maybe they weren’t as stupid as they looked. It was strictly against pack laws for wolves to harm humans or involve them in fights. It didn’t matter what pack a wolf belonged to, that was rule number one in every pack. The main reason was to keep their existence a secret from humans and, of course, there was the matter of wolves being far stronger so it would be an unfair fight.
However, they didn’t know that Joey was Tristan’s mate. If they did he would be treated as fair game. But if pack laws were being adhered to then perhaps Tristan could reason with them. If there was a chance that he could talk them out of their stupid vendetta, he’d take it.
He’d try anything if it meant keeping his mate safe from harm.
When Joey was safely out of hearing distance, Tristan looked at each wolf in turn.
“What’s it gonna take to end this?” he asked.
Sam turned to his friend and asked, “What do you say, Cade? How are we gonna settle this?”
The wolf Cade had a feral glint in his eyes when he turned his gaze on Tristan. He grinned and his incisors slowly lengthened, giving him a wild, lethal look.
“I want my pound of flesh,” he retorted.
Tristan realized at that moment that he couldn’t reason with these men.
“What about the human?” Sam asked. “We don’t need us no witnesses.”
A low growl erupted from Tristan’s throat at the mention of his mate.
It got both wolves’ attention and they chuckled.
“Little bit protective of him, aren’t you?” Sam asked around a sneer. “Wonder why that is? Wouldn’t happen to be your mate, now, would he?”
“Maybe I’ll go ask him,” Cade said, taking a step towards the shop entrance.
Tristan didn’t think before he reacted.
He reached out and grabbed Cade around the throat. “You go near him and it will be the last thing that you do.”
Cade growled, lifting his hands to yank away Tristan’s, but he held tight, applying more pressure to Cade’s neck.
He was incensed.
There was no way he was letting the wolf get anywhere near Joey. Tristan didn’t see Sam move, but the wolf managed to get behind him and put him in a chokehold. Tristan tried to keep his hands on Cade, but Sam’s arm got tighter around his neck and he tore his hand away when it became too difficult to breathe.
Cade fell to the ground, coughing and spluttering, trying to catch his breath. Tristan tried to keep his eyes on the floored wolf, but most of his concentration was taken up with the struggle he was engaged in with Sam. He shoved his elbow back into Sam’s ribs, which dislodged the wolf’s arm from around his neck.
Tristan had barely enough time to turn before Sam lunged for him again. He dodged a right hook and threw a punch of his own, which caught the wolf under the chin. His head snapped back from the force, but all that the blow appeared to do was infuriate Sam more. His eyes shifted to their wolf form and his teeth elongated. Tristan’s own eyes and teeth shifted to mirror them and he snarled out a warning to stay away or else.
In his peripheral vision, Tristan saw Cade get to his feet so he took a few steps back until he had both wolves clearly in his sight. It made no difference whatsoever because Cade began to move around him—the perfect example of a lethal predator circling his prey. Tristan cursed when it became obvious that he couldn’t watch both wolves at once. They were both strong and would be of an equal threat in a fight, but Tristan was most concerned that one of them would try to get to Joey.
He needn’t have worried.
They attacked in unison.
Soon, everything became a blur as punches and kicks rained down upon him. Tristan fought back as best he could, but the wolves were strong and they fought dirty. When he took a powerful blow to the stomach, all the breath whooshed from his lungs and he fell to his knees, cradling himself as he tried to suck in some much-needed air. His anger became more pronounced and his wolf howled to be set free so that it could get at the men and exact his revenge.
As he held himself, gasping for breath, Tristan’s fingers shifted into claws and his entire body began to tingle, but he had just enough sense left to fight off a full shift. He needed to stay in his human form. It was his best chance to help Joey if he needed to. The battle didn’t let up. While he was still on his knees, Sam strode forward and curled his hand into a fist. He struck out and Tristan ducked, Sam’s fist missing his face by mere inches.
Tristan shouted out his frustration and fury and retaliated with a blow of his own, which, unlike Sam’s, found its target. His claws slashed across Sam’s chest and the wolf howled in pain as blood began to seep through his shirt. He put his hand over the wound and looked down at his fingers before letting out another almighty howl.
That was the moment the fight really began.
Fists flew at Tristan from every direction. He fought back but it was difficult fighting both men at the same time. He had to work twice as hard for only half the payoff. The wolves weren’t even breaking a sweat. All too soon Tristan grew tired. Every muscle in his body ached and his limbs refused to move as quickly as he wanted them to.
At some point during the fight, Sam got behind Tristan and, while he was still preoccupied with Cade, managed to grab Tristan’s arms and pin them painfully behind his back. Cade’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw Tristan’s vulnerable position and he took full advantage of it.
He alternated his punches between Tristan’s stomach and face.
Tristan kept as quiet as he could while he took the punishment Cade dished out even though each blow felt like it was breaking him apart. The pain was intense, but he didn’t want to alarm his mate so he stayed silent throughout it all and hoped that the wolves would soon either tire themselves out or get bored and leave. It didn’t look like that was going to happen any time soon, however, because Cade was laughing with each blow he landed, his eyes filled with excitement and bloodlust.
The next punch caught Tristan’s nose dead center and he was unable to contain the cry of agony as he heard the crack. Blood poured in a steady rivulet down his face.
Cade laughed harder.
“Get away from him!”
Tristan closed his eyes when he heard his mate call out the warning.
He felt sick.
What the hell was Joey thinking? He should have stayed inside where he was safe. Slowly, Tristan opened his eyes and lifted his head to see Joey standing in the doorway of the garage with a monkey wrench in his hand.
“I said get away from him!” he repeated. “Now!”
“Joey, no,” Tristan breathed.
Cade sneered. “Will ya look at the little human acting like the big I am? What’s up, Joey? Come to play with the big boys?”
Tristan looked on in horror as Joey took a step forward and lifted the wrench higher.
“Don’t think that I won’t use this!”
Cade looked over his shoulder at his friend then threw his head back and laughed thunderously. Sam joined in. Tristan tried to use his momentary distraction to break free from the hold, but Sam just got him in a tighter grip.
“No you don’t,” he snarled. “You ain’t going anywhere.”
Tristan could do nothing but wat
ch, his terror consuming him, as Cade strolled towards his mate.
“Joey, just run!” Tristan shouted, his voice tinged with hysteria. “Get out of here, please!”
Cade looked back at Tristan and cackled loudly. “Let him try. He wouldn’t get five feet and you know it.”
When Cade’s hand curled into a fist, Tristan used every last ounce of energy to fight against Sam’s hold.
“No!” he shouted.
Cade pulled his arm back then threw the punch, and quicker than Tristan had thought a human could move, Joey sidestepped and avoided the blow. At the same time, he struck out with the wrench and caught Cade on the temple. Cade screamed and fell to the ground. He lifted his hand to cover the wound on his head, which was already bleeding profusely. His entire body began to shake violently and that could mean only one thing.
He was about to shift into his wolf form.
Tristan tried to use the last of his energy reserves to break out of Sam’s hold, but he was fighting a losing battle. He didn’t have the strength needed to free himself. Joey’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open as he watched hair sprout from Cade’s body. He lowered the wrench and stared as Cade’s bones lengthened and realigned. When the familiar sounds of bones snapping into place reached Tristan’s ears, he began to panic.
“Joey, get out of here!” he shouted.
His mate didn’t appear to have heard him.
He was watching Cade’s change with open fascination.
All too soon Cade stood in front of Joey in his very large and imposing wolf form. He shook out his fur as if he was shaking off the last vestiges of the shift. The bones in his neck cricked as he tilted his head from side to side then he stood up to his full height and turned his menacing amber gaze on Joey.
When he took a step forward and snarled viciously, Tristan lost it. He fought for all he was worth, ignoring the white-hot pain in his arms where Sam held them behind his back at an awkward angle. He struggled and kicked and growled, somehow finding the strength from within to try to help his mate. It was all he could think about. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that Joey would not survive an attack from a fully shifted wolf.
Tristan's Despair (2019 Reissue) Page 8
