by Katie Reus
Not for the first time he realized how much slower, weaker humans were. It was as if they were moving in slow motion.
“Can you hold her for a sec?” Noel asked the sniffling boy as Nathan stretched the other little girl out onto her back. The girl Noel had saved was breathing, but the one he had wasn’t.
They needed to get them out of their wet clothes, but first, he had to save this little girl.
He was aware of Noel grabbing her previously discarded jacket and wrapping it around the shivering girl she’d saved as he started doing chest compressions and CPR on the human who looked impossibly fragile.
He checked her pulse. Nothing. His heart was in his throat as he started doing chest compressions. One, two, three. Nothing, damn it.
No, no, no. She couldn’t die. He wouldn’t let it happen. One, two, three—sucking in a breath, the little girl jerked and coughed out a handful of water. He rolled her onto her side, helping her cough it out.
Now they needed to get both girls out of these wet clothes before hypothermia set in. If it hadn’t already.
Chapter 4
Noel handed the blanket back to the paramedic. “Thanks for this.”
“Thank you guys for what you did.” The tall human female with dark brown skin tucked the blanket under her arm. “You sure you don’t want to hitch a ride to the hospital? Even just stop by to be checked out?” Concern rolled off her in waves.
Noel glanced up at Nathan, who shook his head. Smiling, she looked back at the woman who was just trying to do her job. Of course she would want them to go to the hospital, but there was no need. Even their busted-up knuckles were already healed. “We’re good, I promise. I might call for an update though.”
“Please do. I think those girls are going to be okay.” She nodded once at Sheriff Parker McIntyre, who was fast approaching, before she headed around to the front of the ambulance. The one transporting the girls to the local hospital had left a while ago.
Thankfully some very nice citizens of Fontana had scrounged up some dry clothes for her and Nathan. Though considering some of the looks he’d gotten, a lot of women in town were sad to see all that bare skin covered up. Nathan picked up their bag of wet clothes and she could tell he was ready to go. She was too, but wanted to talk to Parker first.
Parker pulled her into a hug as soon as he reached them, and to Noel’s surprise, Nathan let out the barest hint of a growl.
Surprise ricocheting through her, she stepped back. “What are you doing here?” She’d asked one of the paramedics and learned Parker was off tonight, so he wasn’t wearing a uniform.
“I was having dinner downtown when I got the news. Why aren’t you two at the hospital?” he demanded, looking between her and Nathan, frustration on his face.
“Because we’re fine.” Nathan’s voice was icier than the snow on the ground.
Noel nudged him with her elbow as she smiled at Parker. The male was December’s brother and while he’d gotten off to a rocky start with their pack, now he was family. As well as a good friend to the pack.
“You know how stubborn we shifters can be,” she said as Nathan placed a possessive hand on the back of her neck. Okay, then. She couldn’t deny how much she like it.
Parker nodded, his expression annoyed. “Yes, I do. Thank you for what you did. If it hadn’t been for your quick thinking…” He shook his head before holding out a hand to Nathan—who thankfully took it—and then Noel.
“Are you coming by the ranch for Christmas?” she asked.
“Yeah, got something really good for Ellie.” The joy on his face was unmistakable as he talked about his niece and Noel was glad that whatever tension had once been between him and his sister was water under the bridge. “Look, you guys need a ride home or anything?”
“We’re good,” Nathan said, his voice normal this time. “But thanks.”
“All right. I’ll see you around, then.” Instead of hugging her again, like she’d expected, he just nodded and headed off.
Nathan slid an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him, inhaled his dark scent. Tonight had been terrifying and eye-opening. For the past year she’d been a shadow of her former self. What had almost happened to those little girls could have happened to anyone.
She might be a shifter with a longer life span but she wasn’t immortal. “I bet those kids get anything they want for Christmas this year,” she murmured, a shiver racking her body that had nothing to do with the cold. What if she and Nathan hadn’t been here tonight? And what if someone hadn’t gotten to the girls in time? That family would be mourning right now.
“No kidding.” His grip was tight as they strode down the sidewalk back to downtown. Most of the place had cleared out an hour ago, after the first ambulance had left.
The rest of the walk to Main Street they were quiet, though there were still shoppers and diners milling around downtown.
It gave her too much time to think, to realize what a coward she was being. She still needed to talk to someone about her grief, that much she knew. And she still felt like a mess—and figured that Nathan deserved someone a lot more put together than her.
But…he wanted her. And God help her, she wanted him. She hoped he’d be patient with her as she tried to get her shit together.
“Nathan,” she whispered as they reached his truck, pausing as a giggling teenage couple passed them holding hands. Once they were gone no one else was near them on the sidewalk. She took a deep breath, ready to tell him…she wasn’t even sure what. No words formed when she saw that deep hunger in his bright green eyes.
Talking could be overrated anyway.
Tugging on the long-sleeved T-shirt someone had given him, she yanked him down to her. His mouth met hers in a hard, hungry clash of lips and tongue that left her breathless and wanting way more when he pulled back.
His eyes glittered, a soft growl building in his throat as he leaned down to nip at her lips, softer this time. Sweeter.
He tasted just like she remembered. All spicy, sexy masculinity. Her nipples tightened against her bra as he slid his free arm around her back, pulled her close to him. She heard the bag drop to the sidewalk before his other hand slid to her nape, his fingers flexing possessively.
A riot of emotions ricocheted through her, but mainly she just felt happy to be alive. He made her feel alive.
Much too soon, he pulled back again.
Disappointment slid through her, but they were on Main Street. Making out by his truck like teenagers wasn’t exactly appropriate. At the moment she didn’t really care though.
“I’m still a mess, Nathan.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t know what I can offer you right now.” It would be unfair of her to pretend otherwise.
Gently, he took her face in his hands, making her breath catch in her throat. “I know what it’s like to lose people. Life’s too short to close yourself off forever.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“However long it takes you to be ready for us, I’ll wait. I just want to spend time with you—and only you.”
His words shattered through her, breaking down more of the wall she’d erected around herself. She hadn’t scented another female on him so she figured she understood what he meant about only her.
Nodding, she lifted up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips over his. “Then let’s spend some time together this week,” she murmured as she pulled back.
“You want to help me decorate my Christmas tree?”
She was surprised he hadn’t done that yet, but nodded. It was weird to think that just this morning she was cursing the holiday season, when now the thought of doing something Christmas-related with Nathan was…kind of perfect.
Deep down she was terrified that if she let him in, got too close, he’d be ripped away from her too. But screw that—he could be ripped away from her whether she got too close or not.
She’d already lost too many people, and the thought of not getting to know Nathan better, not finding ou
t what they could have, was scarier than any of her fears.
* * *
Erin leaned her head back against the headrest of the SUV, ready to get back to the ranch and jump her mate, Noah. Their last Council job had been stupidly easy but the last few months had been exhausting overall. She was ready for home cooking and to see her packmates.
Noah glanced at her. “We’re almost done with this jackass, then we’ll be home.”
“Hey, I can hear you,” their prisoner grumbled from the backseat. The sixteen-year-old cub, who thought he was a full-grown Alpha for some insane reason, had decided to rip off a pack neighboring his own, then go on the run once his own Alpha—also his father—found out.
“What were you thinking, kid?” she muttered as Noah steered through downtown Fontana. Everywhere she looked sparkled with the holiday spirit. It soothed every part of her. Christmas was one of her favorite times of year.
The kid wasn’t from here, but his father was meeting them nearby to pick up his errant boy. This was literally the easiest job she’d ever been tasked by The Council. Her only instructions had been to not hurt the cub. Considering how unskilled and nonviolent he was, he hadn’t posed a threat to them, so not a problem. Usually her jobs consisted of taking down violent offenders who refused to follow human or pack law.
“I…wanted to impress a female,” he muttered. “She’s three years older than me and hot. I knew she’d be home for the holidays from college.”
Erin stifled a laugh. “So you thought stealing from a neighboring pack would impress her?”
“She once dated the dude I stole from. He was a jerk to her, made her cry when they broke up.”
Erin glanced at Noah, raised her eyebrows. What kind of screwed-up teenage logic was that? Noah just shrugged, his own lips twitching.
“Holy crap.” She pointed out the window as they passed two of their packmates. “That’s Noel and Nathan making out.”
Her mate shook his head. “About time he made his move.”
“Right? I never thought he’d go after her.” She blinked as they continued past the two and wondered when the heck things between them had changed. She was clearly out of the loop on pack gossip.
“Maybe you two could just let me go, say I escaped,” the kid said, hope in his voice.
Erin snorted. “You gotta pay for your crimes, Gavin. Besides, no one’s gonna believe you escaped from me.” Not arrogance, just the truth.
“Yeah, I know. My dad’s gonna have me locked down for probably a year.”
“And you deserve worse. Jeez.” She turned in her seat, eyed the handsome blond-haired, blue-eyed cub who looked like he’d be at home on a surfboard. “If you want to impress a female, learn to do it in a different way. Stand out from the crowd. Don’t be the jackass showoff. And don’t call her ‘hot.’ It makes you sound like a cub. You think a woman likes that?”
His lips pulled into a thin line, but he shook his head. Then, “How’d he win you over?” He jerked his chin in Noah’s direction, but kept his gaze on Erin.
“By treating me like an equal, by respecting my strength and by being himself.” And by loving all of her, even the broken parts. There was no one in the world for her but her Noah. If something happened to him, she knew she’d follow him into the afterlife. She wouldn’t be able to live without him. And she was okay with that.
Frowning thoughtfully, the kid nodded as Noah steered into a parking lot.
Erin turned back in her seat. “Give me a sec before getting the kid out,” she murmured. She wanted to talk to the Alpha first.
Noah nodded.
To her surprise, it was just a single male waiting for them. “What’s the girl’s name, anyway?” she asked Gavin.
“Paisley.” His voice was full of worship.
Shaking her head, she got out when Noah parked two spots over and strode to meet Kenneth McAndrews. The male was an older version of his son, with the same California-surfer-type good looks.
“My boy’s okay?” Subtle power rolled off the Alpha as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.
“He’s fine. Look, it’s not my business, but go easy on him if you can. He did it to impress—”
“Paisley, I know. He’s been in love with her since he was ten.” His father shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’m just glad you found him. He’ll be punished but…it’s Christmas.”
Relief flooded her. The cub might be stupid and immature but heck, he was a cub. They were supposed to be like that in their teenage years. This job had been more a favor to The Council anyway since McAndrews was apparently friends with one of the Council members.
Erin turned, nodded at Noah through the window. She couldn’t see past the tint but knew he saw her.
A moment later Noah tugged Gavin out, released the wrist restraints and walked the kid around the front of SUV toward them, his hand on the back of Gavin’s neck.
The kid looked at his feet, clearly ashamed as he approached his father. The big male didn’t pause, just tugged Gavin into his arms, crushing him in a hug. “Don’t ever run away again.” Emotion clogged his voice as he held his son. “Your mom and I were worried sick about you.”
“I’m sorry, Dad.” Regret laced his words as he stepped back. “I panicked and just…didn’t think.”
Erin nodded at her mate. It was time for them to get out of there. They’d done their job and she was ready to get home. She knew the Alpha was just concerned about his kid and they didn’t need to stay for the family reunion.
“Hey, wait, uh, please.” Gavin pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “I know you think I’m a stupid kid, but would you take a selfie with me?”
She blinked, and next to her Noah snickered under his breath.
“Come on,” Gavin continued. “Paisley’s a big fan of yours. If I get a picture with the newest enforcer? That’ll impress her for sure!”
Behind the kid his father sighed and rubbed an exhausted hand over his face.
“Fine, but I’m not smiling,” she said, sidling up next to the kid. “So let’s get this over with.” She couldn’t believe she was taking a selfie with one of her captures, but this kid was starting to grow on her.
After he’d taken the picture, he grinned. “You think I could touch one of your blades?”
She lifted an eyebrow, not bothering to respond.
“Yeah, okay, it was a long shot.” Smiling, he held out a hand. “You look totally badass in the picture. Thanks for taking it. And Merry Christmas.”
Shaking his hand, she half-smiled at Gavin and hoped that one day he won his female over. “Merry Christmas, kid.”
Noah burst into full-on laughter once they were alone in the SUV and on the road. “Oh my God, you took a selfie!” His laughter filled the enclosed space, soothed every part of her.
“What was I supposed to do, say no to that puppy dog face?” She smothered a smile, and mock-glared at her mate.
“I’m pretty sure I love you even more now.” He leaned over after stopping at a red light, brushed his lips over hers. “Would you mind if we make some stops before we head back to the ranch? I need to grab a couple more things for the cubs.”
“I do too.” Christmas was fast approaching and she’d barely bought anything. They were doing a gift exchange during the big pack Christmas Eve party, but everyone got stuff for the cubs. “Gah, they’re gone,” she said as they drove past the place where Noel and Nathan had been kissing.
Noah snorted. “You expected them to still be going at it on the side of the street?”
Erin just shrugged and pointed to a car pulling out of a curbside spot. “Grab it!”
“I love you, mate of mine, but no backseat driving.” His voice was dry as he pulled into the spot he’d seen without her help.
“I can’t help it. I miss my baby.”
“Some days I think I should be jealous of your Challenger.”
Laughing, she got out of the SUV, her boots crunching over some of the icy slush on t
he road before she met him on the sidewalk. “If it ever came down to it, I’d choose you over my car.” She might be a teeny bit obsessed with her cherry red Challenger.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulled her close as they headed down the sidewalk. “That’s good to know—”
She gasped when they reached the front window of December’s Book Nook and saw the display. “I’m going to kill someone.” She marched inside before her mate could say anything, ignoring the little jingle of the bell overhead.
When she saw Gloria coming out from one of the aisles, a handful of books in her hand, she lost some of her steam. She couldn’t very well yell at a beta pack member. It would be like picking on a puppy. “Hey, Gloria.”
The dark-haired female gave her a warm smile. “Hey, guys. I thought you were out of town. What’s—oh, did you see the new display?” She gave a little wince. “They just came in today.”
“Take them down,” she snapped out before she could stop herself.
“I can’t—unless you want to buy them all.” Gloria struggled to hide a smile, failed miserably. “I’ve already sold a dozen.”
Noah slung an arm around Erin’s shoulders, nuzzled the top of her head. “They look good.”
She glared at him before turning to look at the big display of Erin Flynn action figures. It was so beyond ridiculous she didn’t even know what to do. She really wanted to scream at the sight of them and slice them up with her blades until they were just bits of plastic on the ground.
Eight months ago she’d killed some vampires who been on a rampage of destruction. Unfortunately, someone had caught the kills on their cell phone and the video had gone viral in hours. She hadn’t been in trouble. No, she’d been hailed a hero, a defender of humans—and The Council ate that shit up. Her friend Kat had joked that they’d soon come out with action figures of her—which they had, as of a month ago. It was why the kid Gavin had known who she was. Apparently, she had an actual fan club. So fucking stupid.
Now there was a whole display of little Erin figures in the front window of December’s bookstore. This was beyond embarrassing.
