His Vengeance: Shifters of Alaska Series Book 2

by Gisele St. Claire

  And not just any scent. Her scent.

  He took a few steps forward through the forest to get a better view of the river only a few feet away.

  It was Shay. The woman he couldn’t get out of his thoughts. Even if he hadn’t seen her, he would recognize her scent anywhere. It was sweet like honey with a musky hint of bergamot. He stood still watching her as she sat on the edge of a rock with her knees pulled up to her chest. He could smell the salt in her tears. She was crying. No, not crying, sobbing uncontrollably.

  Why was she crying?

  He had sensed her pain, even in their first meeting— if you could even call it that. He had nearly run her over when she had barreled into him in the parking lot of the diner. Despite her bravado, there had been vulnerability, a misery she tried to hide from others, but one that she couldn’t hide from him. He had seen it in her eyes.

  Jaxson knew he had to stay away from this one. The day he set his eyes on her beautiful face, he felt completely consumed by her. Her scent had filled is senses, and he experienced an immediate and overwhelming desire to take her right then and there. He hadn't felt anything like it for so long. It confused him. It angered him. It aroused him.

  Right now, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. To soothe whatever pain she felt. Her long silky brown hair fell loosely around her face. He longed to run his hands through it, to grip it tightly as he plundered those luscious, full pink lips of hers. Desire rippled through him as he found himself unable to rip his eyes away from her. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her every time he saw her. But what stuck in his mind the most were her eyes. Those large doe shaped ice blue eyes that looked so haunted like his own.

  Jaxson took another step forward to get a better look, and a twig cracked underneath his paw. He grimaced internally as he watched her look up with uneasiness. He hadn’t meant to disturb her.

  "Who’s there?" She called out looking along the tree line.

  He could see her eyes clearly now. They were red and swollen, and tracks of tears stained her cheeks. She had obviously been there for quite some time crying. He took another step, this time clearing the edge of the forest and now standing on the river edge about five feet away from the rock she was sitting on. He watched her jump to her feet, fear etched on her face. Riddled with panic, he watched her frantically look to the right and then to the left trying to look for a weapon or escape route. She stood frozen unsure of what to do. As a last ditch effort, she held her hands out in front of her and yelled, "Stay back."

  Her fear was palpable. Jaxson’s heart lurched as he saw the terror in her eyes. He hadn’t meant to frighten her, but it was too late. With alarm, Jaxson watched her take another step back and lose her footing on the slippery rocks. She pin wheeled for a moment, desperately trying to regain her balance but it was to no avail. Jaxson leaped in the air as he watched her fall backward into the raging rapids. Before Jaxson hit the water, he shifted back into his human form so he could use his hands to grab her. He was afraid his wolf claws would cut her. Hitting the water with full force, he dove into the rapids, using his powerful arms to fight through the current to get to her. She was being pulled under by the current and the weight of her clothes. Her head was no longer bobbing above the surface. In three powerful strokes, he reached her. Diving under he managed to grab hold of her wrist and pull her up toward him. Her head was above the surface of the water, and he was relieved to hear her sputtering and coughing up water. But he still had to get her to shore to make sure she was okay. He looped one arm under her arm and around her waist as he swam them both to the shoreline.

  She put up no fight when he pulled her body up onto the pebbles that lined the shore. She was unconscious but breathing. He lifted her head and noticed blood on his hands. Taking a closer look, he saw that blood was gushing from a small cut just behind her left ear. She must have hit her head on a rock when she fell in. He knew head wounds were notorious for bleeding heavily, but he wasn’t willing to take any chances. He scooped her up in his arms and ran as fast as he could back to his house.

  Jaxson sat on the edge of the couch watching her sleep. He tried to tell himself it was just to make sure that she was okay and didn’t suddenly stop breathing. But, he knew that was a lie. He couldn’t resist being near her. She was so beautiful —the type of beautiful that was effortless and natural, not the fake beauty that was just an illusion created by too much makeup. He was surprised to see that her dark brown hair had loose waves. She normally wore it straight or up in a ponytail. He liked the waves and how they fanned out around her head still damp from the river. She wore a little yellow sundress that had thin straps that left her shoulders bare. Wet from her dip in the river, the fabric clung to her like a second skin, highlighting her large breasts. His eyes trailed to the hem of her dress that sat just up above her knees and then down to her long shapely legs. He marvelled at her well defined calves, probably from all the hiking and running she did. Jaxson hated that she was that kind of beautiful; the kind of beautiful that reminded him of his Jillian.

  He looked down to her left wrist and noticed a small tattoo. He inspected it closer to see what it said.

  One word.

  ANA.

  This was his fault; he thought to himself as he watched her lie there. He shouldn't have startled her like that. He could have killed her for Christ sake. Frustrated with himself, Jaxson got up and walked into the kitchen and put the kettle on the stove. She would need something warm and soothing when she finally came around. Besides he needed something to occupy his hands with. Otherwise, he was liable to touch her if he sat there much longer.

  He had promised himself; no one else would be hurt by him or because of him. That's why he stayed away from people, including his family. He didn't deserve friendship or love. He had convinced himself of that the day he failed Jillian. Never forgiving himself.

  But he had failed again. The woman lying on his couch unconscious was hurt because of him. The one that looked just as haunted and pained as he did. He wanted to know who had hurt her and to take that pain away. The kettle started to whistle and snapped him out of his reverie.

  He poured two mugs of coffee and walked back into the living room. Lost in thought, he hadn’t heard her stir or even get up. Still holding the mugs in his hands, he froze. His eyes flew to the picture frame that Shay was holding in her hands. She was awake and sitting up, looking at a picture of Jillian.

  “Put it down!” He yelled without thinking about the hot coffee sloshing over his hands. Jaxson watched her jump and then drop the frame. It was like watching a movie in slow motion. They both watched in horror as the picture tumbled from her fingers and onto the floor. It landed face down, and the sound of glass shattering filled the room.

  Chapter 9

  Shay opened her eyes and instantly regretted it. She felt a throbbing sensation at the back of her head. She slowly sat up and brought her fingers to touch the tender area just behind her left ear. She could feel a small cut. It wasn’t bleeding, but a small scab started to form at the back of her ear. Ouch!

  Shay vaguely recalled what happened. Something had startled her, and she had fallen into the river. She remembered the current bouncing her around like a ragdoll and then hitting her head on something sharp. It was a bit hazy after that. She didn’t remember how she got out of the water, or how she got here for that matter. Wherever here was.

  Her eyes scanned the room she was in. This wasn’t her cabin or Sue’s. It was completely unfamiliar. Where the hell was she? The furniture was a little old and well-worn, but the room was clean. Her eyes fell on a picture frame that sat on the end table next to her. She instinctively picked it up staring at a beautiful brunette with long hair. She looked so happy in the picture. Her brown eyes were large, and her smile was big and bright.

  Shay jumped at the sound of a deep voice and watched the picture fall from her grip. She desperately made a grab for it, but it was too late. She watched it drop to the h
ardwood floor and shatter the glass into tiny little fragments. Her eyes lifted and locked onto his.

  Her insides exploded at the look on his face. There was anger, but there was more than just rage. There was underlying anguish too. Her heart broke at knowing she had put that look on his face.

  He stood there bare-chested only wearing a pair of white shorts. She had an errant thought run through her mind that she only ever saw him now without his shirt on. Shay couldn’t help but become frozen in her spot. She wondered if he knew just how gorgeous he was. Yet, he still managed to scare the hell out of her.

  Her heart pounded in her chest as his gaze bore into hers, his eyes more green and untamed than before. Shay's eyes darted to the picture and then back at Jaxson and his crazy wild stare. He took two full strides towards her, and she jumped back onto the couch like he was going to attack. He just glared at her before kneeling down and collecting the picture and chards of broken glass. Her eyes landed on the tattoo that was on the inside of his bicep. It was just a name. Jillian, it read. She wondered if ‘Jillian’ was the woman in the picture.

  He looked up and then walked to the kitchen. She could hear the twinkling of glass as he dumped the fragments into the trash can. He stormed back into the living room and just stood in front of her again. His chest was heaving sharply with every breath he took.

  Shay whispered, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean—"

  His eye’s narrowed, and he growled, "What? Invade my privacy? Break my shit?" He hissed at her in a deep throaty voice.

  Something flashed within her. She was so tired of his attitude. Fuelled by anger of her own, she shoved her way off the edge of the couch and finally stood in front of him not backing down. "What is your problem? Do you enjoy being such an asshole or does it just come naturally to you?" She barked putting her hands on her hips waiting for his response.

  He stood rooted to his spot staring at her like she was deranged.

  Irritated at his silence, she goaded him further. "Well? She said narrowing her eyes at him and walking forward. "Spit it out, big boy." She said shoving her index finger into his chest, looking up at him. She wasn’t sure what possessed her to put her hands on him, but she didn’t get much of a chance to think about it.

  A second later Jaxson grabbed her wrist and pulled her tight to his chest. His emerald eyes flashed with heat right before his lips came crashing down onto hers. Shay was too shocked to move, not that she could if she wanted to because his grip on her wrist was too strong. She felt his cold control fade and then soften. Confusion overwhelmed her and then disappeared as desire took over. His lips were soft but firm as his mouth expertly teased her own.

  Undone, she opened her mouth at his pressure, and his tongue slid between her lips consuming her. She welcomed the intrusion and him as both of their tongues danced and tasted one another. Enjoying the thrill, she deepened her kiss. God how she had missed being with a man. Being kissed so passionately. The warmth and feeling of safety washing through her. Her heart thundered in her chest as she felt his grip tighten around her waist pulling her in closer like he never wanted to let go.

  Jaxson's kiss was raw and pained and came with a longing she, herself knew all too well. Shay slid her tongue along his top lip, and she pressed her hands into his chest feeling his racing heartbeats like an electrical current pass through her tiny fingers. Shay deepened her kiss and lost herself in his embrace when he suddenly ripped his mouth from hers and pushed her away.

  “I shouldn’t have done that.” He said turning and walking into the kitchen. Shay stood there dumbfounded for a moment as her senses were still scrambled from being ravished by his kisses. Regaining her composure, she followed him. She watched him stare out the window for a few moments before she finally got up the courage to ask, “Who’s Jillian?”

  He stood rooted to his spot staring out the window. At first, Shay didn’t think he was even going to answer her. “She was my wife.” He whispered, not bothering to look at her.

  “I’m sorry,” Shay said softly. She watched him turn around and look at her. He was so beautiful when he wasn’t angry she thought.

  “Who’s Ana?” He asked.

  Hearing her daughter’s name was always a punch to the gut, but she thought it only fair to share since he had with her. Shay took a step closer to him and whispered, “My daughter.”

  “Is that why you were crying by the river?”

  The question took her by surprise. “Yes. She died a year ago today.” Shay wasn’t sure what compelled her to cover the distance between them. But, she found herself taking another step closer until she was now standing just a hair's length away. She looked up at him. His eyes were like a swirling storm as she gazed into them, unable to rip hers away. They looked vaguely familiar.

  Realization dawned on her as her memories started to come back. “You were the wolf.” She said. “Why did you scare me like that?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. It all just happened so fast.” He confessed. “One minute you were standing there and the next you were under the water. I was able to get you out fairly quickly. But, you do have a little cut on your head. It’s not deep. You should be fine.”

  He left her standing in the kitchen staring after him. He stopped at the front door and turned back to her. “I think you should go now.”

  Shay was utterly confused by his behavior. She couldn’t understand how he could he go from passionately kissing her and sharing his past to cold indifference in the span of a minute. “Why?” She asked following him to the front door, her sundress still damp.

  He turned to her, and for a second she could see a hint of emotion in his eyes before his jaw hardened even more. “Just go. I’m not good with people.” He snapped and held the door open for her.

  “Do you even want to know my name?” She asked becoming angry.

  “No!” He growled and motioned his hand towards the door. She was pretty sure he already knew it, but he wouldn’t admit it.

  She narrowed her eyebrows together and pushed the door shut with her hand. “My name is Shay Dawson.”

  Jaxson hovered over her and said in a low growl, “You don’t want to know me, Shay Dawson.”

  She took a step back as he took a step towards her.

  “You don’t want to get involved with someone like me Shay Dawson.” He hissed as his green eyes pierced her blue ones.

  Shay now understood why he had closed himself off from the rest of the world. His wife was dead. She didn’t know how or when, but she could see that he was miserable, pained and haunted, just like she was. He wasn’t scary or frightening to her anymore. That was his cover, his shield to keep from letting anyone get close to him. She wanted to comfort him and to let him know he wasn’t alone in his pain. It was something they shared. All she wanted to do was wrap herself up in his strong arms and have that feeling consume her again. To take her own pain away.

  “You don’t scare me, Jaxson Avery.” She shot with confidence taking a step toward him. “Why did you kiss me?”

  He regarded her closely but didn’t answer. Instead, he ran his hand through his long hair, clearly frustrated. The move revealed his full face. She had a chance to really see his strong cheekbones, his dark eyebrows. The strong bone structure that screamed masculinity. His face was that of a gorgeous sculpture, like David or Adonis.

  “I don’t know.” He yelled as he threw his hands up in frustration.

  She watched his hair fall back in his face, and she brought her hand up and moved it away, tucking the thick strands behind his ear. “You’re so beautiful.” She whispered reverently staring up at him.

  She could see her statement had caught him off guard by the expression on his face. She had really meant to say it out loud, but she had gotten lost in his eyes for a moment, and it muddled her thinking. She was broken out of her trance when she felt his arm snake around her waist and pulled her into his hard body once again, claiming her mouth with his. This time she
was determined not to let him go and melted into his arms.

  Chapter 10

  Jaxson was confused by her responses, and it annoyed the hell out of him that she was so god damned persistent. God, she was even more beautiful when she got mad. He had tried to scare her, but that wasn't working either. It only seemed to harden her resolve. Jesus Christ, he wanted her. Needed her. Why wouldn't she just leave?

  He stared intently into her blue eyes as she tucked a piece of hair behind his ear and his body responded while his head screamed no. He threw caution to the wind and gave in to his desires. He snaked his arm around her tiny waist, forcing her to thrust her body against his in one swift movement. He could feel her full breasts press into his bare chest and his cock twitched in his shorts. Jaxson backed her up against the living room wall, and his tongue slid out licking her bottom lip. His mouth crashed down onto hers and his tongue forced entry, wanting to taste every crevice. His hands roamed the outer sides of her full breasts and back down to cup her perfectly round ass.

  “Jesus, you're so beautiful.” He breathed in between his kiss.

  **

  Shay stood there taking everything he gave. He was aggressive, but it only fuelled her desire for him. She wanted him with every fiber of her being. Even more when she felt his large rough hand graze the inside of her thigh moving the hem of her dress up and out of the way so that he could palm her warmth.

  She felt as though her knees would give out at any second. It had been so long since she had been touched by a man. She forgot how good it felt. A low animalistic moan escaped her lips at the sensation of his fingers grazing her pussy lips over her panties. She could feel her dampness soak through the thin cotton. She held his intense stare as he watched her every expression and with a quick tug, he ripped her panties off, making her gasp. The excitement filled her, and she could almost hear her heart pounding in her chest.