“Zeke, when this is over and they are caught, I need to go back to Kansas City and pack up my apartment. I was hoping that you would come with me. I really want you to meet my parents,” she said softly.
Was that what this change in her was? Did she only just now realize that I wanted her forever? I thought that I had made it clear, but I knew that she didn’t trust easily. Maybe she had finally realized that. I reached over and laid my hand over hers.
“I would love to meet your parents,” I told her gently, and her smile lit up her face.
Jessica was leaving in two days, and I knew that would be hard on Chelsea since she was going to be making Tucson her permanent home. There was no way that I would let Chelsea go all the way to Kansas City without me. Besides, I wanted to meet the humans who had raised Chelsea to be such a wonderful and caring woman. I owed them my thanks.
Brady and Emily agreed to stay at the house until Alfred and Steven Bigby were arrested. Because they were shifters, the human committee would turn them over to our council for justice. It seemed that the council would soon be holding elections for the empty position.
I had a lot of work ahead of me. Everyone in the pack would need to be notified, and nominations would have to be taken. That meant long meetings with pack alphas. The one bonus was that I would have Chelsea by my side. That was one advantage of being a pack alpha. My mate was welcome wherever I went.
There was still a lot that I needed to explain to Chelsea, but she had finally realized her place at my side. She had discovered the wolf inside of her, and my wolf could not wait to run through the mountains with her. It was just a few minutes later that the doorbell chimed. That would be Governor Adams.
Richard would be staying with us for a couple days to spend time with Chelsea and get to know her better. Unfortunately, he would have to remain inside the house the full time that he was here. We were taking over his security during his stay, and his guards would return when he was ready to be picked up.
Chelsea jumped up from the table before I could stop her. She was excited to be spending time with her biological father, and I could not help smiling at her enthusiasm. She was already making her way towards the entryway before I even stood from the table. I followed her down the hallway.
When she opened the door, I saw her body stiffen immediately. As I approached, I looked over her shoulder and saw that it wasn’t Richard after all. I did not recognize the man at the door, but I did recognize the gun in his hand.
I quickly reached into the table drawer and pulled out my gun, slipping it into my waistband behind my back. Chelsea took several steps backward, and the man stepped inside the house. Just then, Brady stepped up behind me and touched the gun at my back. No words needed to be spoken.
“Who are you and what do you want?” I asked the man calmly. He had the gun pointed at Chelsea, so I already had a suspicion that I knew who he was. This was Steven Bigby, and I felt my chest tighten at the danger Chelsea was in.
“My father was arrested today. All because of you,” he said to Chelsea. “You should have died twenty-eight years ago. Then none of this would have happened. My father was trying to protect our kind, and you just had to go searching for your father. You brought this on yourself,” he continued, his eyes not leaving Chelsea’s face.
“Steven, this isn’t going to solve anything. Your father had a woman murdered. That had nothing to do with you. You can end this now by just putting the gun down. You don’t want to go to jail with him, do you?” I asked him, trying to remain calm but my hands fisted at my sides.
I needed Chelsea safe, and I needed to get a feel for what this man’s mental state was right now. If I thought I could talk him down, I would, but I was not going to let him hurt Chelsea. Hopefully, I could get him talking.
Just then, a gunshot filled the room, and I saw the blood on Chelsea. At the same moment that I ran forward, Brady pulled the gun from my back and fired off three shots. I caught Chelsea in my arms before she hit the floor. Just then, another presence filled the doorway. Richard.
“Richard, we have to get her to shift. It’s the only way that she will survive. I need your help. She’s never shifted before,” I told him, lifting Chelsea in my arms.
Her eyes were open, and I just needed her to stay awake for a little longer. I was not losing her. I ran to my bedroom and hurried to the bed, laying Chelsea down gently on it.
“Chelsea, you have to shift to your wolf. Your wolf can heal you. You won’t live if you don’t. Close your eyes and call to your wolf,” I told her anxiously. I was afraid that she might be in shock and hadn’t heard me.
I held her hand and my wolf called to her wolf, begging her to shift and save Chelsea. Chelsea’s eyes closed, and I felt panic bubbling inside me. Richard was on Chelsea’s other side with her hand in his, and I looked up at him and saw the pained expression on his face.
“Chelsea, it’s Richard. Listen to your father. I love you, Chelsea. I need you to shift. Let your wolf out, sweetheart. Let her out,” he exclaimed, gripping her hand tightly.
I watched her closely, but she was so still on the bed. Her breathing was shallow, and I was afraid that I was losing her already. Then I heard the cracking of bones. Her whole body shuddered and then her fingers elongated, and the change began.
When her wolf lay on the bed, I fell on my knees beside the bed and cried against the blanket. When I heard her wolf whimper, I looked up and stroked her fur. Her tongue came out and licked the inside of my arm, and I smiled down at her. My breath was coming out in rugged gasps, but I finally relaxed.
Richard came around the bed so he could look in her eyes. He reached down and rubbed her snout, smoothing his hands over her fur.
“Your wolf is beautiful, Chelsea,” he said softly. Then he turned and looked down at me. There was still concern on his face, but I could see the relief there as well.
“She needs to heal, but she will be fine, Zeke,” he said, reaching out and putting his hand on my shoulder. I nodded, but I still couldn’t speak.
“Take care of her. I’ll come back to check on her in a little while,” he said, and then he left the room, closing the door behind him. I stripped out of my clothes and shifted to my wolf form. Then I jumped on the bed and took my place beside Chelsea. I was not leaving her side.
Over the next few hours, one by one, each person in the house checked on us, bringing water for Chelsea and making sure that she was healing. She just needed rest. Richard was the last one to visit, and when he left the room, he shut off the light and told us goodnight.
I snuggled up next to Chelsea. Richard had been right when he said that Chelsea’s wolf was beautiful. My wolf was just as proud to call her mate. I watched her closely, and I knew the moment that Chelsea fell asleep. I could sense it, and sleep was what she needed right now.
It made me proud that her wolf had obeyed my command so beautifully. That was what had saved her life. Both Chelsea and her wolf had learned important lessons today, and I knew that in the future, they would both follow my commands. It could mean the difference between life or death.
It was several more hours before I finally fell asleep. I had waited until I heard Chelsea’s heartbeat and breathing return to normal. It was the only way that I would sleep peacefully. Chelsea was safe now, and that thought made me smile.
Steven was dead. The three shots to the heart were too much for him to shift into his wolf. He was dead before his body hit the floor. The man had obviously been disturbed. He had not even tried to shoot Chelsea in the heart and for that I was grateful. It had taken her too long to shift, and she would have already been dead had the bullet hit her heart.
A shudder ran through my body at that thought. I had not been exaggerating when I told Chelsea that if she died it would kill me. That’s just the way it was with mates. Her death probably would have driven me insane, or even to commit suicide. Now that I had found her, there was no way that I would be able to live without her.
I nudged
her snout and knew that she was fast asleep. Then I laid my chin over her neck and closed my eyes. She was safe now and she was going to live. With that thought, I fell asleep quickly.
I woke to the click of the bedroom door opening. Looking up, I saw Brady walking into the room. There was a soft light coming in the windows, so I knew that it was early morning.
“I took care of the body. Richard wanted to help, but with his position, I didn’t let him near it,” he said softly, and I dipped my head in understanding.
“Steven was correct. Richard confirmed it this morning. His father was arrested for Marissa’s murder. The human committee was contacted, and they have agreed to turn him over to the council for punishment. As you know, the punishment for murder of an innocent is death,” Brady continued.
I was filled with satisfaction at his words. There was nothing that I would love more than to shred the bastard to pieces, but I knew that it would be taken care of.
“I have also spoken with the council about what happened here. They confirm our actions and agree that it was done in self-defense. There will be no other action taken. Chelsea is safe,” he continued.
This was the best news. Chelsea was finally safe. The more I thought about it, the more I could not wait to get to Kansas City and pack up her things. I needed her here with me, and until her whole life was here, she would not feel completely at home.
Chapter 19
Chelsea
When I opened my eyes, I felt a dull ache in my chest. I reached up to touch the spot, but that’s when I realized that I didn’t have hands. Two furry legs stretched out in front of me, and I struggled to sit up as panic welled up inside me.
“Chelsea, lie still. Don’t move around. You are safe,” I heard.
It was Zeke’s voice, but I had heard it in my head. It was similar to when I had been wearing the headphones in the helicopter, only this time, I wasn’t wearing any headphones. I closed my eyes tightly.
“I’m scared,” I told him, unable to speak with my mouth but reaching out to him in the same place in my mind where his voice had been.
“I know you are, Chelsea, and I’m sorry that your first change was like this. You were shot, and we had to force your wolf out to save you. Your human form cannot take what your wolf form can. Your wolf will heal you,” he assured me. I felt the mattress move around me.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw a large wolf on the bed in front of me. It was the same one that I had seen on the mountain. I would recognize him anywhere. This was definitely Zeke.
His tongue came out and licked my nose. It was warm and rough, and it was odd that I could feel it as if it were my own body. Well, I guess it was. Zeke had said that my wolf and I were one.
“How do you feel?” I heard in my head. My eyes met his.
“There’s a twinge of pain in my chest. Not really pain, but more of a dull ache,” I replied.
“Good, that means that you are healing nicely. You will have to remain in your wolf form until you are completely healed, Chelsea,” he said next, and I was not about to argue with him.
I was done going my own way. That lesson had been learned. My stupid plan had been what led that man with the gun to the house. It was my fault that I had been shot, all because I was tired of feeling trapped. All because I didn’t trust Zeke to find who was responsible.
It was a long and boring day, even though Jessica and Emily visited me frequently. Unfortunately, I could not talk to them. I could only nod my head to whatever it was that they wanted to tell me. In my wolf form, I couldn’t even entertain myself with a game of solitaire or a game on my phone.
No one told me what had happened to the man who had shot me, but I had a pretty good idea. Before Zeke had caught me when I fell, I had heard more gunshots around me. I didn’t remember anything after that until I woke up on the bed as a wolf.
It was well into the evening that Zeke told me it was time to change back to my human form. This had been the longest and most boring day of my life, and I was tired of just lying on the bed. I guess that was an appropriate punishment. Hours and hours of boredom. If I had felt trapped before, it was nothing compared to just lying there all day.
I looked up at Zeke’s wolf, and he watched me closely. I really had no idea how to change back to my human form, but I was ready to stand up and walk around again. This was such an odd feeling to be covered in fur, and a shiver ran through me.
“Chelsea, speak to you wolf. You control your wolf. Your wolf does not control you,” he told me gently.
I closed my eyes and did just that. My wolf and I held a conversation in my head. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to that. When I thanked her for saving us, she graciously began the change. When I opened my eyes again, I looked up at Zeke. He was in his human form as well, and he had a huge grin on his face.
“That was wonderful, Chelsea. Your wolf really is beautiful, but I expected nothing less,” he said, and I felt my wolf shiver at the praise. It warmed me inside. I smiled up at him.
He reached down and gently probed my chest. I’m assuming it was where I had been shot. Looking down, I saw no sign of any injury. The clothes that I had been wearing were tattered across the bed, and I could see blood in places. We would probably have to get rid of the comforter as well. I didn’t have a clue how to get that much blood out of it.
Zeke took my hand and helped me from the bed. Once we were both dressed, we walked out of the bedroom. I could hear voices in the kitchen as we approached, and when we entered the room, I saw Richard. There was a vague memory in my head of seeing him after I had been shot, but it was all foggy.
I walked towards him and he wrapped me in a warm embrace. My arms went around his waist. Both of my fathers gave the best hugs, and I sighed against him.
“You did well, Chelsea. I’m proud of you,” he said gently, and I looked up at him in confusion. I wasn’t sure what he meant.
“Shifter children who go through their first change have to practice at it. But you, your change was quick, as if you had done it a hundred times. Your wolf listened to Zeke’s wolf and obeyed, and I’m proud of both you and your wolf for that. It also lets me know that he is worthy of you,” he continued.
I glanced over at Zeke and he had an incredibly handsome smile on his face. He and I still had a lot to talk about, and this world was still new to me. My wolf had saved my life. I promised her that I would let her out again to run some time, just as soon as Zeke would allow it. She seemed content with this answer.
Jessica was leaving tomorrow, and Richard was leaving the day after that, but for now, I was content with having my family and friends around me. I was content knowing that a whole new life was waiting ahead for me, and I could not wait to see what it would bring.
Epilogue
Ezekiel – Two Months Later
Chelsea and I had gone to Kansas City in time to have Christmas with her parents. We had made it a surprise. Chelsea assured me that they were where she got loving surprises from. There were a lot of tears when we knocked on their front door on Christmas morning.
We had stayed at Chelsea’s apartment so we could sort through her things. She didn’t really have any sentimental feelings towards any of her furniture, and I already had a fully furnished house, so we had arranged to donate it all.
What had surprised me most was when I saw her Dodge Ram extended cab pickup truck. That, we were definitely keeping. Looks like I didn’t need to get a truck after all. We had agreed to drive back to Tucson so that we could take all the boxes of stuff that she had wanted to keep.
We had shared a few meals with her parents while we were there, and I got the opportunity to thank them for raising such a wonderful woman. They were both really great people, and before we left, I told them to visit us any time. They would always be welcome, and I had plenty of room at my house for them to stay with us.
Over the last two months, Chelsea had been helping me with the marketing for our company. She had jumped at the opportuni
ty when I brought it up to her, and she had been bringing in more clients. I was glad to add her to the payroll, and she was relieved to have something to do.
Most evenings after the sun went down, we changed into our wolves and ran through the mountains. Chelsea loved the mountains in either form, but she wanted the chance for her wolf to have some freedom. Her wolf had been trapped and kept silent for twenty-eight years, and my wolf loved running with her.
Today was my birthday, and I had gotten Chelsea to wear that same little black dress that she had worn to Brady and Emily’s Christmas party. Wow did she look hot! Her legs seemed to go on forever, and I had watched the curve of her breasts all evening across the table from me. My cock had been hard all evening.
We had gone back to the resort restaurant for dinner. It was my favorite place, and she had surprised me with this evening out and where we were eating. Now that she had tried a lot of different foods on the menu, we had each only ordered one meal. We had laughed over dinner about the first time I had taken her there and all the food I had ordered.
But now we were home. We were home, and I could not wait to get her out of that dress. I had already explained to Chelsea about my wolf wanting to mate hers and what that meant, and she had seemed eager, but I had still wanted to wait. I wanted us to get to know each other better first.
Now, she stood in the middle of the bedroom watching me. Her hair fell long over her shoulders, and I studied her body under her dress. The dress really did not leave much to the imagination. It hugged every curve like a glove.
I had noticed the looks that she had gotten from other men at the restaurant, and it made me gloat inside. Chelsea only had eyes for me. She didn’t want anyone else, and no one could ever complete me like she did. Her eyes watched mine as I sat down on the edge of the bed. Then I crooked a finger at her, indicating for her to come here.
His to Protect: Book 1 in the Bound to Him Series Page 16
