Moonlight Savior

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  “My name is Elise. I’m the alpha’s mate.”

  He remembered the alpha’s words and relaxed marginally. “Then you’ll help me?”

  “Who do you want more? Trent or Harper?” she asked.

  Ramsey growled. “Trent must pay for what he’s done. I can’t let him get away.”

  “You’ll find him downstairs in my mate’s office. It’s the fifth door on the left down the hall to your right. Go after him if you wish.”

  Ramsey looked at Deacon, Levi and Austin. “You three go after him. Tie him up if you have to.” He turned back to Elise. “And Harper?”

  “She’s two doors down on the left. Once you have her, Patrick will stand down. He’s only kept you away out of some misplaced loyalty to Trent. I’m not even sure how they met or why they became friends.”

  “Thank you, Elise.”

  He hurried down the hall with Hunter on his heels. Throwing open the door, he rushed inside and found Harper curled up on the bed. When she saw him, she cried out and ran across the room, throwing herself into his arms.

  “You came for me,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t make it in time.”

  “Of course I came! We started gathering the troops the moment I knew you were missing. We even have wolves from other packs with us.”

  She held him tight. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

  “I wasn’t going to stop until I found you. Once you told me where you were, it was just a matter of time before I got here. I left within two hours of getting your call, and I would have left sooner if I wasn’t waiting on Gabriel and some wolves from Denver.”

  Harper burrowed into him. “Take me home, Ramsey.”

  “Just as soon as you say hi to someone else.” He motioned Hunter into the room.

  Harper hugged her brother and kisses his cheek. “It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s even better to see you,” he told her. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”

  She smiled. “Everyone can stop worrying now. My two favorite wolves have come to take me home.”

  Ramsey lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the room. Now that he had her back, he didn’t want to let her go. Even though he knew they weren’t free just yet, he was comforted by the feel of her in his arms.

  When they reached the bottom of the main staircase, they were met with a wondrous sight. The alpha, Patrick, and his guards were surrounded. Off to the side, Deacon had Trent in custody, the wolf’s hands bound behind his back. It seemed they had been victorious.

  He stopped in front of the alpha and stared at him a moment.

  “I told you I would be leaving here with my mate.”

  The alpha nodded. “So you did. And in the process, you’ve shown me that my security is a bit lax. I supposed I owe you for that.” He looked over at Trent and then back at Ramsey. “I see you’ve gotten what you came for on all counts.”

  “He’ll be punished accordingly.”

  “By whose laws?” the alpha asked.

  “Mine. He endangered my mate and unborn child. He’s going to pay a high price, one that he’ll never forget.”

  “Then go. Take your mate and your captive and go. Our business here is done.”

  Gabriel and Ramsey led the pack out of the mansion and off the alpha’s property. Patrick had been right. They had what they’d come for. Now it was time to go home.

  They’d been on the road for hours and were more than halfway home. So far the trip had been quiet. Harper had told Ramsey and Deacon about them abduction. When Ramsey heard about her being tied up for so long, he nearly pulled over and took a pound of flesh from Trent. Thankfully, Deacon was able to make him see reason. Trent had kept quiet the entire time, tense and warily watching Ramsey.

  Finally, he broke his silence. “What are you going to do with me?”

  “You’ll find out when the alphas do.”

  He looked surprised. “But Connor said the three of you had to agree on any punishment given.”

  “Not this time. You’re mine.”

  Trent paled and visibly swallowed. It was obvious Ramsey’s news had made him more than a little nervous. Ramsey didn’t care if Trent worried about his fate. It was the least he deserved. He could only imagine the wolf’s face when his punishment was announced. He hoped it would be a lesson not soon forgotten. And once justice had been served, Trent would be escorted to Luna’s side by the Denver wolves. Once he was safely in Colorado, Ramsey wouldn’t have to worry about him ever again. He knew the alpha would keep a close watch on Trent and make sure he stayed out of trouble.

  A few hours later, Ramsey pulled up in front of the Victorian, stopping behind Cole’s truck. He figured it would be safer for Trent to remain under lock and key at Gabriel’s house than his own. Ramsey didn’t trust himself to keep away from Trent.

  When they entered the Victorian, Gabriel looked surprised. “How am I supposed to keep him locked up?”

  “Deacon and Levi can take turns watching him until tomorrow. I want to get this out of the way as soon as possible.”

  Gabriel rubbed a hand across his jaw. “Don’t you think you should tell us what his punishment is first?”

  “It might be better if you don’t know. I have a feeling you won’t approve of it.”

  Gabriel shook his head. “Connor already gave you permission to punish him how you see fit so I guess it doesn’t matter. Just keep in mind that anyone in the pack may witness the punishment.”

  “If you want them to toe the line, this will do it.”

  “All right. I can’t say that I like it, but I won’t argue with you. We’ll meet at noon tomorrow. The Denver wolves can leave directly after and take Trent with them.”

  Ramsey nodded. “Until tomorrow then.”

  He ushered Harper out of the house and assisted her into the Hummer. After being away from her for so long, he couldn’t wait to get her home. The house had felt too empty without her in it. He couldn’t begin to tell her how much he’d missed her. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but he just couldn’t find the words. He’d told her he loved her when they’d spoken on the phone, but they hadn’t talked about it since then, there hadn’t been time.

  He pulled in the driveway at home and stopped next to her car. She looked at the smaller vehicle and frowned.

  “I feel like an idiot,” she said.

  He was taken aback. “Do what?”

  “I said, I feel like an idiot. If I had only listened to you, all of this could have been avoided. But in a moment of sheer stupidity, I defied your orders and went out alone.”

  “Kiera shouldn’t have asked you to leave the house by yourself. She knew better.” He sighed. “Or maybe I should have been home with you, or found someone to watch over you. I just thought you’d be safe with Kiera and Aislinn.”

  “Perhaps it’s no one’s fault but Trent’s. Maybe we should stop blaming ourselves.”

  He leaned over and kissed her, the first kiss they’d shared since she’s gained her freedom. It was sweet and didn’t last nearly long enough, but Ramsey wanted to be in the house before he gave her a proper kiss, knowing it would lead to other things.

  “I missed you,” she said softly.

  “I missed you, too. I was a bit of a wreck when I realized you were gone and there wasn’t a trail to follow.”

  “I tried to leave one, but Trent realized what I was going and picked me up. I fought him as hard as I could, but it wasn’t enough.”

  He smoothed her hair back from her face. “You did good, honey. I’m proud of you for finding a way to contact me. Without your phone calls, we might not have found you. And I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

  “I wasn’t going to give up without a fight. I was determined to come home, to come back to you.”

  “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

  The moment they walked through the front door, Shakespeare launched himself at Harper. The little dog was practica
lly vibrating in his excitement. Harper hugged him to her and kissed the top of his head.

  “I’m happy to see you, too,” she told Shakespeare before putting him down.

  Ramsey closed the door and pulled Harper into his arms. If he had this way, that’s where she’d stay for the next few days, but he had responsibilities that couldn’t be put off. He had to remind himself that they had the rest of their lives to be together. Now that Trent was in custody, Harper was safe. For now. He remembered the war hanging over their heads and it made him want to hold her even tighter.

  “I want to take a shower to wash away the past forty-eight hours.” She looked up at him. “Will you join me?”

  He grinned. “Nothing is going to keep me from your side. I’m yours until I have to go to Gabriel’s tomorrow.”

  “I want to go with you.”

  He shook his head. “I’d feel better if you stayed home. I don’t know how Trent is going to react tomorrow and I want you out of harm’s way.”

  “But, surely there will be enough wolves there to ensure my safety.”

  “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  She hugged him. “I need to be there. I need closure. Just because I’m home, doesn’t mean I feel safe. I need to see that he’s punished, and that he’s taken away. I don’t think I’ll feel truly safe until then.”

  Ramsey sighed. “All right. I’ll take you with me. But Finn, Vaughn, and Austin will guard you. I’ll make the calls tonight.”

  “Thank you.” She kissed him softly.

  Lifting her into his arms, he carried her down the hall to their bedroom. He kicked the door shut behind them before Shakespeare could follow them into the room. In the bathroom, he set Harper down on her feet. Gently cupping her face, he kissed her, savoring the sweet taste of her. His lips laid claim to hers, possessing her. Breaking the kiss, he lifted her shirt over her head and tossed it aside, anxious to feel her skin against his. Making quick work of the button and zipper on her jeans, he shoved them down her legs. She stepped out of them and he pulled her into his arms, holding her close as he kissed her again. He needed her with an intensity that scared him. He buried a hand in her long silky hair and pulled her even closer. There was no such thing as too close.

  When he released her kiss swollen lips, she tugged on his shirt, a silent plea for him to remove it. He tugged it over his head and dropped it on the floor. Knowing what her next request would be, he removed his jeans. Standing before her in nothing but his underwear, it was hard to hide his desire for her.

  “I want you,” he growled softly.

  “After my shower. I don’t feel clean right now.”

  He growled again, but nudged her toward the shower. He turned on the water and finished undressing. As Harper removed her bra and panties, Ramsey’s heated gaze devoured every creamy inch of her exposed skin. Remembering how good she tasted, he licked his lips. Gently, he nudged her into the shower and under the warm spray.

  He picked up her shampoo bottle and squirted a generous amount of cherry scented liquid into his palm. Putting the bottle back, he began to lather her hair, gently massaging her scalp and working the soap down through the ends. When he was finished, he rinsed the lather from the long tresses.

  Next, he grabbed her cherry blossom soap and poured some into his hand. Rubbing his hands together, he began gently soaping her throat.

  “I have a loofa,” she said.

  “I need to touch you,” he replied. “Need to know that you’re really here.”

  She reached up and caressed his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere ever again. The next time you tell me to do something, I promise I’ll listen.”

  His hands massaged her shoulders and slid down to cup her breasts. Caressing her, his thumbs stroked her nipples, making them pucker. Ramsey kissed her again as his hands moved down her ribcage to her hips. Pulling away, he knelt before her and softly kissed her stomach. With tender hands, he soaped her skin, reverently touching that part of her that would soon swell with their child.

  She threaded her fingers in his hair. “We’re fine, Ramsey. Nothing happened to either of us.”

  He touched the rope burns on her wrists.

  “Well, mostly fine,” she amended. “But my wrists will heal. No real damage was done to either of us.”

  He rose to his feet and kissed her again. Sliding his hand down between her thighs, he caressed her, stroking her sensitive clit. She gasped and thrust her hips forward. As he ravaged her mouth, he teased her clit, until she was bucking against his hand. He eased two fingers inside of her and felt her shatter.

  “Please, Ramsey. I need you.”

  “Not yet. I need to finish washing you first,” he said, using great restraint. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself inside of her, but he wanted to take his time.

  He gently turned her and began soaping her back. Using his thumbs, he tried to ease the tension from her muscles. He took his time washing her, and when he was finished, he helped her rinse.

  Turning off the water, he helped her out of the shower and dried her off. After drying himself, he carried her into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured as he kissed the side of her neck. “I want this moment to last as long as possible.”

  “Make the next one last. Right now, I just want to feel you inside of me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Ramsey gathered her close and entered her with one thrust. Being inside of her felt like heaven. He had to fight for control, wanting nothing more than to lose himself in her, but he wasn’t going to disgrace himself by finishing in less than a minute, no matter how much he wanted her. He plunged into her again, harder and deeper than the first time, drawing a gasp from her. Bending his head to kiss her, he began thrusting into her with long slow strokes, until he thought he might go mad. As her first orgasm overtook her, she dug her nails into his shoulders, holding on. He began driving into her harder and faster, and before her first orgasm ended, a second one started. Unable to hold back any longer, he thrust one last time before coming inside of her.

  Afterward, he held her close, not wanting to let her go. Even now, he couldn’t stop touching her.

  “That was perfect,” she said softly.

  Ramsey kissed her in response.

  “I know it’s still early, but I could go to sleep right now,” she said.

  “Can we talk about something first?”

  She looked up at him. “It sounds serious.”

  “It is to me. It’s something that’s been bothering me for a while now. I promised myself I would talk to you about it once you were back home safe.”

  “Have I done something wrong?”

  “No, nothing like that. It’s just… I’m tired of referring to you as my mate.”

  She paled. “You’ve changed your mind about me?”

  “No! Hell. I’m screwing this up. The thing is, I think of you as more than my mate. I’ve found myself, more than once, almost calling you my wife. And the thing is I liked the feel of it. Calling you my wife, I mean. So, what I’m trying to say is that I’d like us to get married. I know you’re already my mate, but I want more.”

  Harper’s eyes were glassy with unshed tears. “You really want me to marry you?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “I’d like that. We can go to the Justice of…”

  “No. We’re going to do this the right way. It doesn’t have to be a big wedding, but we’re going to have a real one, complete with you in a wedding dress and me in a tux.”

  A tear slid down her cheek. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more. I love being your mate, but being your wife would be amazing.”

  “We’ll make the arrangements after Trent is taken care of. I don’t think it will take long to pull something together.”