Salvaged Souls

by Deena Remiel

  She retreated into a corner, a huddled, quivering mass, trying her best to dissolve into the cabinetry.

  Greyson stepped into her space and kneeled beside her. He’d softened his voice, maybe so he wouldn’t appear so intimidating to her. But he didn’t need to. He didn’t scare her. The others did. “Hey, Shiloh. We’re in my pack’s territory now. If they step one foot onto Tao pack lands, they’re done for. My packmates have been on the alert ever since I was jumped by my brothers. We have trackers, like me, whose job it is to follow and disable any threat. Please calm down. You’re safe with us.”

  She wouldn’t budge. He stood, shrugging.

  “Here, let me try.” Willow took his place, offering a warm smile to which she gave a tentative one in return. “Shiloh, I know you’re scared. You’ve been through so much. More than you’ve shared with us, I’m sure. Any threat to you has been killed. It would take too much energy, planning, and smarts to even think about coming after you. From the bit we observed about these people, they don’t seem to care about much, least of all, someone who’s been hidden away. Come on. Let me show you around our home. We have a lot of unpacking to do, but it can wait a few minutes.”

  She held out an authoritative hand as though expecting Shiloh to take it, the expression on her face similar to a mother’s.

  Willow stepped back, giving her room to extricate herself. As she did so, Shiloh’s wolf came out and loped to the door. She turned around, snuffling, letting Willow know she was ready.

  “I understand.” Willow opened the door.

  Shiloh took one tentative step down the stairs. Then another. Until, finally, all four feet touched the earth. She let out the smallest howl, more like a whine, and froze in place.

  “Uh, honey,” Willow nudged Greyson. “I think your expertise is needed now. Show her around as only a wolf can do. I’ll unpack a hearty breakfast for us…or for me. Yes, for me. You go do what wolves do. Let her know her newfound brother is here for her.”

  “I could sure use a good run. My legs are starting to cramp up. This, I can do. I’ll have her back—”

  “I’ll see ya when I see ya. Go! Do your thing!”

  With a shiver and growl, he shifted into a white wolf then trotted down the steps. He growled at Shiloh then nudged her until she moved a couple of steps. He nudged her again, running around her. She moved a few more steps. He pushed her more, so she ran. She was much smaller than he. Not as quick. With his longer gait, he was able to catch up. Taking the lead, he showed her around his land.

  He ran them by a stream leading to a waterfall and bluff then through the forested area where small animals scurried for cover. The tour gave her a chance to consider her new brother-in-law and what he’d done to his own family.

  If Greyson could kill Josiah all over again, she’d love to watch. She’d record it so she could see it happen over and over again. If not for his inhumane treatment of her, then for his total lack of leadership that sank his pack to the depths of utter disgrace.

  Chapter Four

  This is just too easy, Shiloh mused as she continued on her first romp in two years. Nobody stopped them from leaving during the night. Nobody lay in wait to ambush them once they arrived at Greyson’s home. Easy meant Shiloh’d better watch out because, just when things seemed to be going fine—Bam! You got kidnapped and chained to a stove for two years.

  The white wolf was having the time of his life, running around like a nut.

  Oh, to feel that free, that comfortable. She’d had a fleeting taste of it when she’d left her pack. She sighed as she loped along. Her sudden burst of energy at the start of the tour had waned. The plate of food Willow had given her was a mere morsel compared to what she needed to feel sated. To feel healthy again.

  Out of sorts, she grappled with the fact she was free to roam, to explore, to be her own self without fear. Having been human for so long, her wolf tried her best to remember what it meant to be a wolf. Oh, she rejoiced at being let loose, but how did one behave after being locked away for two years? The open space threatened to overwhelm her poor animal. Greyson’s gentle prodding throughout their run had helped a bit to find her way to her wolfish self, but she constantly scanned the area, searching, sniffing for any clues Silas and his buddies were nearby.

  One more sniff. Something struck her. What was it? Rabbit. Salivating, she opened herself up to allow instincts to take over. And take over, they did, as though it were only yesterday she’d caught her last meal. She spotted the rabbit in the dense thicket. Stalking upwind from the small creature, she lay in wait as it neared her, unaware of its impending death. One, two, three. Pounce! She grabbed hold of the rabbit’s neck, the warm, coppery elixir of life trickling down her throat as her teeth sank into flesh. It only took a moment for the rabbit to die. Maybe a couple of minutes extra for her to eat it.

  With the taste of fresh meat coating her mouth, Shiloh hunted for more. Greyson watched her from a distance, probably sizing her up, judging her capabilities, trying to figure out what the hell to do with her. She had been held captive, her body broken and mended crooked. Her mind may be irreparably warped, but she still had good instincts. Hers said he was a good man and a good wolf. She downed a total of three rabbits before she approached him with a plan so he wouldn’t have to think so hard.

  Shifting into her human self, she asked he do the same. She watched his wolf shimmer and dissolved into human. “I know you’ve been trying to figure things out for me on this little trip around the homestead, so let me make this easy for you. You and Willow seem to be on the newish side of a relationship. I’d be very much in the way if I stayed in your home longer than a day or so. Tomorrow, take me to your alpha. Let me get this blood oath business out of the way so I can start living a normal life for the first time ever.”

  “Are you a mind reader? That was my plan, but not because you’re in the way. Shiloh, my brother took you, forced you to be his mate. I can see the bond didn’t take, but I will always consider you my family, my responsibility. I never had a family I could call mine, truly. You have given me the gift of a sister. You are, and will always be, welcome in our home for however long you need.”

  Tears welled, blurring her vision. She had to turn away. I won’t let anyone see me weak ever again. She stomped her foot, swiped the hot tears from her face, and turned around to respond to this kind man’s gesture. She pasted on a toothy grin. “You sure know all the right words to say, Greyson. They really cut to the heart in the nicest way.”

  “I’ve been learning a lot from Willow. She brings out the best in me, I guess.”

  “Lucky lady. Lucky man.”

  “I’ll take you to town tomorrow. We have business to attend to now that we’re back. I’ll officially present you to Drew and Ryker. You can share your story, pledge your loyalty then we’ll find you a place to live and work. With our growing community, there is no shortage of work to be done. I have a friend, come to think of it, Parker Bennett, who rents space above his grocery store. He lives in one apartment, rents the other…one bedroom, I think. We’ll find out for sure tomorrow. It would be a perfect place for you to live. Store below you, Parker down the hall. You’d have your own space, but not feel so isolated as to be frightened.”

  “You seem to have everything worked out for me already. How is this possible?”

  “If I had grown up with a sister, I’d want her to be safe, secure, yet free to experience the independence denied for so long. Well, I have a sister now. She’s you.”

  “It’s gonna take some getting used to. I have siblings. They are evil, manipulative bitches.”

  “I’m not evil or manipulative. And I’m not a bitch.”

  She laughed for the first time in over two years. “No, you most certainly are not. I see it’s going to be a bit of fun having you show me the ins and outs of a real brother-sister relationship.”

  “Oh, the fun’s not nearly begun. Wait until I introduce you to the matrons of the p
ack. They’re a hoot! In all seriousness, though, we have a couple of pack members who can help you heal from the traumatic situation you found yourself in. There’s no way to heal properly on your own. Many have endured similar experiences. One’s even a certified counselor, so I hope you won’t fight me on speaking with her.”

  She bit her bottom lip while kicking at the pine needles lying loose on the ground. Opening herself up? Talking about what she’d been through? Telling the basics was one thing. Going deeper, answering questions like, “How did that make you feel?” was not in her wheelhouse of tolerance. Dredging up the past to heal? The sooner she forgot about the last two years, the better. The past had been killed by Greyson, so no…fucking…way. But arguing with him about it wouldn’t help matters.

  “Okay, I’ll meet them. It might be nice to meet people who aren’t out to get me or blame me for their own failings. It could turn out to be downright refreshing to know not all women are possessed by the devil.”

  “Ouch. Those sisters of yours sure did a number on ya, didn’t they?”

  She just stared at him.

  “All right, not going to discuss. Got it. It’s getting late. Let’s head to the house. I’m sure Willow’s got everything set up by now. If not, we can help her.”

  “The thought of heading back is making my wolf antsy. I gotta run.”

  “So run. I’ll be near.”

  “Thanks. Thanks so much for everything.”

  Had Greyson yet noticed the nasty scar trailing down her cheek? He hadn’t asked her about it. Her wolf didn’t care at all. She just wanted to run. Greyson shifted as well, giving her room without making her feel as though she were all alone. She wasn’t quite ready to roam freely without an escort. That would come in time, she figured.

  When they arrived at his doorstep, they morphed into human form. She hesitated before entering the cabin, not sure she could cross the threshold. Fear of enclosed spaces, of doors closing behind her, had grown exponentially since her escape. The scent of chocolate and brown sugar set her nose to twitching, quelling her irrational thoughts, enticing her to enter. The aroma of baked cookies won the battle.

  “Hi, you two! You’re just in time. I’m about to take chocolate chip cookies out of the oven.”

  “That thing works?”

  “Well, I suppose so. I preheated it. It beeped. It was hot when I put the cookie trays in. It must be working.” She turned to Shiloh. “I have to admit, this is my first time here at Greyson’s home. It’s a long story, but we can save it for another day.” Stepping into his arms, she peered up at him. “So, let me guess, sweetheart. You ate out a lot before you met me.”

  Shiloh watched him try to stifle a guilty grin. “Yes, but not in the manner you think. I eat at The Den a lot. I love Gee’s hamburgers and fried pickles. Plus, I get to visit with him when he’s around. Tomorrow, we’ll take you there, Shiloh. It’s a meal not to be missed. Besides, meeting Gee is kinda a big deal. Almost like meeting Drew, our alpha.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. If you don’t mind, I need to take a shower. I’m sweaty and grimy. A feeling I don’t enjoy in the least. I think I’m going to be taking a lot of showers from now on.”

  “Just make sure you don’t get washed down the drain,” Greyson joked. “The bathroom’s upstairs. You can’t miss it. I’m sorry it’s rather basic. You know, stall shower, sink, toilet. No style, but it works. Willow will have to wield her magic to transform it from a bachelor pad bathroom to something more pleasing to the eye.”

  “Oh, don’t you worry about that, honey. I already have ideas. Shiloh, here’s a fresh set of clothes for you. You can leave your grimy ones outside the bathroom door, and I’ll see about cleaning them.”

  “Thank you so much. Greyson, don’t worry. I won’t look around too closely. I’m certainly not one to judge.” Would a shower ever make her feel clean again? She wasn’t sure. The one in the RV had served its purpose well enough, as this one would. The grime, the muck, the disgust, though, ran much deeper than the surface of her skin. Even if she scrubbed till she bled, it still wouldn’t erase Josiah’s touch, bite marks, cigarette burns, claw marks. Scars, seen or unseen, would last forever, therapy or not.

  For tonight, she pushed all that deep down, preferring to “unthink” while washing herself off from a day’s hunting spree. She didn’t bother to examine her body in the mirror. It was something she couldn’t handle yet. Sleeping arrangements will be interesting, she mused as she dressed. There was only one room upstairs. It was devoid of any decoration but had a wardrobe and king-sized bed. Obviously for the two lovebirds. So she guessed she’d be sleeping on the couch. It didn’t matter where she slept, really. She decided she’d shift to get through the night. It would serve two purposes—she’d feel safer as her wolf, and she’d be much more alert to any strange sounds exposing a potential intruder.

  As she walked down the stairs, all clean and refreshed, giggling and kissing sounds emanated from the kitchen. She stopped halfway to the bottom, her heart aching at how lovingly the two spoke to each other. How desperately she wanted the same for herself, but she was way too damaged for it to ever become a reality. No one would be the least bit interested in a broken woman.

  Josiah had shredded all of her hopes and dreams the day he began his brutal sexual assaults. He treated her as a receptacle for his primal rutting then beat the shit out of her afterward. She was used goods. No one in their right mind should want to get anywhere near her. She sighed, intentionally making lots of noise on the remaining steps, then tromped into the kitchen.

  “Oh, Shiloh! How was your shower?” Willow beamed at her from Greyson’s lap.

  “Wet, thank you. I think I’ll go sit by the window and let the air dry this thick mane of mine. It’s grown so much in two years.”

  “Not a problem. We’re just making dinner. Are you still hungry? We’ve made enough for three.”

  “I don’t think I’ll ever not be hungry again.” She chuckled ruefully.

  “We’re going to need more groceries, so we’ll make sure to stop in at Parker’s Bread & Butter.”

  “Bread & Butter?”

  “It’s the grocery store,” Willow offered. “Cute name, huh?”

  “It does have a ring to it.”

  “Wait a minute. He has a couple of apartments upstairs, Greyson. But I bet you already thought of that, didn’t you?”

  “I told her we’d see about her living above it so she has a space of her own. Great minds, sweetness.”

  Sitting in the overstuffed chair, Shiloh’s mind drifted away while her new family chattered and laughed in comfortable style. Rather than it going to a serene place, or finding a piece of beauty to stare at through the open window, her racing heart kept her mind tied up in an anxious knot, unable to appreciate anything. Even the cool breeze wafting through failed to calm her. Tomorrow would be the start of a new life for her. Wasn’t this why she’d run away in the first place? Wasn’t this what she’d hope to find at the end of her journey—freedom, respect, validation? So, why was she so frightened? Why did it feel suspect?

  Given these past two nightmarish years, should I be surprised I’m questioning how smoothly things are going? But right here, right now, there was nothing to fear, nothing to worry about. Josiah had programmed her to fear everything and everyone.

  Look out the window, Shi. Appreciate the beauty, the gift of a new life these people have given you, or, so help me, I’ll beat the shit out of you myself. She raked her fingers through her hair to loosen the drying locks. She’d had enough of peering out windows to last her a lifetime. An antsy feeling suffused her body. Time to let her wolf out. She’d been difficult to contain ever since escaping. Shiloh understood and hoped, with time, the urges would lessen.

  “Greyson, Willow, I’m going wolf. I’ll be outside, close to the house. I’ll stay where I can always see it.”

  “All right. Have fun.” Willow winked at her.

  She s
hrugged and loped out the front door, around the front yard, listening, sniffing, acclimating to the area. Her wolf wasn’t interested in running anymore. She just wanted to be, to at least pretend to be, secure. So she lay down on the porch to enjoy the cold breeze as the sun set. Her eyelids drooped, losing their battle to stay open. As she fell asleep, Greyson and Willow’s groaning and growling lulled her to sleep like a lullaby.

  Her heart beat furiously against her ribs as darkness enveloped her cowering body. Sniffing the air, she scented her mate close by. Longing and anticipation replaced the initial fear of isolation, yet her pulse raced stronger than before. Where was he? She needed him desperately.

  “I am here, my cherished one. I am here,” he howled in wolf song.

  “Come to me, my love, my mate, my soul,” she answered.

  She could smell his approach; his latent power suffused the area with his scent, lighting the space around him as he sauntered closer. Glowing emerald eyes locked onto hers. She stood, emboldened by the nearness of her protector. She could face anything with him by her side.

  The radiance surrounding him encompassed her as he touched his muzzle to hers. Exchanging love bites and licks, she welcomed him by nuzzling his throat, his jet-black fur so soft, so reassuring, so him. He dwarfed her tiny frame, and she loved the feeling of getting lost within his massive, thick-furred body.

  “I thought I’d never see you again. I thought maybe you’d leave me once I was free. Maybe you’d think I wouldn’t need you anymore to help me stay strong. But I do. I’ll always need you.”

  “I’ll never leave you. You are mine. I am yours. Do you know how many days I’ve awakened feeling so frustrated I could do nothing to save you? I’m so glad you’re finally free. Keep beckoning to me in your dreams. I’ll always come. We’ll be with each other for eternity.”

  She howled a love song for him then, after tangling their bodies in mating, they huddled together in a loving embrace as they fell asleep.