“By the time you find her, she will be carrying Justin’s pup. I’m sure she will try to fight him, but she’s just a human. Besides, she doesn’t have to be conscious for him to fuck her.” Marla sneered at him. “By the time you get to Justin’s grandparent’s cabin, it will be too late.”
Kill her, whispered Draven’s beast.
“You are official cast out of the pack for helping to harm a pack member’s mate…my mate.”
“You can’t do that! You need me.” Marla stomped her foot and screamed.
“I need Kelly, my mate. You have until noon to pack and leave my territory. If you are still here, you will be hunted and driven away from here.”
“You can’t do this.” Marla looked up at Moose. “Please don’t let him do this to me.”
Moose shook his head. “Don’t even try. I wouldn’t touch you even if you were the last she-wolf in the world.” He let go of her and turned his back to her.
Marla looked around at the other wolves gathered in Draven’s yard. They all turned their back to her. She shifted and ran off into the fading night.
Draven turned to Pops. “How many ways are there to get to the cabins?”
“FM 1420 is the only paved road. There are two county roads, 210 and 432, both are gravel,” said Pops.
Draven nodded. “I’m taking 210. The rest of you take the other roads.” He went back to his truck and got in. “Kelly, I’m coming for you. Please fight a little longer. I’m coming for you.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The first pothole the truck bounced over didn’t completely wake Kelly, but it jostled her brain enough to make her aware she was moving.
The second pothole was a different story.
The front passenger tire dropped a foot into the center of the hole causing the truck to tile precariously to the passenger side and Kelly to flop against the door panel. Rocks scrapped the undercarriage. The truck groaned.
Kelly’s eyes popped open. Her jaw ached. Hitting her head against the window definitely didn’t help. She tried lifting her right hand to push the hair out of her eyes, but it refused to budge. Jerking her left hand, she felt it pulling against her right, but she couldn’t lift it. She blinked several times and looked down at her hands.
They were tied together with a piece of thick rope.
She twisted her hands in one direction and then another. She pulled against the rope hoping her hands would slide out of the rope. Nothing happened.
“Stupid idiot! If you’re going to buy a truck, you buy an all-wheel drive, not a two-wheel drive piece of shit.” Justin hit the steering wheel as the truck bounced and lurched through several more potholes.
Kelly’s eyes widened. Memories came crashing down upon her, including the one of Justin killing the other shifter.
She twisted and tugged against the rope.
“You’re not getting out of that.” Justin looked at her. The truck bounced into another hole, causing him to curse. He jerked the wheel to the left as he pressed down the accelerator. The truck jerked and hopped out of the hole. The rear tires spun on the loose gravel.
Kelly felt one of her hands move. A spark of hope took hold. She kept twisting and pulling against the rope. She didn’t care how much skin she lost. She had to free her hands.
The truck suddenly gained traction. It lurched forward. Justin cursed. He jerked the steering wheel in the opposite direction in an attempt to correct the direction the truck was going.
Kelly’s right hand slip out of the rope. She knew she had one chance to get away from Justin. The idea that popped into her head wasn’t great. It had too many flaws, and it was dangerous, but it was her only choice. Waiting until Justin reached his destination was not an option.
A surge of adrenaline washed through her. Ignoring her aching body’s protests, she launched herself toward Justin. She grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it as hard as she could toward her.
“You stupid bitch! What the fuck are you doing?” Justin shoved his shoulder into her body as he jerked the steering wheel in the opposite direction.
Kelly flopped against him as the truck slid toward the opposite side of the road. She jerked the steering wheel again.
Justin let go of it and shoved Kelly away from him. She landed hard against the passenger door. Her head flopped backward, hitting the window with a load cracking noise.
Justin cursed as he grabbed the wheel. He overcompensated. Trying to correct his error, he turned the steering wheel too far in the other direction as he stepped on the accelerator.
The truck slid on the loose gravel. The front driver side tire caught deep rut just as Justin stepped down on the gas pedal.
The truck bucked and slid too far to his side.
Kelly knew something was wrong.
She heard a scream, but wasn’t sure if it was actually her screaming or if it was Justin. Her body bounced from one side of the truck to another as it rolled. One second she was on the passenger floor, and then the next she thought she saw the truck roll past her. An instant later, she felt a horrible, searing pain, and then nothing.
Kelly’s eyelids fluttered. Slowly they opened. She stared at the sky. Streaks of light blue, pink, and yellow were slowly creeping across it. The sun was starting to peak through the trees. The morning sky was more beautiful than she had ever remembered it being. Somewhere in the distance a bird started singing.
She wondered if the bird was singing because it was a beautiful morning, or if it was serenading its mate. Maybe Draven would sing to me, she thought as she closed her eyes. I bet he has a beautiful singing voice, was her last thought as she slipped into the inky blackness.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Something cold and wet pressed against her cheek. A low whine broke through the inky blackness. Kelly tried opening her eyes put they refused to work.
A warm tongue licked her chin. She tried opening her eyes again.
On the third attempt, she managed to open her eyes just enough to see a monstrous black wolf lying against her as if it was trying to warm her.
“Draven?” She had never seen his wolf, but she knew it was him. She wanted to hug the wolf, but her arms, like the rest of her body, refused to work. Even breathing was becoming more difficult and she had to concentrate on the very act.
The wolf whined, and then it was gone.
The next minute, she was looking into Draven’s face. She saw the look of sorrow and pain in his eyes. “It’s bad.” Her words were barely a whisper.
“Yeah, it is.”
“Sorry I wasn’t stronger.” She closed her eyes.
“Kelly, open your eyes and keep them open,” demanded Draven. He gently rubbed her cheek.
“Wanted more time with you.” She opened her eyes about half way. “Wanted pups w—you.” She was starting to slur her words.
“Don’t you dare say goodbye. You can’t leave me.”
“Love you.”
Draven shook his head. “Maybe one day, you’ll forgive me.” He brushed her lips with his. They were colder than they should have been.
He didn’t have much time left.
He prayed this would work.
Draven called to his wolf. He licked the spot at the base of her neck where she would forever carry his mark, showing the world she belonged to him.
Draven bit deep into her skin.
Kelly Hayes belonged to him.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“Maybe one day, you’ll forgive me.”
Why would she need to one day forgive Draven? She was the one dying. She was the one leaving him. But I don’t want to leave him. I want my mate. I want the family he promised. I want it all. She was going to lose everything because a stupid person wanted what wasn’t his. It made her angry.
She felt Draven lick her neck, and then a sharp pain like nothing she had ever felt.
Fire burned through her shoulder.
No. Wrong.
Fire burned through her whole body. Even her fingertips and toes
burned. The raging infernal inside her continued growing stronger. The intensity was unbearable. She wasn’t sure if she was going to survive.
Make it stop, she screamed. At least she thought she screamed. Maybe it was just her imagination. She wasn’t sure of anything.
The fire and pain tripled. Death wasn’t supposed to hurt like this. It was supposed to be easy. Like falling to sleep easy.
Not death. Birth. My birth.
Kelly felt something move inside her. Something just beyond the fire and pain. It was separate from her but part of her at the same time. What’s happening to me? She heard a low growl. Was it Draven? She remembered seeing him and his wolf. Her biggest regret was not having more time with him. Time to love him. Time for a family of her own.
We will have all…mate and pups, growled a voice.
Who are you? Kelly wanted to wrap her arms around her middle and curl up into a ball. She didn’t know how much more of the agony she could take. Her bones were breaking. The muscles were being ripped from them.
And when she thought she couldn’t take any more, it was all gone.
Growls erupted around her.
The scent of blood filled the air.
Kelly opened her eyes. She blinked. Something was wrong with her eyesight.
Nothing wrong.
It was the voice she had heard earlier. Where are you?
Here. With you.
Kelly looked down at her hands, except they weren’t hands any longer. Draven bit me. I have a wolf.
Yes. Mate needs us.
Kelly turned her head toward the growls. A large, monstrous looking black wolf was fighting two brown wolves. While one of the smaller wolves drew the monster wolf’s attention, while the other darted in for a quick bite. She sniffed the air. Immediately she knew it was Justin and his friend, Darius Perrow, attacking Draven. Her mate needed her. What do I do?
Let me.
Kelly understood. The wolf that was now part of her wanted control. She knew it was the only way she could help her mate. Time to take out the trash.
She saw one of the wolves go after Draven’s rear leg. At the last minute the large black wolf kicked, sending the other wolf tumbling. Darius shook his head and got back on his paws.
Anger surged through Kelly and her wolf. How dare Justin and Darius gang up on Draven.
Get him! Get Darius!
Kelly’s wolf surged forward. It rammed its head into the side of Darius’ wolf, sending them both tumbling. Kelly surged to her paws and whipped around to face Darius. Her lips curled back, revealing a set of very sharp teeth, as she growled at him.
Darius looked at her as if he were laughing.
Kelly saw red. Her wolf let out another low, warning growl.
Darius charged her.
She moved just seconds before he reached her. His teeth scrapped her shoulder. Fuck! That hurt.
She twisted and lunged for his throat.
He moved his head, and she ended up biting down hard on his snout. He shook his head trying to break her hold.
Kelly let a deep throaty growl. Determined not to let go, she held on to his snout. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth.
Darius flopped down on the ground and rolled.
Kelly had no choice but to let go. Before he could get back up, she launched herself at him with her sights set on his throat. This time she successfully bit down on his throat.
He tried pawing at her, but she ignored his feeble attempts to escape, and clamped her mouth shut. After a few seconds, the wolf went limp.
Kelly gave the wolf a shake, making sure the animal wasn’t pretending. Satisfied, she dropped the dead wolf, and turned to find Draven’s wolf staring at her.
The huge beast slowly walked over to her. The wolf towered over her, but she wasn’t afraid. This was her mate. Our mate, said her wolf as it tucked itself back inside and let the human have control.
The shift back to human was easier than her first shift to her wolf, but it was still painful. She laid at the paws of Draven’s monster. The wolf nuzzled and licked her neck. Seconds later, she found herself in Draven’s arms.
“You’re beautiful as my curvy mate as you are as a wolf, but we need to talk about you fighting with grown male wolves,” he whispered in her ear.
She smiled. “Love you, my alpha wolf.” She closed her eyes as exhaustion claimed her.
“Sleep, my beautiful mate. We have the rest of our lives.” Draven carried his mate.
“The rest of our lives, my love,” whispered Kelly.
EPILOGUE
Several months later…
“Can I get another one?” Moose raised his empty beer bottle.
“Be right there,” said Kelly. She turned her attention back to Draven. “Are you sure about this?”
He nodded. “That’s why the pack is here tonight.”
“A fresh start is exactly what the pack needs.”
“That it does.” He pulled his mate closer and kissed her.
“Pops, the alphas are at it again.” Cooper crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at Draven and Kelly.
Pops chuckled. “It’s okay. Just wait until it happens to you.”
Cooper’s eyes widened. “Not happening to me. No freaking way!” He grabbed a beer out of the cooler and put it in front of Moose.
“I want a house full of grandpups. You and Mason are a little behind.” Pops walked over to Kelly. “How’s the pup doing?”
“Finally letting me keep the food in my stomach.” She smiled her dad as she cradled her stomach.
“You be a good pup. Tell you momma you want a bacon cheeseburger,” said Pops as he leaned closer to Kelly’s stomach.
Draven groaned. “I’m getting a little tired of bacon cheeseburgers.”
“But it does sound good. And I’m suddenly hungry,” said Kelly.
“Liam made one with extra bacon.” Pops’ eyes twinkled.
Kelly turned to go to the kitchen, but Draven wrapped his arm around her waist, stopping her from going anywhere. “After the announcement.”
Kelly rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I want extra crispy fries with cheese sauce.”
“They’re already in the fryer. And I’m making you some fried pickles,” Liam shouted from the kitchen.
Draven nuzzled her hair to hide his smile. He wondered if Kelly knew that she had most of the pack wrapped around her fingers. He looked at the members gathered in the bar. Several were absent. He had a feeling, he would soon be banishing them too, just like he did Archibald Perrow and his cronies. But he wasn’t going to think about that tonight. Tonight was the start of a new beginning.
“Are you ready?” Kelly looked up at her mate.
He nodded. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
The bar became almost instantly quiet. Everyone was focused on Draven and Kelly.
“I have my beautiful mate and a pup on the way. I have my new beginning, now I want a new beginning for this pack.” Draven looked around the room. “I have talked this over with the elders, the wolf council and the pack lawyers, and all are in agreement that what I’m about to do is the right thing. Tonight is the new start for the Starlight Pack.”
Cheers erupted throughout the bar.
Moose stepped forward. “We all like the idea of a new name and a new beginning, but we need to make a slight change to the name you’ve chosen.”
Around the room, heads nodded and whispers of approval could be heard.
“What’s the change?” asked Draven. He hadn’t expected this.
Moose grinned. “If it wasn’t for Pops, Sara, and this bar, you wouldn’t have found your mate. There’s something special here. So we want our new pack to be called the Starlight Bar Pack.”
Cheers exploded around the room when Draven nodded his head in approval. He watched his pack hug each other. Things were good.
Kelly touched Draven’s cheek. “You did it. You saved the pack.”
He smiled down at her. “You saved me.”
&
nbsp; She snuggled into her alpha wolf’s embrace. She thought about her brothers and Moose. Please let them find their mates and happiness, like I have.
THE END
OTHER BOOKS BY RAYNE RACHELS
Durant Brothers
This series is a spin-off of the Bryant Station Curves series.
Mated Hearts (Book 1)
Protected Hearts (Book 2)
Tatter Hearts (Book 3)
Bryant Station Curves
Lisa’s Bear (Book 1)
Chasing Tara (Book 2)
Abby’s Heart (Book 3)
Saving Courtney (Book 4)
Lauren’s Mate (Book 5)
Claiming Harley (Book 6)
Joy’s Forever (Book 7)
Surviving Ivy (Book 8)
Briary Creek Wolves
A Bryant Station Curves Spin-off
Bailey’s Secret (Book 1)
Gracie’s Wolf (Book 2)
Brimstone Heat
A Briary Creek Spin-off
Lucifer (Book 1)
ABOUT THE RAYNE RACHELS
Aquarius.
Cat mom.
Bookworm.
Internet junkie.
Coffee addict.
Loves hot tea.
Can’t wait to get my hands on some Christmas cookies.
Never without pen or paper.
Must have all the stickers, colorful pens, and planners.
And have a head full of stories.
These are just some of the sides to me.
I would love to hear from you.
http://raynerachels.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/raynerachels
[email protected]
www.twitter.com/raynerachels
www.pinterest.com/raynerachels/
https://www.instagram.com/raynerachels/
Alpha Wolf Page 11
